Badagry-based NGO, Real Act of Kindness (RAK) Development Foundation is offering N1 million to any youth in the area with the most innovative ideas.
Founder of RAK Foundation, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, revealed that the post-COVID-19 business intervention, tagged “Start-Up Challenge,” was in partnership with Equip Africa.
“The essence is to give every single youth an opportunity to showcase that talent or idea they have been incubating for years while we take it up as an NGO and make it realistic,” he said.
Ogunlende said that the grand prize of N1 million for the overall best innovative ideas would not necessarily be in cash.
“It will come in form of office space, accessories, needed paraphernalia and of course cash incentives,” he said.
According to him, the Start Up Challenge is to lift someone out of his or her current situation to the next level.
“This is also to attract more investors into Badagry, promote Badagry talents giving the youth the opportunity to soar,” he said.
Also, Equip Africa Chief Executive, Opeyemi Oke, said the idea was to give life to business ideas and help them incubate it for a period of one year.
“Our approach to solving socio-economic problem in Africa is matching local talent to local asset to create scalable business.
”When you create scalable business, we are then able to create job opportunities for young people who will see no reason to leave their local community,” he said.
Oke said interested youths would have to register online to participate via; www.startup.equipafricahq.org or https://www.rakfoundation.care/start-up-challenge
“The best 10 will have the opportunity of entering for a boot camp where they will be mentored and trained by seasoned experts.
“Free business coaching and mentorship will be facilitated by both Nigeria and foreign experts.
“Subsequently, there will be a jury at the grand finale to decide who wins,” he said.
Oke urged interested youth to register before June 30, adding that top 10 applicants would be selected and notified by July 1.
Read also: Science, Technology, Innovation Key to Africa’s Recovery — ECA
