CBN-TIES: Building a Successful Business Empire
Amelia Earhart once said that “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity”. This was the message at the just-concluded Central Bank of Nigeria Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (CBN-TIES) awareness programme organized by the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University’s Centre for Innovation, Technical and Entrepreneurship (MCIU-CITE) in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI) on Thursday, 24th March 2022 at the main auditorium of the University.
The awareness programme had in attendance over one hundred students and participants from various institutions across the country with seasoned professionals in the financial sectors as well.
In her welcome address the Visitor of the University, Dr Cecilia Ibru, OFR urged the students and participants to be disciplined and focused on achieving their goals. She said the fastest way to make an impact and get funding for your business as an entrepreneur is to network and share your ideas with people who have the financial capacity to support your dream. As a young entrepreneur ensure you chase the vision and not the money because the money will end up following you.
Delivering his goodwill message Dr Benson Uwheru advised participants on the importance of the 3Ts (Talent, Team and Tenacity). He stated that as a young entrepreneur, you need talent. You might not have the finance but your talent, your knowledge capital is of great value. You also need a team of people with the right mindset if you want to go far and achieve the desired result and lastly, you need to be tenacious. You need to have a “CAN DO” spirit at all times.
The Guest Speaker, Mr Andrew Oghomi, Branch Manager of the Bank of Industry, Asaba (BOI) gave a brief history of what the Bank of Industry stands for and the mandate of the bank in providing financial assistance to small and medium enterprises and support ailing industries.
He said the goal of the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES) is to Fast track ideation, creation and acceleration of a culture of innovation-driven entrepreneurship skills among graduates of polytechnics and universities in Nigeria; Promote gender balance in entrepreneurship development through capacity development and improved access to finance.
The Divisional Head SME South, Bank of Industry Mr Obaro Osah spoke on having a sustainable business model and how to effectively develop a model tailored towards the need you intend to meet per time. He talked about consistency and innovation in achieving a set goal in business development.
Highlights of the event was the questions and answers session with participants getting firsthand knowledge about the requirements to access the two categories of loan scheme of the CBN-TIES programme. They were further inspired at the workshop to maintain the motivation to pursue their dreams from start to finish.
The session ended with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyinka Fuwape, FNIP giving participants a brief history of the host university and the courses it offers. She said the vision of the founders is to promote entrepreneurial-based ideas among students.
The session ended with a closing prayer and a group photograph of the facilitators and participants.