Kennedy Iyeh Wins Next Titan Season 4

Peter Uzoho

After 10 weeks of intense entrepreneurial contest, young agribusiness entrepreneur and graduate of Microbiology from the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State, Mr. Kennedy Iyeh, has emerged winner of the Next Titan Season 4 competition, smiling home with N5 million and a brand new Ford Ranger car.

At the grand finale held Sunday in Lagos, 22-year-old Iyeh surpassed three of his competitors in the last four of the show with his great business idea which seeks to use organic method of farming and cultivation to produce herbs and seeds that will serve as raw materials for the manufacturing of cooking flavours. With his brand, Blue Leaf (herbs and spices), he wants to use compost manure and animal droppings to produce herbs for culinary use instead of fertiliser as a way of preventing health hazards.

In the last four contest characterised by intense challenge and struggle to win, Iyeh pitch his business idea against the other three as each tried to prove why his or her business idea was superior to the other. They included, Amaka Nworah who is into shoe manufacturing; Adenike Ogundarun, cake making; and Sam Dioka, whose business focuses on manufacturing bags using plant fibres to discourage the use of nylon bags. They also had the judges to encounter with as their entrepreneurial skills were tested through asking them to show cause why their business ideas would be viable and able to compete in their respective lines of business.

In his excitement, the winner of the show, Iyeh, said: “I feel very excited. It has been a very tasking journey so far – spending two months here, all the way from Enugu, so I’m happy that I’m going back with something. I thank the organisers and the sponsors for putting up this programme for us.”

He said with land already available to him, the money would enable him to acquire seeds and getting a tractor and some other things for his venture.

Speaking to journalists at the event, Chief Judge of the show and Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr. Kyari Bukar, said the programme has immense impact on both the contestants and the viewers. Bukar said: “Indeed, even viewers have sent me messages that they have learnt a great deal about how to start their business or how to run their business.

“So it sets very well with the many Nigerian concepts. Look at these young people that are trying to change the face of this country by creating something, developing something and selling it and growing their businesses.”

The Next Titan is an entrepreneurship reality TV show sponsored by Heritage Bank in partnership with Coscharis Motors, and others, organised by Bravopoints International. It has recorded successes in creating awareness among Nigerian youth, and changing their mindset to become job providers instead of job seekers.