The Ogun State Government has pledged its full commitment to supporting and collaborating with strategic stakeholders for the purpose of training, mentoring and provision of funding support for young entrepreneurs in the State.
Governor Dapo Abiodun made the pledge in Abeokuta when he launched the Orange Corners Nigeria Hub in company of the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, Michel Deelen, noting that the hub project aligned perfectly with the strategic priorities and economic agenda of the State.
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Represented by Adebola Sofela Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Governor Abiodun said the initiative has the capacity to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit of youths while propelling the State towards greater socio-economic development.
He expressed the willingness of the present administration to partnering the Hub on access to market for SMEs, policy advocacy and support, infrastructure development, capacity building and mentorship.
“With the launch of this innovative hub in Ogun State, we are poised to witness a new wave of entrepreneurial excellence that will significantly contribute to the growth and prosperity of our State.
“The training, mentorship, and funding provided will equip our young entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to thrive in a competitive global market.
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“This initiative will create jobs and stimulate economic activities, while it significantly contributes to the reduction of poverty and unemployment in Ogun State, enhance social security and reduce youth unrest”, Governor Abiodun said.
He noted that his administration has been unflinching on promoting entrepreneurship, pointing out that different initiatives such as the Ogun Tech Hub, Ogun State Enterprise Development Agency (OGS-EDA), Ogun SME Financial Empowerment Scheme, the 1,000-hectare Small and Medium Enterprises Industrial Land Acquisition Scheme (SILAS), among others, had been introduced to promoting entrepreneurship, improving infrastructure and enhancing the overall business climate in the State while the N200 billion FGN- Presidential Intervention Funds window has also been leveraged to boost SMEs
The State’s helmsman said his Government had taken Ogun State beyond our natural competitiveness of being the recepient of overflow of investments from Lagos, but his Government had been more deliberate and intentional in improving the Ease of Doing Business and attraction of investments through implementation of business-friendly reforms, provision of critical infrastructure as well as critical investment in the security of lives and property.
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Michel Deelen, Consul General, Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos, Nigeria, said the Netherlands was partnering the FATE Foundation to help empower entrepreneurs with the necessary training, mentorship and funding which would help their businesses grow.
Speaking earlier, Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director, FATE Foundation, who stated that the Foundation had so far supported 1,000 entrepreneurs in the State, said the launch was aimed at widening the horizon of the hub and enable the project impact more entrepreneurs, stating that 20 entrepreneurs who had been selected to pioneer the project in the State would benefit from a comprehensive six-month incubation and empowerment program and take-off financial grants to help set up their businesses.
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