On the 7th of July, 2023, the New Faculty Of Science Auditorium at Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) was abuzz with entrepreneurial energy as the Face of Liberty organized the Ekiti Business Summit under the theme “Building Sustainable Businesses.” The event aimed to empower local entrepreneurs and provide them with valuable insights and resources to thrive in the competitive business landscape.
The highlight of the summit was the highly anticipated announcement of the winner of the 2023 Ekiti Business Summit Article Writing Competition. After a rigorous evaluation process, the deserving winner was revealed to be Ayenigba Ife, who emerged as the deserving winner. She was honored for her exceptional contribution to the competition and awarded a prize of $80. The recognition served as an inspiration to all aspiring entrepreneurs in attendance. Also, the 1st runner up, Abiodun Olatoye and the 2nd runner up, Praise Amineshi.
The summit featured an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers who shared their expertise and insights with the eager audience. Among the speakers was Abayomi Ogundile, the Media and Communications Officer of the Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA). He noted, “For a business to be sustainable, it has to strive.”
Dr. Dotun Famoriyo, the CEO of the Cheetahs Policy Institute, also took the stage, captivating the audience with his wealth of knowledge on business sustainability. He said, “To grow as an entrepreneur, you must emulate successful case studies; check possibility of it working for you.”
Another notable speaker was Adaraniwon Oluwatosin, the CEO of Glimpse Nigeria, who shared her success story and provided practical tips on achieving sustainable growth in the business world. CEO of Face of Liberty International, Leon. A. Ogunweide, delivered an inspiring speech, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship in driving economic development and prosperity.
In addition to the esteemed speakers, a panel of industry experts shared valuable insights during interactive sessions. Victoria Eegunranti, the Programs Director of Face of Liberty International, led the panel discussions, guiding participants through various aspects of building sustainable businesses. The panelists included Cräkky Brown, CEO of Cloudde & Stylocity. He explained, “An idea is just an idea if it does not solve an imminent problem at a point in time.”
Lois Adeniji, CEO of Spur Nation Group; Toluwanimi Alonge, Creative Director of Neem Shutters Media; Oyinlola Banigbe, an accomplished entrepreneur; Joshua Bature, another successful entrepreneur; Bukunmi Adewuyi, Founder of The Godilionaire; Adebayo Ogunranti, Co-Founder of Travella.io; and Solomon O. Deborah, Founder of OneEkiti.
Throughout the event, participants had the opportunity to network, share ideas, and learn from experienced professionals in various industries. The Ekiti Business Summit proved to be a valuable platform for fostering collaboration and promoting entrepreneurship in the region.
Speaking about the summit, Leon. A. Ogunweide, CEO of Face of Liberty International, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We are delighted to have provided a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to gain practical knowledge and connect with industry experts. Our aim is to create an environment that nurtures sustainable businesses and contributes to the economic growth of Ekiti.”
The Ekiti Business Summit concluded on a high note, leaving attendees inspired and equipped with the necessary tools to build successful and sustainable businesses. The event served as a catalyst for entrepreneurship in Ekiti and showcased the potential of the region’s business community to thrive in the global market.
By: Precious Onajobi
