By Omolola Dede Adeyanju
The fifth edition, Lagos Young Entrepreneurs Awards (LAYE) has been scheduled to hold on the 20th of October, 2024 in Lagos, Ikeja.
While speaking to press men during the LAYE Awards press briefing, the Ceo and Creative Director, LAYE Awards, Ashifat Saheed Godspeed examined the purpose of the event to inspire younger generations of entrepreneurs, reward hard work, promote entrepreneurship and raise awareness about the key role that Lagos Young Entrepreneurs play in building the economic wealth of Lagos State to becoming the fifth largest economy in Africa.
“The fifth edition,” he said, “is targeted at having government agencies, NGOs, corporate bodies and high net worth individual personalities to identify with the award in terms of support, sponsorship, advertisement, endorsement and participation. It will additionally bring in media partnerships, support and exposure.”
Mr Ashifat further stated that the survey and selection process will be fair and thorough. He explained that the event will be organised by an A list event management company and will be infused with music from top Nigerian musicians, comedians and a beauty pageant tagged MISS ENTREPRENEUR LAGOS.
“Awards will be given in different categories as well as honorary to outstanding philanthropist and corporate bodies. To be qualified for any of our award categories. Ideal candidate must have been living in Lagos state for the last five years; running a business in Lagos state for the last five years; be nominated and voted for; not about forty five years of age and the CEO of a registered business entity.”
The creative Director, ACME Multimedia integrations, convener of the LAYE Awards, However lauded Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who sponsored the third edition and Hon. Omisore, a former member of the House of Assembly who sponsored the first edition. He said that through him, the event has bagged an endorsement from the Lagos State house of assembly.
Prospectively, Mr Ashifat expressed, “We are looking at launching a magazine for this year’s edition, which will be bi-annual, we are also working on launching an online TV, the LAYE awards TV.
“With this it will no longer be an annual event, rather a monthly event where we have interviews, training, seminars with young entrepreneurs and Empowerments featured on our online tv. These and many more are the packages we have for the LAYE fifth award.
“Our prospective sponsors for this edition is LAPO Microfinance bank, Grand Oak producers of seaman schnapps. We also have some small and medium enterprises who want to be part of this progress and we are still open to more sponsorships,” he added.
However, the spokesperson, LAYE Awards 2024, ADEMOLA ADESOKAN expressed that the concept has impacted lives of so many people to the extent that people are calling from other States to be a part of it.
“There are also people requesting that we extend the age bracket for nominees but we have a focus and a template. To judge the credibility of our recipient Awardees, we ensure to take track records and ensure we partake in their progress. We also have our methods of selection and measures to enforce credibility,” Mr Adesokan said.
Meanwhile, The Logistics and Entertainment Manager, LAYE Awards, Mr Rilwan Kolawole examined the connection between Artistry and the Award occasion. AlThough, he explained that the categories for Awards does not include the entertainment industry. He revealed plans to seek the government fundings for young entrepreneurs stating that the body has plans to write to the government in this regard
Mr Rilwan mentioned that the fifth edition of the LAYE AWARDS will Prospectively feature amazing Artists such as 9ce, Oxlade, Small Doctor, many others as well as upcoming Artists.
The ACME Multimedia integration as well as the LAYE Awards has been registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission, Copyright Commission, Trade Mark and has an endorsement with Business Owners Association of Nigeria.