ACCA, Microsoft partner JCI Nigeria to deepen SMEs sustainability

As part of its contribution to the development of small-scale businesses and realisation of sustainable development goals in Nigeria, Association of Chartered Certified accountants (ACCA) and Microsoft, is partnering with Junior chamber International (JCI), to stage an entrepreneurial challenge for the youths.

The entrepreneurial challenge which is opened to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Start-ups, Artisans, Students and Graduates with entries billed to end by August 15 2016 will be looking out for the individual that can create economic prosperity, generate employment and add value to customers.

Tunji Oyeyemi, president of JCI, Nigeria, said the organisation’s decision to initiate such challenge was borne out of the need to support government especially in line with its effort to diversify the economy and assist it in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals as contained in the UN Charter.

Oyeyemi observed that with the growing level of unemployment in the country as revealed in the data provided by National Bureau Statistics, there was need to develop the Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SMEs) to create jobs hence the need for the birth of the programme.

While appreciating the support offered by ACCA and Microsoft, Oyeyemi said the aim of JCI with regards to the challenge was to do its best in finding solutions to the alarming rate of unemployment which was one major concern raised by many Nigerians in the survey conducted by the organisation.

On his part, Ayoola Ademoye the representative of ACCA said the body is excited to be part of the programme, stressing that such initiative is bound to reduce unemployment in the country. According to him, ACCA is ready and willing to offer financial supports for the take-off of the program.

He said” In line with the vision of the organisation, ACCA, a global professional accountancy body, we are ready to offer financial supports for the take-off of the entrepreneurial challenge. We believe as the initiative goes on, there will be a lot of innovative ideas. We believe it is the first of its kind in Nigeria and a lot of ideas will come out of this to solve the problems of employments in Nigeria.”

Amusan Olusola, representative of Microsoft who commented on the initiative said the technology company is indeed happy to be part of this considering the fact that the programme aligns closely with its mission, which in the long run could help create opportunities.

Speaking on the modalities and selection process for the challenge, the team Lead of JCI, Nigeria Entrepreneur Challenge, Sherif Ibrahim, stated that Small Scale Businesses with less than two years were eligible to participate, adding that all applications would be subjected to scrutiny by panel of technocrats to determine the best three.