University of Ibadan targets 100 Small /Medium Enterprises for 3rd SME Fair in November

PATIENCE OGBO, Ibadan

Plans are in top gear for the commencement of the University of Ibadan’s 3^rd    Small and Medium Enterprise SME  Fair in  November. This year’s  SME  Fair tagged ‘’ Beyond Borders’’ is slated for November 1^st -2^nd  at the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre in commemoration of the  University’s 75^th anniversary.

Speaking during a press briefing, the Convener of the 3^rd SME Fair, Associate Professor Ruth Adio-Moses stated that ‘’ The aim of the Fair is to bring the gown and town together and it is meant to expose our students to entrepreneurial development and strategic partnership. It is also meant to open up industries to the innovations we have on campus. There will be opportunities for product advertisement, product promotion, networking, seminars, twelve workshops, two-panel discussions, pitch competition, innovation showcase, product demonstration, funding opportunities, entertainment, and business advice and consultancy’’.

Associate  Professor Adio-Moses calls on  Nigerians , organizations and the Oyo State government to collaborate with the University of Ibadan in sponsorship of the Fair so as to enable the Fair to be free for the participants. She said ‘’ The University of Ibadan is providing leadership.  The  Vice-Chancellor  Professor Kayode Adebowale gave his approval for this Fair and the DVC in charge of the  Department of  Research and Strategic Innovation as well .  The Oyo state governor, His Excellency Engineer Seyi Makinde is the  Host of this  Fair and we are appealing to him for his support because if we have a good sponsorship, we can afford to make the Fair totally free for the exhibitors. We look forward to such sponsorship so that we can have more people come to the Fair to leverage and benefit from the immense opportunities the Fair will provide ‘’.

Mr. Fasola, a member of the  3^rd SME Fair Committee while commenting on the immense benefits SMEs offer the country said  ‘’ The University has observed that most of our students’  projects and that of the lecturers are just sitting there on the shelves. This Fair is to let the community know that there are lots of innovative ideas that can be developed for the benefit of the entire society. We are also aware that there are people out there who can develop these ideas to what can become useful in society. The University of Ibadan is also looking at a sort of Innovative Hub where people can bring ideas,  others will sponsor and develop the ideas. Also, this will serve as a research centre where industries can bring their problems and we can research them. The Bank of Industry (BOI) was at the Fair last year and they have startups for people who have ideas. ’

Mrs. Okutinyang of BLG Events who is the  Consultant for the 3^rd SME  Fair stated ‘’ People are encouraged to sponsor this laudable project. There will be entrepreneurs who will share their success stories for others to learn from.  Aside from the sessions, there will be fun, music and a whole lot of activities ‘’.

For a better society

—————————————————————–

Kindly follow us across all our social media platforms to stay up-to-date with the latest news and happenings in Nigeria and across the globe.

Facebook – https://facebook.com/championnewsonline

Instagram – https://instagram.com/championnewsonline

Twitter– @championnewsng