It is evident to any keen observer that the abysmal truth of Africa’s underutilized capacity in the face of her enormous potential to become a global leader in business has driven home. Business mentoring has come to stay in Africa and is arguably a major force in her development.

It is in line with this trend, that Nigeria’s Tiffany Amber launched the Women of Vision Mentorship Program in 2014 with the backing of Diamond Woman. Now, after 710 applications and a pitch session that featured 60 finalists, 17 mentees have emerged to proceed in the capacity building initiative.

The pitch session, which held in Lagos boasted of a rich panel featuring Folake Coker (CEO Tiffany Amber Nigeria), Ayona Trimnell (Divisional Head, Corporate Communications Diamond Bank), Aishah Ahmad (Head of Retail Banking, Diamond Bank), Osayi Alile (Chairperson, WIMBIZ), Nkiru Adekoya (Business Partner & Board Member, Tiffany Amber Nigeria), Omoyemi Akerele (Founder & Creative Director, Style House Files, Tiffany Amber Woman of Vision 2014), and Ifeoluwa Otedola (DJ Cuppy, Tiffany Amber Woman of Vision 2014).

Folake Coker, CEO Tiffany Amber Nigeria

Confronted by the quality of ideas and motivation projected by the young applicants, these female icons finally picked 17 mentees as against the 15 earmarked for the program. Said Ms. Coker, “All the applicants were so motivated and engaging, I was inspired. I wish the program could accommodate all of them because they are all winners for wanting to better themselves. What an emotional day.”

On her motivation for launching the initiative, the fashion industry trailblazer said, “The importance of mentorship cannot be overemphasized; it is key to the growth of an individual. If only I had an older me, mentor the younger me in the early years of being an entrepreneur, I would have definitely made less mistakes.”

The program, tagged #WOVMP is supported by Diamond Woman, an offshoot of Diamond Bank. The bank is presently promoting another of its initiatives to mentor and finance small businesses – BET5.

Similarly, other bodies that have committed to raising a mentored and sound crop of African entrepreneurs are Mara mentor, Tony Elumelu Foundation, She Leads Africa, Pan Atlantic University’s EDC, and a host of others. The Nigerian government was not left behind with the previous administration’s YOUWIN program.

If you are young and enterprising, you really must take advantage of these opportunities and get mentored to success.