The fate of the average youth in Nigeria might seem bleak at an initial glance. Opportunities are not in abundance and current economic realities seem to work against these youths. The Lagos Island Connect has a mission to change these bleak realities and in pursuing that vision, the NGO in its latest partnership with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) seeks to provide insight and opportunities for young people in Lagos Island with a business mentorship program.
The Lagos Island Connect (LIC) in an applaudable move, raised sponsorship from the Cosmopolitan Women Club (CWC) Lagos, a Foremost women NGO and PROSHARE, a financial information service company, to support 10 promising entrepreneurs for a 6 months business mentorship program at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ten qualified participants were chosen, based on merit from across various fields including tech, beauty, education, and entertainment after a competitive selection process.
The program is meant to equip them with the knowledge they need for success in their various businesses. Through close mentorship and intensive training, the LIC-LCCI Mentoring Program seeks to build these 10 individuals into global brands who will in turn impact their direct environment and the world at large.
With the failure rate of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria currently sitting at 80 per cent due to lack of experience and other wrong business practices, the LIC-LCCI Mentorship program created a robust training outline to tackle these problems. The program covers a wide spectrum of topics including but not limited to personal development, business writing, business risk assessment, financial planning, tax matters, and market research.
The aim of the program which goes beyond just theoretical knowledge transcends into practical business experience. Mentees will be privileged to tour and understudy top industry leaders like Coleman Technical Ind. Ltd and Stellarchem Industries.
A one-on-one mentorship segment in which mentees get assigned to specific mentors in their industry was incorporated into the program. Under this segment, mentees are supervised directly by their assigned mentors. They have the opportunity to ask questions and observe their industry mentors one-on-one. Feedback from mentees will be documented and reviewed to ensure that participants enjoy the full benefit of the program and have the knowledge fully incorporated into their businesses.
Mentees also get the added benefit of gaining access to become members of the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). At the end of the program, participants will be opportune to showcase their businesses at the Lagos International Trade Fair, a platform that attracts more than 500,000 visitors over a period of ten days.
At the end of the business mentorship program, LIC hopes to be another step closer to having a Lagos Island where every youth can develop necessary capacities and prosper. The participants will leave with a mandate to continue the vision of LIC by helping and teaching other youths within Lagos Island and its environs. Participants will be able to stand for themselves and make better business decisions with the knowledge they have garnered. Better opportunities and partnerships will also be afforded participants as members of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
The Lagos Island Connect’s vision remains a better society for all Lagos Island youth and their contemporaries. LIC is a network of NGOs which comprises of various civil society groups including Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO), New Nigeria Foundation (NNF) Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON), Lagos State Youth Ambassadors, AIESEC, Freedom Park, CSR-in-Action, Vibrant Girls Development Initiative, Qamarh Foundation, Onikan Youth Association, Lagos Gist and many more.
LIC currently operates varius whatsapp groups where valuable information, employment and business opportunities are shared daily. To become a member of the LIC and enjoy all the juicy opportunities and contribute to the community, click here.
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