By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has attracted the sum of US$5000 from the Tony Elumelu Foundation, to assist students of the institution who are eager to kick-start any form of small and medium scale enterprise, even while they are still in school.
Making this known in a chat with our correspondent was the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the University Calabar, Mr Eyo Effiong.
Effiong averred that the US$5000 attracted from the philanthropic foundation is part of the fulfilment of the VC’s desire to boost entrepreneurship programme, which the university is keen about to bring to its students.
A release from the Head of Corporate Marketing, Tony Elumelu Foundation, TEF, Onyeyirichi Uchendu, sighted yesterday by our correspondent in Calabar, stated that the 2021 TEF intervention will prioritized economic recovery of small/ medium scale enterprises, SMEs, and young African entrepreneurs, following the COVID-19 disruption of economic activities.
The foundation, which is Africa’s leading philanthropy is dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurs, who are eager to turn-around their personal economy and change their living standard.
The release maintained that the TEF as Africa’s leading philanthropy, dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs basically within the continent of Africa, currently has its applications running on its TEFConnect digital platform for entrepreneurs, who are interested to apply for the 2021 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.
Uchendu stated that successful applicants would have opportunity to participate in a world class business training and mentorship, with a non-refundable seed capital of up to $5,000, and global networking opportunities.
The TEF Head of Corporate Marketing stated that the programme is open to entrepreneurs across the continent of Africa, notwithstanding whether the business is a new start-up or existing young businesses, operating in any of the business sectors.
He said that arrangement has been completed by the Tony Elumelu Foundation to organize a three-day conference within the week at the university of Calabar campus to equip students of the institution with entrepreneurial skills that would aide the students to be come self reliant, even when they are still in school.
Uchendu stressed that the training to be received at the TEF would aid the participants begin their own small and medium scale enterprises to tackle the menace of unemployment that has bedeviled the nation in recent times.
He added, “Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the physical event shall be held based on NCDC guidelines.
“Students who are unable to attend the event physically, due to limited access to the event venue are encouraged to join the event online via the University of Calabar Facebook page.
“It is our hope that students of UNICAL will take advantage of the opportunities inherent in this relationship between the university and TEF to make meaning out of their entrepreneurial lives.”
