JA Nigeria, LBS, others train 50 graduates in management skills

Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), in conjunction with Lagos Business School (LBS) and African Capital Alliance (ACA) Foundation has trained 50 graduates to prepare them for successful entry into the world of work.

According to the organisers, the training through JAN annual Venture in Management Programme (ViMP) is a one-week intensive mini MBA session to expose selected members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to different ways of managing businesses, making business decisions and developing management skills.

They said the programme led by facilitators from the LBS included classroom sessions, case studies, panel discussions, networking, study groups, and recreation, culminating in a strategy workshop, during which the participants presented solutions to real-world case studies.

Speaking at an interactive session held for the participants, alumni and business leaders, Executive Director, JAN, Simi Nwogugu, said ViMP is programme for outstanding youth corps members who demonstrated leadership potential, intelligence and attributes of conscientious business leaders.

The executive director said that the mission of JAN is to inspire and educate young people to become conscientious, ethical and excellent business leaders.

Nwogugu further explained that ViMP prepare future business leaders for the responsibilities, opportunities and demands of the business world, pointing out that it rivalled short executive education courses from the world’s top business schools with case studies focusing on business ethics, accounting and finance, marketing, strategy, social enterprise, general management, leadership and entrepreneurship.

Speaking on success stories, Nwogugu revealed that many of their ViMP alumni are in different businesses where they are leaders.

She said: “Most if not all non-profit leaders in Nigeria are being led by our ViMP alumni. Some are in Faith Foundation, LEAP Africa and Paradigm Initiative.”

According to her, the programme started in 2000 has graduated over 900 alumni who are leading businesses, social enterprises, and participating actively in government.

Also, an External Relations Officer with ACA Foundation, Wendy Emesie said the foundation had supported JAN for five consecutive years because its mission and focus area aligned with the foundation.

She said: “We understand what the ViMP initiative is about, one of the flagship programmes targeted at the NYSC. It is more like a mini-MBA course helping them develop business leadership skills and then increase their work readiness skills as well.”

One of the beneficiaries, Kola Olawuyi Ajibola who research and watch Youtube videos on the programme before he joined, said most of the sessions were eye opening and very expository. “I have been able to soak up a lot of knowledge within a short period of time,” he said.

Managing Partner, Growth Capital Fund, CcHUB and 2001 alumni, Mr. Tunji Eleso said: “The ViMP strengthened my resolve to venture into entrepreneurship. It is a significant step in my career journey to date.”