• LASU medical students organise memorable entrepreneurship summit
By Bode Ekerin
The Lagos State University Medical Students’ Association (LASUMSA) recently organized an entrepreneurship summit aimed at opening the eyes of students, especially medical students, to the benefits attached to becoming medical entrepreneurs and not just medical doctors. It is one of the initiatives intended to help raise entrepreneurs amongst its members.
Giving the welcome address, the Provost, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Prof. Babatunde Solagberu, duly represented by the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Dr Adejuwon Adeneye, appreciated the LASUMSA Executive Council led by Mr. Femi Olulaja for organizing the entrepreneurship summit at a time when Nigerian economists are preaching against the dangers of an oil-only mono-economy. He enjoined everyone to start their businesses while emphasizing the need to be innovative.
The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr Akintunde Oyebode, enlightened the audience on the availability of the 25 billion naira set apart by the Lagos State Government to fund small and medium scale enterprises in Lagos State. He stressed the intention of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, to foster economic growth via capacity building and provision of necessary funds at a minimal interest rate. While encouraging everyone to tap into the rare opportunity, he also encouraged the audience to always take bold steps and never give up on their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs.
Mr. Ahmed Ojikutu, the President of the Computer and Allied Product Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) told the audience about his “UNILAG to Computer Village” entrepreneurship story. He shared how he started his business by selling a Nokia 3310 fairly used phone, saved the profit and reinvested it. He spoke about the difference in being a medical doctor and in being a medical businessman and the benefits in choosing to become a medical businessman. He encouraged everyone to be focused and to start early.
The programme also featured a session in which medical students who are running their own businesses shared their personal experiences, how they started and what motivated them.
The anchor of the summit Dr Olaniyi Aruna, a medical doctor and experienced master of ceremony, expressed his happiness in being part of the summit. He further expressed how he learnt to monetize his business more effectively. Tobi Adekoya, the Financial Secretary of LASUMSA expressed his gratitude to everyone present.
• Ekerin, a 400 level medical student of Lagos State University College of Medicine, is the Public Relations Officer of Lagos State University Medical Students’ Association.