Business
SOLAP Enterprise Hub Produces First Winner, Awards N1.5m to Top Pitch Winner
A young entrepreneur, Magaji Emmanuel, founder of MJ Farms, has emerged winner of the maiden edition of the SOLAP Enterprise Hub, Youth Entrepreneurship Program 2025, clinching a N1.5 million business investment grant at the grand finale held Friday at Ordlin Event Center, Jos.
Emmanuel outperformed nine other finalists in a competitive live pitch session, following a six-week intensive training programme that began with hundreds of applicants drawn from Abuja, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Kaduna States.
The SOLAP Enterprise Hub, Youth Entrepreneurship Program 2025, an initiative of SOLAP Group, is designed to nurture young entrepreneurs into wealth creators, job providers and drivers of community development. From over 100 applications received, 50 entrepreneurs were shortlisted and trained, with only 10 advancing to the final pitch stage.
Presenting his business model, Emmanuel, a Quantity Surveying student of Kaduna State University, showcased his integrated poultry farm which not only produces poultry birds but also converts poultry waste into organic hybrid fertilizer. His innovation, aimed at addressing rising fertilizer costs, earned him the top prize.
Speaking after his victory, Emmanuel expressed gratitude to God and dedicated the achievement to his late father, whose initial vision inspired the business. He noted that the grant would help scale production and expand access to affordable fertilizer for farmers.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director of SOLAP Group, Arc. Akosu Paul, said the initiative forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to support young entrepreneurs with viable ideas through training, mentorship and grants.
He explained that the programme aims to raise 100 millionaires within the next 10 years, stressing the importance of investing in youth who possess the energy, vision and fewer distractions needed to grow sustainable businesses.
The event also featured a panel discussion on “Thriving in Uncertainty: Building Resilience and Entrepreneurship,” with experts including Chief Samuel Adetunji, Mrs Theresa Gofwen and Mrs Mary Oyewole, who shared insights on navigating business challenges.
In a show of support, Chief Adetunji donated an additional N100,000 each to the top three winners, as well as to the best female contestant and another participant who pitched a fish farming business.
Speaking at the event, Mr Val Okafor of the Val Okafor Company, implementing partner of the initiative, described the programme as a structured intervention aimed at bridging the gap between ideas and sustainable enterprises.
According to him, participants underwent practical training in business development, market research, branding and revenue strategies, equipping them with the skills needed to build viable businesses.
Other winners at the event included Ani Nnaemeka Kingsley of NovelArts, who emerged first runner-up with a N1 million grant for his innovative use of waste materials in interior décor and art production.
Mom Terkaa Titus of Jumo Farms secured the second runner-up position, winning N500,000 for his Agri-Rentals concept, a farm mechanization hub for smallholder farmers.
The top female contestant, Egba Agnes of AG’s Creations, also received an additional N500,000 grant to support her fashion design business and training academy for aspiring designers.
Organisers described the maiden edition as a success, noting that the initiative will continue to expand opportunities for young entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
The Lagos State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs through coordinated and simultaneous operations targeting cultism and illegal arms proliferation across Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Okoko, Ilasan, Ogba, and Iju areas of the State.
The operations resulted in the arrest of twenty-three suspected cultists, recovery of five (5) firearms and other incriminating exhibits.
During the operation in Ikorodu, four suspects were arrested following credible intelligence linking them to cult-related activities. Preliminary findings indicate links to the Buccaneers Confraternity (Sea Lords).
In Lagos Island, nine suspected cultists were arrested during a raid on a criminal hideout. In Ilasan, five suspects in connection with a cult-related killing of one Emmanuel Obioson were arrested. In Okoko, one suspect with ties to the Eiye Confraternity was intercepted in possession of a firearm.
Similarly, in Ogba and Iju areas, the operations led to the arrest of four (4) suspects involved in illegal cult gatherings, assault, and other related violent crimes. Weapons used in the attacks were recovered, and victims are currently receiving medical attention.
The suspects are: Shina Wale ‘m’ 36yrs, Kehinde Kareem ‘m’ 18yrs, Mohammed Aileru ‘m’ 18yrs, Bada Mujeeb ‘m’ 18yrs, Salam Kosoko ‘m’ 30yrs, Yusuf Anjorin ‘m’ 19yrs, Quadri Abubakar ‘m’ 21yrs, Lateef Salako ‘m’ 18yrs, Fawaz Bello ‘m’ 30yrs, Oyesola Olalekan ‘m’ age 36yrs, Ubaka Justice ‘m’ age 36yrs, Emmanuel Obekpa ‘m’ age 36yrs, Sodiq Ademola ‘m’ age 36yrs, Balogun Taofeek ‘m’ 33yrs, Azeez Owolabi ‘m’ age 28yrs, Meshack Obini ‘m’ age 24yrs, Fabulous John ‘m’ age 25yrs, Promise Israel ‘m’ age 28yrs, Bright Aniedi ‘m’ age 27yrs, Familola Fikayo David ‘m’ age 24yrs, Akeem Olamilekan ‘m’ aka Magali age 43yrs, Muiz Oyedele ‘m’ age 20yrs, Hamzat Sadiq ‘n’ age 19yrs
The exhibits include: Five (5) locally made pistols, one (1) toy pistol, fifteen (15) live cartridges, three (3) expended cartridges, one (1) Police camouflage face cap, one (1) Army camouflage face cap, one (1) jack knife with the pouch.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to eradicating cultism and violent crimes.
He urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the Police with timely and credible information through the Command emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630929.
The post Lagos Police Arrest 23 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms in Statewide Raids appeared first on Business Today NG.
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