The Federal Government has warned prospective participants in its annual YouWiN! Connect programme to disregard websites that offer alternative link for registration, demands money to facilitate the process or invites applicants to a meeting anywhere.
A statement issued by Salisu Dambatta, the Director Information, Ministry of Finance, on Friday in Abuja said it had opened a website portal for the registration of prospective participants.
He said registration by prospective applicants was opened via the programme website: www.youwinconnect.org.ng on July 24, adding that it was free of charge.
According to Dambatta, no personal contact with any person was required for the exercise.
He said the YouWiN! Connect team in the Ministry of Finance has released details of the registration procedure, indicating the programme overview and objectives as well as listed the eligibility criteria for prospective participants.
Dambatta said: “YouWiN! Connect is an annual programme of the Federal Ministry of Finance which prepares qualified ventures for funding.
“These ventures are promoted by young Nigerians in target sectors that align with the government’s objective of diversifying the economy and promoting competition and transparency.”
Dambatta said the programme also aims to support young entrepreneurs as they plan, start and grow their businesses by providing online, radio and television enterprise education.
He said: “YouWiN! Connect aims to promote entrepreneurship and viable career options for young Nigerians thereby creating jobs and wealth.”
He said the objective of the programme was to provide enterprise education which would in turn drive an upswing in the performance and growth of Nigeria’s economy.
This will be driven through competitive marketplace for funding and supporting suitable businesses that are either new or existing, renewed drive and emphasis on innovation and enterprise as a culture among Nigeria’s large population of young persons.
Others are spurring job creation in targeted sectors of national importance, enhancing skill acquisition for Small and Medium Enterprises to improve productivity, enhancing tax and financial literacy of SMEs and adequately prepare them to seek financing.
It will also enhance bankability of the participants by facilitating access to markets and provide support to industry networks and associations.
He said those eligible to apply must have post-secondary school qualification, and should be between the ages of 18 and 40, be Nigerians and resident in Nigeria and have their businesses domiciled in Nigeria.
Dambatta also said they must be able to communicate effectively speaking and writing in English and be willing to attend all trainings and mentoring exercises organised by the programme.
He added that the applicants must not be employees of the Nigerian Civil Service or previous YouWiN awardees.
Dambatta said the programme could also be followed on the following social media accounts: Twitter:@YouWiNConnectNg, Instagram: @youwin_connect, Facebook: @youwinconnect.
The YouWin! programme began in October 2011, as a business plan competition to stimulate entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation among young Nigerians.