ENTERPRISE54 – A Lagos based Non-Governmental Organization known as Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa is taking the lead in empowering young Social entrepreneurs through it Social Innovative Programme.

LEAP Africa inducted 20 new social entrepreneurs on Thursday at an event that was held at the city hall in Lagos Island. The organization is charged with the vision of helping young social innovators to grow their business.

Speaking with some of the 2013 fellow of the Social Innovators Programme, they revealed the advantage and importance of LEAP Africa in Nigeria.

“Leap Africa creates a really great opportunity for me, because the lessons I was given during my fellowship was very impactful” says Ayoola Micheal Ajebeku, Co-Founder Nearest Locator and 2013 fellow of SIP “beyond money it was really great for me with leap Africa I learnt things that will take me three years to learn in a business School and pay hundreds of thousands.”

Another 2013 fellow, Bunmi Otegbade, Founder Generation Enterprise (GEN), explained the impact the fellowship had on his business.

“The fellowship experience has been wonderful, developing our social enterprise in Nigeria particularly with training and networking” Otegbadi said.

He cheerfully added: “LEAP Africa helped my company by training the staff and that was a big one for me.”

“I have been helping prisoners for one year and it’s been stressful and fun because that is what we have passion for, but there is always a tough problem of getting fund which LEAP Africa is really supporting us financially.” Says Hassan Seun Daniel another LEAP fellow.

It is quite known that helping the youth does not seem to be an easy task and with LEAP Africa coming in as an N.G.O to invest in youth led organizations, it certainly seems to be heading in the right direction.

Olufemi Omotayo, Founder EntrepreNEWS/Young Startup Network and a 2014 fellow is another social entrepreneur using the media as a tool to raise a new generation of young entrepreneurs.

“The summary of this opportunity shows that people are watching what I am doing and it encourage me to want to do more” said Omotayo.

He has been providing viable information for entrepreneurs through his online platform and building a strong business network, providing information for upcoming startup in Nigeria.

“For me it is been tough doing this business for two years, but with the support I will be getting from leap Africa it will help my business to grow” Omotayo said.