By Chinyere Elizabeth Okoroafor
Founder, Rose of Sharon Foundation (RoSF), Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, has stressed the need for youths to seek knowledge by learning from mentors and allowing their experiences to serve as a guide in life.
Mrs Alajika, who spoke at the bi-annual Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) organised by the foundation at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, said the theme ‘The Big Picture: Harnessing the Power of Leverage’ was important because that is what will propel an entrepreneur or a career person into becoming successful or not successful.
The event attracted 586 participants from various educational and professional backgrounds. The training is aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with knowledge and life changing skills that will help them to stand out and be successful in their businesses, careers and professions.
This year’s programme is focused on how youth can leverage necessary information, which will help them succeed in their career choice.
Alakija said: ”It is important to teach people how to fish, rather than giving them fish as this would ensure their true independence.”
She added that YEP was borne out of the need to address the problem facing youth as a result of lack of skills and knowledge required for them to integrate into the business world, either as entrepreneur or as employees.
Resource persons at the event included IITA Communications Specialist, Ms Timilehin Osunde, while Head of Partners Relations, Christian Broadcasting Network Africa, Mr Enoch Oyedunta anchored a talk show featuring four beneficiaries of RoSF scholarship. They spoke on their life’s experiences, shared success tips as well as thanked the foundation for helping them achieve their dreams.
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The beneficiaries included Miss Soyode Esther, a graduating First Class Student of Economics from Olabisi Onabanjo University; Miss Iyara Rebecca, a graduate of Philosophy from the University of Lagos who is now a banker; Miss Adesanya Adewunmi, a graduate of Accountancy from Ekiti State University who is also a fashion designer and Mr Uzoma Kelechi, an undergraduate of the Mechanical Engineering department if Imo State University.
Another resource person, accountant and seasoned entrepreneur, Mr Seyi Peters, spoke on the importance of starting small and working towards the big picture.
He stressed that the youth should always ask themselves about the impact or solution their intended business would bring to society.
Representing GMYT Fashion Academy, Mr Soboyejo advised youth on the need to be focused, hardworking and determined. He also encouraged them to have passion bearing in mind that they will experience some challenges as they strive to achieve their dreams.
Ms Osunde also spoke about the power of leveraging on relationships.
She encouraged the youth to cultivate their networks as such contacts play a major role in achieving the big picture. While speaking, she stated that ”One may not always have information but the people around you may have access to such details”.
Similarly, she said there is a need for volunteering, even when it is done with no financial benefits attached.
Oyeduntan talked about on the need to be practical. He advised the youth to look out for problems in their environment for there lies leverage.
He further encouraged them to solve problems, stating that ‘the problem you can solve without being paid for is your purpose, the idea is to provide that service better than anyone else’.
Miss Bunmi Oluwasade, a Grow with Google facilitator spoke on Digital Marketing for career and business purposes. The YEP is the foundation’s career’s development and capacity building program for graduates, job seekers, working-class and self-employed youths. Since 2017, the RoSF Youth Empowerment Programme has served to re-orientate the minds of Nigeria’s youth, motivating them on the need to be diligent in their dealings as this will cause them to succeed in their chosen professions.
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