We have done it again!!!
On February 11th, 2022, we successfully graduated the third batch of Fellows for the C4C Global Entrepreneurship Fellowship Programme. Another fifteen (15) young entrepreneurs were trained, inspired, motivated, and empowered to find their niche in society and use their skills and talents in improving their societies/countries and indeed the world.
In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2020, Conversations for Change (C4C) and Africa International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF) hosted women (and men) to an event “The Voice of Women” which held on the 5th of March, 2020. The event highlighted the contributions and achievements of women all over the world and was graced by an array of reputable women who had distinguished themselves as leaders in various capacities and at different levels, and had made remarkable contributions in society.
In the spirit of partnership, our President / Founder Dr. Kechi Ogbuagu visited the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Dr. Yakubu Ibn Mohammed on the 19th Feb. 2020, to explore ways of collaboratively producing television shows that educate, inspire and motivate young people in Nigeria.
It was yet another milestone attained, as we successfully completed our second capacity building workshop for the second batch of our young entrepreneurs. The program began on Monday 27th January and lasted till Tuesday 4th Feb.
We have done it again!!!
On February 11th, 2022, we successfully graduated the third batch of Fellows for the C4C Global Entrepreneurship Fellowship Programme. Another fifteen (15) young entrepreneurs were trained, inspired, motivated, and empowered to find their niche in society and use their skills and talents in improving their societies/countries and indeed the world.
In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2020, Conversations for Change (C4C) and Africa International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF) hosted women (and men) to an event “The Voice of Women” which held on the 5th of March, 2020. The event highlighted the contributions and achievements of women all over the world and was graced by an array of reputable women who had distinguished themselves as leaders in various capacities and at different levels, and had made remarkable contributions in society.
In the spirit of partnership, our President / Founder Dr. Kechi Ogbuagu visited the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Dr. Yakubu Ibn Mohammed on the 19th Feb. 2020, to explore ways of collaboratively producing television shows that educate, inspire and motivate young people in Nigeria.
Here we go again, we are proud to announce the successful launch of yet another business start-up for one of our fellows. The lucky fellow is none other than Ms. Theresa Marcus who runs a beauty salon in the city of Abuja. Her dream of owning her own beauty and hair salon became a reality on Saturday, the 28th of September, 2019 as we formally launched ‘TESSY’S BEAUTY SALON’, amidst family and friends.
The new CEO was overwhelmed with joy as she couldn’t wait to begin her new journey as a business owner. It was truly heart-warming and inspiring to see the feeling of happiness and hope exuding from this young entrepreneur. We can’t wait to see our Theresa become very successful in her business.
Once again, we thank the C4C Media Partners who were present at the event for the coverage and publicity. We also thank family and friends and all those who made out time to grace the event.
At C4C, we are in the business of creating successful young entrepreneurs!!!
I was born into the family of Sir/Lady Kris Mario Ugbong from Obudu in Cross River state. Upon the completion of my secondary school education, I gained admission into the University of Calabar in 2012 to study History and International studies, it was during this time that I developed an interest in and passion for beauty/fashion. I received professional training from House of Rubies Makeup School in 2014. After which I established Rina Brushes in Calabar, a mobile makeup business. In 2017/2018 I moved to Lokoja for the compulsory service year and during this time I held makeup training sessions for my fellow youth corps members.
At this point my business had gained a considerable amount of success. I had catered to the beauty needs of various brides and wedding guests, having worked on over 20 weddings. However I felt the need to expand my business, for me the first step to expanding was opening up a makeup studio. I moved to Abuja in 2018 and began working towards the expansion. In Abuja, I continued providing makeup services to clients while also working on setting up my studio. However I encountered some managerial and financial difficulties. At this point I felt it was necessary to undergo extensive training in business management. I stumbled upon an advert calling for applications for C4C’s Global Entrepreneurship Fellowship Programme. I applied and I was selected to be a part of the first batch of fellows to be admitted into the programme.
The various capacity building workshops and trainings provided by C4C opened my eyes to various modern business techniques that will be very useful while running and expanding my business. The programme also provided me with the opportunity to train with a highly established makeup establishment, Aday Makeup Muse. Also the rigorous trainings enabled me to more effectively articulate the investments required for my business and also determine my expected profit.
I am currently working with the C4C team on expanding my business to include a fully functional makeup studio. With this studio I will not only be able to deliver in-studio makeup services and for profit makeup training sessions but also contribute my quota to youth empowerment by offering free makeup training sessions to young women. I am proud to announce that I have been selected to be a part of the first 5 fellows that will be launching their business today.
I was born into an agro-business family in Makurdi, Benue State. I began my primary education at the Peace Nursery and Primary School and concluded at Nigerian Prisons Staff School both in Makurdi between 1990 and 1998. As a result of my love for liturgical and spiritual activities, I attended St Kizito Minor Seminary Idah, Kogi State from 1998 to 2004. In 2007, I was admitted into Kogi State University to study History and International Studies and graduated in 2010. I did my National Youth Service at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja where I learnt news reporting, image, audio and video editing and infographics.
In 2016, I decided to return to my agricultural roots. I invested in fish farming but for lack of the relevant business skills, I was duped and I lost all my capital. I remained steadfast in my determination to set up a fish farm that would produce quality cat fish to meet the high market demand, create employment and create wealth for myself and my family and my community. However I recognized the need for extensive entrepreneurial training. In August 2018, I applied to C4Cs Global Entrepreneurship Fellowship Programme and was selected to be a part of the first 15 fellows to be admitted into the Programme.
The capacity building workshops, trainings and mentorship provided by the Programme have equipped me with the sufficient tools to navigate my way through my business. With the help pf the C4C team I was able to determine what input, financial and otherwise, is required for my business and calculate expected profit. I have always been a strong believer in giving back to my community even more so now that I have been introduced to the concept of social entrepreneurship by C4C. To this end I hope to be able to offer free training on catfish framing to youths from low-income families in my community.
I have been working tirelessly with the C4C team to set up my catfish pond. I am honored to be a part of the first 5 fellows that will be launching their businesses today.
My name is Bilkisu Garba-Diallo. My father is a medical doctor and mother, a nurse. I am the last of four children. I studied architecture (first and second degrees) and I went further to take short courses in Environmental Sustainability and Renewable Energy. My interest in main stream architecture waned after having worked on a few construction sites. I was frustrated by the high level waste produced during the projects. I knew I wanted to infuse waste management into my architectural portfolio in some way.
In 2016, I got married to my best friend who is also an architect, and we established a company with a focus on building finishes. But in 2017, I decided to embark on a daring journey and try something new. I started a company called The Upcycle Architect (TUPA). It is a social enterprise that focuses on promoting environmental sustainability through the concept of upcycling. It also aims at finding solutions to the culture of waste mismanagement in the building industry and society in general. At TUPA we specialize in the production of unique furniture and furnishing pieces for both interiors and exteriors. We create products from items people generally describe as junk, waste, trash and scrap. Asides product design and creation, we also specialize in space design and revamping and we organize creative upcycle workshops (for kids and adults) and advocacy programs.
Although the business had gained some amount of success I thought it necessary to expand the business. I was working out of a small rented work station and doing most of the production at my home. This made it very difficult for me to effectively run the business. I needed a space where I would not only carry out production but also hold trainings and workshops. I was also having difficulties managing my finances and marketing my business. At this point I knew I had to undergo some training in business management. I was informed of an opportunity to be a part of C4C’s entrepreneurship fellowship Programme. I applied to the Programme and I was selected.
C4C’s Fellowship Program has been a total blessing for me. The internship training and capacity building workshops have exposed me to the concept of business and entrepreneurship. I have a better understanding now of how to calculate start-up capital requirements and expected profits, run the business, manage people, take inventory, keep accounting books and effectively market my business. It is an experience I will forever be grateful for. I have recently secured a location for my workshop and training center and I am working tirelessly with the C4C team to turn this location into a fully functional workshop and training center.
I will like to use this medium to say thank you to our dear C4C mummy, Dr. Kechi. You will forever be my hero. Also, to the entire the C4C team. You are all so amazing. God bless!
I am a woman passionate about raising healthier families. I hail from Ibusa in Delta state. I graduated from the University of Ibadan with a degree in Agricultural Economics and obtained an MBA from the National Open University Abuja. I also have a master class certificate in Risk management and a certificate in public speaking.
I am the CEO of Safi Event Managers an event management and catering outfit. I am also the CEO of SEM Spices and Tea ltd. Some years ago I lost 4 classmates to cancer and it was a wakeup call about our lifestyle and what we eat, and being a believer in the notion 'we are what we eat’ I decided to contribute my quota to improving health by producing healthy spices. Everyone cooks with some form of spice or the other, and most of the spices contain preservatives, MSG and other additives. My passion was driven by the need to create healthier alternatives to the conventional spices we have in the market by producing spices, without additives, preservatives, MSG or soy. These spices not only make food taste better but also help in preventing, managing and curing certain health conditions. In addition to producing healthy spices I also organize outreach programmes on the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle.
My spices gained considerable success as the demand for my spices grew. I was overwhelmed. I needed some training on running and managing a fast growing business. I heard about C4C’S Global Entrepreneurship Fellowship Programme. My time with C4C has been nothing short of amazing. The various capacity building workshops introduced me to modern business management techniques. They also enabled me clearly define the amount of money required for expansion and as well as expected profits.
Having been inspired by the goodwill of the C4C team and their dedication to helping young people I hope to be able to train young people on the production of healthy spices and running a spice production business.
