The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Awrab Suites and Hotels Limited, Offa, Otunba Adekunle Ajeigbe has announced plans to hold an entrepreneurship competition aimed at combating youth unemployment in Kwara State.

Tagged Otunba Adekunle Ajeigbe Entrepreneurship Competition, the beneficiaries numbering over 100 are expected to be drawn from among the youths across the three senatorial districts of the state.

Speaking with newsmen recently, the sponsor of the event, Otunba Ajeigbe, who is also a former Managing Director of Union Bank of Cameroun, lamented the spate of youth unemployment, something he said was as a result of lack of gainful skills and trainings that could aid employability.

According to him, “The majority of the unemployed youths are unable to secure jobs due to idleness and the fact that many of them are looking for quick means to wealth. Consequently, many engage in gambling, ‘yahoo-yahoo’ and thuggery as a means of survival. Until such a time that we connect them to purpose, they will continue to drift.

“Now they see no nation to fight for. So they will continue to engage in superficial survival activities rather than beneficial and long lasting activities that benefit the Nigerian nation.

“It is up to us to connect them to a better Nigeria by given them a purpose. Hence the need to begin to empower the ones that qualify in order to encourage others.”

Speaking particularly about the modalities for participating in the planned entrepreneurship competition he initiated, Otunba Ajeigbe disclosed that a committe of dedicated Kwarans has been constituted to ensure a hitch free selection process for would be participants.

In her own remarks, the Chairman of the 2020 edition of Otunba Adekunle Ajeigbe Entrepreneurship Competition, Hajia Bukola Odogun said participants must be graduates within the ages of 20-35 years. Odogun, who is also the Publisher of Kwara Trends Newspapers, announced other criteria for participation.

According to her, “Being the first edition of the competition, we are looking at funding the business proposals of 100 youths across the three senatorial districts of Kwara State.

“Participants with the best business proposals will win fabulous cash prizes. Beyond the prizes however, the sponsor has also concluded arrangements with financial experts who will provide world class mentorship to successful participants.”

The deadline of submission of business proposals by all intending participants in the competition has been fixed for August 31st, 2020, while the grand finale will hold at Awrab Suites, Offa in October 2020. Applicants are to forward their proposals to bit.lyotunbakunleentrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, a former acting governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Finance & Economy, Dr (Mrs) Sarah Alade; ex-MD/CEO of Bank of Industry, Dr. Waheed Olagunju and Executive Vice Chairman, Xpress Payment Solutions, Dr AWA Ibraheem and a number of other outstanding business personalities are expected to serve as judges of the competition.