entrepreneurship

Invitation to register for the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-Fair) Isreal Nigeria 2020/21

02 Nov 2020 By ummiyusuf

Registration has commenced for the i-Fair 2020/21, an initiative born out of the need to raise a generation of INNOVATORS, INVENTORS and RESEARCHERS in Nigeria; especially among the youths.

i-FAIR is offering Nigerian aspiring inventors a unique opportunity to showcase innovative ideas in the fields of Agriculture and Food Technology, Renewable Energy/Environmental Management, Medical Devices/Simulation, and Social Responsibility/Innovation for the Physically Challenged.

Register now and gain access to;

  • A 3 days skills development and interactive session with the mentors and co-participants at the Skill “G” Innovation Center, Abuja.
  • Sixty (60) hour “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” course, during which participants will work at the Innovation Center to develop their ideas, projects and prototypes.
  • A 3-day Grand Finale Experts/Investors Panel (“Sharks” format) Event; where participants will present their projects and prototypes.

Click on aea.org.ng or www.ifair-israelnigeria.com/form-app/form.php to begin the registration process.

FCT One- Stop-Shop: Business regulators under one roof

27 Jul 2020 By ummiyusuf

The FCT MSME One-Stop-Shop was officially commissioned by the Vice President of Nigeria on 6th September, 2018.

The One-Stop-Shop brings together business regulators under one roof with the aim of providing a platform for convenient, continuous and and easy interaction between the government agencies and Nigerian-based MSMEs.

The One-Stop-Shop destination for FCT is the Abuja Enterprise Agency Entrepreneurial Complex, located at Plot 74, Sector Centre ‘A’ Cadastral Zone B15, Jahi District, Abuja.

The building is open to members of the public to visit and access services of various business regulators including;

  • Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
  • National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
  • Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)
  • Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
  • Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)
  • Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
  • Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM)
  • Bank of Industry (BOI)
  • Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)
  • Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL)
  • National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
  • Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)
  • Bank of Agriculture (BOA)
  • FCT Microfinance Bank

You can also follow the One-Stop-Shop on its instagram and facebook pages using the following links: www.instagram.com/ossabuja/ and www.facebook.com/ossabuja/

FG TO DISTRIBUTE AGRICULTURAL INPUTS TO FARMERS

13 Jun 2020 By halimafarouk

An endeavor has been made by the Federal Government to alleviate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on food production in Nigeria, the government started the dissemination of agricultural inputs to farmers nationwide.

According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the move would enhance agricultural production and avert food scarcity in 2021.

It said in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday that the inputs distributed to smallholder farmers included various varieties of seeds of rice, maize, wheat and palm seedlings.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, inaugurated the distribution exercise in Kaduna.

He stated, “The Federal Government will continue to support smallholder farmers with relevant inputs through associations and cooperatives to ensure that the country does not experience food shortages as a result of the pandemic.

“Rice farmers through the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria will receive support worth about 270 metric tonnes and 300MT of certified seeds of FARO 66 and 300MT of foundation seeds of flood- tolerant rice varieties of FARO 66 and FARO 67.”

He added, “The ministry is also distributing 26MT of certified wheat seeds to wheat farmers, 1,350 maize production kits and 18,517Kg of Aflasafe to ensure that the maize produced is aflatoxin-free.”

Nanono said the association was expected to distribute the seeds to its members nationwide for the 2020 cropping season.

Source: https://punchng.com/fg-distributes-agricultural-inputs/

REBOUND STRATEGY FOR SMES SURVIVAL

08 Jun 2020 By halimafarouk

SMEs in Nigeria (like in some countries) are now feeling firsthand the impact of COVID-19 paired with the deflation of the Naira an aftermath of the oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia, that has resulted in the drop in oil prices (less than $25 per barrel, a record low since 2002).With the probabilities really slanted against the country, Its hard not to wonder how many small businesses will survive these times. Surviving will be contingent on the REBOUND STRATEGY. Life for small businesses as we all know it, will change. Once the white flag is up, it is persistence of the fittest, you will need to think on your feet if you want to remain in the market.

 Few tips small businesses may need to consider when planning their rebound strategy

 Tap into resources provided by government and financial institutions 

Governments around the world are already putting together initiatives to support small business owners, and this is something that is evolving on a daily basis. Be up to date with how your governments can help cut costs, as well as other important institutions, such as banks who also have a social responsibility. If you’re registered in more than one market, explore support options in both markets.

Upskill your staff

Wherever possible, try your best to keep your staff– they rely on you, and if you have managed a good team, they should be supporting you. You could train your existing staff on additional skills, which could make them more productive and efficient, rather than hiring more staff. There’s plenty of online courses that are very affordable, and these will allow them to focus on other areas of the business when their department is down for instance, your sales team could perhaps also help out the marketing team. 

Refurbish Branding Materials

Nothing tells the story of a business as much as its brand materials. Beyond the promise and messaging, other elements that make up a brand including the materials. While speaking with some businesses, there were conversations about wanting to update some brading elements but due to busy schedules, these could not happen. Fortunately, or unfortunately, businesses now have some time to work on this so that it reflects the image you want the brand to have. These materials include brand logo, message fonts, colours, design layouts, tagline, color palette, and all the marketing and promotional materials, letterheads, signage, etc. These, as we know amongst other things, will aid in giving your company an appeal in a very attractive way.  With adequate feedback through communication with customers and your team, you can birth something that will keep your target audience glued to your brand.

Build Social Presence 

The use of digital platforms have been on the increase during this period and very rightly. Businesses are trying to gain market share and are competing for audience attention. Beyond ensuring that you have an active online presence, what is key is focusing on the platform that targets your audience. As a small business, you cannot be everywhere because you most likely do not have the resources (finance and manpower), so what is advisable is to go all out. Find out what platform(s) your audience congregate and create high engaging content and begin to build human interaction. The trends of events have shown that there is so much to be gained from active involvement on these platforms.

 

Apply for the 3rd National MSME Awards (Virtual Edition)

08 Jun 2020 By ummiyusuf

Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for the Virtual Edition of the National MSME Awards and stand a chance to win cash and other valuable prizes.

The Award Program is an initiative of the Federal Government under the National MSME Clinics Platform and it aims to support and appreciate the efforts of entrepreneurs towards the development of the economy.

The Presidency is working diligently to ensure MSMEs survival during these turbulent times and has not allowed the pandemic to deter it from showing appreciation to outstanding MSMEs.

Award Categories include; Agriculture, Fashion, Manufacturing, Creative Arts, Leather Works, Woodworks, Technology Innovation and many more.

Registration is ongoing and will end on 30th June 2020. Apply today by visiting www.msmeclinics.com.ng

ABUJA MASK-UP COMPETITION

27 May 2020 By halimafarouk

The Abuja Enterprise Agency being the drivers of entrepreneurial growth held a mask up competition in conjunction with its partners in the fashion industry, the competition was designed to give participants the opportunity to bring their ideas and concepts into actualization in the fashion industry.

With the given realities of the COVID-19 pandemic that has put the whole world to a stop, the Agency brought about this competition to engage the MSMEs in the fashion industry in the FCT. The Agency and its partners hope to help by making the face mask very much available to everyone and lift up the economy and health status of Nigerians.

The competition was focused on 5 major categories which are Best use of innovation, growth, social impact, the use of ICT, climate and environmental impact as well as privacy and data protection.  The competition recorded 929 entries and 221 videos. Finalists of the competition went through a very rigorous screening process were 10 companies met the criteria. 

The 10 Finalists Pitched their business ideas to the Panel of Judges who are eminently qualified and accomplished in the Fashion Industry, the Medical space as well as the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. Dr. Joe Abah (the former DG, Bureau for Public Service Reforms), who is well respected Nationally for his personal and National Principles for Truth, Transparency, and Growth, as the Chief Judge for this competition, Other Judges are; Dr. Ejike Ojih (a Medical Practitioner of over 30 decades and the Chairman of the Medical Sub Committee of the Ministerial Advisory Team  for the FCT COVID.19 Response), Mrs Aisha Abubakar Falke (CEO, Falke Fashion/Northern Hibiscus Initiatives), Mr. Seyi Adekunle (CEO, Vodi Group), Barr.Chioma Ibokwe (CEO, West n Couture).

They used their versed experience acquired over the years to determine the Best 3 Finalists who went home with cash prizes of N500,000, N300,000, and N200,000 respectively. There is in place other consolation prizes for the other winners such as free trainings in the Industry to be provided by both AEA and Messrs.’ Vodi Group, Business Advisory Services, Mentorship sessions, Market linkages, and access to facility from the our own FCT MFB. In addition to the prize for the top winner, the Company was given a shop space at the SilverBird Shopping Mall for a month free to display and sell the Face Masks.

Speaking at the pitching event was the MD/CEO of the Abuja Enterprise Agency Arabi Mohammad Tukur who said 

“We wish to convey our profound appreciation to the Panel of Judges for their dedication, time and commitment. I have implicit confidence in the ability of the judges to provide a credible assessment for today’s Final Business Pitch.

Our Collaboration with critical partners such as Columbia, Honorary Consulate in Nigeria, Vodi Group, and ThreeM Plus is borne out of the FCT Administration’s vision of providing an enabling environment, particularly for youths to become leaders in the entrepreneurial world and provide solutions to the various challenges we face as a Nation.

 The Agency wish to also appreciate all our partners for being part of the success we are witnessing today. Of particular note are the contributions of Her Excellency, Mrs Mericel R. Jammal (Honorary Consul of Columbia to Nigeria),  Mr. Mohammed Jammal (CEO, ThreeM Plus), and Mr. Seyi Adekunle (CEO, Vodi Group) who remained focused and dogged in getting the competition to hold despite the huge challenges of COVID.19. We in the Abuja Enterprise Agency remain ever grateful to you and your Teams for beaming the lights of the Agency further. Thank you most sincerely.”

He concluded his speech by expressing sincere appreciation to the FCT Administration under the leadership of the Honorable Minister FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello for making this event possible and showing great interest, dedication and commitment in developing the youths of the FCT. He also adviced the participants that “ the potentials for success lie in you; I urge you to be the business leaders of tomorrow by inculcating these 3 tips to become successful entrepreneurs, “be Innovative, be Creative and lead with Integrity”.

One of the participants miss Fatima Ibrahim Tauheeda said the competition gave her the opportunity to come to different ideas and designs of facemasks and also publicity to arket her products. She also thanked the Abuja Enterprise Agency/FCTA for the opportunity.

Zenith Bank Promotes Women Empowerment

30 Apr 2020 By Amina M Bello

Nigeria’s leading financial institute, Zenith Bank Plc has introduced a new merchandise, Z-Woman, which is focused on endowing female business owners.

Z-Woman account holders stand a chance to experience loans of up to N10 million at a single digit interest rate, free digital skills training, free exhibition stands at Zenith Bank events and many other benefits which will help them grow their businesses and increase their sales.

According to the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Z-Woman offers women the opportunity to enjoy a partnership with the Zenith Bank brand as the name Z-Woman implies. The Z-Woman account is designed to address the unique needs of women-owned businesses and offer them unmatched services that empowers them to do more and achieve more.

To learn more about Z-Woman, please visit www.zenithbank.com/zwoman

Invitation to participate at the 2020 Startup Clinic powered by NITDA

03 Mar 2020 By Amina M Bello

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is calling on startups who are at the early stage of their business to apply for this year’s Startup Clinic series, a five day business skills training scheduled to take place in three states: Jigawa 16th-20th March, Kebbi 30th March – 3rd April, and FCT Abuja 23rd – 27th March.

For further enquiries and information send mail to; info@ictinnovation.gov.ng

limited slots are available.

Apply here: bit.ly/SUC2020

World Halal Expo set to hold for the first time in Nigeria

17 Feb 2020 By ummiyusuf

The Abuja Enterprise Agency is partnering with MyEvents International for the upcoming programme titled ‘World Halal Dialogue and Expo 2020’ which is scheduled to take place at the Abuja International Conference Centre on the 12th & 13th March 2020 from 9am-5pm.

The event will create a platform to showcase the Halal Industry, promote Islamic values and promote investment and tourism by the participating countries.

For more information about the event, click the link below

www.worldhalalexpo.net

SME Springboard Tradefair 5.0 loading…

17 Feb 2020 By Amina M Bello

Tradefairs are always delightful to the ears of business owners and consumers because what usually comes to mind is more sales, affordable prices, less spending and more saving.

Thus we bring to you the SME Springboard Trade Fair 5.0 organised by the Helen Asimegbe, the CEO of StyleMark ProEnterprise Hub. She organizes trade fairs occasionally to encourage MSMEs to showcase their products, improve their access to market, and create networking platforms for MSMEs.

The theme of the tradefair is ‘The Unstoppable Entrepreneur’ and its happening on the 29th of February, 2020 at Bolton White Apartments, 31 Kigoma Street Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.

Another good news is that entry is free!!!, so come along with family and friends. You can also register to be an exhibitor by contact this number: 08069336400

Don’t miss it, it promises to be fun.

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