City Awareness Walk for Global Entrepreneurship Week Organized by CBN South-South EDC

CITY OF CALABAR WITNESSES THE BIGGEST ENTREPRENEURSHIP ROAD WALK
Saturday 14th November, 2015: City Awareness Walk
TAG LINE: My Business, My Tomorrow.
Route: 4KM Walk through, Marian Road, IBB Way, Akim Road, Etaagbor Road. Culminated in a picnic at the Airport Green.
Time: 8am; Kick-off point – Prof. Eyoita House, 71 Marian Road, Calabar.
 
“I Love My Business”, “My Business is my tomorrow”, “without my business, am finished” – These were some of the response of entrepreneurs and business owners who thronged out in large numbers to welcome the City Walk Team. The walk kicked off from CBN SS EDC office at Prof. Eyo Ita House through Marian Road– Rabana and Akim Market. At the Akim Market, Business owners came out from their shops to identify with the message of the team, Shop owners including children danced to the lovely music coming out from the loud speakers. Shop owners were seen shouting “I love my Business” – My Business is my Tomorrow” as the team walked by them. The team continued the walk through Etta-Agbor and made a brief stop at IBB roundabout where they performed a brief 10minutes dance road show to the admiration of passersby and commercial drivers who were shouting “I love my Business”.  Some of the Business owners who spoke, acknowledged that doing business is the best thing that has happened to them as it makes them more independent and free to grow and explore other opportunities. Mr. Fidelis who runs a sporting wear outfit at Marian road, said that “People tend to look down on business owners but the reverse should be the case. For instance, am a graduate and I own this business, I don’t believe there is any Government job that can pay me what am presently making in this business”. Another person Mrs. Effiong was all smiles as she noted that if only people know and understand the hidden wealth in running a business, everybody will embrace business. Her jewelry business has grown from strength to strength as it now employs 20 different hands and contributes to the Nigerian Economy through regular payment of tax.
The walk finally ended with a picnic at the Airport Green Field as the team used the opportunity to relax and interact with one another. There was ready prepared refreshment for everyone, and other attractions like dancing competition and best runner. The City Walk, organized by CBN South-South Entrepreneurship Development Centre was to kick-off all the activities marked to celebrate the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Week. The aim of the City Walk was create awareness of Global Entrepreneurship Week, engage and interact with community business owners/CEOs and encourage more people to see business as a sure way to financial freedom and wealth.
Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators, who launch start-ups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare, during one week in November. GEW is a platform positioned to inspire people everywhere through entrepreneurial activities to help exploit existing and emerging opportunities as well as intimate networking gatherings, connect practitioners to prospective investors, collaborators and even mentors. 
 As an institution set up to drive entrepreneurship within the region, collaborating with the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, and joining the global entrepreneurship community, the CBN South South Entrepreneurship Development Centre, has organized commemorative events to celebrate the week.  The events which are highlighted below, are open to captains of industry, government agencies, Entrepreneurs, Financial Community and General members of the public.
Other activities lined up for the Global Entrepreneurship Week 2015
DATES: 14TH THROUGH TO 20TH NOVEMBER, 2015.
Monday 16th November, 2015: Celebrating Entrepreneurship
Theme: Campus CEO
Venue: Cross River State University of Technology, Ekpo Abasi -  Calabar.
Time: 9.00am
 
Vocational Training for Youngsters (Secondary School Students)
Venue: Prof Eyo Ita House
Time: 10am
Skills Covered: Catering, Ankara Crafts, Hair Styling, Beading.
 
Wednesday 18th November, 2015: AgriPreneurs/ Innovative Thinking Workshop
Venue: Prof. Eyo Ita House, Marian Road, Calabar.
Theme: Re-emerging Agricultural Sector-Funding and Opportunities.
Featuring: Team Charis – Winners of the Global Innovation Challenge USA.
Time: 9.00am
 
Friday 20th November, 2015: CEO’s Round Table Dinner
Theme: Funding the SME Sector
Time: 5.00pm
Venue: Obudu Hall, Prof Eyo Ita House, Marian Road.
(Strictly by Invitation)