…application for third edition opens
Olusola Bello
TotalEnergies has said that it resolved to come up with its StartUpper programme because it believes is one of the quickest ways to reduce unemployment among Nigeria youths.
The company estimated that about 60 percent of youths in the country and by extension African continent are currently unemployed and it has identified entrepreneurship as a solution to this.
According to Bunmi Popoola Mordi, Executive General Manager, TotalEnergies’ Country Services said the programme supports local talents and is geared towards the socio-economic development of the country.
“This programme affirms TotalEnergies support to young Africans,” she said.
She stated that the projects for this edition which is the third one are designed to be in alignment with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The TotalEnergies boss who spoke at a virtual press briefing to announce the third edition of the Startupper of the Year described the three critical areas of the StartUpper as – youth entrepreneurship, education, and inclusion which are key to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the eradication of poverty in Nigeria. It will continue to contribute to national development and attainment of the SDGs through its various Corporate Social Responsibility programmes across the country.
On who is eligible? Popoola-Mordi said; “Young entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years old; Must be a citizen of the country; Submit a complete application for Sustainable Development Goals defined by the UN; Innovative character; and Feasibility or development potential.”
Total’s recent transition to TotalEnergies, she stated has positioned the company to become one of the dominant players in renewables.
According to her, the first edition was in 2016, and it recorded about 1200 entries and had three winners. The first one is Opeyemi Owosho – Fitco Technology, a company that manufactured table-top gas stoves locally in Nigeria. The Home Fort table-top gas cooker at a ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ exhibition organized by Federal Ministries of Finance, Trade and Investment held in December, 2016 at Euphoria Event Place, Ikeja, Lagos.
“The second winner is Uzoma Eleke of Zetaprime Tech. The company also acts as a small consultancy providing information and help to small
businesses, especially smallholder farmers, that are seeking alternative methods for energy generation.
“The third person in that category is Emeka Nwachinemere of Kitovu. Kitovu is a mobile based platform that collects, analyzes and aggregates soil and geo-location data, as a tool to provide farmers with soil and crop-specific fertilizers, improved seedlings, and agro-chemicals, while connecting farm produce to off-takers,” she said.
The entries for the second edition which was in 2019 according to Popoola-Mordi were much higher, about 2000 entries were received, again three people came top as Winners, with additional 1 Top Female Entrepreneur
and 1 Young Entrepreneur. Olumide Ogunbanjo of Agrodata Network emerged the first. His Agrodata promotes organic farming via community-based beekeeping by providing farmers with free beehives. They also deploy natural techniques to keep the bees within the
ecosystem, which helps to reduce chemical use and increase crop yields.
“ Justus Obaoye of Carido Automobile Service Tech, came second. CARIDO is an on-demand automobile service technology which aggregates automobile maintenance demands through mobile devices & thereafter facilitates their fulfillment through
select offline services performed by competent and vetted mechanics.”
TotalEnergies she said has been carrying out various programmes to support Nigeria’s youths and children and would continue to do so.
Some of the programmes include the Startupper Challenge, Skills Acquisition Programme, Scholarship Scheme, and the Learn, Experience, Articulate, and Decide programmes for students.
The 2021/2022 Startupper Challenge, has commenced, w it offers young Nigerians opportunities to transform their business ideas into reality.
In his remarks, Dr. Charles Ebereonwu, TotalEnergies’ Country Communications Manager, said the intervention of the private sector in national development could not be over-emphasised.
He described Total’s CSR activities as a humanitarian gesture by the company to bring positive impact to the people of Nigeria.