Lift Saxum to expose alumni to business plan competitions, trade fairs and bank referrals

In addition to basic training in business management and entrepreneurship, participants in the programmes of new Enugu enterprise development NGO, Lift Saxum, would receive counselling to enable participation in various business plan competitions among other benefits.
Lift Saxum CEO, Nwanneka Okolo, stated post launch that the NGO would commence its training programmes in August 2013.
Fees would range from N1,000 to N70,000 for the three courses on offer.
The courses include a four-month Start Your Own Business programme, a three-month Enterprising Woman course and short duration courses titled Lift Biz.
Okolo, a former banker and lawyer, said the NGO would approach individuals and companies to sponsor indigent but desirous people to partake in its programmes.
Starting small in the fourth quarter of 2013, Lift Saxum plans to train about 2,200 people in its various programmes over a five-year period.
Barrister Okolo stated: “Post-graduation, Lift Saxum will render support by exposing beneficiaries of all its programmes to local and international business plan competitions, including You Win, Cartier, African Investor, Legatum, Omydiar etc. We shall also provide referral letters to local banks, the Bank of Industry and investors.”
She added: “Lift Saxum will link them up to opportunities to showcase their products and services at local and international trade fairs. For instance, Lift Saxum will partner with the Enugu Chamber of Commerce to ensure that its alumni have access to a booth on an annual basis during the Enugu International Trade Fair.”
Lift Saxum is a non-profit organisation whose goal is transforming the lives of youth and women by promoting entrepreneurship through training, technical assistance, and support for start-ups. It was formally launched June 18 2013 at an impressive ceremony at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel Enugu witnessed by the crème of Enugu society, youths and women organisations.
Lawyer and former senior executive with First Bank Plc, Okolo is founder and CEO of the enterprise development NGO with backing from several outstanding personalities in academia, religion, banking, commerce and entrepreneurship.
Directors include Elder Kalu Uke Kalu, former chairman of Union Bank Plc, who chairs the Board; Monsignor (Prof.) Obiora Ike, former Chairman of Growing Business Foundation; and the Group MD of Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti. Others include Lauretta Aniagolu, Prof Chidi Onyia, Prof Nkadi Onyegebu, director of the Institute of Education, University of Nigeria, Mr. Tayo Adenaike, Dr. Virgy Anohu, Dr Ifediora Amobi and Mr Ikeazor Akaraiwe.
Patrons are Mr Fola Adeola, OFR, founder of GTBank and Prof. Bartho Okolo, vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria.