By Bode Ekerin
The Lagos State University Medical Students’ Association recently organized an entrepreneurship summit. The entrepreneurship summit was aimed at opening the eyes of students, especially medical students to the benefits attached to becoming medical entrepreneurs and not just medical doctors. It is one of the initiatives of LASUMSA to help raise entrepreneurs amongst its members.
The Provost of the Lagos State University College of Medicine Prof. Babatunde Solagberu, duly represented by the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Dr Adejuwon Adeneye while giving the welcome address appreciated the LASUMSA Executive Council led by Mr. Femi Olulaja for seeing the need to organize an entrepreneurship summit at a time when Nigerian economists are preaching against the dangers of an oil mono-economy. He enjoined everyone to start their businesses while also emphasizing on the need to be innovative.
Speaking at the summit, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr Akintunde Oyebode, enlightened the audience on the availability of the 25 billion naira set apart by the Lagos State Government to fund small and medium scale enterprises in Lagos State. He stressed the intent of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, as fostering economic growth via capacity building and provision of necessary funds at a minimal interest rate. While encouraging everyone to tap into the rare opportunity, he also encouraged the audience to always take bold steps and never give up on their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs.
Mr Ahmed Ojikutu, the President of the Computer and Allied Product Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) told the audience about his “UNILAG to Computer Village” entrepreneurship story. He shared how he started his business by selling a Nokia 3310 used phone, saved the profit and reinvested it. He spoke about the difference in being a medical doctor and being a medical businessman and the benefits in choosing to become a medical businessman. He encouraged everyone to be focused and to start early.
The programme also featured a session where medical students who are running their own businesses shared their personal experiences, how they started and what motivated them.
The anchor of the summit Dr Olaniyi Aruna, a medical doctor and experienced master of ceremony expressed his happiness in being a part of the summit. He further expressed how he learnt to monetize his business more effectively.
Tobi Adekoya, the Financial Secretary of LASUMSA expressed his gratitude to everyone present. In his words he said “I sincerely appreciate everyone for their presence in this summit, I doubt if I can ever recover from this experience”.
Bode Ekerin, a campus journalist is a 4th year medical student of Lagos State University College of Medicine. He is the Public Relations Officer of Lagos State University Medical Students’ Association.
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