Edo State has recently hosted what experts are calling the most significant entrepreneurship event of its kind, titled ‘Unveiling EdoJobs Entrepreneurship Roadmap 2.0.’ The event, held at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, on Friday, August 5, 2022, attracted members of the EdoJobs Business Community, top entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders in the state.
Reflecting the Edo State Government’s vision to establish a thriving Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) community, the event showcased an entrepreneurship roadmap designed to guide and support all entrepreneurs in Edo State. The government aims to have a community of 20,000 active members, with 500 formalized entrepreneurs who can generate annual revenues of 10 million naira by 2025.
Segun Majekodunmi, Head of EdoJobs Entrepreneurship, urged the participants to stay committed and focused, emphasizing that the government is investing heavily in their development to help them become employers of labor.
Mr. Peters Obaseki, Chairman of the EDSG MSME Advisory Board, urged entrepreneurs to fulfill the necessary requirements to be recognized and active participants in the state’s business landscape. Doing so would grant entrepreneurs access to benefits provided by the Edo State Government, as well as local and international investors. Obaseki advised entrepreneurs to maintain a clear distinction between their personal lives and their business accounts to ensure the growth and success of their ventures.
A highlight of the event was the introduction of the EdoJobs Business Success Scorecard, a targeted approach to measuring and boosting entrepreneurial success. The scorecard consists of ten key milestones, including business formalization, sales and marketing competence, financial management capabilities, trade organization membership, human resource management, continuous capacity building, technology adoption, product development and diversification, mentorship and networking, and external funding. Each milestone carries a weight of 50 points, and entrepreneurs who accumulate a score of 500 will gain entry into the exclusive EdoFuture500 Business Community.
The event saw the active participation of esteemed organizations both within and outside Edo State. Representatives from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Ventures Park, GIZ SEDIN, Edo State MSME Advisory Board, among others, provided guidance and answered questions from participants.
The ‘Unveiling EdoJobs Entrepreneurship 2.0’ event attracted entrepreneurs from various parts of the state and was also live-streamed across EdoJobs social media platforms. Over 500 participants joined the event, including beneficiaries of various EdoJobs business programs, such as the Edo Online Marketplace with Konga, Transforming Nigerian Youth Program, and Edo MSME Funds for Businesses.
Furthermore, members of the EdoJobs Business Community were introduced to experienced mentors who will guide them through their entrepreneurial journeys. The event also facilitated networking opportunities through the formal introduction of Business Information Officers, enabling entrepreneurs to expand their connections and commercial prospects.
