Eight Muslim entrepreneurs have emerged winners of the 2023 edition of the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation entrepreneurship development project otherwise known as the Business Plan Competition (BPC)
The star prize winners smiled homes with a million naira each and the 12 runners-up won N200,000 each in the idea and growth tracks categories.
The winners and runners-up were announced at the award/prize-giving ceremony under the chairmanship of the Managing Director/CEO of Noor Takaful Insurance Ltd, Mr Rilwan Sunmonu.
One of the highlights of the event was the unveiling of a new logo to reflect the foundation’s primary objective of delivering quality Zakat assessment, collection and distribution services to both private and public individuals as firmly established in Quran 9:103.
The Executive Director (ED)/CEO of the Foundation, Prince Sulayman Olagunju expressed hapiness that the event, eight in the series (having started in 2015), went as planned.
He said, “we have been consistent in supporting, creating and managing small-scale businesses for the past nine years across the length and breadth of our dear country, Nigeria.”
He said the BPC has been impactful on the youth and the larger society from the intervention, with direct beneficiaries one hundred and sixty-eight (168) and indirect beneficiaries of one-thousand, one hundred and sixty-five (1,165), saying that a total sum of over Ninety Million Naira (N90,000,000) was expended including administrative expenses.
While appreciating the presence of the MD, Noor Takaful Insurance as the Chairman on the occasion, the ED also acknowledged the introduction of online training on entrepreneurship during this year’s competition, saying that it was highly appreciated as more applicants participated and benefited maximally from it.
“Our mentorship of winners remains one of the cornerstones of our success as many mentees continue to express their appreciation for the tremendous support they received from their mentors,” he noted.
Prince Olagunju urged the new winners to emulate the habit of hard work and generosity as displayed by most past winners, many of them are doing well in their businesses.
The Chairman on the occasion, Mr. Sumonu expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organisers, mentors, and judges who were instrumental in guiding and evaluating the budding entrepreneurs, adding that their dedication has been crucial in bringing the competition to the remarkable moment.
He also celebrated the outstanding achievements of the finalists, while recognizing their drive, innovation, and their dedication to building a brighter future for themselves, their communities, and the world at large.
“Competition represents a beacon of hope and opportunity for countless youths who possess the passion and vision to launch successful businesses.
“These talented individuals are equipped with the ideas and determination to flourish in the business world, yet often find themselves constrained by financial limitations. The BPC was created to address this very issue and provide a platform for these aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their dreams into reality,” he noted.
The eight-star prize winners of the 8th edition are Adam Zainab Oyindamola, Dhikrullah-Badru Sumayyah Adenike, Salaudeen Nafisat, Adepoju Habeeb Aderemi, Oparemi Khadijah Olaitan, Idrees Fatima Adetoun, Shittu Nimotallah Adetunminu and Jimoh Agboyega Wasiu.
The runners-up are Lawal Tunde Ayoola, Sanni Moshood Abiola, Jimoh Yusuf, Babs DhulQuamay Neolanrewaju, Agboola Olalekan AbdulRahman, Owodunni Aisha, Lawal AbdulAzeez Olamilekan, Adeleke Zainab Aderonke, Dauda Kazeem Kala, Fatai Teslim Balogun, Davis Ibrahim Ayomide and Bello Shamsudeen Munirudeen.
