Elumelu charges youth to embrace entrepreneurship at early stage

United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has opened the minds of youth to entrepreneurial opportunities amidst the economic hardship.

The bank last week created awareness on the necessity for development of entrepreneurial skills and the usefulness of entrepreneurship among youths in Nigeria and in Africa at large.

Speaking on the theme, “Entrepreneurship: the challenges and opportunities for Nigerian future leaders,” at first leadership and entrepreneurship lecture in Lagos State University (LASU) organised by UBA, Tony O. Elumelu, chairman UBA group, emphasised on the need for good sense of leadership even as the youth progresses in their endeavours.

 “Leaders are those that get results. For what value is wealth or money in the bank account if we cannot use it to positively impact the society”, Elumelu said.

He further stressed that success for entrepreneurship demands, sacrifice, focus, resilience, prudency, humility, integrity, good foresight, and hard work among others. “working hard and working smart makes super success”, he added.

 “More so, hunger is essential in the quest for entrepreneurial success, because satisfaction hinders you from craving for more”, Elemelu said.

In his remarks, , Justice Adesola Oguntade, chairman of the occasion and the chancellor of the university, said entrepreneurship is an essential topic of great essence given the current wave of unemployment.

Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos State who was represented at the event by Toyin Ademuiya, director of creativity of the Lagos State government, underscored the thinking of his own administration in strengthening the capacity of the University and supporting its mission to mould leaders out of students.

Tony Elumelu foundation’s entrpreneurship programme which is in its second year, has set out to identify, train, mentor and seed 10,000 African businesses over the next 10 years, creating 1 million jobs and $10billion in additional revenues across the continent.