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12 Young Entrepreneurs Get N90m Grants As Kwara Empowers Business Community Again

12 Young Entrepreneurs Get N90m Grants As Kwara Empowers Business Community Again – THISDAYLIVE

No fewer than 12 young entrepreneurs in Kwara State were handed N89.2 million cheques recently by the state government as grants to support their businesses, foster self-reliance and create employment opportunities for the youth.

A statement by the Press Secretary, Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), Bolashade Yusuf, revealed the grants were organised by KWASSIP under its Youth Entrepreneurial Empowerment Scheme.

General Manager of KWASSIP, Dr Wasiu Tejidini, who handed them the cheques in his office in Ilorin on Monday, said the government considered it necessary to empower the new starters with viable business ideas to thrive.

The beneficiaries are Firdauz Muhammed Wuraola, CEO, Drinks ‘N’ Grillz (N10 million); Nimotallah Mohammed Kpayero (Ban Shea Products) – N15.9 million; Ahmed Kuburat (Kaddy Nigeria) – N15 million; Oloyede Ikmat Omoshalewa (Kwara Souvenir Store) – N5 million; Fatigun Subomi Emmanuel ((Waka Studios) – N10 million; Anifowose Favour Boluwatife (Esthad Luxe Jewels) – N3.3 million; Ibrahim Maryam Modupeola (Kleen Klear) – N5 million; Ajiboye Opeyemi Rasheed (Tailorgang Fashion House) – N5 million; Yusuf Dolapo Azeezat (Day Varieties Enterprise) – N5 million; Akinyode Bosede Temilade (Global LightTrust Integrated Ventures) – N5 million; Badeji Sherifat Modupe (BSM Fashion) – N5 million; and Adeshewa Kolawole (Day-Yank Fashion), who received N5 million.

Dr Tejidini said the lucky 12 secured the grants on the basis of approval by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who went through their letters of request and details of their business proposals. 

While urging them to utilise the funds responsibly to achieve the objectives outlined in their applications, Tejidini said the agency will, in six-month or one-year time, assess the impact of the funds through its monitoring and evaluation unit.

He disclosed that the government had equally supported more than 1,000 young people through its Kwapreneur programme – another flagship youth empowerment and enterprise development initiative under KWASSIP.

He defined the latest intervention by the state government as a broader strategy to encourage entrepreneurship and reduce dependence on government employment.

Tejidini commended the governor’s support for entrepreneurship skill and how his administration continues to invest in infrastructural development, healthcare, security, and education among other sectors.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ajiboye Opeyemi Rasheed and Mohammed Nimotallah Kpayero, appreciated the government for the financial assistance, describing it as an opportunity to expand their businesses and create jobs.

They said the support will help them acquire more equipment and improve their production capacity by employing more young people to become economically independent.

“We really thank the government. This is an opportunity for us to create jobs for people out there, including fresh graduates. They can easily learn (from us) and get the right business skills to become self-sufficient,” Ajiboye said.

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Jobberman Nigeria, Nigeria’s leading career development and recruitment solutions company, has launched ‘Her Next Move’, a campaign designed to empower young Nigerian women with practical skills and confidence to pursue career opportunities and participate more fully in the workforce. 

Through free online training, the initiative supports women aged 18 to 35 as they prepare to enter the workplace, advance into better roles or explore freelance and gig work.

Built around the message ‘Your Future. Your Skills. Your Move’, the campaign places female inclusion at the centre of career development, encouraging women to take an active role in shaping their professional futures. It connects the ambition to progress with an accessible starting point: learning skills that can help women prepare for their next opportunity.

‘Her Next Move’ recognises that career progress looks different for every woman. For a graduate, it may mean preparing for a first job. For a woman already working, it may involve developing the skills to take on greater responsibility or pursue a new role. For another, it may mean understanding how to navigate freelance work and participate in the global gig economy. The campaign brings these aspirations together through a shared emphasis on learning, preparation and action.

This Initiative by Jobberman in partnership with Mastercard Foundation promotes two courses: Jobberman Soft Skills Training and Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker. Both courses are free, with a free certificate upon successful completion.

Jobberman Soft Skills Training focuses on workplace readiness, helping participants build the professional skills needed to navigate work and prepare for career progression. Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker introduces participants to the demands and opportunities of freelance and gig work, supporting women interested in exploring career paths beyond traditional employment.

By making the training and certification available at no cost, ‘Her Next Move’ reduces the financial barrier to participation and encourages more young women to invest in their professional development. Its focus extends from raising awareness of learning opportunities to helping participants follow through and complete their chosen course.

To bring the campaign to life, Jobberman is working with young creators who are sharing personal stories about ambition, career transitions and the role of learning in their journeys. Through videos, social media posts and follow-up conversations, the creators encourage young women to reflect on their own goals and identify the practical steps they can take towards them.

These stories are intended to make career development relatable, connecting everyday aspirations with opportunities to learn. Across the campaign, the question “What is your next move?” invites women to define progress for themselves and begin preparing for it.

‘Her Next Move’ reinforces Jobberman’s and Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to supporting career development and expanding access to learning for young Nigerian women. By combining free skills training with relatable storytelling and encouragement to take action, the campaign seeks to help more women feel prepared to pursue their ambitions.

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