By Stephen Oladele
Kwara State Government has given a total sum of N89.2 million as grant to 12 young entrepreneurs in the state to support their businesses, foster
self-reliance and create employment opportunities for the youths.
The grant was organised by the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) under its Youth Entrepreneurial Empowerment Scheme
General Manager of the KWASSIP, Wasiu Tejidini, while handing cheques to the beneficiaries in his office in Ilorin said the government considered it necessary to empower the young entrepreneurs with viable business ideas to thrive.
The beneficiaries are Firdauz Muhammed Wuraola, CEO, Drinks ‘N’ Grillz (N10 million); Nimotallah Mohammed Kpayero (Ban Shea Products) – N15.9 million; Ahmed Kuburat (Kaddy Nigeria) – N15 million; Oloyede Ikmat Omoshalewa (Kwara Souvenir Store) – N5 million;
Fatigun Subomi Emmanuel ((Waka Studios) – N10 million; Anifowose Favour Boluwatife (Esthad Luxe Jewels) – N3.3 million; Ibrahim Maryam Modupeola (Kleen Klear) – N5million; Ajiboye Opeyemi Rasheed (Tailorgang Fashion House) – N5 million; Yusuf Dolapo Azeezat (Day Varieties Enterprise) – N5 million; Akinyode Bosede Temilade (Global LightTrust Integrated Ventures) – N5 million; Badeji Sherifat Modupe (BSM Fashion) – N5 million; and Adeshewa Kolawole (Day-Yank Fashion), who received N5 million.
Tejidini said the 12 beneficiaties we’re favoured with the grant following an approval from the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who gave the approval after going through their letters of request and details of their business proposals.
He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds responsibly to achieve the objectives outlined in their applications,
The KWASSIP boss said the agency would, in six-month or one-year time, assess the impact of the funds through its monitoring and evaluation unit.
He said that the government had equally supported more than 1,000 young people through its Kwapreneur programme – another flagship youth empowerment and enterprise development initiative under KWASSIP.
Tejidini said the latest intervention by the government was a broader strategy to encourage entrepreneurship and reduce dependence on government employment.
He commended the governor’s support for entrepreneurship skill and continuous investsment in infrastructural development, healthcare, security, and education among other sectors.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ajiboye Opeyemi Rasheed and Mohammed Nimotallah Kpayero, appreciated the government for the financial assistance, describing it as an opportunity to expand their businesses and create jobs.
They said the support would help them acquire more equipment and improve their production capacity by employing more young people to become economically independent.
“We really thank the government. This is an opportunity for us to create jobs for people out there, including fresh graduates. They can easily learn (from us) and get the right business skills to become self-sufficient,” Ajiboye said.
