Facilitating an Entrepreneurship workshop at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu Nigeria

The last week of August was a very exciting and awesome week for me as I travelled all the way from Kaduna to Abia state for an adventurous experience. This was made possible by a great friend of mine all the way back from my Unilever Ideatrophy competition experience. I was invited by Kelvin Ogholi to facilitate an entrepreneurship workshop at the Abia State University (ABSU) hosted by the Senate House Family RCF-ABSU Chapter.

Kelvin Ogholi and I at ABSU

It was a tremendous opportunity interacting with talented and great people.  The hospitality, love and inspiration received was awesome. I had a firsthand experience with this great family learning practically that people created by the same God deserve the same treatment be they friends or strangers. I was thrilled to meet young people with great ideas, passion and optimism at what they do.

The workshop started with an interview session of the facilitators in other for our audience to get acquainted with who we are and we used the “rock, paper, scissors” game to break the ice afterwards. Our first facilitator Kelvin Ogholi gave a slide presentation on the basic principles in identifying problems in our society and how to  create solutions.He rounded up the presentation by sharing a short inspiring video of Himself Pitching a business idea in front of several investors at the Unreasonable institute Boulder, Colorado.  

Yusuf Rhoda's presentation

That's me tackling a question

**********Session 2*******

We had a detailed explanation and practical session on how to define and design a mission. By teaching the effect of an inspiring mission statement and rounded up the session with questions and answers.

  ****Session 3 Day 1******

We began by introducing the tools needed for creating a business plan and using the trigger map invented by  Mike Rios of Unreasonable Institute season 1 as our sample tool for the workshop. We tested our participants’ creativity using drawings as a yard stick. 

Setting out the trigger map was challenging, experiential and insightful to both the participants and facilitators as we worked on achieving both our individual and collective goals of creating a mental transformation and raising passionate and result oriented entrepreneurs for our great nation Nigeria.

*******Day 2*****************

After an interesting and inspiring fellowship service we got back to business.  Joining us were two experienced and passionate friends and mentors Adule Chinedu founding member Organo Gold Nigeria and Arc. Collins Okengwu a great friend made possible by Unilever Ideatrophy competition season 2 coming in all the way from Delta and Lagos state respectively.

Collins, I and Kelvin

We had a rousing session on “thinking outside the box” and how to startup with limited resources.

Now the peak of the workshop: – PITHCHING TO INVESTORS, wow! (Dragon’s Den) this was the height of it.

It was fun and displayed a lot of intellectuality as well.

Ebere Nwadike on her mission statement

Here facilitators acted as investors while participants pitched their ideas. Investors help correct mistakes, advice and also help participants build their confidence and discover other interesting aspects of their ideas and businesses.

Thanks to everyone; facilitators and participants we had a great time and we learnt a lot which we all hope to put into practice as we advance in our various careers.

Vote of thanks:

My appreciation and hearty thanks to my great friend Kelvin Ogholi for giving me the opportunity to interact with potential solution providers of our country, our host; the Senate House Family RCF-ABSU chapter where I saw love in practice. Thanks to Dr. Kate Uzoamaka Ekeh for dishing out good treatment and hospitality to a stranger.

Nigeria's potential producers

Thanks to Maureen Ogbonnaya who took out time to give me a nice tour despite tight schedules. Special thanks also to the Chapter president Isaac Sunday for constantly checking on me to be sure I was comfortable and having a nice time. A special thanks to my dearest friend Collins Okengwu for always been a friend at all times am truly grateful. How can I forget the awesome time I had with Chinedu Adule, Onuoha Ikechukwu, James Okeiyi, Chinwe- Funmi Ndubuisi, Nwankwo Blessing, Felix and A.C. Kingsley thanks guys.

Our Potential Investors

Finally to everyone of you that worked to make my stay an enjoyable one and to each one of you who gave me the opportunity to interact and learn from you directly and indirectly despite the very limited time, thank you, thank you, thank you! God bless you all!