In line with her sustainability initiatives hinged on tackling Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) concerns, the promoters and drivers of Bilaad Realty Limited, as part of her initiative to address education gaps, specifically, concerning women exclusion, mentoring, coaching, and catalysing growth in the entrepreneurship space, Bilaad Development Trust has organised the GEM HUNT 2.0.
The GEM HUNT series is targeted at addressing critical concerns including, but not limited to; underemployment caused by brain drain, stifling of the entrepreneurship space, and gender mainstreaming, especially as it concerns Education, Financial and IT exclusion for vulnerable groups.
After the full incorporation of Bilaad Development in the first quarter of 2023, GEM HUNT tagged “The Future in Perspective” was delivered on February 14, 2023, GEM HUNT Series – 2 event tagged “30 Under 30 Women in Business” took place on 3rd October 2023 at Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja-FCT.
The creative journey and expected outcomes of the process were built around Identifying and facilitating Small and Medium businesses, especially amongst women under age 30 in Nigeria. The State rounds of the GEM HUNT Series – 2 competition were held in all 36 States of the Federation, while the Zonal rounds took place in 6 selected States (Lagos, Kano, Bauchi, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Abuja on October 3, 2023.
GEM HUNT Series –2 featured young, dynamic and promising female were determined to scale their existing business ideas and the prize, courtesy of Bilaad Development Trust (BDT) .
Dorcas Benjamin, a physically challenged entrepreneur focused on making leather footwear, stated that “people with disability should not depend on begging.” She urges them to seek opportunities to build capacity and make meaningful impact.
From a pool of 30 contestants (female entrepreneurs under the age of 30) representing various States and Regions across the Federation, eight (8) winners emerged in different business categories: Services, Agriculture and agro-allied and Food Processing, Fashion.
During the Grand Finale, a good number of contestants received business support in the form of cash contributions , a commitment from established Entrepreneurs and administrators for coaching and mentoring. Some contestants had their products purchased on the spot, whilst receiving orders for future deliveries.
Coordinating Trustee for BDT, Sadiq Suleiman Abdullahi said the Trust was set up to give back to society. Elated winner of the star prize of N1million (One Million Naira) , Elizabeth Omolabake, who came from Lagos to participate, said it is an opportunity to help scale her business. “First, it encouraged me to keep putting in the work that Made In Nigeria products stand for quality.”
