A collaboration between TEDxGbagada and Startzone Nigeria which brought together hundreds of youths for talent exposition has sparked new thinking and ideas that the new Nigeria needs to harvest potentials of its middle-age population.
One of the most anticipated TEDx events in Lagos, The TEDxGbagada Conference held recently at The Zone Centre Gbagada, in collaboration with Startzone, Nigeria’s biggest innovation hub.
READ ALSO: The TEDx experience is now in Apapa
TEDxGbagada is an annual conference that aspires to bring together Nigeria’s best scientists, entrepreneurs, professionals, innovators, and reformers to share ideas that would spark deep discussions and birth new ideas that will change our society. Some of the speakers at the event include Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, Osa Ohunkpolor, Tolu Erogbogbo, Niniola Soleye, Samson Ogbole, Adenike Oyetunde, and others
ToluErogbogbo, who is the CEO of Cookiejar narrated his story. At 28, he owns one of the fastest-growing confectionery businesses in Lagos. Tolu grew up in the UK and decided to return to Nigeria when he was 21. On arrival, he partnered with a friend and they set up a restaurant. The business lasted just for 3 years and Tolu said he went broke afterwards. But he was able to gather himself and he started Cookiejar, which has now become a household name.
READ ALSO: Tech experts canvass improved cybersecurity to optimise CBN’s cashless policy
According to him, he had always been dreaming of cookies before he started cookies jar, and the dream became a reality some years ago when valentine day celebration was fast approaching.
Tolu said he sent a BBM broadcast message to his friends that needed something to buy for their lovers for the valentine. He said he was shocked by the outpour of orders that came in. He said they were so much he could not meet some of the orders. That was the beginning of his breakthrough.
Adenike Oyetunde, a renowned OAP also shared her story. What made her story so inspiring is the fact that despite her condition being an amputee, she scaled the huddles and made a name for herself. Nike lost her limp to cancer at the age of 20 after she slipped and fell on it. Despite, she went on to become a Lawyer, an Activist, and an OAP. To give hope to other amputees like her, she founded Amputees United, a non-profit organisation that seeks to help amputees.
Other speakers share their stories and it was an opportunity for attendees to get inspired and encouraged.
Speaking after the conference, Startzone’s Program Manager, Sadiq Adeyanju said the reason Startzone hosted TEDxGbagada conference is that it shares a lot in common with Startzone’s goal, which is bringing innovators and solutions providers together to discuss the challenges facing the continent to proffer lasting solutions to them.
He said, “Start zone is at the forefront of solving the continent’s biggest challenges by supporting an ecosystem of Startups, Investors, Corporations, Mentors, Innovation Hubs and Social Enterprises. We recognize TEDxGbagada as a viable platform and community to partner with, this is one of the reasons we hosted the TEDxGbagada Conference in our facility. It was an opportunity for the attendees to have a personal experience of our state-of-the-art facility, and to also know more about our offerings such as Coding Academy, Startup Studio, Business Mentorship,
“We believe that the impact of the conference will soon be felt in Africa’s ecosystem of innovators and professionals judging by the level of knowledge and insights shared. We are positive about the event and we are proud to have hosted it.”
Modestus Anaesoronye
