Startup Sokoto set to open vista of opportunities for more youths | EduCeleb
Abdussalam Amoo
2nd October 2018
On Sunday, 30th September, 2018, entreprenurs and other stakeholders from all works of life converged on Sokoto Guest Inn in Sokoto for the launch of Sokoto Startup.
It was a thrilling occasion that had resource persons share ideas on how technology is affecting business and how startups are changing the economy.
Startup Sokoto is an initiative that seeks to exploit the opportunities available in the digital world to develop sustainable businesses to solve local problems. Founded in July 2018, it hopes to thrive on collaborations and partnerships.
Abubakar Shettima, who is the convener of Startup Sokoto is also the Chief Executive Officer of Arewa Popcorn. He told EduCeleb.com that the mission of the organisation is to empower and mentor people. On the immediate plans of the group, he revealed the intention to train not less than fifty persons in various crafts free of charge.
“We are going to train fifty people free of charge. Fifteen of the would be training on make-up, another fifteen on photography and graphics design. The remaining twenty would be trained on website development.”
Mr Shettima added that the goal to see youths work hard and live independent of others.
“We want to see our youths work hard. We want to see them believing in themselves and their potentials. We want them to see what the future has in stock for them. We are developing youths that are independent. If they are independent. We would guide them to know their business and their market so that they will know the way to sell their products.”
In his goodwill message at the event, the Director-General of the Nigerian Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu charged youths to explore opportunities to achieve greatness.
“We, as Nigerians, must not be afraid of success. We must continue to develop solutions.
“We must not be defined by our problems. We must be defined by our dreams and what we can achieve. Nothing is impossible. There are no impossibilities. There is only a better Nigeria and a better Sokoto for all,” he said.
EduCeleb.com recalls that Mr Aliyu made global acclaim with his design of the Chevrolet Volt electric car. His was invited to head the automobile industry regulatory agency by President Muhammadu Buhari to consolidate on efforts to improve the local economy.
Aliyu said his presence at the occasion was to identify with his home state, Sokoto. He promised to be a part of laudable initiative to improve the lives of the people through his nongovernmental organisation, the Jelani Aliyu Foundation.
The Founder of Land Furnitures, Mrs Laila Usman challenged youths on the need to identify solutions in their attempt to start any business. She emphasised that it takes innovative problem solving to make a change.
Also contributing to the discourse, the Chief Executive Officer of Girong Tech Limited, Mubarak Tiamiyu identified that mentorship was a major factor in making any business owner succeed. He volunteered to serve as mentor to interested persons.
On her part, the Director-General of the Sokoto State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SOSMEDA), Mrs Aishatu Hassan promised to support the initiative by providing an enabling environment for interested persons to have access to free forms and training in various businesses of choice being considered by the agency.
Among the numerous dignitaries that graced the occasion were Dr Abubakar Abdulkadir, a lecturer at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, Mrs Hafsat Dange, the Regional Manager of the Corporate Affairs Commission in Sokoto, Mr Nura Bello, the Chief Executive Officer of Deen Technologies, Mr Abdulqhar Abdullahi of AQ Branding, and Mr Ahmad Bature, the Chief Executive Officer of Startup Kano.