SME 100 to reward entrepreneurs under 25

As part of efforts to reward good work and outstanding performance, SME 100 has concluded arrangements to celebrate 25 entrepreneurs under the age of 25.SME 100 is a social enterprise that helps to bridge the gap for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to succeed by providing requisite skills and orientation to young entrepreneurs.

The award, the second since inception, derives from a selection process in which organisations from different sectors, set up by young entrepreneurs under the age of 25 that have recorded impressive growth within two years of establishment.

Speaking in Lagos on the plans, Director of Programmes, SME100, Brian Oji, said the reward was aimed at motivating young people to go into business, as well as encourage them, adding that the monetary gains were not the real reasons but to push the young people to be creative.

Oji disclosed that the selection had been whittled down to 100 from 3,500, stating that the final successful 25 members would be presented with the awards on August 26, 2017.

He said the final 25 nominees were decided by the organisation’s board of trustees based on set down criteria.The nominees were selected from cyber security, agriculture, software development, event planning, public relations and advertising, among others.

He added that the goal of the award was to stimulate an entrepreneurial culture among Nigerian youths.saying: “We identify young people doing great work across the country and focus on them so that others can see them and aspire to set up their own businesses as well.”

A board member of SME 100 Nigeria, Mimi Ade-Odiachi, stressed the need for organisations and government to encourage young people who are bold, strong and adventurous to do small-scale businesses despite the harsh economy.

Director of Communications, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah, expressed the firm’s commitment to support young talents who are passionate about their entrepreneurial skills they have acquired.

Opara said the event would give the nominees the visibility and exposure to do more, noting that mentorship and mentor-mentee relationship was lacking and should not be about money.