By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has revealed plans to host the world’s biggest Global Entrepreneurship Festival as part of his administration’s mission to eradicate poverty in the state and Nigeria at large.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Wale Akinosotu, said Ondo is an entrepreneurship hub driven by its resources and vast landscape, to accommodate various businesses ranging from tech, fashion and agribusiness, among others.
Giving highlights of the event at a global press briefing held in Lagos, to announce the forthcoming Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF,), scheduled to hold from 22nd to 24th November 2024, at the Entrepreneurship Village, Akure, with the theme: “Beyond Boundaries: Poverty Eradication through Entrepreneurship,” the governor said that “entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in addressing economic difficulties and position a receptive environment for growth.”
He added that entrepreneurs boost economic growth by introducing innovative technologies, products, and services. Increased competition from entrepreneurs challenges existing firms to become more competitive, noting that entrepreneurs provide new job opportunities in the short and long term.
“Moreso, the GEF event would put the country on the global map as the hub for entrepreneurship while catalyzing discussions that will open doors for more investors into the country.
“Our dear state is big on entrepreneurship as is evident in the fact that we have the first entrepreneurship agency in Nigeria. For us, this entrepreneurship festival is a movement aimed at inspiring individuals and communities to harness their entrepreneurial spirit to create sustainable solutions for poverty alleviation,” he said.
He called for collaboration during the festival to create opportunities for change, fight economic challenges and eradicate poverty using the weapon of entrepreneurship.
“The GEF aims to bring together visionary leaders, innovators, investors, change agents, business executives, creators, and policymakers. The idea is for them to engage in a meaningful exchange that will explore and shape the future of global enterprise, ” he said.
“I am particularly proud that this laudable initiative is being hosted in our dear state, Ondo State, Nigeria. It is a testament to our commitment to fostering an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive. We are excited to showcase the rich potential of our state,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, a member of the GEF Board and Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Village, Dan Walkovitz, said that the festival would build upon the outcomes of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA2024) and the Summit of the future.
“The press briefing was streamed live across 10 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, Ghana, India, Liberia, Dubai, and Benin.
However, the event is designed to accelerate progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a laser focus on eradicating poverty.