ViMP 2016!

One of the core program of Junior Achievement Nigeria (JA Nigeria) is the Venture in Management Program (ViMP), a one-week intensive, mini-MBA session to introduce selected members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to the different facets of managing a business, making crucial business decisions and developing skills for Management. This opportunity is designed to expose future business leaders to the responsibilities, opportunities, and demands of a career in management.

With the support of African Capital Alliance Foundation ViMP was back again for the 3^rd year in a row. With over 1,096 applications, the highest applications received so far in the history of the program since inception in the year 2000.

As a long standing partner of ViMP, Accenture Nigeria facilitated the shortlisting based on the criteria for the selection and 201 applicants who scored above 75% were shortlisted and passed on to the interview stage. At the end of the interview stage, 51 (30 Female, 21 Male) successful applicants were finally selected to attend the 2016 Venture in Management Program at the prestigious Lagos Business School.

On March 6^th, the ViMP 2016 class arrived at the Gran Melia Hotel for orientation. Welcome addresses were delivered by Adegbola Abiodun of Junior Achievement Nigeria and Ifeanyi Ajaebili, Marketing Manager, Lagos Business School. This was followed by a short talk by two alumni of ViMP, Petra Erhiyoma, Marketing and Communications Intern, JAN and Adenike Odewale, Programs Officer, JAN.

The Classroom session lasted for five days. Participants were taken through an interactive and practical session on the subject of “Consumer Behaviour” by Dr. Uchenna Uzo. A highly stimulating session on “Analysis of Business Problems” facilitated by Dr. Yetunde Anibaba who guided the participants through logical, critical and analytical ways of identifying and solving business problems. It was an engaging session and a large number of the participants were actively involved in the process.

This was followed by an in depth delivery by Mr. Kayode Omoregie on “Financial Management“ and “Starting a New Business Venture and Venturing for Social Impact” facilitated by the delectable Dr. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie. At the end of this session, participants were urged to venture into making social impact and advised that one does not need to be extremely wealthy or from a noble background before they can make a difference in the society.

Apart from facilitators from the prestigious Lagos Business School, two members of the ViMP alumni, Mr. Dotun Adejuyigbe, Head, Commercial at Lekoil and Mr. Zeal Akaraiwe, CEO, Graeme Blaque Group, were at LBS to speak with the participants on the “keys to career success” using practical examples of their own lives and experience, especially from their life before and after ViMP as successful professionals.

Also within the week, all 52 participants of the Venture in Management Program 2016 were equally divided into two groups, one of which visited Greater Scholars Schools and the other Debiruss Schools, Ajah, to carry out Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) function as part of their training process.

During the job fair, African Capital Alliance, Agile Communications, Deloitte and Stanbic IBTC team came to introduce the organizations, to the participants preceding the recruitment process.

The grand finale of the “mini MBA” program began with a toll of surprise from the judges of the highly anticipated Case Competition as they randomly picked a member from each group to make the case presentation on behalf of the group as against what they envisaged. Members of Group one emerged winners of the highly intellectual competition.

Finally, certificates were handed to all participants and awards to the outstanding male and female participants. The Executive Director, JAN, Mrs. Efua Edeh urged the participants not to rest on their oars but reach for and beyond the sky.

PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK

In a brief interview with one of ViMP 2016 participants Ms. Chizoma Opara, she had this to say. “So far the program has been very informative. I had always assumed I know a lot of what I need to know at my age but the facilitators continue to reveal more on important issues that interest me such as career management, entrepreneurship, financial management, selling oneself and CV customization. Most importantly from today’s lessons, I am inspired to only see opportunities in problems, devising strategies to tackle these problems and how I can turn this into a potentially successful business venture”.

ViMP 2016 participant Rotimi Okungbaye defines ViMP as a rare opportunity in his words, “I want to express my joy and profound gratitude to Junior Achievement Nigeria for their support. I am really grateful because I met people, who are intellectually sound. Someone said ‘everyone here, is smart’ this beautifully captures the kind of people I met at ViMP 2016.

Now I see life from different perspectives, I learnt so many things about business. I wish JAN the very best and much more sponsorship so that we can positively change the face of business and career in our great Nation”.

ViMP 2016 participant Isaac Abubakar, defined his experience in these words “The Venture in Management Programme 2016 was career enhancing and highly impactful. It was a platform to build self-confidence required in handling difficult situations. Indeed it was a time to learn, unlearn and re-learn. The residential nature of the programme made it possible for me to disconnect from everyday distractions, and focus on gaining all the programme had to offer. I would love to appreciate the participants, Junior Achievement Nigeria, the African Capital Alliance Foundation, Accenture, the prestigious Lagos Business School and everyone else that made ViMP 2016 a success”.

In a short interview with one of ViMP 2016 participants, Ms. Omoloro Fasuyi said, “I am very grateful to Junior Achievement Nigeria for this opportunity. Partaking in the CSR was an eye opener for me I was amazed at what the kids know and at the same time were very receptive to what we had come to teach them about entrepreneurship. I was also very inspired by the alumni who came to speak with us. One thing I learnt today is, humility can take you everywhere you ever dreamt of being”.