Ogun, Rivers laud IBPLC for impactful social investment in Nigerian youths

The government of Ogun and Rivers States have commended International Breweries Plc (IBPLC) for driving impactful social investment in Nigeria by empowering youths to become entrepreneurs and job creators through the Kickstart Initiative.

Kickstart Initiative is designed to promote and empower Nigerian youths aged 18 to 35. This initiative encourages entrepreneurship through business training, mentorship, and the provision of grants to kickstart prospective business concepts or upscale existing businesses.

Speaking at the presentation of past winners of the Kickstart Initiative to Deputy Governors and community heads in Ogun and Rivers states, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, deputy governor of Ogun State, expressed pride in the achievements of the entrepreneurs from the state, describing the Kickstart programme as a testament to the untapped potential of Nigerian youths.

“I want to commend International Breweries for this initiative and for being a valuable taxpayer in Ogun State. We appreciate you as a responsible commercial entity. All these show that you are a responsible stakeholder and that you have a good relationship with your host community,” she said.

Olatunbosun Abiodun, an indigene of Ogun state, the 2021 grand prize winner whose business transformed plastic waste into raw materials for the production of plastic items lauded IBPLC for the opportunity.

“As the grand prize winner of the 2021 Kickstart edition, I was given the sum of N3 million to Kickstart my business and that gave birth to Thrash Bank. At Thrash Bank, we source plastic waste, sort them, treat and process them. When crushed, they become pellets used as raw materials by small, medium and large-scale manufacturers for further production. Today, the business has grown and contributed its quota to the economy of the state,” Abiodun said.

Oba Oluwambe Reuben Sogaolu, Olu of Orile Imo, thanked the Ogun State Government and IBPLC.

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He urged the beneficiaries to remain accountable to encourage IBPLC to invest in others.

On the impact of the Kickstart initiative, Temitope Oguntokun, Corporate Affairs and Regulatory Director of IBPLC said the impact transcends statistics as each winner represents a beacon of hope for their families, and communities, showing that with the right support, young Nigerians can create solutions that drive sustainable growth.

Similarly, the International Breweries team led by Marian Reginald-Ukwuoma, its country corporate affairs lead, was received by Ngozi Mma Odu, deputy governor of Rivers State.

Enomate Aghigho, a 2019, star prize winner from Rivers State, and CEO of Fabelek Engineering, said he was having difficulties transforming his ideas into reality before becoming Kickstart winner.

He explained that the Kickstart process was very transparent starting from the application, training/boot camp, and pitch fest before emerging as beneficiaries.

On her part, Ngozi Nma Odu, deputy governor of Rivers State, lauded IBPLC for its commitment to developing youths, and the synergy between it and its host community.

She urged the beneficiaries to continue to be great ambassadors to always make Rivers State proud.

The visits provided the young entrepreneurs the opportunity to interact with and showcase their businesses to the government of the state and community leaders where their businesses are resident.

Since its inception, it has created over 672 jobs, directly benefitted over 2,000 individuals, and invested over N600 million in youth empowerment across 30 states in Nigeria.

In 2023 alone, the programme awarded N60 million in grants to 50 new entrepreneurs and trained 330 youths in critical business skills.