YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #136
Friday, June 23, 2017
08078068532
youthville@dailytrust.com
...young at heart
How Instagram inspired me to start BEVERAGE line Deborah Kaikeh, from Kaduna State is the owner of ‘Shiyas Cocktails’, a growing catering outlet that offers mobile bar services and cocktails in Abuja. The entrepreneur in this interview spoke on why she prefers to be self-employed and the successes of the business so far. By Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun
H
ow did you conceive this business idea? I remembered when we have events at home years back; I always wanted to help with mixing drinks which at the end turns out balanced. I always try to balance ingredients so it is enjoyable, so my friends advised that I turn it to a money-making venture as they were impressed with the drinks. I also saw on Instagram that many people are doing the act of mixing (Mixology). I was scared at first and kept procrastinating on starting it. I sought for training but found it difficult. My elder brother advised I search on YouTube to learn the basics and improve from there. I finally took the bold step and started six months ago and it has been rewarding. What were your experiences when you decided to start? As a start-up, I face a lot of challenges like funding the business and so on. Nobody is willing to help so there has to be a way out of that. Again, getting people to believe in what you do is another challenge. Then pricing too; a lot of people will not understand that ingredients used in making these drinks are quite expensive as well. Some clients would say that they have another vendor that can do way cheaper than yours but I always tell them I use quality ingredients for my drinks. And the end result always proves the point. To sustain the tempo, I had often
designed new ways so I don’t run out creativity. I try to brainstorm on ways to make my brand outstanding because when you see jobs done by your colleagues in the same industry your game has to be tight. I also engage in other activities aside my business while seeking for constructive criticisms for the business. What are you doing to empower other youth in this business line? With time, I will hold trainings for people who are passionate about this craft and give tips on how to run a successful cocktail business. But for now, that is on hold How do you market your brand? I have social media platforms like the Instagram:@shiyascocktails, BBM channel and Facebook: Shiyascocktails, where we upload pictures of jobs we have done and try to engage people. Word of mouth marketing has helped me too. What are your short term outlooks? I believe our clientele base would have expanded and we would have become one of the foremost cocktail catering coy in Nigeria by God’s grace. What would you tell other unemployed youth? Always believe in yourself, never give up on your dreams and learn a skill. I bet the journey is not rosy but it is worth it at the end. To startups like me, never give up and don’t forget the reason you started in the first place. Be consistent, work hard, improve on your craft always and be a genius in your business.
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a Flexx Hub at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Edo state. The Hub is a mini branch where basic banking transactions can be carried out, while also serving as an exclusive banking arena for FCMB’s customers who hold its
youth account, known as Flexx. The Flexx Hub, which is the third of such structure to be unveiled by the Bank, is one of the innovative strategies adopted by FCMB to simplify banking services. The Flexx proposition is also designed to meet the overall financial and other socioeconomic needs of young people within the age range of 16 and 25 years. This is summarised in the description of Flexx as, “An app, a card, an account”, features which give account holders the freedom to bank on the go, using the Flexx Mobile App. The opening ceremony had activities such as appearances by popular celebrities, motivational speakers, music, game shows, dancing competitions and talent contests. Declaring the Flexx Hub
Group seeks Sallah holidays for Muslim cadets From Bashir Liman, Jos The Muslim Youth Society of Nigeria (MYSC) has urged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris to as a matter of fairness and justice start granting Sallah holidays to Muslims Cadets in the Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State. The group made the call in a statement signed by its President, Nasir Ahmad noting that “Since the inception of the Academy in 2013, the management of the Academy has been violating the rights of the Muslims Cadets. It added that over these years, Muslims Cadet have never been allowed to go home to celebrate Sallah with their families while each year, during Christmas their Christian counterparts are allowed to proceed on long vocation. The statement further alleged that often times during examination, the management fixed exams for cadets during Friday Juma’at prayers which denied Muslims Cadets to attend prayers. The group however called on the IG to proffer solution to this so everyone would be entitled to holidays during religious festivities.
Salem varsity alumni mentor undergraduates on career From Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos
Bank opens Flexx Hub at UNIBEN, creates youth platform From Sunday Michael Ogwu, Lagos
The duty of youth is to challenge corruption. – Kurt Cobain
open, the Regional Director, South-east/ South-south of FCMB, Mr.Okey Ezeala, said it will promote financial inclusion in university campuses and the communities. “Ultimately, the goal is to demystify and remove the perceived rigours of banking thereby reinforcing our values as a simple, reliable and helpful financial institution anchored on the culture of excellence,” he said. Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Professor Osasere Orumwense, said, ‘’We are delighted with the presence of FCMB at UNIBEN. This is a strong demonstration that the bank is truly committed to support the development of students, education and Nigeria.” The bank also organised a contest, tagged, ‘#FlexxYourCreativity’, for young fashion accessories designers. The winners smiled home with various cash rewards as capital to grow their businesses. It also offered five young Nigerians opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the business world following their victory in an online contest, tagged #FCMBFlexxtern.
Some alumni of the Salem University Lokoja, have organised a mentorship training programme for undergraduates of the University. The alumni who were invited by the varsity management to address newly admitted students cited personal experiences as well as academic and entrepreneurial skills acquired from the institution as some of their secrets of success stories. Gideon Ekom, an alumnus of the University and a founder of the Wear With Style perfumes and two other firms, said in a statement made available to Youthville, that the varsity’s academic and practical engagements all combined to give him an edge at the labour market. “This institution is not just an educational learning hub but truthfully a transformational, leadership training ground for optimistic, innovative, goal driven minds imbedded in the teachings of Jesus Christ,” he said. Godwin Awojobi, another alumnus and senior software engineer with Biscom, said “Salem University has helped me grow my skill-set and put me in a position to succeed and also help others to succeed.” Also, a 2014 graduate of Microbiology of the institution, Nnadozie Sandra, who is now an Operations Manager in an international networking company said she learnt quite a lot from the effective leadership segments, seminars and programmes held while still at the University. The Chancellor, Dr Sam Amaga, described the institution as a moving train that is determined to transform so many lives in the years ahead. “We haven’t really started. This is a moving train. By the time God is through with us, we would have transformed millions directly and indirectly,” he said.