A popular Abuja-based socialite and entrepreneur, Alexandra Alexander, has launched a multipurpose cooperative society, Gifted Hands, Thrift and Cooperative, in Abuja to support over 20,000 young entrepreneurs in the country.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the launching was attended by many government officials, business owners, young entrepreneurs and representative of professional bodies.
Speaking at the launching, the chairman of the occasion and Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, hailed the Chief Executive Officer of the platform for setting up the initiative to help young entrepreneurs grow.
He said: “This is a wonderful initiative primed to meet the needs and challenges of young business owners.
“I am glad and excited that Gifted Hands Thrift and Cooperative is at the forefront in enabling easy access to funds to sustain and expand businesses.”
Mr Rafsanjani, therefore, urged the managers of the newly-launched cooperative platform to maintain consistency in the financial sector, saying that loan applications should be made convenient with flexible collateral and favourable interest rates.
According to him, application tracking, and robust customer service, among others should be instilled.
In his remark, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Youth and Students Affairs, Nasir Adhama, who was represented by his Technical Assistant, Dr. Aminu Isyaku, declared his willingness to partnership with the cooperative society in supporting young entrepreneurs.
Delivering a goodwill message, a Senior Legislative Aide at the House of Representatives, Mohammed Qarib-Ibrahim urged enterprising youths across the country to take advantage of the funds to become self-reliant.
Earlier in her speech, Alexandra, popularly known as Alexxia, said the platform was poised towards empowering Small and Medium-scale Enterprises by making funds readily available for them to sustain and scale up their businesses.
She said: “I am delighted and proud to launch this Cooperative initiative which we believe will have a tremendous impact on people’s lives. We are looking at empowering no fewer than 20,000 young entrepreneurs.
“So, Gifted Hands Thrift and Cooperative is more than just a Cooperative, it reflects our passion for enriching lives and commitment to expanding our will to young entrepreneurs who needs to thrive in their businesses.”
She further explained that according to relevant statistics, SMEs in Nigeria contributes a whopping 48% into the Gross Domestic Products, GDP, accounting for 96% of businesses, and providing 84% employment opportunities for citizens.
“It is this realization that has birthed the Gifted Hands Thrift and Cooperative, which is geared towards ensuring the easy access of loans to SMEs, with a platform for investment.
“We want to demystify the gruesome challenge of funding for those who genuinely have entrepreneurial vision, and are willing to make a bold step towards the seemingly distant future,” Alexxia said.
