Shell LiveWIRE Nigeria says it has awarded a total of N40m (US $126k) in funding to 100 young entrepreneurs who have successfully completed the 2016 enterprise development programme. Each received N400k (US $1,260) to enable them start-up and grow their own businesses.

Some 150 young were said to have entrepreneurs successfully completed Shell Nigeria’s intensive enterprise development programme, which enabled participants to gain the essential skills required to start-up and grow successful businesses. Following the training, candidates had to negotiate a written test and had to pitch their ideas to an expert panel of judges, who selected the top 100 to receive funding.

The 100 young entrepreneurs, from Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, were said to have received their start-up grants at a special presentation event at the Swiss International Mabisel Hotel in Port Harcourt, attended by government officials and dignitaries from the public and private sector that support youth enterprise development.

This adds to the 7,000 that have so far been trained and the 3,213 that have been equipped by Shell to start their own businesses. The scheme has produced some of the biggest individual entrepreneurs such as Mercy Ikeji that now shake the Niger Delta with products and services that beat others around the world.

The General Manager External Relations, Igo Weli, had earlier said; “Our programme provides access to entrepreneurship training, business development services as well as start up capital to establish and expand youth-owned businesses. The curriculum covers entrepreneurship, business plan writing, critical evaluation, and business idea pitching modules”.

Last week, the funding resumed. According to a Shell spokesman, the young entrepreneurs would use their funding to start businesses in a diverse array of industrial sectors ranging from solar energy and waste recycling to construction and agriculture.

One of the entrepreneurs to receive start-up funding is Deborah Ngozi Atalor, whose business, Lorngees Energy Services, produces and sells solar panels. Commenting on the impact Shell LiveWIRE has had on the development of her business, Atalor said, “I am indeed grateful to Shell for this wonderful programme, training received and the award which will help me establish my own business.”

Another entrepreneur, Kalada Briggs, is appreciative of the funding which would enable him to develop Trachham, his online traffic information services business. Kalada said, “I am glad to be one of the 2016 LiveWIRE beneficiaries. I say a very big thank you to Shell. I promise to make value out of the training and the award I received.”

Four established entrepreneurs supported by Shell LiveWIRE Nigeria during 2014 that have created employment opportunities received awards totalling N400k to expand their businesses.

One of the businesses, De-Rabacon Plastics, a waste recycling business run by Yolo Bakumor Smith, produces shopping bags from waste plastic. As well as enabling him to improve his family’s standard of living, Yolo has also created three full-time jobs and employment opportunities for 16 casual staff.

Commenting on his expansion award, Yolo said, “The very fact that my work is recognised is humbling and a catalyst to do more. I am very grateful to Shell for the endless support and mentorship that they give. The advice and tutelage is priceless.

God bless Shell for this award.”

The event also provided a showcase for four energy and technology entrepreneurs to pitch their businesses to an influential audience. The entrepreneurs included: Michael Baribeop Kabolo, whose company produces bio gas from organic waste; Henry Chukubueze Chikogu, an installer and retailer of solar panels; Akpevwoghene Oghenetejiri Ogeh, a producer and retailer of power inverters; and, Kalada Ibim Briggs, who provides online traffic and security information.

The General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli, who was represented by the ER Social Performance Manager, Gloria Udoh, underscored the importance of the scheme, saying, “The LiveWIRE programme provides access to entrepreneurship training, business development services as well as start-up capital to establish and expand youth owned businesses thereby contributing to job creation.”

Guests included the representative of the Honourable Commissioner for Science, Technology and Manpower Development in Bayelsa State, B.F. Amakiri; Representative of the Commissioner for Youth Development, Christian Bogba; representative of the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Blessing Enamutor; representative of the Commissioner for Trade Industry and Investment, Kenele Okara; representatives of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development of Nigeria, Friday Opara and Lindia Pepple; Director, South-South, National Agency for Food and Administration and Control, Chinelu Ejeh; and, President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPED), David Thank God Enogho.

•Sourced from Business Day Nigeria

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