The British Council, in partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways and Zenith Bank in 2014 launched the maiden edition of its online competition tagged ‘Enterprise Challenge’
“Enterprise Challenge” is an online competition which seeks to give young, brilliant entrepreneurial minds the opportunity to further develop their skills in this area and bring their innovative ideas to the fore for possible future development.
A total of 10 finalists (Nigerians based in the UK and at home) battled for the top two spots and on the 14th of June 2014, Eseoghene Ise Odiete and Nasir Yammama emerged winners of the competition. They have since had the opportunity to meet with and be mentored by one the UK’s foremost entrepreneurs and Chairman of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson.
Eseoghene Odiete is an award winning young female fashion entrepreneur and the brain behind Hesey Designs, (an African inspired accessories label). Nasir Yammama just concluded his postgraduate studies in creative technology at Middlesex University in London and he is currently developing an agricultural themed mobile application which he hopes to launch before the end of the year.
Other prizes won by the top two include, a five day entrepreneurship foundation course at the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa and a business support grant of N1,500,000.00 (One Million Five hundred thousand naira) for each individual. The grant will be used to either support an already existing business or develop a business idea.
As a show of continued commitment to the development of Nigerian youth, the programme partners have committed to run another cycle of this competition in second quarter of 2015.
This year’s competition will be open to Nigerians domiciled in Nigeria who fall within the 18 to 35 year age bracket.
Further information about the competition rules and regulations and criteria for qualification will be available on the British Council, Nigeria’s corporate website from the 31st of May 2015; all direct enquiries can be sent to eduk.enquiries@ng.britishcouncil.org
Notes to Editors:
The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. We are a Royal Charter charity, established as the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Our 7000 staff in over 100 countries work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year through English, arts, education and society programmes.
Virgin Atlantic Airways was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson almost 30 years ago after he decided the UK aviation industry needed shaking up. On 22nd June 1984, Virgin Atlantic’s inaugural flight to Newark took place, on an aircraft filled with personal friends, celebrities and the media.
Today, Virgin Atlantic flies to 35 destinations worldwide, including locations across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Far East. Some of its most recent additions to its flying network include Cancun, Vancouver, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Manchester.
