The rise of Gyson Ebuka’s 9jaMentors
Gyson Ebuka is the team leader of 9jaMentors, a platform for entrepreneurship and patriotism education. Full of intelligence and creativity, Ebuka advises younger entrepreneurs on how best to move up their businesses.
According to him, 9jaMentors came as a result of young people asking questions like, ‘Which way Nigeria?’ ‘How do we go from here?’ Due to such questions, Ebuka and his team created a platform through which young people could interact with older and experienced entrepreneurs.
“We usually have our annual gathering. Last year it took place at Yaba School of Technology in Lagos and notable entrepreneurs and actresses were there,” he told Start-Up Digest.
“Every year, in October, we do it in schools, where we engage credible individuals to share their experiences and secrets on how they survived in their industries,” he stated.
Start-Up Digest engaged Ebuka on a one-on-one interview. Here are the excerpts:
Do you think Nigeria has the capacity to lead the Africa in the area of entrepreneurship?
Dangote is one of the richest people in Africa, and he has been in entrepreneurship for more than 30 years. He singlehanded put Nigeria on the continental and global maps. Secondly, last year, Mark Zuckerberg came to Nigeria and told us that ‘this is the next place’. This shows we have so much inside us as Nigerians. The challenge we have is that most young people think that without white collar jobs nothing would happen. We had an oil boom, but it’s clear it’s drying up. So we need to look inwards and begin to promote the Nigerian spirit. Instead of looking for a white collar job, why don’t you do agriculture. More young people should focus more on blue collar jobs, not white collar jobs. They are jobs you can do for yourself. There are many businesses you can do without much money.
What specific areas do you think the Nigerian youths should explore?
Look at the ICT. Mark Zuckerberg told us that we are technologically savvy. We are smart and innovative. If you look down the street, check the rate at which people take fruit juice. Check the rate at which the ‘Mallams’ sell water melon. Check the rate at which people buy bananas. That shows you there are markets there. Check the way people are turning groundnuts into good meals. Look at the local ways of making bread. People are now using cassava to make bread. I am in ICT and we are getting there. The white collar jobs might have helped our parents, but this generation must develop solutions to opportunities we have around.
How will you advise younger people?
I will tell them I started my business at the age of 17. I am over 30 now. My advice is that if you are young, start any idea that you have. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Most of our fathers were afraid to make mistakes and when they were 40 and 50, it was difficult for them to adjust. I have slept at odd places, stood at the back of vehicles. I was bold to make mistakes. If you are afraid to make mistakes, you may not fulfil your dreams.
ODINAKA ANUDU