TheCable

The Undergraduate Alumni Foundation (UAF), a youth-led organisation, has launched its entrepreneurship programme for students across the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, the group said the initiative was birthed to change the narrative and create an impact in the continent, utilising human capital for African youths.

According to the founder, Oseyomon Ighodaloh, UAF is committed to promoting youthful inclusion in societies across Nigeria and Africa.

Ighodaloh said Africa has recorded a myriad of challenges including food scarcity, inflation, insecurity and increase in unemployment, as lots of graduates are roaming the streets looking for jobs.

He said the country has also seen some good times with youths taking up the mantle of leadership, seizing opportunities to make the economy better and making a living for themselves.

He also added that the Undergraduate Alumni Foundation provides undergraduates with support as a way of curbing unemployment, accelerate economic wealth and social value.

“The idea behind the foundation is to empower undergraduates with the necessary skills and tools needed to propel them to greater heights while answering the age-old ‘what next?’ question most graduates have after their higher academic studies,” Ighodaloh said.

“This is because we believe our universities and colleges are the building blocks for Africa’s next solid entrepreneurs, world leaders and global shapers with the potential to grow and shape the economy.”

Ighodaloh further noted that the foundation has several components including a funding/business grant programme, a mentorship programme, an annual business event, a food drive, and an accommodation drive.

In his view, the foundation takes a cue from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by dabbling into SGD 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth).

“Our vision is to be the foremost organisation driving economic growth and development among Africa’s undergraduates, raising successful business owners and entrepreneurs who will generate social and economic wealth by contributing to the economy through the private sector,” the UAF founder said.

“Imagine an undergraduate attached to a successful professional (mentor) in his field, with a mandate to groom the undergraduate until he/she becomes successful in the respected field.

“Now imagine this successful candidate compelled to do the same for another undergraduate and the system repeats itself in successive cycles. Now, imagine the number of success stories we will be celebrating after two, three or five years.

“As members of the general public, your participation is required in several aspects as the foundation opens its doors to its first recipients in the year 2022 and it will begin with three major aspects.

“Through the student assistance scheme, the foundation is looking at impacting at least 50,000 students in the next five years. In addition, the foundation hopes to absorb at least 10,000 students into its entrepreneurial and mentorship program in the next five years.”