Apply for, participate in, support TechCamp West Africa [@GhanaThink @USEmbassyGhana]

From @abocco:

For all the entrepreneurs who meet the minimum requirements, please read below and apply to take part in TECHCAMP WEST AFRICA.

Are you between 25 - 35 years? Do you believe that your generation can be the catalyst for job creation? Have you made positive change in your neighborhood or community? Are you ready to be part of a greater community? Do you reside in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, or Togo? We want to hear from you.

GhanaThink in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Ghana is organizing TechCamp West Africa in Accra, Ghana from November 14 - 16, 2014 to address the primary concern of youth in the region -- “Unemployment and Job Creation.” Our objective as solution seekers is to create and develop a lasting network of change agents to increase regional communication, coordination, and ultimately trade across West Africa. Together with private sector experts, the 100 selected participants will explore obstacles to small business growth and share best practices for private and social entrepreneurs for solving regional challenges through idea-sharing, collaboration, partnership and learning. Intrigued? Apply to be part of TechCamp West Africa at www.techcampwestafrica.org http://www.techcampwestafrica.org/ before August 15.

Come and share, explore, and build with us at TechCamp West Africa. For more information, see www.techcampwestafrica.org or contact GhanaThink via Twitter @GhanaThink or US Embassy Ghana @USEmbassyGhana

BackgroundDozens of TechCamps around the world have brought together representatives from the private sector and civil society to seek solutions to community challenges. They are unique in that after the event is over, civil society voices are connected to global networks of technologists, sponsors and digital volunteers interested in helping implement solutions.

Advice to potential investors or #entrepreneurs

Mr Audu Sani, an entrepreneur based in Lafia, compares the process of starting a business to eating an apple... :-)

Advice to potential investors or entrepreneurs
Sani: People invest in businesses and after a few years pack up. You don’t just venture into business and expect to start making money. In this town, I have seen a lot of businesses come up and fold up- I have seen people open shop and close up. When we go into business, we should not expect to see profit immediately. That is where our people loose focus. When you start up a business, you should have a plan B. Plan B is where you can now be getting funds to feed yourself and family. Whatever business you start, it needs to be nurtured. It is like the Apple. You know when you want to enjoy your apple, you don’t just buy your apple and start eating it. You will not enjoy it. When you buy the apple, you wash it. If possible, if you are not allergic to cold, you will freeze it. Then, you wait. When it is chilled, you bring it out. Then you place it on a saucer, pick a knife and gradually cut and enjoy it. You don’t just buy the apple and bite it. How do you chew it? It becomes a problem. What I advice is when we invest into a business, take enough time to nurture that business, watch it carefully. Look at the result. Listen to the feedback, whether it is positive or negative. Most people don’t even watch business programmes on TV, they find it boring, they prefer movies. There is nothing wrong with it. But these are things that can help out. So that when the business has any challenge you’ll have the patience to tackle it.

Read the full interview on RURAL REPORTERS
http://ruralreporters.com/doing-business-in-north-central-nigeria-interview-with-mr-audu-blackgold-sani-lafia-based-entrepreneur/

EXPLORING THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL IN LOCAL PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR

Pharmacist Usman Sambo, a local pharmacist based in North-central Nigeria, sheds light on the reality of operating a health related venture- highlighting the opportunities and challenges facing a local pharmaceutical company. Despite operating in one of Nigeria’s youngest states that was once ranked 7th easiest place to start business in Nigeria, Sambo says there are still many obstacles hindering entrepreneurial growth in the state amidst the opportunities.

Here is the one-on-one interview held in his office based in Lafia, Nasarawa state. 

 Pharmacist Usman Sambo, launched his business, Eternity Pharmaceuticals Limited, in Lafia Nasarawa State in 2011. This was after 20 years of serving as a Civil Servant in a government parastatal. Sambo says, he started his business out of necessity. Starting Up I am not very good at buying and selling even though I am a pharmacist. I always believe that service to humanity is the best work of life. I worked in [public service] right from the time I graduated in 1979 up to the time I was retired in 2007. I would say it is necessity, which they say is the mother of invention, that made me launch my business. Initially I started with consultancy. Unfortunately I wasn’t getting much job. And I’m not used to sitting down at home doing nothing. So I felt since I am a pharmacist, I should be able to establish a business. I’m hoping that this will catapult me into opening a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit. . - See more at: http://ruralreporters.com/exploring-the-untapped-potential-in-local-pharmaceutical-sector/ | Rural Reporters

For Kids, This Long-Holiday via @BetricEbunoluwa cc @KidsAndTeensNG #Nigeria #Lagos

"If you are looking to engage your kids with a different kind of learning and activity outside the classroom during the long holiday. This may be for you. Creative writing/story telling, critical thinking, crafts with ankara, financial literacy and more. It runs for two weeks." Contact @BetricEbunoluwa for more info!

For registration details call: +2348038591002, +2347025158046  Email: summerofdreams2014@gmail.com

Registration : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lLvhnItdrzQla2ACtm2E6MoKqDRZyysFm-UZ31CPBUc/viewform

Venue: Ogudu GRA, Lagos