U.S President Donald Trump

The Consul-General of the United States in Lagos, Mr John Bray, on Wednesday enjoined young Nigerian entrepreneurs to rededicate themselves to efficiently harnessing their entrepreneurial skills, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

Bray gave the advice in Lagos at the “First Emerging Entrepreneurs Conference,” jointly organised by the U. S. Consulate General in Lagos and Field of Skills and Dreams(FSD).

“I am pleased that FSD/VTE and the Consulate were able to identify so many aspiring entrepreneurs among Young African Leadership Initiative network members in Nigeria.

“I must let you all know that entrepreneurship can launch you on a path to change the world. Entrepreneurship can give you freedom to positively change your lives and that of your families.

“I cannot think of any better reason to start your own businesses,” he said.

According to him, the U. S. supports entrepreneurs globally, because of its firm believe that entrepreneurship is the key to drive job creation, economic opportunity, political stability and a vibrant civil society.

Bray said that his government was prepared to identify, train, mentor, incubate, provide access to marketing, funding, as well as create the enabling environments and entrepreneurial cultures for more aspiring young men and women.

“I believe that if we do this, you will be able to create successful businesses that you would be proud of. You will have a lot of work to do.

“You will have to decide what problems that your company or organisation will solve in your community and country.

“Do not take “no’’ for an answer. Believe in yourself and your idea, keep them close – you will need them when you have heard your hundredth “no’’.

“Do not be shy about asking people for information or connections. Know that, the entrepreneurial world is built on People helping one another,’’ he said.

FSD’s Executive Director, Ms Omowale Ogunrinde, commended the U. S. Consulate-General in Lagos, for recognising what she had been doing to make many young men and women sustainable entrepreneurs.

Ogunrinde recalled that her organisation’s journey started in 2003, when she observed that young teenagers in her church were not making the best use of their time.
|“FSD’s journey started in 2003, when I observed that teenagers I had approached in my church were mostly idle during the week, and frequently needed financial hand-outS from people to meet their basic needs.

“This situation really made me uncomfortable, since I was not brought up to ask for hand-outs from anybody.

“Since then, my organization has continued to ensure that those we train as entrepreneurs, are able to run their sustainable businesses, she added.