TERRASKILLS SME CHALLENGE

About the Challenge

Terraskills SME Challenge is a bimonthly business creativity challenge aimed towards; helping small businesses to grow and foster the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG-8) in promoting decent work and economic growth through; the allocation of funds to Starts-Ups/Entrepreneurs in Nigeria following successive competitive SME Challenge tagged #TerraskillsSMEchallenge.

The First Phase of the Challenge

The first phase of the Challenge was launched on; Wednesday 21st April 2021 to commemorate the World Creativity and Innovation Day. It was a 1-day virtual business pitch that occurred from 12 am to 11:59 pm with various entrepreneurs showcasing their creative businesses. The challenge came to an exciting end as 5 finalists emerged winners from the pool of entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

The Management of Terraskills Learning Systems Limited presented the 5 Finalists with the sum of N100,000; with the overall winner taking a share of N50,000; while a share of N20,000 was awarded to the 1st Runner-Up; and N10,000 each were awarded to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Runner Ups.

Mr. Donald E. Ogbuwa, the Managing Director, Terraskills Learning Systems Limited congratulated each of the finalists and expressed the Management’s satisfaction in their efforts, and encouraged them to keep productivity alive.

The Winners of the First Phase of the Terraskills SME Challenge.

The winners of the #TerraskillsSMEchallenge1.0 were; Juliet Orazulunyem, Blessing Ese, Fatima Usman, Akunnaya Precious, and Uguba Ndubiusi.

Juliet Orazulunyem (aka Tender Angel on Facebook)

Juliet, the overall winner of the Terraskills SME Challenge1.0 is a Creative and Innovative Young Business Entrepreneur based in Abia State. She is the founder of Tender Angel Collections; an enterprise that specializes in creating different designs, types, and sizes of slippers that are affordable to Nigerians. She has used her skills to empower housewives, students, and other young people through training and internship opportunities.

Blessing Ese (aka Classic Ese on Facebook)

Blessing, the 1st Runner-Up of Terraskills SME Challenge1.0, graduated from Imo State Polytechnic in Owerri. She is the founder of Classic Coal; an enterprise located in Asaba, Delta State which deals in the sale of charcoal. She became an entrepreneur in order to close the energy gap in her community. Nigeria suffers from epileptic power supply; and the high and fluctuating price of kerosene and gas makes it even more difficult for the majority of Nigerian families to access energy for basic cooking. As a result, she identified the need to supply wood coal; which provides low-cost energy to families who cannot afford other expensive energy sources. She has been able to support herself and train others who want to buy and sell charcoal.

Fatima Muhammad Ali

Fatima, the 2^nd Runner-Up of the Terraskills SME Challenge1.0 is an entrepreneur in the food industry who founded Halima Tasty Bites; a business located in Plateau State. She makes snacks for a living and employs other youths.

Uguba Ndubuisi

Uguba, the 3rd Runner-Up of the Terraskills SME Challenge1.0 is an entrepreneur in the food industry who manages Uguba and Sons Ventures, a restaurant that serves different Nigerian delicacies, and is located in Ebonyi State.

Precious Akunnaya (aka abowl_ohf_cherie on Instagram)

Precious, 4th Runner-Up of Terraskills SME Challenge1.0 is a student and an entrepreneur who founded Cherietique_World, a fashion enterprise that deals in the importation and sales of clothing in Abia State.

The Next Phase

Terraskills SME Challenge will occur bi-monthly (6 times every year). The second phase of the Challenge (#TerraskillsSMEchallenge2.0) will commence on Tuesday, 29th June 2021.

We believe that community support is essential to achieving a sustainable economy; and hope this initiative will inspire creativity and innovation among other Nigerians and young people around the world.

For this and much more Information relating to employability skills, employment opportunities, career advancement, and entrepreneurship development; Join our Telegram and WhatsApp groups, and also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook