CITAD: Polishing young rural digital entrepreneurs

About 210 young rural entrepreneurs from 14 communities of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, participated in CITAD’s two–day Business Facilitation Clinic on entrepreneurship, leadership and personal development held at Kuje, Abuja between August 14 and 15.
ADAM ALQALI writes
The Business Facilitation Clinic themed “Creating Space for the Development of Young Entrepreneur” which was organized by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) and Action Aid Nigeria was aimed at supporting young rural entrepreneurs from the FCT.
The event brought together almost 250 participants from across 14 rural communities of the FCT, representatives of relevant government agencies, social entrepreneurs and startup specialists from an array of sectors who have made an impact in their various societies.
According to the CITAD Executive Director, Y.Z.Ya’u “Every year the 12th of August sees the commemoration of International Youth Day (IYD).
The theme for International Youth Day 2018 is “Safe Spaces for Youth”.
This year’s event will facilitate a dialogue on safe spaces between governments, civil society, and -most importantlyyouth groups, with the goal of offering practical solutions to the challenges of creating youth-friendly spaces”.
Yau added that Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) In Partnership with Action Aid Nigeria deliberately made the Business Facilitation Clinic to coincide with International Youth Day 2018.
“This is because the world’s young people could set the world on course towards a more sustainable future.
Young people are traditionally cutting-edge and today’s young people are more informed than those of the previous generation.
Digital inclusion is a tool for enhancing socioeconomic and political development, technology is driving innovations,” said Yau.
Yau who was represented by Ahmad Muhammad Danyaro, CITAD Head of Abuja Office/ Programme Officer posited that educating and inspiring rural entrepreneurs was one of the targets for CITAD’s digitalization for equitable society project being implemented in 15 communities of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In her presentation themed “Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship” CITAD’s programme assistant, Salma Abdulwaheed said entrepreneurship can serve as the key to unlocking economic potentials and lifting people out of poverty in developing countries and emerging markets.
She then spoke about the roles and tasks of entrepreneurs around gathering markets information, risks analysis, managerial analysis, the entrepreneurial personality and attributes of an efficient start up manager.
Corporate Affairs Commission braze the trail with an enriching presentation by Deputy Director, Customer Service Department ,Mrs Modey Leticia Akugbo on Procedure and Requirement for Registering Business stating that CAC services had been simplified and digitalized and therefore can be assessed through the CAC website – www.service.cac.ov.ng .
Mrs Modey said The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is a government agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria charged with the responsibility for incorporation, registration and regulation of the management of Companies, Business Names and Incorporated Trustees.
She further stated CAC is also vested with powers to investigate the affairs of Companies, Business Names and NGOs and enforce compliance with all regulatory requirements as provided in the companies and allied matters Act (CAMA).
After a highly interactive question and answer session and tea break, Representative of Minister of Youths and Sport, Mr Hamid Nagogo emphasised the need to capitalise on new technology to improve enterprenuers’ knowledge adding that technological progress will favour job creations among the youths.
He commended CITAD/ Action Aid for the Digital Inclusion project in communities, admonishing the participants to utilize the rare opportunity and use the acquired knowledge to empower themselves, development their community and participate in governance.
The day was rounded up with an experience sharing session tagged “Owning Your Life ” by Bashirat Abdulwahab, a social entrepreneur and motivational speaker who spoke about how young entrepreneurs could face the challenges and opportunities that lie in starting up new business venture.
She noted that with passion, determination, persistence and absolute consistency and networking young entrepreneurs will achieve success.
In her closing remarks, CITAD Programme Assistant, Miss Kaltumi Abdulaziz appreciated the role of partners in making the forum a success story, she added that “Business Facilitation Clinic” was meant designed to empower young innovators through networking, skills building, mentoring, and access to financing to develop startup solutions that address their economic and development challenges.
She said “The idea behind this business clinic is to continually support digital rural startups in Nigeria in the area of providing education, training & information that will enhance their business management skills.
Assemblage of this nature create a platform where business regulatory bodies, business development service providers and businesses can interact and provide solutions to challenges inhibiting the setup and growth of startups”.
Miss Kaltumi further commended government agencies and ministries for their enriching participation and presentations which further educated the 210 participants on key functions of relevant government agencies and modern business management strategies