MTN Offers Grant To Boost Entrepreneurship Skill In Nigeria

VENTURES AFRICA - To further encourage the growing spirit of entrepreneurship among Nigerians, MTN Nigeria is offering a N30 million Naira (USD$190,000) grant to entrepreneurs with the brightest business idea at this year’s MTN Leadership Seminar. Themed “Breaking the Success Myth,” the 2012 MTN Leadership Seminar is taking place from 24-27 April 2012 in Port Harcourt and Lagos.

The seminar, which was formerly tagged “MTN motivational Series” but now rebranded to “MTN Leadership Series” is open to MTN subscribers under the age of 40.

According to Mrs Funmi Omogbenigun, MTN General Manager on Corporate Communications, the seminar was repackaged to bring more value to MTN customers and the general public. She said the seminar is part of MTN’s commitment to empower and enrich the lives of its customers, especially the youths.

MTN, Nigeria’s biggest Telecom network, has in the past four years successfully brought in renowned speakers like Chris Gardner, David Plouffe and Les Brown to speak to budding entrepreneurs in Nigeria on how to be successful in their business venture.

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To mentor participants at this year’s leadership forum is American entrepreneur and success teacher , Dr. Farray Gray. He is expected to deliver a paper on motivation, entrepreneurship, leadership, integrity and strategy at the seminars.

According to the General Manager, Consumer Marketing of MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi , Gray  will mentor winners of the MTN business Plan competition that would be given N30million grant for having a fantastic business idea. MTN is offering this assistance to growing entrepreneurs to “see the dream of still budding business come into full bloom.” The overall winner will get N20 million and will be mentored by  Dr. Farrah Gray for 6 months, while the first and second runner up will get N5million each to enhance their businesses.

Dr. Gray was chosen to mentor the program as a result of his rich entrepreneur and successful story. He is a successful American philanthropist, author, syndicated columnist and motivational speaker. At only 27, Dr Fray has achieved success that will be rivaled by his peers. He is a living example of success of harnessing youth potential.

According to the influential People Magazine, Gray is the only African American to rise to the position of a business mogul without being in entertainment or having family connections. He is the CEO of Farrah Gray Publishing and the youngest person to open an office on the iconic Wall Street, New York. He became a Self-made millionaire at the age of 14.