Abuja: Mr Eberechi Marcus, the Chief Executive Officer of the Eminent Emerging Entrepreneurs Foundation (EEEF), shared his personal journey from rejection due to his visual disability to becoming an advocate for decent job creation. This revelation came during the official launch of the foundation's national campaign in Abuja, which aims to promote job creation as a social right.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Marcus recounted a pivotal moment in 2015 when he faced rejection from employers who could not see beyond his eyesight condition. Despite his intelligence and skills, he was deemed 'a vulnerable person.' This experience, instead of disheartening him, inspired Marcus to establish the EEEF, an NGO focused on fostering decent job creation, particularly for youth, women, and other vulnerable groups.
Marcus explained that his foundation is built on four pillars: Entrepreneurial Vocational Training, Financial Literacy, Policy Advocacy, and Constructive Engagement Platforms. These pillars aim to equip vulnerable groups with marketable skills, create sustainable economic empowerment, bridge gaps between policymakers and citizens, and foster collaborative solutions between beneficiaries and policymakers.
Mr Nya-Etok Ezekiel, Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, highlighted the shifting job market in Nigeria and emphasized the need to move away from traditional white-collar jobs. He spoke about his relationship with Marcus, recalling the period when Marcus's vision began to deteriorate and his subsequent establishment of the NGO, turning a personal challenge into a societal opportunity.
Ezekiel stressed the importance of supporting initiatives like the national dialogue on job creation, urging young people to look beyond conventional job roles and explore entrepreneurship and MSMEs as viable career paths. He called for a change in the educational system to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, which he believes are key to solving Nigeria's unemployment challenges.
Mrs Agu-Ifeoma Uche, CEO of Thelma Lion Foundation, echoed the sentiments of collective wisdom and shared responsibility. She urged stakeholders to unite in developing frameworks that transform vulnerability into opportunity, aiming for equitable prosperity and inclusion in Nigeria. Uche encouraged participants to leverage their expertise and passion to create lasting change through enhanced job creation strategies.