By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Kwara Government on Wednesday in Ilorin empowered 30 youth innovators in entrepreneurship and skills to establish their businesses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is the Young Africa Innovates (YAI), Kwara State Innovation Showcase.
The theme of the programme is entitled: “Igniting Innovation-Youth Solutions for the Future”.
In her opening address, Ms Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria explained that the YAI programme is a partnership between the UNDP and the MasterCard Foundation aimed at catalysing youth led innovation to drive socio-economic development.
Attafuah who was represented by the Incubation Specialist on YAI programme, Mrs Catherine Ibrahim explained that the programme focuses on identifying, incubating and scaling innovation of young people across diverse sectors.
She pointed out that innovation isn’t just about technology but solving real problems that affect real people.
“The State Showcase is a celebration of young people building climate solutions, inclusive fintech tools, waste-to+wealth platforms and agro-logistics systems,” she said.
She explained that the programme aims at empowering youths from marginalized and rural communities.
Attafuah pointed out that over 9000 youths from across seven state applied, adding that the number was streamlined to 30 innovators for each state amounting to 210 innovators.
“The 30 innovators have undergone four months of intensive mentorship training, capacity building and also seed funding for their innovation and businesses.
“The seed funding is meant to help them to scale their solutions. The essence of the YAI programme is to bring solutions that are peculiar to the community,” she said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Mr Temi Kolawole observe that Nigerian youths are very innovative and needed guidance to help them bring out their creativity.
“The UNDP has taken the innovation to rural areas, to compounds and wards level, where people have all been sensitized about the opportunity to showcase their innovation,” he said.
He observed that the State government is collaborating with the UNDP to promote YAI programme, adding that people with disabilities are not left behind.
Kolawole observed that the future is innovation and entrepreneurship, as the government cannot employ everyone.
He charged Nigerian youths to braze up and key into innovations and entrepreneurship, saying that the large teeming youth can become a workforce that can transform African development drive.
In their appreciative remarks, Mrs. Bilkis Abdulkadir, one of the Innovators and the Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of Bazkkam Para-Sports Academy commended the organisers, saying this has afforded people living with disability a platform to showcase their talents inspite of their disability.
She explained that she is able to reach out to other youth with disabilities to engage them in sporting activities.
On his part, the CEO of Harmony Natural Fruits drinks, Mr Abdulsalam Hussein, described the programme as a wonderful experience that has helped to reshape his idea.
He explained that his idea has ensured he is able to turn wastes from fruits to organic manure.