SUMMIT: Creating Awareness For Entrepreneurial Development Through IODA Summit

FRANCIS EZEDIUNO engages DORCAS IDIBIE, the initiator and founder of IODA Organisation Model on the proposed Economic Summit slated to hold on September 5, 2018 in Ile-Ife, State of Osun. 

Dorcas is a Multi-sector enthusiast with interests in Business, Social Enterprise and Policies. Her enthusiasm so far has been expressed passionately through voluntary participation in aiding the visions of leaders towards their people’s welfare and overall growth.

This has translated to over two years of experience, assisting and engaging the visions of leaders and led her to initiate the IODA organization models, with its pilot project in Osun aimed at engaging leaders and people on entrepreneurial possibilities via IODA Economic Summit to be held in the state, particularly with election getting closer to elect leaders that would steer the ship of the state next.

The Summit

Keens on her mission for the concepts of economic development and strategy as a tool for Nation branding, Dorcas in a chat with OSUN DEFENDER said, the summit is all about raising awareness for different programmes in Nigeria. “It is about bringing together the people and the leaders to rob minds concerning the economy of the state and the nation as a whole. We are starting on the 5th of September, 2018 in Ile-Ife.

“It is aimed at having entrepreneurs and investors talk to leaders in Osun and Nigeria as a whole about some challenges they face and what informs their decision as regards profitability and improvement of the economy, as well as what people are saying when it comes to their businesses.

“The economy of a state or nation is its engine room. It is important to look into the happenings of business in the country and in getting opportunities that will bring about boosting the economy of Osun.

Partnership

In aiding entrepreneurs and investors to achieve their goals, see how they can be helped to rebrand their businesses and increase profitability, Dorcas said, IODA is hoping to partner with the incoming government, while banks will also be involved.

Start ups

Dorcas noted that one of the facilitators at the summit is a business consultant that helps startups. “His name is Toyin Batel. We are hoping he will be able to put the programme in a context where leaders will understand what people actually want and clamouring for especially startups.

She said over 50% of entrepreneurs in Ile-Ife are aware of this programme, “we have reached out to monarchs, students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and entrepreneurs are also involved. We are starting from Ile-Ife. Politicians and government functionaries too will be involved.

On how it would change the nomenclature of the state as a civil service state, Dorcas said, the essence of the programme is to bring to awareness the business opportunities in the state, saying the programme will create a level playing field for investors and entrepreneurs and address how the government and financial institutions can help overcome challenges that have limited some certain investments all these while.

It is her believe that when there are strategies put in place to help entrepreneurs, they will be able to structure their organizations in tune with big picture and succeed.

She spoke on how the programme will benefit the financiers and the idealists, saying, “We are hoping that the government will be able to create another platform to help startups and for those that have ideas but not financial resources, we will encourage those with money to invest it in them so as to bring about good profits”.

To IODA, one thing that will give entrepreneurs and investors confidence in the government is how investment opportunities are promoted and when good minds come together, something good can come out of it and the state economy will grow.