..urges Nig. Youths to showcase Dev. Efforts
Eniola Yekini
The British Council has expressed readiness to partner with Kings University, OdeOmu , Osun State on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
This promise was made by the Director of Programmes of the British Council, Dr Chikodi Onyemerela .
Onyemerela who was the Keynote Speaker at the first International Conference of the Department of Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, of the University stated this at the event.
The Conference was titled Innovative and Inventive Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Future: Harnessing Entrepreneurial Development Centre Models to Bridge Ideas, Impact, and Growth.
According to Dr Onyemerela the Higher Education team of the British Council offers expertise in international partnerships and collaboration, transnational education development, capacity building and training, stakeholder and network engagement, student mobility, alumni engagement, sector insight and intelligence, alongside its strengths in research, government relations, programme management, policy, marketing, and communication”
The Keynote speaker called on the university undergraduates” to avail themselves with many scholarship opportunities because, the British Council supports the delivery of scholarship programmes by the UK government to financially support international students who are looking for help funding their studies in the UK. Every year more than 100 individuals benefit from the scholarships”, he stated.
The Director of Programmes of the British Council used the occasion to challenge the Nigerian Youths to use their population as a strength for the development of the country through innovation and creativity.
The speaker noted: ” Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world, 70% of the population is under the age of 30. Universities must move from certificates to capabilities. Entrepreneurship is a pathway to jobs, innovation, and sustainability or should I say, panacea to peace”
Earlier in her welcome address,the Vice-Chancellor of the University Professor Adenike Kuku said: “We live in a world shaped by climate change, inequality, technological disruption, and economic uncertainty.
“In this context, entrepreneurship focused solely on profit is no longer enough. Sustainable entrepreneurship requires innovation in products, processes, and business models; invention that creatively addresses unmet needs; and sustainability as a foundational principleeconomic, social, and environmental”.
The key note speaker said British Councils programme is designed to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship within African universities by supporting collaborative projects between UK institutions and student or graduate teams.
“It promotes practical, impact-driven solutions aligned with local and global challenges, while fostering long-term institutional partnerships across education and industry .
Onyemerela explained that the council has continued to deliver in partnership with ministries, technical agencies and local partners for 82 years draw on its global expertise spanning over hundred countries, working with local context and solutions.
He added that:” the council has over the years built strong governance structures through regular collaboration with EU and FCDO, along with major corporate funders and trusts and foundations.
“The Council will be of great assistance to Kings University through international partnerships, system collaborations and opportunities to connect and share as the Council enables stronger transnational education, more collaborative research, higher quality delivery, enhanced learner outcomes and stronger, internationalised, equitable and inclusive systems and institutions.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Kuku who aligned with the submission of the key note speaker stated that ” The true value of entrepreneurship lies not only in individual success, but in collective impact job creation, local resilience, and contextually relevant solutions. University- and community-based Entrepreneurial Development Centres, , (EDCs} help ensure entrepreneurship becomes an inclusive pathway to development”.
She however added that “despite abundant ideas and talent, many promising innovations fail to scale or translate into viable ventures.
” This is not a failure of creativity, but of ecosystems. Entrepreneurship needs structure, mentorship, and access to resources. This is where Entrepreneurial Development Centres play a transformative role”, the VC said.