By Vivian Emoni
The Eminent Emerging Entrepreneurs Foundation (EEEF), a non-governmental organisation, has urged entrepreneurs to adopt climate justice and sustainable innovation as tools for creating decent jobs and reducing unemployment in Nigeria.
Mr Eberechi Marcus, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EEEF, made the call at the organisation’s 9th Annual Summit on Wednesday in Abuja.
The summit, organised in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), was themed: “Strategic Positioning and Climate Justice: Keys to Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Decent Job Creation.”
Marcus said the event brought together Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) operators, policymakers, and industry players to discuss strategies for inclusive growth and employment generation.
He added that the summit emphasised the need for entrepreneurs to adopt eco-friendly business models and leverage climate change opportunities to create jobs while promoting fairness and justice in economic activities.
“The overwhelming response to this year’s summit shows the growing interest of young people in entrepreneurship and job creation,” he said.
According to Marcus, EEEF has trained over 5,000 young Nigerians in various entrepreneurial skills over the past 10 years.
He added that the foundation plans to link participants with institutions and funding opportunities to expand their businesses and enhance employability.
“The organisation is planning to launch a national campaign to promote decent job creation as a social right for Nigerians.
“We have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Human Rights Commission to institutionalise the campaign,” he said.
He further noted that EEEF partners with national and international organisations to ensure its programmes are sustainable, and leverages social and traditional media platforms to reach MSME operators across the country.
Dr Ifeoma Agu, Founder of Thelema Lion Foundation, called on entrepreneurs to support the building of an inclusive, fair, and sustainable future for Nigeria, stressing that climate justice is both an economic and moral responsibility.
“Let us learn, share, connect, and most importantly, build a nation we can all be proud of,” she said.
Mrs Blessing Ojoma, Principal Partner of Olanira Ojoma and Co., urged business owners to adopt proper bookkeeping practices to aid financial planning, access funding, and enhance business growth.
Ojoma said accurate records of income, expenses, assets, debtors, and creditors help entrepreneurs identify weak areas, improve profitability, ensure tax compliance, and attract investors.
She recommended tools such as Excel or Google Sheets to promote sustainability and business expansion.
Mrs Adaobi Ajuluchukwu, a participant, commended the organisers for their commitment to capacity building and knowledge sharing, describing the summit as timely, enriching, and impactful.
She said the workshop would enhance productivity and professional development among participants.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit reflects the growing focus on linking entrepreneurship with climate action, social equity, and inclusive economic growth. (NAN)
Edited by Francis Onyeukwu
