Favour Ijaja Triumphs in Creative Hustle 2.0, Clinching N500,000 Prize

In a remarkable display of talent and innovation, Favour Ijaja emerged as the victor in the prestigious 2023 edition of Creative Hustle 2.0, a capacity building program designed to empower students to excel in their studies while flourishing in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Favour Ijaja, a 400 Level Student of Theatre and Performing Arts at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, showcased unparalleled prowess to secure the coveted prize of N500,000, demonstrating her exceptional ability to integrate academic pursuits with entrepreneurial ventures.

Themed “Study and Hustle,” Creative Hustle’s second edition received sponsorship from Gazzelle Business Solutions in collaboration with the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts Television at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The project was facilitated by BKMI.

With its long-standing commitment to providing a platform for Nigerian youths and small businesses, particularly creative talents, as well as vocational training for artisans and professionals, Gazelle aims to propel talents and enterprises to greater heights. The strategic initiative fosters business process re-orientation for professionals, fostering business growth, and redirects students’ mindsets towards leveraging their diverse talents and innovative ideas to achieve sustainable livelihoods.

Commending the creative endeavors of all participating students, Muna Onuzo-Adetona PhD, the Chief Executive of Gazzelle Business Solutions, encouraged heightened contributions to future editions to enhance the exhibition of talents. She emphasized that the primary objective is to equip students with the requisite skills and entrepreneurial knowledge essential for self-reliance and taking charge of their personal and career aspirations.

Widely known as the ‘Startup Doctor,’ Dr. Muna praised Nigerian youths for their remarkable resourcefulness, innovation, and creativity. Nonetheless, she expressed concern that the absence of a creative platform has left many of the nation’s youth neglected and devoid of opportunities to channel their vocations constructively. Consequently, social vices, such as internet fraud, drug abuse, and transactional sex, have taken root, adversely affecting societal well-being.

Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Dr. Muna underscored the pressing issue of youth unemployment, which has grown to alarming proportions, particularly in Nigeria, a nation boasting one of the largest populations of young people in Africa, with 55 million unemployed youths. Engaging the youth has become an imperative to tackle the high unemployment rates in the country, prompting the support of capacity building initiatives like the Creative Hustle.

The focal point of this year’s event, titled “Study and Hustle,” was to empower creative Nigerian students who balance academic pursuits with entrepreneurial endeavors. Gazelle’s plan to support the three best students through a well-structured contest signifies its dedication to nurturing budding talents.

Participants vied for the grand prize by presenting their ideas on effectively combining academics with business growth through concise one-minute videos. The grand prize of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) awaited the victor, while the second and third place winners received Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000.00) and One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000.00) respectively.

The event, which commenced online on June 12, 2023, invited entries from Nigerian students across various campuses. The response was overwhelming, with many enthusiastic youths showcasing their crafts and business ventures. Among the numerous submissions, ten finalists were selected and invited to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for the grand finale held on July 2, 2023.

Dr. Muna, the Startup Doctor, reiterated the mission to establish a sustainable pathway to financial and personal emancipation for every youth engaged in meaningful hustles while pursuing their studies, mitigating the allure of criminal activities as a survival tactic. She stressed the importance of enhancing innovation, skills, and entrepreneurial capacity to achieve this transformative goal.