Programme mentors are volunteers who meet set criteria and are willing to commit to mentoring assigned entrepreneurs for 2 hours monthly, over a 12-month period. TEF Mentors are assigned to no more than 3 mentees in a task-based learning forum and are rewarded with certificates of achievements and value-add opportunities.  Following review and acceptance of mentorship application, access to the mentorship and learning platform will be given and administrative matching will occur between mentees and mentors to ensure appropriate pairing that keys into the business interests of mentees.

To apply to be a TEF mentor, the individual is required to speak either English, French, Portuguese or Arabic fluently, possess quality interpersonal and listening skills, be entrepreneurial and business savvy, committed to own learning, and passionate about developing others.

According to the Director of Operations of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Titi Akinola, “We believe that African entrepreneurs deserve tailored guidance, especially in the early stages of their businesses to bridge skills gaps and activate personal and professional development that will enable them scale. Mentorship is a cornerstone of an entrepreneur’s journey, and augments existing technical and financial support that the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme offers.” 

Launched in 2010, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has trained, mentored and funded over 9,000 entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries, and created a digital ecosystem, TEFConnect, which supports over one million young Africans across the world.

Prospective mentors are encouraged to Apply Now.

The post TEF Opens Call for Mentors appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

TEF: How did you get the business idea?

Etiobhio Samuel: My business Idea came from suggestions from fellow colleagues who knew I was very good at this and urged me to turn it to a business outfit. Initially, I had taken it strictly as a hobby. I began training young students in this field who are even better than me right now. I currently have 15 employees.

TEF: Tell us more about your art business, Magnum Arts

ES: Magnum Arts is strictly involved in Portrait painting especially using the pastel medium. We paint and frame accordingly and try to meet clients’ needs as quickly as possible. We are also involved in training young talents in this field and sponsoring up to university level. The company has made portraits for a couple of Nigerian Celebrities in the movie and music industry. Top for us is the portrait presented to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa.

TEF: How does your company help the community where it is located

ES: Magnum Arts is involved in the training and empowerment of young artists. We plan to establish art clubs in various secondary schools of the state where we are based- Edo State. We organize inter university art contests of which cash prices given out to winners.

TEF: The TEF forum this year was extraordinary for me. It was the best thing that happened to me this year. I learnt a lot! I would have used over $1500 to learn in various international business schools but it was all handed to me on a plate of gold. I learnt how to pitch better, which has helped me so much. Learnt better ways of rebranding, packaging and most importantly keeping my clients. The title ‘Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur’ opened business doors for me. After completing the 12 week intensive training, I was invited to Aso rock for an interactive session with Mr President and where I also made an art presentation to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina on his behalf. They were so glad I was a Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur. At the forum, I was wowed by the series of Master classes as well as the various success stories from previous entrepreneurs and I promised myself to be a part of it. I want to be a little Tony Elumelu in my state.

Magnum Arts is very social media friendly. Works can be ordered from the company directly via our mobile phone number +2348060676809,
Twitter @osemagnum
Instagram @MAGNUMARTS
Email address samuelosemudiamen@gmail.com

The post Meet Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur, Dr. Etiobhio Samuel appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Straight Talk with Shaka Ssali guest, Tony Elumelu discusses the work at the Foundation with entrepreneurs. Something new is coming to the Tony Elumelu Foundation…watch this space

The post Tony Elumelu on His Foundation’s Work With Entrepreneurs appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Dr. Saeed Jumah is the recipient of the 2013 Tony Elumelu Prize for Business presented at the Future Awards, 2013 held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The award is part of Mr. Elumelu’s commitment through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, to identify and support entrepreneurs whose ventures bring about sustainable social impact for their communities.

Dr. Saeed Jumah

In partnership with Red Media, the organisers of the annual Future Awards, Nigeria; the Tony Elumelu Foundation will present over the next five years, the award which includes a N3 million prize as well as an additional N1.5 million to be used towards a project of the recipient’s choosing.

Dr. Jumah was selected for his passion and dedication to creating dental awareness in North-Western Nigeria. He is the founder and CEO of The Smile Shop; a one-stop dental center providing quality dental treatment/services, and retail dental products/accessories. Based in Kano—with plans for additional units in

Abuja, Lagos and Accra within the next 2 years—The Smile Shop is actively involved in dental awareness through various programs and online (social media). It has also received wide media recognition, including a documentary profiling its high standards and quality facilities.

Dr. Saeed Jumah working on a patient

A published author whose book series– illustrated children’s dental book series, “Toothie and Friends”—which is distributed through his innovative schools campaign, Dr. Jumah also hosts a weekly dental health programme—The Dental Show with Dr. Smyls—on a popular radio station in Kano through which he reaches several communities over 3 million people across North-Western Nigeria to promote improved dental health and practices; and also providing free dental check up to school children. Like Tony O Elumelu, after whom the award is named, Dr. Jumah is also committed to helping other aspiring and young entrepreneurs succeed in starting or building their businesses through mentorship and the facilitation of leadership development programmes.

The Smile Shop Team

Of his award, Dr. Jumah says, “This award has further exposed my unique concept of delivering quality and complete dental care through private dental practice and corporate dentistry. This is the first of its kind in Nigeria and something that Africa can be proud of. For other entrepreneurs, this awards is extra motivation to dream big and go for it; regardless of the peculiar, challenging conditions and situations they might be facing in their cities or countries. I believe the opportunity for Africa is now, despite the many challenges (security, government, policies, economic, or infrastructural).”

The Smile Shop

Dr. Jumah will be using his using his prize and project money to:

• Open a new location of The Smile Shop in Abuja;
• Expand upon his dental health awareness efforts through the radio dental program (to cover more cities) and explore the possibility of a nationally syndicated television show; and
• Complete the design and production of The Smile Shop’s 2nd innovative product-BRUSHMATE (A toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue cleaner holder).

In addition to the Tony Elumelu Prize for Business, he has previously been a recipient of the YouWin Grant award from the 1st edition of this program.

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