The President of Africa’s Young Entrepreneur (A.Y.E), Mr Summy Smart has reiterated that the only way to harness poverty in Africa is that people should engage themselves in entrepreneurship activities. He said this in a press conference held at Fidelity place Victoria Island Lagos.
In a bid to solidify the existing mutual and beneficial relationship between A.Y.E and Fidelity bank, an agreement was signed recently by both organizations in other to strengthen the ongoing efforts and initiatives of A.Y.E in developing and supporting future business leaders across the continent and also to tackle poverty in Africa, partnering the organization on their event tagged “Networking with the Giants Conference” scheduled for later this month.
The annual conference, according to Smart, is an exceptional platform for some of the world’s most accomplished business leaders to network with perhaps the brightest entrepreneurs in Africa With a network of over 12.6 million members in Africa and 1.6 million members from Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the essence of the partnership was “because we share the same ideas on entrepreneurship and job creation in line with the Federal Government’s economic diversification plan, more employment opportunities lead to poverty alleviation, improved food security and GDP growth.
“People should endeavour to use their intellect and creativity to see what they can do for the development of the country. Also, the government cannot be responsible for everything,” he noted.
The forthcoming A.Y.E conference is expected to welcome prominent business leaders such as Africa’s richest woman, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, former governor of Lagos State Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a host of others who members of the public will be able to meet one on one without protocol, the president stated.
