Young entrepreneurs can build more prosperous future for Nigeria—US Embassy

Russell Brooks, public affairs officer, United States Embassy, has said that the US government is interested in supporting Nigerian entrepreneurs because it believes that they can produce a more prosperous future for Nigeria.

Speaking at the Third Conference for Emerging Entrepreneurs organised by the embassy in association with Field of Skills and Dreams, Brooks said the US government believes that Nigeria’s people, especially its young people, are its greatest resource and can produce a Nigeria capable of inventing new products and services that will be attractive to markets around the world.

He said this crop of young people has the capacity to produce the growth, jobs and incomes that will enable Nigeria to take its rightful place among the leading nations of the world.

Quoting Victor Kiam, a famous American entrepreneur, best-known for his successful turnaround of a razor blade company, he said, “Entrepreneurs are risk takers, willing to roll the dice with their money or reputation on the line in support of an idea or enterprise. They willingly assume responsibility for the success or failure of a venture and are answerable for all its facets.”

He said fewer people are aware that Kiam was a life-long entrepreneur, who took his first risks at selling a product at the tender age of eight.

“He used five dollars given to him by his father to buy 100 bottles of cola to sell to his thirsty neighbors. Incredible but true,” he recounted.

The conference brought together 105 young, talented, ambitious young people looking to make their mark in the world of business. To aid them, Field of Skills and Dreams assembled a group of mentors.

Adeniji Kolawale, Africa’s largest cassava grower, said he started his career 28 years ago, admonishing young people to see opportunities I Nigeria rather than just problems.

He said he took calculated risks, stating that he travelled to see how farming was done in other climes and came back to Nigeria to replicate same.

ODINAKA ANUDU