‘Innovation, creativity, good leadership vital for successful entrepreneurship’

By Miriam Humbe

To be the business leaders of tomorrow and become successful entrepreneurs, you must inculcate these three tips; be innovative, creative and lead with integrity.
Managing Director of the Abuja Enterprise Agency, (AEA), Mr. Arabi Muhammad Tukur gave the tips to participants at the grand finale of the first edition of the Nigerian National Startup Pitch Competition which held in the AEA premises on Wednesday.
A joint initiative of the Small and Medium Enterprises Agency, (SMEDAN), Abuja Enterprise Agency and the Annual Investment Meeting, (AIM) of the Dubai U.A.E., the competition is designed to give participants the opportunity to bring their ideas and concepts into actualization, become more skilled in writing, analyzing and implementing business plans.
It is also an avenue to help them build a large network of resources for mentorship, team creation, education and venture financing.
The finalist will represent Nigeria in the AIM National Champions Pitch competition in Dubai, U.A.E for a chance to win $50,000 as well as the opportunity to interact with other SMEs across the globe and also, access to a host of investors.
“Our collaboration with critical partners such as SMEDAN and AIM is borne out of the FCT administration vision of providing an enabling environment particularly for youths to become leaders in the entrepreneurial world and provide solutions to the various challenges we face as a nation”, he said.
The competition was focused on five categories namely growth, social impact, best use of innovation, climate and environmental impact as well as privacy and data protection expected to spur SMEs in the country to align their activities to meet with global best practices.
USAIFA International Limited, dealers in agribusiness emerged winner of the pitch competition and is expected to fly Nigeria’s flag at the Dubai event holding later in the year.