NGO embarks on ‘mobile business school’
A Non-governmental organisation, Strategy and Innovation for Development Initiative (SI4Dev), has embarked on a “mobile business school” project for economic empowerment and to fight poverty in some parts of the country.
The Executive Director of SI4Dev, Ms Nkem Akinsoto, said in Abuja that the project was being implemented in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Bayelsa states.
Akinsoto said the initiative, tagged ‘Street Business School (SBS)’ was aimed at providing business training to under-employed women and youth, including recent school dropouts to enhance their employability.
She explained that the project was targeted at no fewer than 40 participants in the four locations, adding that two master trainers and 15 assistant coaches had been trained.
“SBS is a six-month mobile classroom uniquely tailored to meet the needs of those they serve in our local communities. We will create transformation by building confidence and igniting entrepreneurial skills in our participants.
“We will help those living in lower economic groups which are most likely to lack the skills and confidence to start or grow their business,” she said.
According to her, the project also seeks to address the poverty level of people living in urban-poor communities by equipping them with the knowledge they need to build sustainable businesses.
“This project will also empower them to believe in themselves and seize every opportunity to accomplish our goals. Past SBS success shows that participants increase their income by an average of 54 per cent after graduation.
“And once they start earning an income, graduates will be able to participate fully to improve their community. This new approach to achieving our mission is strategic and sustainable,” she said.
Akinsoto added that SBS also increased the income levels of participants by more than 200 per cent within two years of graduation.