Warri city is about to experience another blockbuster event just days after the coronation event of the 21st Olu of the Warri Kingdom which brought dignitaries from all over the world to the city of Warri. The first-ever edition of ‘The Humanitarian & Entrepreneurship Banquet’ would be hosted in the oil city on the 29th of August, 2021.
The event has been put together by Dr Sheyi Mackson, a PhD holder to help improve the fortunes of NGOs working in Nigeria, with a special focus on Warri. The event will be a convergence of subject matter experts in the Humanitarian and Technology Sector, Technocrats, Community and Key Political Stakeholders.
Part of the agenda for the event would be the launch of Dr Sheyi’s App, NGO Mastery book and Foundation.
The vision to organise the event
In 2018 while conducting research, Dr Sheyi interviewed several young entrepreneurs, digital technology/ICT Experts, indigenous NGOs (LEAP Africa, Fate Foundation, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Africa Leadership Forum etc) to ascertain how indigenous NGOs and ICT support startup businesses established by young entrepreneurs. He identified a gap that needed to be filled and this event would help to set the scene. The programme would afford Dr Sheyi the opportunity to showcase and promote young entrepreneurs, the works of indigenous NGOs and NGO members of staff attending would have the opportunity to network with other humanitarian workers.
Programme of events
The programme for the day is stacked with some really exciting items planned. There would be a panel session that would afford NGO founders or representatives to speak on what they have done so far (i.e their interventions in communities). The outcome of this would be linking resource persons in the humanitarian niche to teach NGOs how to run a sustainable NGO.
The launch of the foundation, book and app is specifically designed to support and promote indigenous NGOs and young entrepreneurs. The book will guide indigenous NGOs to understand practical ways to run and manage sustainable, impactful and profitable NGOs. The app is also expected to help indigenous NGOs to showcase their interventions in communities. It would also enable young entrepreneurs/young people to have access to opportunities (grants, loans, internships, scholarships etc) offered by both indigenous and international NGOs. Also, it will enable young people to have access to mentors across the globe. The host confirmed the demo version of the app would be launched on Google play to gather feedback from users (user experience) to help develop and improve the workability of the App further.
Young Entrepreneur/ Startup Pitch Competition 2021
As part of the Banquet, Dr Sheyi’s SMEEJ Foundation has called on Young Entrepreneurs/ Startups in Warri to come pitch at the Young Entrepreneur/ Startup Pitch Competition 2021.
To qualify to pitch at the event, you must be a young entrepreneur in Warri with business ideas but struggling with funding to implement your business idea. The first and second position winners from the event would walk away with 100,000 Naira and 50,000 Naira respectively. To register for free to pitch at the event, please use this link http://tiny.cc/smeejbusinesspitch
Collaboration for the event
Dr Sheyi’s SMEEJ Foundation will be collaborating with notable NGOs like LEAP Africa and Fate Foundation to maximise the impact of this event.
The keynote speaker for the event is Professor Jill Venus who is the Director for International Partnership at the University of Wales. The Warri South Local Government Chairman, Dr Michael Tidi would be attending as a speaker.
The list of confirmed panellists for the banquet cuts across critical stakeholders (Politicians, Community leaders, NGO representatives, technology experts etc.).
Confirmed Humanitarian and NGP Panelists for the banquet are:
- Dr John-Paul Okeoma – Programme Manager University of Wales London Campus
- Professor Omatseye Bridget – University of Benin
- Dr/Engr Jumoke Eterigho – President, Nigeria Society of Engineers/ Lecturer at Federal University of Technology Minna
- Dr Theophilus Tanko
- Grace Olomiwe – Fmr Social media & Communication Officer, Save the Children & Currently works for British High Commission Abuja
- Shehu Bawa Bwari – Fmr Senior Special Assistant to Niger-State Government on Youth Affairs (He has partnered with Hon Shehu Sani and Alh. Abubakar Muazu fmr governor of Niger-state to train and empower more than 1,000 youths in North with his skill acquisition centre)
- Hauwa Bako – A seasoned young entrepreneur and she has volunteered for both local and international NGOs
Confirmed Business and Tech Panelists for the banquet are:
- Philip Asuquotes
- Zitu Blessing
- Charles Freeborn
- Omwumi Eyekpimi
- Zion Oshiobugie
- Ajiri Omafokpe
- David Akwara
- Cham Etienne Bama
Event Details
The event would hold on Sunday the 29th of August, 2021, commencing at 13:00 Nigerian time. The venue for the event is Brownhill Event Centre (Brownhill Coliseum), located at Ogunu, Warri, Delta State.
Those who own NGOs and Start-Ups should endeavour to be there as this program is specially designed for you.