Are these young entrepreneurs stars in the making – rich in talent and ripe with innovation? After meeting them, Richard Branson thinks so.

Eseoghene Ise Odiete and Nasir Abdulqadir Yammama were chosen as the Challenge winners from a pool of more than 1000 entrants. Eseoghene (Ese for short) runs Hesey Designs – an online store selling African-inspired accessories – through which she empowers and mentors young African women. Nasir Abdulqadir Yammama won over the judges with his business plan for a mobile phone app called Verdant, which aims to help crop farmers.

Both winners were awarded a £5000 grant and a scholarship to the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa. To top it off, they also received a mentoring session with Richard Branson, where they were able to ask questions about his life and business experiences.
The Virgin Founder was impressed with results of the competition and by the winners: “Innovation has been an important part of Virgin's heritage and I was pleased to see so many young Nigerians keen to embrace new ideas through the competition. Many congratulations to Ese and Nasir who had fantastic business plans and I’m sure will have very bright futures.”


Ese designed a pair of sneakers – made out of local Nigerian fabric called ‘Ankara’ – especially for Richard Branson, which he wore, complementing a bespoke Vivienne Westwood suit, to the launch of Virgin Atlantic’s new uniform. Standing on stage at the party, he introduced Ese to the fashion-forward crowd and heralded her as a possible Vivienne Westwood of the future.


http://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/richard-branson-walks-in-enterprise-challenge-winners-shoes

http://google-africa..com/2014/04/meet-africa-connected-winners.html

Where are all the haters of CU!!..lol

i don see dz since last week,congra2latns to em sha,bt dat no mean na dem best pass,dem get jst luck

i don see dz since last week,congra2latns to em sha,bt dat no mean na dem best pass,dem jst get luck

bercarray: i don see dz since last week,congra2latns to em sha,bt dat no mean na dem best pass,dem jst get luck

The luck that is making them to become African Fellows in Washington. :

https://youngafricanleaders.state.gov/2014/07/07/meet-the-fellows-catherine-oluwakemi-onabanjo/

Catherine Oluwakemi Onabanjo is currently a consultant for McKinsey & Company’s Lagos office, where she serves public sector, social sector and corporate clients across West Africa on their growth, strategy and transformation programs.

In addition to her client work, she is a member of the board of trustees for Helping Other People Excel (HOPE), an NGO whose theory of change is that developing leadership skills in Nigeria’s teenagers today will cultivate change agents who will drive social change in the country.

Kemi holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Covenant University and continues to closely engage with the university as welfare secretary and community outreach coordinator of the Covenant University Alumni Association.

Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship, Kemi plans to focus on capability building and development of her public sector clients, as she believes that the enhanced capability of public sector employees is a critical enabler to unleash Nigeria’s great potentials

This one too!

https://www.facebook.com/usembassynigeria/photos/a.10150195489589874.343590.29206219873/10152547281899874/?type=1&fref=nf


Lawrence focuses on jobs and wealth creation for the unemployed and marginalized youth in Ondo State. He is a participant in the 2014 Washington Fellowhship.

For the last five years, Lawrence Alaba Afere has worked in the Youth and Enterprise Development sector, with a focus on jobs and wealth creation for the unemployed and marginalized youth in Ondo State, Nigeria. Currently, Lawrence is the director and founder of Springboard Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, Akure, where he develops programs in entrepreneurship, jobs & wealth creation and agricultural development for unemployed youth. He also coordinates the production and marketing of plantain chips produced at the Springboard Farms.

In recognition of his innovative approach toward solving the youth unemployment problem in Ondo State, Lawrence was nominated in 2009 for a national youth award by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development - in conjunction with Youngstars Foundation, Nigeria.

Lawrence holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Covenant University and has trained online as a Social Entrepreneur at the International Institute for Global Leadership and Kanthari International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs. Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship, Lawrence plans to extend his entrepreneurship and agricultural programs to further combat youth unemployment across the 18 Local Government Areas in Ondo State.