Young entrepreneurs’ forum encourages enterprise

 A forum for entrepreneurs held recently in Kaduna by MTN Nigeria encouraged young entrepreneurs to be self-reliant instead of chasing elusive white-collar jobs. Aminu Sani, manager, progressive segment, MTN Nigeria, said the forum was to market one of MTN’s propositions – MTN Smooth Talk’ package, which is tailored towards young professional entrepreneurs, who make high volume calls.

Abdulmumin Jibrin, chairman, House of Representatives Finance Committee, and Musa Zubairu, a former state co-ordinator, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) were guest speakers at the talk show aimed at motivating the young entrepreneurs at the event.

Both speakers agreed that for one to succeed in life and business, vision, passion and dedication must be the watchwords.

In his view, the House Committee chairman told the audience that in kick-starting a business, there was the need to create a vision on “what you intend to do; be it long-term or short-term,” adding that for any business to thrive, “you must picture what you really want.”

In addition, he stressed the need to have passion for the business one intended pursuing, as well as being knowledgeable about that business, pointing out that for the much-needed success in any chosen business to be realised, “you must also have facts and details about the business you want to do.”

According to Jibrin, starting up a business, no doubt, attracts a lot of challenges, which is normal, noting that “at the start it will not be productive but stick to it.”

Besides, he said “‘networking’ is equally important, that is, making the necessary contacts and getting the will and interest of customers.” This, he said, helped him later in life, especially when he decided to go into politics.