The Young Progressives Party (YPP) Governorship candidate in Kwara State, Waziri Yakubu Gobir during the recently concluded Youth Summit shared his humble beginning as an entrepreneur with young people in the state.
Gobir disclosed while addressing thousands of young professionals during a program tagged _Dialogue With Kwara Youth_ at M&M Event Centre, Ilorin.
According to the Madawaki of Ilorin, he left Pfizer to start his company 26 years ago by securing the franchise of Swatch, a Swiss company known for manufacturing watches.
In his words: "In September 1985, I had just finished my pharmacy degree at Ahmadu Bello University. My first job was with Pfizer in Lagos. The factory was in Oregun (Ikeja), and I lived with my parents on Osborne Road in Ikoyi.
“I would leave home at 5 am every morning, and walk for 30 minutes to Ikoyi Hotel, where I would get a ‘kabu kabu’ to Obalende. At Obalende, I would then take a ‘molue’ to Adekunle bus stop in Yaba. Jump onto another molue to Palmgrove, and then another to Ojota. I would then cross the overhead
bridge in front of Philips, Ojota. My last ride was a ‘danfo’ to Clay bus stop. It was about another 30-minute walk to the Pfizer factory premises behind the Lagos State Secretariat in Alausa. I was always on time for work at 8 am. It was the same journey back when we closed at 5 pm. My salary was N250.”
"I sent a business plan to Swatch to handle their marketing in Nigeria. They later sent representatives to engage me in Nigeria and subsequently invited me to Switzerland for further interactions.
"Much like many of you, I went through all the challenges of trying to make ends meet so that I can have a brighter future. With hard work, determination, passion, and support from people around me who recognise my talent and penchant for deep thinking and innovation – I am where I am today.
Gobir, while acknowledging cheers from the excited young professionals urged them to vote for YPP during the forthcoming general elections.
"Twenty-six years after starting my own business from next to nothing, we are gathered today to talk about another big dream – a dream to change the course of our dear Kwara State for a better future, one that is capable of fulfilling our individual and collective hopes and aspirations".
The YPP Governorship Candidate promised to ensure the domestication of the FOI Bill, set up an Anti-Corruption Bureau, and inject life into local government administration in the state.
The Coordinator of Elite Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), Dr. Abdullateef Alagbonsi delivered a keynote address on the place of data and statistics in development.
Over 20 youth groups including; the National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS), National Youth Council of Nigeria, NANS, CAN Youth Wing, Muslim Youth Society of Nigeria, and Kwara Artisans Representatives were in attendance.
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