The Mentoring Assistance for Youths and Entrepreneurs Initiative (MAYEIN), last Saturday in Ibadan, mentored 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, mentorship, and a business pitch contest aimed at helping them gain practical knowledge, build useful connections, and better navigate the challenges of work, entrepreneurship and personal development.
In her opening remarks, Oyinkan Agboola said the event was organised 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,’ recognised that young people come from different backgrounds and face different circumstances, but often share similar aspirations for a better future.
‘Youths and young people should not only prepare for the future, but should also shape it through ideas, connections, and courage,’ she said.
The Executive Director of MAYEIN, Ewa Orowale, said the organisation, which was established 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 is focused on helping young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to take advantage of 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, the Supply Chain Manager of FoodCo Nigeria, Ayotunde Ositunga, urged young people to understand that they do not need to have everything before they can become anything.
He encouraged them to gain clarity about who they want to become and what they want to achieve, while believing in their abilities even when others may not 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 the youths to define their vision and purpose, remain consistent in pursuing them and take advantage of collaboration and networking opportunities.
‘Information and skills build you. Do not stop learning because the future favours those who adapt to it. Do not say there is no opportunity. You are the opportunity,’ he said.
He also charged the youths to contribute to the development of their communities.
‘There is no tomorrow waiting for you. Today needs you most. Thrive in your community, and let your community thrive through you, too,’ Ositunga said.
The event featured a mentorship café where guest mentors, Odunayo Aliu, Tiemo Toju and Oluwademilade Ala, shared experiences from their career journeys and discussed some of the challenges they encountered along the way.
The mentors encouraged the young people 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 mentorship session was followed by a business pitch contest, where participating young entrepreneurs presented their business ideas before a panel of judges comprising the three guest mentors and Ayotunde Ositunde.
At the end of the contest, ThankGod Paul emerged winner, while Busayo Oduola and Amirah Yusuf-Yos came second and third respectively.
The contest provided participants with an opportunity to present their ideas, receive feedback and learn from experienced professionals, while the broader event created a platform for young people to connect, learn and explore ways of turning their aspirations into meaningful action.