Ondo State is set to hot the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF), the premier international event that brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and industry leaders from across the globe. Scheduled for November 22-24, 2024, this groundbreaking festival will take place at the Entrepreneurship Village in Akure, Nigeria.
As the global community faces critical issues such as climate change, poverty, and social inequality, the GEF is positioned as a platform for fostering international cooperation and driving innovative solutions. The festival will be anchored on the recent outcomes of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA2024) and the Summit of the Future, with a strong focus on advancing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the goal of eradicating poverty.
The theme for this year’s event, “Beyond Boundaries: Poverty Eradication through Entrepreneurship,” was unveiled during a Global Press Conference held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on August 20, 2024. The press conference, which was broadcast live to audiences in ten different countries including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, and India, set the tone for what is expected to be a landmark event in the world of entrepreneurship.
Dan Walkovitz, a key member of the GEF Board and Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Village, emphasized the festival’s significance in building a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. He pointed out that the GEF is rooted in the principles of entrepreneurship and collaboration, creating a unique space where leading minds in business, technology, and creativity can converge to share and develop ideas.
Dr. Summy Smart Francis, who serves as the Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship and Innovation to the Ondo State Government, provided an overview of the festival’s comprehensive agenda. Over the course of three days, the event will host more than 5,000 participants, with numbers expected to swell to 15,000 during the closing concert. The festival will include twelve concurrent events such as conferences, networking sessions, investor pitches, an innovation expo, and a global leadership forum.
Dr. Francis underscored that the festival is designed not only to address Africa’s pressing challenges but also to foster innovative thinking and create opportunities for deal-making. “This festival is about much more than addressing poverty; it’s about transforming our perception of entrepreneurship and its role in societal progress,” he remarked.
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, through a message delivered by Hon. Wale Akinlosotu, the State Commissioner for Information, expressed the government’s full support for the festival. He highlighted the vital role of entrepreneurship in combating poverty and expressed pride in Ondo State’s role as host of this significant global event.
A notable highlight of the press conference was the announcement of a special event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” boxing match. Organized by the legendary Don King and his team, this event will promote the idea of Sport for Development as part of the festival’s broader agenda.
Additional insights were shared by other GEF Board members, including GEF Chairman Otunba ‘Wanle Akinboboye, Ms. Foluke Michael, and Hon. Shina Peller, who spoke about the diverse components of the festival. They highlighted the importance of partnerships in addressing global challenges, particularly in relation to SDG 1: No Poverty.
The conference, which drew participation from diplomats, government representatives, business leaders, and influencers, concluded with a powerful message: the Global Entrepreneurship Festival is more than just an event; it is a global movement dedicated to reshaping the future of entrepreneurship in not just Ondo State but the entire continent. With its focus on youth engagement and entrepreneurial development, the festival is set to spark a global wave of innovation and sustainable development.
