News: Linda Ikeji, Jason Njoku, Sim Shagaya (Konga Online) et al feature in Huffington Post as 12 Young Entrepreneurs

Here are the 12 Young Entrepreneurs who make Mary Olushoga, Founder of  The AWP Network optimistic about Nigeria's future. These young entrepreneurs are out in the field establishing businesses and providing solutions within their various communities.

(1) Jason Njoku is co-founder of iROKOtv, the largest online distributor of Nollywood films.
(2) Tola Onigbanjo is co-founder of Women4Africa, a UK-based organization celebrating, recognizing, and honoring African women who have made great impact in their communities.
(3) Mark Essien is founder of Hotels.ng, Nigeria's leading hotel booking portal.
(4) Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola is co-founder of WeCyclers, a company giving low-income communities in developing countries a chance to capture value from waste and clean up their neighborhoods through an incentive-based recycling program.
(5) Gbenga Sesan is founder of the Paradigm Initiative (PIN), an organization using ICT to empower young people in underserved communities through entrepreneurial training programs.
(6) Linda Ikeji is founder of the Linda Ikeji blog, Nigeria's most visited blog. Over the years, Ikeji's blog has become an advertising platform for artists, entrepreneurs, and top Nigerian companies. Although considered a controversial blogger, Linda uses her sense of humor to attract her readers. Ikeji has adopted an effective sales strategy and leveraged on partnerships with various companies.
(7) Zanau Hassan Maikasuwa is a seasoned farmer and founder of Farmfields Agro-Allied Services, which supports local farmers and agricultural investors dealing with all aspects of farming - animals and crops. Zanau also helped to launch the AWP Network Agropreneur project for Women Farmers.
(8) Misan Rewane is founder of West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE), an organization tackling youth unemployment by identifying, training, and placing talented West African youths in wage-earning jobs in the hospitality sector.
(9) Debo Folorunsho is co-founder of Applause Africa, a media publishing company celebrating, empowering, and connecting Africans in the United States through online programs and in-person events.
(10) Ola Orekunrin is founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, West Africa's first indigenous air ambulance service and a crucial link for critically injured people.
(11) Sim Shagaya is founder of Konga Online, Nigeria's leading e-commerce company. The Konga marketplace aggregates sellers and retail stores on the same platform, giving customers more variety to choose from.
(12) Achenyo Idachaba is founder of MitiMeth, a company producing hand-woven crafts from invasive aquatic weeds prevalent in Nigeria's waterways. MitiMeth engages local artisans to create eco-friendly hand- woven home décor and personal accessories from invasive aquatic weeds and non-timber forest resources.
Nigeria's future may appear bleak with the lack of effective governance, or the growing number of kidnappings and bombings. Despite these circumstances, Nigeria's young innovative entrepreneurs make me hopeful.

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