He was just one of the dozens of students who submitted
proposals at the begining of the national contest of the Global Student
Enterpreneur Awards. But at the finals, which held in Ikeja, Lagos, on
Saturday, Kenechukwu Okafor, 21, stood head and shoulders taller than his
fellow contestants.
The 500-Level student of Lead City University, Ibadan, is the
Chief Executive Officer of two companies, with another business line due for
registration in August. But it was for the unique idea of founding Ezra
Footwears, a shoe-making company which has 10 workers on it its payroll, that
Okafor carried the day.
Speaking shortly after he was declared winner of the contest,
Okafor, who hopes that his company will become a leading brand, credited God
and his parents for his success.
"I think what caught the eyes of the judges is the
detailing and technoilogy put into producing the shoes and other leather
products from the brand. I own two companies and another one is in the
pipeline. I have my parents as my role models because I have 10 workers and the
average pay for them is N180,000 monthly .
"My father is an entrepreneur while my mum combines her job
as a public servant with entrepreneurship. My parents are very hardworking and
they impacted the values of hard work and diligence in all their children. I
hope to become not just the owner of the leading show brand in Nigeria but also
to export shoes around the world.''
According to the President, Entrepreneurs Organisation, Mrs.
Funmi Babington-Ashaye, 107 undergraduates across many universities applied for
the contest this year.
"About 107 students submitted proposals this year compared
to 70 applicants last year. We had a shortlist of 38 finalists and we requested
a proof of business registration before we pruned the number to 13 finalists.
We were looking for people that have started. People who have done it and only
need to expand the business. You must have started running the business
and you are already making money."
With his win, Okafor, who dreams of becoming the youngest
African with the highest number of employees, will represent Nigeria at the
Global Student Entrepreneur Awards in Germany. At the event, he will compete
for the grand prize of $20,000 alongside 54 other national winners. For his
ingenuity, he was presented with a laptop; a cash prize, mentoring opportunity
with the judges, and an all-expense-paid trip to Germany for the global
competition.
Also emerging in the second position was Ubi Daniel, the Chief
Executive Officer of Estol Global and a 100 level student at the University of
Calabar. His winning proposal, which earned him handshakes during the
presentation session, is based on the recycling of used paper cartons which are
flipped and remodelled for local manufacturers who cannot afford imported paper
cartons.
According to the judges, Daniel's business has low technology
needs, addresses a problem, and has a ready market. He was presented with a
printer and would also benefit from a mentorship programme with the judges.
Coming in the third place was Oyindamola Oyedele of Jadel
Fashion, whose proposal is on matching bowties and jewelry. She was presented
with a tablet.
Speaking further, Babington-Ashaye said that the three top
winners would enjoy a three-day executive MBA class at the Business School Netherlands
in Lagos.
