The Carrington Youth Fellowship Network of the United States Consulate General in Lagos is set to host the third Ambassador Walter Carrington Annual Symposium at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium of the University of Lagos on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 by 11:00 am. The theme of the event is ‘Innovate, Create, and Sustain: Youth Entrepreneurship for a Better Future.’
The Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative, CYFI, is a dynamic youth-based initiative launched in 2011 by the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos that brings together Nigerian youths of exceptional vision, skills, and experience to design and implement projects that are having a positive impact on Nigerian society.
The inspiration for CYFI was borne by former Ambassador Walter Carrington, a champion of civil liberties, democracy, and closer ties between the U.S. and Nigeria. CYFI fellows are committed to putting the ideals of Walter Carrington into practice.
The Ambassador Walter Carrington Annual symposium was inaugurated in 2021 as a platform that brings together young Nigerians to discuss issues that directly affect them and proffer solutions that amplify their voices, strengthen their agency, and promote national development.
This year, the third annual Walter Carrington Symposium will conclude the six-month-long student entrepreneurship training programme for tertiary institutions in Lagos State run by the Carrington Fellowship Network.
In commemoration of the Global Entrepreneurship Week, the event aims to foster entrepreneurship development among Nigeria’s youth, especially students in tertiary institutions.
According to a statement issued by the organisers, the event will provide a platform for student entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas, learn from successful entrepreneurs, network with potential investors, and access support for their ventures.
It will also host keynote speeches and panel discussions, business fair and exhibition, networking and interactions, and CYFI alumni awards presentations.
Speakers confirmed for the event include the U.S. Consul General, WIll Stevens; the Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, & Technology, Olatunbosun Alake; the Lagos Commissioner of Youth, Mobolaji Ogunlende: the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola; the Executive Director of FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi; Co-founder of Piggyvest, Odunayo Eweniyi; Bayo Omoboriowo and Dr. Arese Carrington, among others.
Other organisations expected to participate include the Kensington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation, UNFPA, Bumpa, WiiCreate, Raknida, among others. The event is expected to host over 2,000 young people, in person and virtually, including students from tertiary institutions across Lagos and environs.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then