Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has challenged entrepreneurs to develop thier skills set and improve on thier creative ideas and grow the State economy.
The Governor also mentioned that the State under his administration was shaping the orientation of doing business by encouraging young people to become social entrepreneurs.
Governor Sanwo-Olu who spoke at the maiden edition of Lagos Island Business Fair, 2022, said youths must be actively productive to change the prevailing narratives of the economy.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs Adetutu Ososanya, the Governor encouraged young people to become social business entrepreneurs and contribute to the world, rather than just making money.
He stressed that the theme of the event “EDU-SOCIAL for Entrepreneurs in Lagos Island, and Lagos State towards Social Economic Empowerment”, is no doubt an interesting thought that would build the socio-economic landscape of Lagos.
“I believe this platform can leverage socio-economic networking and Information technology to provide more interactive opportunities for the teeming youth of Lagos Island and its environs from diverse cultural, religious, social and educational backgrounds, to advance their businesses and services,” he said.
Increasing workforce
The Co-Founder Lagos Island Connect, LIC Ms Yemisi Ransome-Kuti said that the Fair was borne out of the need to help businesses and youths on the Lagos Island Area in particular and Lagos State at large.
She maintained that economy being the start and end of everything requires main elements of adding more workers to the workforce, and pushing productivity higher and thereby producing more goods and services to achieve growth.
According to her, “The local government is the foundation upon which good governance and prosperity is built, hence our focus on that critical level of development.
“Without functional and effective institutions at the Local Government level, we build our policies and strategies on shifting sand.”
She however appealed to the Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo to further support entrepreneurs on the Lagos Island with fit for purpose facilities on Lagos Island which is reportedly, the richest local government area in the Country due to the large numbers of businesses and corporate entities there.
She also urged the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola to look into the issue of abandoned Federal buildings on Lagos Island, many of which had been turned into a den for nefarious activities, including drug abuse and insecurity.
Strengthen collaboration
During her presentation, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs and Investments, Mrs. Solape Hammond, said that collaboration on business connectivity in Lagos Island has been strengthened with critical engagement through economic summit by addressing needs to chart way forward on business demands.
Hammond urged youths, especially entrepreneurs to leverage technology to further promote their businesses.
Confidence Okwuchi
