KICKSTART Season 3 Brings Dreams to Reality at the Closing Award Ceremony

KICKSTART Youth Empowerment Initiative 2018 came to an enthralling climax. The award ceremony and grant presentation took place at the Mauve21 Events Centre, in the heart of the culture-rich city of Ibadan, Oyo State. On Thursday, November 29th; 27 outstanding business ideas were rewarded with varying amounts in grants, totalling N29 million. The beneficiaries cut across states of the Southwestern region of the federation.

International Breweries PLC KICKSTART, as the initiative has been known, lists its priority as empowering young people across the Southwest region of Nigeria. Living up to this, it has succeeded in creating a platform that facilitates training, mentoring and reward packages. The Organization; International Brewery PLC, a subsidiary of AB InBev, the world’s largest brewery chain has demonstrated its dedication to developing the next generation of outstanding Nigerian and African Entrepreneurs who will shape the economic and political landscape of their home countries. This is why IBPlc KICKSTART is empowering these entrepreneurs through its foundation.

In his speech, the Country Legal & Corporate Affairs Director for International Breweries PLC/ AB InBev, Nigeria; Otunba Micheal Daramola said: “this crop of entrepreneurs will contribute to the needed economic growth that will change the face of the southwest region, Nigeria and Continent in the coming years”. He also added that “This empowerment comes with huge responsibilities and the 27 KICKSTART beneficiaries should maximize the opportunity handed to them.”

For the beneficiaries, the empowerment will further boost their determination to be better entrepreneurs. In a Reverting and soul-searching speech by the Special Guest of Honor, Chief Babajide Agbeja, He boldly stated that “continuity and hard work should be the backbone of any civilization that will excel.” He also went ahead to mention how the International Breweries PLC KICKSTART Youth Empowerment Initiative since its commencement in 2015, has received accolades for empowering 76 young businesses, and its ability to bring stakeholders, government officials captains of industry and other guests under one roof. He was full of praise for the organization and went ahead to ask that more should be done to reach more young entrepreneurs in the region.

This year’s Awards Ceremony wasn’t without its characteristic flamboyant nature. The event saw rich cultural act performances and guests treated to the best of hospitality from the host organization International Brewery PLC. The whole event was fast-paced and engaging as the MC’s got the show moving and guests got to see various facets that make the BRAND, International Breweries PLC tick.

The event also witnessed the formal inauguration of the International Breweries PLC KICKSTART Entrepreneurs Forum. The idea behind this is getting entrepreneurs together, finding synergies and creating a tribe where they co-exist. The main aim is to engage them as much as possible while exploiting on specified channels of publicity to create the needed impact by targeting the right audience.

In her Vote of Thanks and Closing speech, The Corporate Affairs Manager for International Breweries PLC/AB InBev, Folashade Omole, showed much appreciation to the audience and everyone that made the season-long event a success. She emphasized the need to build and sustain, making important references to the need for continuity.

Special recognition was shown to the KICKSTART Foundation members and Panel of Judges that saw to the detailed selection of the finalists.

KICKSTART Foundation Committee Members

Professor Olu Odeyemi
Elder Femi Adelowokan
Yemisi Okunmadewa
Folashade Omole
Otunba Michael Daramola (Chairman of the Committee and (L&CAD, IBPLC / AB InBev).

List of Judges

These are the Judges:

Makanjuola Ojewunmi
Dr Isaac Abereijo
Harriet Amale
Prince Tunde Ponle
Engr Olu Maduka

A special recognition and vote of thanks were also directed at Annabelle Degroot (Managing Director, International Breweries PLC / AB InBev).

The Chairman of the Day, Chief Adebayo Akande, Maye Olubadan of Ibadan was also recognized for his huge support towards the KICKSTART Initiative. Also, the facilitating Agencies that managed the entire project; St. Johns Consultingand GRIND Concept were not left out.

The Award ceremony came to close with winners taking a new leap of faith whilst anticipation is built for the coming Season 4 in 2019.

List of Winners of Season 3 IBPLC KICKSTART Grant

S/N	APPLICANTS NAME	NAME OF BUSINESS
1	Olanrewaju (Ajayi) Tolulope Olutoyin	Fashion Designing
2	Ajayi Oluwatimilehin Eni-Ibukun	Bee Keeping and Honey Processing
3	Oduala Adejumoke Temitope	Sheep and Goat Farming
4	Jamiu Ridwan Babatunde	Plantain Farming
5	Oke Olayinka Adesoji	Animal Feed Production and Veterinary
6	Omotoso Samuel Tope	Poultry, Catfish and Animal Feeds
7	Balogun Temitayo Mary	Fashion Designing
8	Adesina Eniola Tolulope	Photography
9	Banji Abisola Olaitan	Fashion Designing
10	Oladosu Sefiyat Dasola	Organic Hair Product
11	Dauda Saidat Omowumi	Food Processor
12	Shobowale Abayomi Isaac	Decorations and Events
13	Alabi Olufunke Oyedara	Dietary Consultation
14	Oke Ayoleke Zulukorinaeni	Fish farming
15	Kolawole Elizabeth Olusade	Catering Services
16	Adefirantan Eunice Anuoluwapo	Shoe and Bag Making
17	Ajisope Iwalewa Joshua	Food Processing and Agriculture
18	Fagbamila Oluwatunmise Esther	Event Decoration and Management
19	Isola Mobolaji Kehinde	Bag Designing
20	Oguntoye Tosin Onaolapo	Fashion Designing
21	Ayobami Fatokun	Poultry Farming
22	Ayodele Tolulope Oluwatosin	Internet Service Provider
23	Oloowokere Ifeoluwa Dara	Production of Travelling Bags etc
24	Fadare Abiola Oluyemi	Fashion Accessories
25	Olamigoke Moyinoluwa	Fashion Designing and Fashion School
26	Oketade Alaba Ebenezer	Piggery
27	Oyewumi Bolanle	Fashion Designing