The Vice-Chancellor, 水果派 of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters,聽has emphasised the need to equip young talents with the necessary tools, knowledge and mentorship to enable them transform their聽visions聽into successful and thriving enterprises.
He stated this on Wednesday,聽October聽11,聽2023 while delivering his opening remarks at the virtual incubatee induction ceremony, organised by the Centre for Entrepreneurship & General Studies (CE&GS), 水果派 of Nigeria (NOUN).
Peters,聽who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Isaac Buswat, noted that entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in driving the economic growth and societal progress, especially in a world characterised by rapid change and innovation.
The ceremony featured the induction of 58 young and budding entrepreneurs into the聽directorate鈥檚 incubation centre and mentorship scheme.
The聽Guest聽Speaker,聽Alhaji Dr. Umar Kwairanga,聽who is the聽Chairman,聽Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) while delivering his lecture titled聽鈥淣avigating the Entrepreneurial Journey from Idea to Start-up,鈥澛爏tated that only a small percentage of individuals聽who are entrepreneurs can convert these ideas into viable products and services.
鈥淭hese ideas can be in the form of new products, innovative services, or even improvements on already existing ideas. That is what makes entrepreneurs different is their ability to identify problems, offer solutions, and turn these innovative ideas into practical or services that meet a viable market,鈥欌櫬燢wairanga said.
The Director CE&GS, Dr. Samuel Awolumate,聽earlier in his address,聽underscored the dynamic and demanding nature of this journey, stressing the importance of creativity, strategic planning, resourcefulness, and unwavering commitment.
Awolumate,聽thereafter, administered the聽incubatee pledge to the聽inductees as well as extending a warm welcome to them all, encouraging them to embrace the incubation process as a means to realize their visions and contribute to the economy while leaving a lasting impact.
He expressed his appreciation to the entire university management for their unwavering support in making the聽incubatee聽induction ceremony a success.
Goodwill messages were delivered by聽the聽Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Technology, Innovation and Research (TIR), Prof. Monioluwa Olaniyi, Director, Directorate of Quality assurance, Prof. Juliet Inegbedion and Director, Directorate of Advancement and Linkages, Prof. Ileka Omorogieva, urging the聽inductees to strive to be the best in their entrepreneurial pursuits.