Enterprise crusader and co-founder of Mentor-Box, Mrs Eunice Emmanuel Agada has called on business owners, early -stage entrepreneurs, technology experts in Kogi State to leverage innovation support hubs in the State to drive entrepreneurship, employability and visibility in Kogi state and across Nigeria.
Mrs Agada made the call at a one-day “Meet Up” organized by the Innovation Support Network, (ISN) and hosted by Mentor-Box Foundation which drew participants from technology industry, media and business sectors of the state.
She noted that the (ISN Hubs) one-day Meet-up aims to provide a platform for stakeholders in the innovation and enterprise ecosystem to engage, network, and collaborate on initiatives that will promote the technology, innovation, and early-stage entrepreneurship ecosystem across Nigeria, as well as encourage investment and partnerships that will support the growth of hubs and contribute to economic development.
According to the Mentor-Box co-founder, setting up more innovative business hubs in the state ecosystem will help in storytelling and position the state to attract more partners by merely becoming a part of the ecosystem.
In their separate remarks, the Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Special Duties, Hon. Afolabi Joseph-Raji, and his colleague, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, Barr. Shadrach Emmanuel, commended the organizer for her resilience and determination towards business growth in Kogi and its environs.
According to them Kogi is a confluence of opportunities which if well harnessed will boost the economy of the state and discourage the youth from taking their expertise outside the state, seeking jobs elsewhere and contributing to the economy of other states instead of Kogi.
Meanwhile, participants at the Meet Up identified lack of awareness, lack of funding, as well as psychological issues which have continued to hinder the growth of existing businesses and the emerging ones.
They emphasized the need for collaboration which will bring all business owners and industry experts together under one roof to form a synergy that will drive the much anticipated innovation.
Speaking about the hub, Agada explains that, ISN Hubs is Nigeria’s national network of over 140 entrepreneurship, impact, innovation, and technology hubs, providing policy advocacy; creating linkages between corporates, academia, government agencies, funders and development partners; and promoting structures that drive Hub sustainability.
ISN Hubs was formed in 2019 to organize, support, and foster collaboration among Nigerian Hubs, with the aim of providing employability and entrepreneur support services for a diversified economy.
Written by Yemi Balogun
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