Twelve young entrepreneurs in Kwara State have received grants totalling ₦89.2 million through the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to expand their businesses and create employment opportunities.
The support was provided under the Youth Entrepreneurial Empowerment Scheme and presented by KWASSIP General Manager, Dr Wasiu Tejidini, at his office in Ilorin.
According to a statement by the programme’s Press Secretary, Bolashade Yusuf, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approved the grants after reviewing the beneficiaries’ requests and business proposals.
Ban Shea Products, owned by Nimotallah Mohammed Kpayero, received the largest allocation of ₦15.9 million, followed by Ahmed Kuburat’s Kaddy Nigeria, which received ₦15 million.
Firdauz Muhammed Wuraola’s Drinks ’N’ Grillz and Subomi Emmanuel Fatigun’s Waka Studios received ₦10 million each, while Favour Boluwatife Anifowose’s Esthad Luxe Jewels received ₦3.3 million.
Seven other businesses received ₦5 million each. They are Oloyede Ikmat Omoshalewa’s Kwara Souvenir Store; Maryam Modupeola Ibrahim’s Kleen Klear; Rasheed Ajiboye’s Tailorgang Fashion House; and Dolapo Azeezat Yusuf’s Day Varieties Enterprise.
Others are Bosede Temilade Akinyode’s Global LightTrust Integrated Ventures, Sherifat Modupe Badeji’s BSM Fashion and Kolawole Adeshewa’s Day-Yank Fashion.
Speaking during the presentation, Tejidini said the intervention was intended to help young entrepreneurs with viable business ideas strengthen their operations and pursue sustainable growth.
He urged the recipients to use the money responsibly and for the purposes outlined in their applications.
Tejidini added that KWASSIP’s monitoring and evaluation unit would assess the businesses after six months or one year to track their progress.
The beneficiaries said the grants would enable them to acquire equipment, increase production and employ additional workers.
Speaking on their behalf, Ajiboye and Kpayero thanked the state government for the support, describing it as an opportunity to expand their enterprises and provide jobs.
Ajiboye said the businesses could also offer practical training to young people, including recent graduates.
“We really thank the government. This is an opportunity for us to create jobs for people out there, including fresh graduates. They can easily learn from us and get the right business skills to become self-sufficient,” he said.
Tejidini also highlighted the state’s wider entrepreneurship support efforts, saying more than 1,000 young people had benefited from the Kwapreneur initiative.
