With a bid to boost Nigerian businesses amidst economic realities,the Ondo State Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, hasWith a bid to boost Nigerian businesses amidst economic realities,the Ondo State Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

empowered over a thousand entrepreneurs with ten million naira worth of grants for business development.

Governor Akeredolu said that the grants is in view of adding value to businesses, he outlined a road map of projects and equally created an enabling environment through the entrepreneurship agency.

“ At the just completed Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) summit, held at the International Cultural Event Centre, Akure,Ondo State, where thousands of entrepreneurs across Nigeria were in attendance.

This summit brought together young entrepreneurs from different fields with the sole aim of harnessing their potential and is organized by the State Entrepreneurship Agency, the summit allowed participants to meet, rub minds, and exchange ideas

“Apart from the grant given to over a thousand entrepreneurs, a free business registration was done for a 1,000 entrepreneurs and the giving out of free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Certificates to them,all expense paid for 10 entrepreneurs who would be going on a business tours outside Africa; over a 100 equipment grants for small and medium-scale was given to enterprise owners; and over 5,000 free entrepreneurship training for entrepreneurs amongst other benefits to encourage entrepreneurship.

Akeredolu stressed that his government is committed to entrepreneurship development and would continue to give support,create an enabling environment for investors in the State to thrive.

The governor noted that to create an enabling environment for investors, all efforts are ongoing to tackle insecurity and infrastructural development within the State.

Meanwhile, the event also witnessed the launch of the first Ondo State online classified marketplace meant to display entrepreneur products and services to the world. He said this is a platform where business and entrepreneurs can upload their innovative products and services, buy and sell from one another as well as position their businesses for global brand visibility

“This is a platform where businesses and entrepreneurs can upload their innovative products and services, buy and sell from one another as well as position their businesses for global brand visibility. Please join me as I hereby launch www.ondomarket.com.

“Our world today has gone digital even with marketplaces, and as a State we deem it fit to encourage business listing for our entrepreneurs.

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“Now it is easy to showcase your businesses to the world. Anyone from around the world can easily locate businesses in Ondo State and I believe this will also help angel investors find you easily,” Akeredolu said.

The governor pointed to his administration’s efforts on security and infrastructural development as some of the basic arrangements put in place to ensure an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and investors to do business with ease.

Furthermore, he said, “security of lives and property, provision of health care, infrastructural development, constant power supply, innovative education, access to funds and many more, need urgent and constant attention.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship Development, Summy Smart-Francis, encouraged the young entrepreneurs

Panelists at the summit also gave antidotes to making businesses flourish

Among the entrepreneur is the Chief Executive Officer, Umera Farms Nigeria Limited, Olamide Alao among others.

Speaking on the theme “Creating an enabling environment”, Olamide Alao, who is a guest speaker at the event, spoke on government that works in creating an enabling environment in a state or country, according to her policies, taxes, infrastructure, processes and licensing, regulations, laws and basic amenities are the system that works in creating an enabling environment for investors.

While according to her creating solutions out of problems, turning pain points into passion, and driving oneself towards creating solutions are ways an individual can help the government in improving the economy of a state.

While she advised entrepreneurs to be solution-driven entrepreneurs, build resilience, build relationships, build leadership skills, and also build themselves spiritually in order to be successful entrepreneurs.

“Some of the entrepreneurs, expressed gladness as they never expected the kind gesture of the governor, they showed their appreciation and immense gratitude. Most of them were overwhelmed with the surprise considering the economic crunch, when they were called unto the stage to receive the grant prices. The tears of joy were so infectious that the crowd applauded the governor’s efforts, as well as his love and passion for entrepreneurship development for women and young persons in the State.

The event was a pilgrimage of sorts as thousands of participants left impacted, empowered and with many new friendships, partnerships and collaborations that were built at the event.