The Mentoring Assistance Initiative for Youth and Entrepreneurs (MAYEIN), last Saturday in Ibadan, advised and supported young people and their businesses in commemoration of International Youth Day, with the theme “Different contexts, same aspirations”.
The event brought together young entrepreneurs and other young people for conversations, mentoring and a business pitch competition aimed at helping them gain practical knowledge, build useful connections and better navigate the challenges of work, entrepreneurship and personal development.
In his opening remarks, Oyinkan Agboola said the event was organized to celebrate young people, their ideas, dreams, potential and resilience as they continue to shape their lives, communities and future.
Agboola said the theme “Different contexts, same aspirations” recognized that young people come from different backgrounds and face different circumstances, but often share similar aspirations for a better future.
“Young people must not only prepare for the future, but also shape it through ideas, connections and courage,” he said.
MAYEIN CEO Ewa Orowale said the organisation, founded in 2012, has continued to support young people by promoting access to education and learning opportunities, digital literacy and technology, as well as entrepreneurship, work readiness and vocational and life skills.
According to her, MAYEIN’s work focuses on helping young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to seize opportunities, pursue their aspirations and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Orowale said the International Youth Day event was also an opportunity to connect young people with mentors, sponsors and their peers, while creating a platform for them to learn from the experiences of others and explore opportunities for growth.
Speaking on the theme of the event, FoodCo Nigeria Supply Chain Director, Ayotunde Ositunga, urged youths to understand that they do not need to have it all before they can become something.
He encouraged them to be clear about who they want to be and what they want to achieve, while believing in their abilities even when others don’t yet see their potential.
Ositunga identified value creation as one of the qualities that could distinguish young people in their careers and businesses. He noted that many global solutions started as local ideas, adding that the bigger the problem a person solves, the greater the value that can be created.
He urged young people to define their vision and purpose, be consistent in achieving it and take advantage of opportunities for collaboration and networking.
“Information and skills build you. Do not stop learning because the future favors those who adapt to it. Do not say that there is no opportunity. You are the opportunity,” he stated.
He also charged the youth to contribute to the development of their communities.
“There is no tomorrow waiting for you. Today is the one that needs you the most. Prosper in your community and let your community prosper through you too,” Ositunga said.
The event featured a mentoring café where guest mentors, Odunayo Aliu, Tiemo Toju and Oluwademilade Ala, shared experiences from their career paths and discussed some of the challenges they encountered along the way.
The mentors encouraged the youth to focus on creating value and avoid shortcuts in their pursuit of success. They also advised young entrepreneurs to understand their customers, build meaningful relationships and make strategic use of digital platforms and social media to strengthen and grow their businesses.
The mentoring session was followed by a business pitch competition, where the participating young entrepreneurs presented their business ideas to a panel of judges consisting of the three guest mentors and Ayotunde Ositunde.
At the end of the contest, ThankGod Paul emerged as the winner, while Busayo Oduola and Amirah Yusuf-Yos came second and third respectively.
The competition gave participants the opportunity to present their ideas, receive feedback and learn from experienced professionals, while the wider event created a platform for young people to connect, learn and explore ways to turn their aspirations into meaningful action.
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