Empowerment initiative lifts young entrepreneurs with N29m

Season three of the International Breweries Plc’s KICKSTART Youth Empowerment Initiative has empowered 27 outstanding business ideas with N29 million this year.

The beneficiaries, who were rewarded with the amount on November 29, 2018, were drawn from the six states of the Southwestern region of the country.

This was the climax of the award ceremony and grant presentation, which took place at the Mauve21 Events Centre, Oyo State.

The organisation demonstrated its dedication to developing the next generation of outstanding Nigerian and African entrepreneurs who will shape their countries’ economies and political landscape.

Speaking on the initiative, Country Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, International Breweries Plc, Otunba Michael Daramola noted: “This crop of entrepreneurs will contribute to the needed economic growth that will change the face of Southwest region, Nigeria and continent in the coming years.”

He also added that the empowerment comes with huge responsibility and advised the 27 KICKSTART beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity.

Guest of Honor, Chief Babajide Agbeja, noted that continuity and hard work were the backbone of any civilisation that will excel, adding that since its inception in 2015, the programme had received accolades for empowering 76 young businesses.

He explained that its success was also due to its ability to bring stakeholders, government officials, captains of industry and other guests together.

The event also witnessed the formal inauguration of the KICKSTART Entrepreneurs Forum, with the sole aim of getting young entrepreneurs together, finding synergies and creating a tribe of businesspersons.