The Masterpiece Resource Development Centre has unveiled the International Labour Organization-SIYB program to empower 120 aspiring entrepreneurs.
The unveiling ceremony of the ILO-SIYB was held at the MRDC office recently in Lagos.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Board of MRDC, Mr Abiola Popoola, said the Centre wanted to empower entrepreneurs to become more effective in their bid to accelerate national development. “Entrepreneurs, by their nature, are full of energy and ideas and they want to keep the road running, but how they go depends on how much effort they have given to the journey.
“The whole essence of this training is to empower entrepreneurs with so much potential and we help them to become even more successful by giving them the knowledge and skills they require to be effective,” Popoola added.
Also, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of MRDC, Mrs. Modupe Oyekunle, said, “Every year, we have a mandate on the number of entrepreneurs to train, from the startups to the scale-ups and the network.
“Our network of entrepreneurs will receive funding from our faculty of mentors and Providus Bank after completing training for our 120 aspiring entrepreneurs. We will utilize
the ILO-SIYB training modular program, which streamlines entrepreneurship training and certifies trainers as well.”
She noted that 12 ILO-SIYB master trainers had also been trained to train 120 aspiring entrepreneurs. According to Oyekunle, MRDC has built an ecosystem of entrepreneurs, which is a network of entrepreneurs who have produced coaches, trainers, mentors, and sponsors.
“We have also consulted on entrepreneurial development matters and have a strong and viable co-operative providing access to funding,” she added.
On his part, the Master Trainer and a member of the MRDC board, Noruwa Edokopolo, said the training program was set up by the ILO, saying it had helped millions of entrepreneurs over the years.
The Head of Strategy and Business Development at Providus Bank, Ernest Elue, said, the bank was pleased to partner with MRDC in the endeavor of empowering entrepreneurs and training trainers through the ILO-SIYB program initiative.