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By Gabriel Dike
Fifteen Nigerian youths were recently presented with N12.5 million Get Compass grant by the Centre for Research in Enterprise and Action in Management (CREM).
The presentation ceremony attracted the chairman of Grooming Centre, Dr. Godwin Nwabunka, chairman Grooming Centre Endowment Trust, Ms Adaobi Okafor, executive director of programming, Grooming Centre, Dr. Alex Enyinnah, and the chief operating officer of CREM, Mr. Clifford Onyeike.
In her speech, chairman of Grooming Endowment Trust, Adaobi Okafor, said over 1,000 applications were received and 15 made it to the final.
Okafor explained that the 15 youths were trained for over one week in Lagos. She urged them to take advantage of the grant and pledged to monitor their progress.
Meanwhile, Onyeike disclosed that the process was transparent and they expected 400 applications but received over 1,000.
Onyeike said the 15 youths went through business clinic anchored by the centre and afterwards they wrote a proposal.
Operations manager of CREM, Mr. Michael Adoghe, said the judges had a difficult time deciding the winners.
Adoghe stated that the 15 youths would be monitored by CREM officials, adding, “They will benefit for more grant, if they are doing well.”
The chairman of Grooming Centres, Dr. Nwabunka, congratulated Get Compass and CREM for facilitating the initiative and assured the winners of continued support.
Nwabunka explained that Grooming Centre started with small ideas and was supported and encouraged by some people with experience in the field, which paid off in its operations.
He recalled that the outfit started with a small office but has now grown from a one-unit office to a network of about 600 branches in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Said he: “The centre has grown beyond our imagination. We are still dreaming for better performance and wider spread. The sky is our limit.”
Nwabunka described the 15 youths as change agents and revealed that because of trust based on performance, more funds were coming in from collaboators.
He assured Nigerian of continuous quality service delivery.
He told the participants that they are on the right path and that the sky is the beginning.
One of the lucky winners, Chioma Alagba told The Education Report, that she was excited to emerge 2nd best with 81 percent out of 15 participants.
The Accounting graduate of Institute of Management Technology, Enugu State said her product was based on research. She commended CREM for the training and grant of N2million.
Also sharing his experience, Hakeem Aromire said the training session was handled by experienced hands.
The Harvard University postgraduate product promised to put into practice what he learnt during the training. Aromire, who placed 3rd with 81 percent, explained that he would invest the N2million. He lauded CREM for the initiative and pledged to make them proud.
