FNCCI HOLDS PRESS BRIEFING

The Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFN) on Tuesday 19^th of January 20, 2016 held a press briefing to introduce the operations of the organization to the General public.

CCIFN which was formed in 1985 with the mission to foster trade investment relations between France and Nigeria hosted the French Consul General and members of the press at the French Consulate in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The event started with the introduction of the Consul General, Laurent POLONCEAUX, the new chairman Oye Hassan-ODUKALE, the vice chairman Yves-Robert LEFEBURE, the General manager Esther GAMBE and members of the board in attendance.

In his speech, the Consul General emphasized that the French government will do all it can through the CCIFN to consolidate on the business relationship between both countries- Nigeria and France.

Mr. Hassan, the board chairman on the other hand confirmed the claims by stating that Nigerians are having the highest level of cooperation from the French.

He also went further to state that "people who have legitimate businesses to do in France will be given the needed support including ease of visa acquisition and other legal assistance and logistics".

Moreover, the General Manager highlighted the activities and achievements of the CCIFN over the last 30 years of its existence.

She stated that the chamber has been in the forefront in encouraging business establishment in Nigeria while hinting that they are working to have robust programs in 2016.

"The chamber creates a platform for businesses. It helps and guide them in registering and adhering to international standards by doing the necessary groundwork’s for such businesses", she said.

Mrs. Esther also added that “another aspect where The FNCCI makes contributions is in rendering legal advisory services to our members".

However, language barriers and lack of credibility among Nigerians were largely highlighted by board members to be some of the challenges that are facing the evolving business relationship between both countries which the chamber promised to reduce in their capacity.

Meanwhile, the chamber also promised to carry out its corporate social responsibility for the year in the aspect of educating young Nigerians especially secondary school students in French language.

The language teaching scheme according to the general manager will cut across private and public schools in Lagos as personnel and logistics will be sent to selected schools.

The chamber therefore seeks the cooperation of relevant bodies like the ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Lagos chamber of commerce and industry and others as it hopes to contribute in the development of the Nigerian economy.

Report Written By: Samson Uwada and Simon Gzari Amananji (Speakpreneur Content)

GEW 2015 REPORT. Written by: Samson Uwada and Mary Temidayo.

T

he 2015 edition of the Global entrepreneurship Week (GEW) tagged The Celebration of Enterprise and Entrepreneurial People was held in about 125 countries across the world including Nigeria from the 16^th – 21^st November, 2015.

According to a document released for the GEW, the week-long event is reported to be the largest celebration of innovators and job creators who launch startups; bring ideas to life; drive economic growth and expand human welfare.

However, Speakpreneur Concepts, one of the partner members of the GEW in Nigeria participated in the entrepreneurship festival. Fourteen (14) delegates participated in the GEW events as members of the Speakpreneur Concept team.

As the program kick-started on Monday, delegates of the Speakpreneur, in line with the theme of this year’s GEW, paid a visit to Forthright Group of Companies in Ikeja for an interactive session with the Group Chairman, Mr. Johnson  Teniola Faromoju and the Managing Director, Mr. Bode Ashogbon primarily to celebrate them as successful entrepreneurs as well as to glean from their success story.

During the session with Mr. Faromoju, he clearly stated that "knowing one’s purpose for existence as well as constantly seeking information is an important factor for being a successful entrepreneur". He told the Speakpreneur delegates'  that ignorance is the basic problem with the average Nigerian youth, stating that "Whatever is difficult for an individual is what he has limited knowledge about". Also, whatever an individual needs to succeed is around him, and all he has to do is to see a potential in everything around”, he expressed.

Mr. Ashogbon on the other stresses the need for clear vision and integrity as strong success factors in life's aspirations. According to him, “the most important capital for any entrepreneur is INTEGRITY CAPITAL", once that is lost then all is lost too”, he said. He also stressed the need for reading and seeking knowledge.  He said "instead of using drugs to enhance boldness, use a book" a man that has knowledge, has power.    

On Wednesday which was the 3^rd day of the GEW and day 2 for the Speakpreneur Team, the delegates were at ASBON (Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria) in Ikeja where they met with the President, Dr. Femi Egbesola and other top ranking officials of the association. Dr. Egbesola exposed the Speakpreneur Team to all their activities and prospects. He stated that the association focuses on the development of  SME's in the areas of finance, marketing, branding, and access to the international market.  A hand of partnership was also extended by ASBON’s President to Speakpreneur Concept which entails skill acquisition and capacity building.

At day 4 which was Thursday of the GEW, the Speakpreneur Team took the celebration to the Island at Topnotch properties Limited where the CEO, Prince Mogaji Albashir Bola was on hand to receive them. He led them through the nitty-gritty of the property aspect of business and entrepreneurship. He stated that the business of property is the most lucrative business and anyone can invest in it no matter how small. He also stated that most Nigerian youths live false lives and are not ready to start small and grow with their ideas.

For the Speakpreneur team, day 6 which was also the grand finale of the Global Entrepreneurship Week was full of merriment and an inspiring time-out with Mr. Johnson Abbaly, one of the Speakpreneur faculty members in his Ikorodu residence.

Mr. Abbaly in his address on the Power of SMEs in a Developing Economy spoke extensively on the areas of entrepreneurship, youth capacity building and public speaking. According to him, “entrepreneurship is a journey, not a destination. In this journey you don’t fail, you only discover new things”, he also gave a clear distinction between entrepreneurship and small business. He said" an entrepreneur focuses on solving problems and the more problems he solves, the more money he makes but the small business man focuses on the money and can cut corners for it". He stated that why business fail in Nigeria is because the average Nigerian business man does business like he is in New York. He therefore stated the need to study the environment of business before starting.

SPEAKPRENEUR GEW 2015

As part of our plans as a member of the GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORK to mark the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW 2015), the Speakpreneur Concept has planned a program of activity. They are:

• paying a courtesy visit to Successful Entrepreneurs
• Paying a courtesy visit to the ASSOCIATION OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS OF NIGERIA (ASBON)
• Having a mini-conference on the last day of the GEW

The purpose of the visit to the successful entrepreneurs is in line with the theme of this year's event, which is: THE CELEBRATION OF ENTREPRISE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL PEOPLE. The visit would include an interview with the entrepreneurs with reference to their business ideas, how they were able to go through tough times, and their advice for young aspiring entrepreneurs.
This session would be covered by the press and live tweets would be used to get the answers across to our global audience.
The same process applies to ASBON.
The Mini-Conference would be staged at Ikorodu area of Lagos state (SGC LODGE). Johnson Abbaly will be speaking on the "power of SME's in a developing economy".

Date: 16th - 22nd November, 2015.
Venue(s): Twitter: @thespeakpreneur,  Facebook: Thespeakpreneur, SGS Lodge Ikorodu.
To Participate: Send an e-mail indicating your interest to: info@thespeakpreneurconcept.com

THROW BACK THURSDAY

WALTER DISNEY
Entrepreneurs are set up for failure before they can flourish, thinking from their mistakes as they go. Walt Disney however, had to face more than his fair share of discouragement. Its hard to think that Mickey Mouse wasn’t considered a good sell when Walt first pitched his idea to people. But he didn’t let their criticism deter him, working on his vision tirelessly and eventually, setting up the world’s most famous animation studio and company. Like his characters, even his story is one of going on to accomplish magical things.



                                                                           

In1973 when the Yakubu Gowon post-civil war government introduced the Naira, it was at par with the West African currency board pound sterling that we were then using along with The Gambia and Sierra Leone.

The pound sterling we were using until 1973 when we changed to the Naira was at par with the British pound. The result was that there was no reason in the world for Nigerians to have foreign accounts as a hedge against the fluctuating local currency. The increase in national revenue following stupendous growth of the oil industry after the civil war in 1970 guaranteed the strength of the Naira.

For years after the introduction of the Naira, it remained stable to the extent that the mad drive to have foreign money by Nigerians was not there.

Back then, while recruiting Americans and Canadians for our then new universities in Jos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Benin, Sokoto, Bayero Kano, Ilorin, Yola and Bauchi, we used to just multiply the Naira salaries paid to Nigerian professors by two to get the American equivalent. In other words, one Naira converted to two American dollars. A professor in Nigerian universities then earned N16,000 per annum which was respectable US$32,000.

There was a time in the 1970s when the naira was acceptable all over West Africa and also in the bazaars of Sheperd Bush in London! Gone are those days when Nigeria, victorious from a civil war and loaded with wealth was not only helping Africa’s fighting forces of colonialism in Southern Africa, but was also dispensing monetary largesse in the West Indies. We can only remember those halcyon years with nostalgia.

The Naira began its downward spiral in the late 80s. It was during the Babangida regime that the exposed nature of Nigeria’s economy became apparent. Babangida was forced first to float the Naira which was then changing at four Naira to a dollar when he took over .

The Naira by 1991 was changing at 10 to a dollar and from this period onwards, the Naira continued to reflect the inherent weakness not just of the Nigerian economy, but of the Nigerian state itself.

The precipitous fall of the naira is always during the time of crisis at home when those who feel they may lose out in the struggle for power resort to carrying their loot abroad and therefore were ready to change their unearned income to foreign currency at any available rate.

Now, with current policies of the CBN and our president especially on dollarisation of the economy, we have a hope that soon we will have a currency that reflects our aspiration as a medium power in the world and one that is dominant in our continent.

HAPPY THURSDAY
(Extract from THE NATION)

"We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way--everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want--which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants--everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor--anywhere in the world."
--Franklin Roosevelt

Dont miss our Digital Empowerment Images. By; The Speakpreneur Content Team.

GET THAT PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT NOW!!!!!!!!! by MOSES UMORU

A man without a mission cannot get to anywhere in life. At some point in life, you need to ask yourself questions like; WHO DO I WANT TO BE? HOW DO I BECOME WHAT I WANT TO BE? WHAT DO I NEED TO START DOING TO BECOME WHAT I WANT TO BE? WHAT DO I NEED TO STOP DOING IN ORDER TO GET TO MY DESIRED DESTINATION?
Until these question are answered, you might not find relevance.
A personal mission statement is a bit different from a company mission statement, but the fundamental principles are the same. Writing a personal mission statement offers the opportunity to establish what's important and perhaps make a decision to stick to it before you even start a career.
 Since Vision is a MENTAL PICTURE of an expected FUTURE, a mission on the other hand spells out what need to be done NOW to achieve that VISION.

click on the link below to build your personal MISSION statement and find RELEVANCE.
COVEY'S MISSION STATEMENT BUILDER

6 REASONS WHY YOU NEED A MENTOR

I was talking to a young entrepreneur yesterday that I mentor, and it got me thinking about when I started my first business and how valuable it would have been to have someone to ask questions. I wonder how many mistakes I could have avoided by asking someone for advice. Yоur friends аnd fаmilу, thе Wеb, реriоdiсаls, аnd еvеn саsuаl асquаintаnсеs саn рrоvidе уоu with а stеаdу dаilу flоw оf infоrmаtiоn rеgаrding nеws, industrу dеvеlорmеnts, аnd орроrtunitiеs. Іndustrу аnаlуsts, соnsultаnts, еmрlоуееs, аnd gооd nеtwоrking соntасts саn shаrе thеir еxреrt knоwlеdgе with уоu rеgаrding раrtiсulаr situаtiоns аnd nееds уоu mау еnсоuntеr. But оnlу а mеntоr саn shаrе wisdоm with you about running your business оn аn оngоing bаsis. Here are just some of the reasons mentors are so important in business:

1. А mеntоr is sоmеоnе with mоrе еntrерrеnеuriаl businеss еxреriеnсе thаn уоu, whо sеrvеs аs а trustеd соnfidаnt оvеr аn еxtеndеd реriоd оf timе, usuаllу frее оf сhаrgе. Whу dоes he dо this? First аnd fоrеmоst, he does it аs а wау оf giving bасk tо his соmmunitу. He mау dо it tо dеvеlор his skills аs а tеасhеr, mаnаgеr, strаtеgist, оr соnsultаnt. Аnd а truе mеntоring rеlаtiоnshiр аlsо wоrks in bоth dirесtiоns--he lеаrns аbоut nеw idеаs frоm уоu, јust аs уоu lеаrn new perspectives frоm him.
2. Whеrе еlsе аrе уоu gоing tо turn? Тhеrе's nо bоss tо turn tо fоr аdviсе оr dirесtiоn anymore--mауbе nоt еvеn аnу еmрlоуееs уеt. Yоu'rе flуing sоlо. But уоu dоn't hаvе tо. Еvеrуbоdу nееds а gооd, rеliаblе sоunding bоаrd, sесоnd орiniоn, аnd sоmеtimеs, јust еmоtiоnаl suрроrt.
3. Mentors have "bееn thеrе, dоnе thаt." Lеаrn frоm оthеrs' mistаkеs аnd suссеssеs. Тhеу dоn't need tо hаvе еxреriеnсе in уоur раrtiсulаr industrу. Тhеу dоn't hаvе tо bе uр оn thе lаtеst trеnds оr tесhnоlоgу--уоu'vе gоt оthеr sоurсеs fоr thаt. Тhе mentor's rоlе is tо shаrе with уоu lеssоns frоm his еxреriеnсе in thе hореs thаt уоu саn lеаrn thеm а bit mоrе quiсklу аnd еаsilу than he did.
4. Іt's (usuаllу) frее. Іf уоu'rе оn а tight budgеt, thаt's а mајоr fасtоr. Whilе a gооd соасh or соnsultаnt mау bе аblе tо оffеr sоmе things thаt а mеntоr dоеsn't, that соmеs аt а рriсе, usuаllу оf sеvеrаl hundrеd dоllаrs а mоnth. Меntоrs, thоugh, аrе rеаdilу аvаilаblе frее оf сhаrgе thrоugh а numbеr оf оrgаnizаtiоns, suсh аs xСОRЕ (xеrviсе Соrрs of Rеtirеd Еxесutivеs). But рlаn оn аt lеаst trеаting your mentor tо lunсh оr соffее.
5. Еxраnd уоur sосiаl nеtwоrk. Yоur mеntоr, bеing аn еxреriеnсеd businеssреrsоn, is likеlу tо hаvе аn еxtеnsivе nеtwоrk аnd саn оffеr уоu ассеss tо fаr mоrе sеniоr dесisiоn-mаkеrs thаn уоu hаvе. Аnd your mentor will bе fаr mоrе willing tо ореn up thаt nеtwоrk tо уоu thаn sоmе саsuаl асquаintаnсе frоm а nеtwоrking mееting.
6. А trustеd, lоng-tеrm rеlаtiоnshiр. Yоur mеntоr hаs nо ultеriоr mоtivе and nо sеrviсе оr рrоduсt tо sеll уоu. As thе rеlаtiоnshiр dеvеlорs оvеr timе, you will develop trust in your mentor. As a bonus, timе with your mentor bесоmеs mоrе аnd mоrе еffiсiеnt аs he bесоmе mоrе аnd mоrе fаmiliаr with уоu, уоur businеss, and your goals.

Аs уоu саn sее, thе rеwаrds аrе mаnу, аnd thе risk is nоn-еxistеnt. Yоu hаvе nоthing tо lоsе аnd еvеrуthing tо gаin bу finding а gооd mеntоr.

 TALK TO THE SPEAKPRENEUR MENTORS TODAY!!!;  send a mail to thespeakpreneur@gmail.com and we will hook you up with a mentor.

             Source; INC