The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has charged private and public sectors to chart a new course for nation-building through innovative ways.
Yemi noted that millions of entrepreneurs will be created if both sectors can build the country through innovation.
Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, gave this charge at the International Breweries Foundation’s Award Ceremony of its Kickstart programme entitled Empowering Nigeria’s Future Business Leaders, held in Lagos.
“I believe both the private and public sectors of our emerging economy must find new and inventive ways to do more and add value that makes citizens more productive and build the nation much more faster.
“I am sure that it is every entrepreneur’s dream to be an Aliko Dangote. Our nation does not need such one entrepreneur but millions.
“To build an economy where such is possible and people can turn ideas into wealth with less regulatory bottlenecks, where it is easier to access loans, lands and other factors of production,” Osinbajo said.
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Professor Yemi stated that Buhari’s administration has done so many things to stimulate the business environment for entrepreneurs.
He recalled the creation of an Ease of Doing Business framework that allows entrepreneurs shorter ways times, less regulatory bottlenecks and also reduces the cost of registration of businesses.
The VP noted that this has enhanced the creation of one-stop-shop for all regulatory requirements to be concluded in one building.
Osinbajo lauded the company’s kickstart programme for awarding 100 budding entrepreneurs not only in the area of funding but also in capacity building and mentoring programme to guide them on their successful journey.
Speaking also, the guest speaker Of the occasion, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, said that the youths guaranteed the future of Nigeria.
Moghalu called for job creation for the growing population, pointing out that if the population increases and there is no job, poverty will increase.
He said that the country’s population currently is 200 million, but projected to be 240 million and 410 million in 2030 and 2050 respectively.
Professor Kingsley, however, commended efforts of International Breweries towards elevating the growing entrepreneurs in the country.
The Speaker noted that innovation is driving development as it is the secret of the wealth of the nation and not oil.
While giving his take on the educational system in the country, he said that there is need to train and retraining of teachers, update educational system and promoting vocation.
The Former CBN Director noted that no students should be guided without being thought about how to start a business.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, International Breweries Plc, Annabelle Degroot, also stated that the future belongs to the young , adding that Nigeria needs visionary and self-starting young men and women who are ready to seize the moment to build and shape that future,
Degroot encouraged more young Nigerians to apply to participate in the Kickstart initiative to create a better future for themselves, their communities and Nigeria.
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