Dufil Prima Foods makers of Minimie Chinchin and Minimie Noodles are currently working together with various government ministries across the country to empower young and aspiring Nigerian entrepreneurs by providing them with trade assets to start new businesses.
These ministries among others include Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development; Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development, and Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
The beneficiaries were given branded kiosks fully equipped with cartons of all regular and new flavours of the brand like Minimie Instant Noodles Tomato & chicken flavour, Minimie Chin-chin Regular and the newly introduced Minimie Chinchin- Hot and spicy flavour, courtesy Minimie.
Rani Kolati, brand manager, Minimie, in a statement said that the initiative was borne out of the realisation that lots of Nigerian youth who are unemployed still have the zeal to become entrepreneurs. However, due to financial constraints, they cannot start on their own.
In view of this, the company decided to encourage youths who are the future of the nation with businesses to start, Kolati said.
“We bootstrap them with a sales kiosk, stock, start-up fund and support them with supplies, so they can continue the business and support their family.
“We set up these sales kiosks in secure strategic locations for these budding and aspiring entrepreneurs at densely populated bus stops/ parks to enhance sales. After the official handover to them, we ensure to deploy our area marketing managers to assist with sales training and regular checks to help achieve significant amount of profits which will keep them in business for a long time,” Rani stated.
Currently there are 15 kiosks scattered across Lagos— four in Ibadan, one in Abeokuta, two in Ilorin, three in Onitsha, one in Port Harcourt and six in Benin and many others in the pipeline.
During the donation exercise in Abeokuta, Abiola Kufile- Okonji, Ogun State commissioner of women affairs and social development, while handing over the business to Sangobiyi- Dorcas, stated that the initiative was in line with the vision of the state government to create jobs, wealth opportunities and alleviate poverty among residents in the state.
Lola Akande, Lagos State commissioner for women affairs and poverty alleviation, at the empowerment exercise in Lagos, while appreciating the Minimie brand, advised beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity presented by effectively deploying skills and assets into in the running of their businesses profitably and sustainable.
David Ibemere
