Ex-PSN boss Ajibade urges youths to tap local opportunities at GenSpark 2026 summit

According to him, strengthening local industries remains critical to economic growth, adding that initiatives like GenSpark 2026 are aimed at empowering individuals and fostering sustainable development.

He said "We need to promote our local products, we need to embark on production of goods we are producing locally. We cannot just sit down and expect the change to happen. We need to take advantage of the opportunities. 

"It gives me pleasure to welcome our important dignitaries and delegates to this maiden edition of Genspark 2026; Entrepreneurs' Empowerment Summit and Ibadan Business Exhibition holding live at the Indoor Games Hall, Liberty Stadium, Ibadan from March 17- 21, 2026. All praises to Almighty God the giver of life, the one behind this project and for making real our good intentions. 

"Genspark 2026 is a product and advancement of the various entrepreneurial projects that Gleanforte  Academy has embarked upon for so many years. The need to fill the obvious gaps affecting professionals  and individuals venturing into business, the challenges encountered and the need to provide a platform for excellence in business is the bedrock for this gathering. 

"Genspark 2026 is focusing on capacity development and skills enhancement for entrepreneurs, which is expected to boost job creation and improve living standards in Nigeria. The summit will feature masterclasses, business clinics, and mentorship sessions with industry leaders, covering topics like 

production, leadership, and regulatory compliance business endeavours as simple as many views it has been a challenge to many people. Having the resources or the desire to venture into business is not the major issue but having the understanding of what we are set to achieve and the how has made many business enthusiasts fail out of this onerous adventure. 

"Business as a platform for earning income is a wonderful platform for development and good living when well actualized. Business thrives when our engagements and activities are providing solutions to the 

various challenges we wake up daily as a nation to overcome. I have watched the keen interest in how business ideas that are expected to change the course of our lives have failed and great economic drains resulting therein. 

"Our younger generation have been dissatisfied with what the country has become, the high level unemployment, insecurity, poor social amenities, healthcare delivery system inadequacies, inflation and many more. They have become the Andrew of the old checking out of the country in the latest move known as Japa Syndrome. We are here to provide hope and direction for them to take advantage of the opportunities that foreigners are trooping into Nigeria for on a daily basis. 

"The manpower of any nation is the strength of their country and with several challenges bedeviling our nation, we cannot leave them all alone to the government to provide the solutions. Glean-Forte Academy as a private organization involved in entrepreneurship, empowerment and vocational training deemed it fit a responsibility to champion this initiative as a support system to the various governmental programmes towards empowerment and economic development of our nation. 

In this one-week long event, we have carefully packaged the programmes to support business people with necessary skills to thrive, scale, become successful CEOs and great businesses of tomorrow. 

"Our various sessions are designed to cause a major mindset shift towards productive endeavours rather than complaining of the challenges which are opportunities lurking around our nation. The business exhibition part of this summit is a vital platform we have provided to promote businesses, enhance brand visibility, cause new business relationships, business networking and patronage of locally manufactured products as a way to showcase our strength as a country on the path to self sufficiency.

"The lineup of our great facilitators at this summit is not a coincidence but an intentional outing to bring about practical business development and success close the delegates for a one to one engagement which is believed to be more potent than motivational speaking that many people are daily loaded with.

"Some of the key areas of focus include: Industrial Skills Development: Equipping participants with practical skills to jumpstart Nigeria's manufacturing sector, entrepreneurial Mindset: Shifting participants' mindset from consumption to local production and innovation. Regulatory Compliance: Educating participants on regulatory requirements and product registration. Networking Opportunities: Connecting young entrepreneurs with industry leaders and potential investors. Exhibition and Showcase: Featuring over 2,000 locally manufactured products, providing visibility and patronage for exhibitors. 

"The summit is in four main sessions namely Masterclasses; where specific issues of business development would be trashed and useful nuggets handed over to the delegates. The focussed sessions are designed moments of interface with various collaborating government agencies where opportunities are provided for the delegates to tap into the various provisions of governments supporting business and entrepreneurial development. The business clinic session is a unique role modelling session with great business leaders sharing their stories, business trajectory and how they surmounted various business curves to become leading lights in their businesses. It provides a unique platform for mentorship and opportunity for business coaching.

"The Ibadan Business Exhibition is the platform for the various partners of Genspark 2026 to showcase their brands and a platform to strengthen their business relationships, open new business frontiers and cause penetration of their brands. Setting out on this ambitious project has not been an easy task, my team who are the brain behind what we are celebrating today have committed eight months of intense work, burning night candles to ensure we have our desires come to pass. Permit me to pay glowing recognition to Mr Isaac Fadele our ITguru, Pharm Hamidat Atere- Akeukereke, madam fix it, Pharm Taoheed Arogundade, Pharm Bolu Ajibade, the graphic handle, Mr Yomi Fadare, Mrs Labake Raji, CEOAfrica, Mr Yemi Sonde of YES FM, Mr Seun Akinola our Director of Ceremony, management of Liberty Stadium and several other people who have been instrumental to this summit. You are all appreciated.

"Our dear dignitaries and delegates, we are here for a week of innovation, business empowerment and a hub for business expansion. Our humble contributions to the economic advancement of Oyo State and Nigeria in general is a token we are committed to and would be a yearly event digging out the requirements and proffering useful support to the upcoming generations. We are glad to also announce that we shall be supporting three businesses to a tune of N1m through a keenly contested business pitching that will be taking place during this summit.

"On the final note, I want to pay a glowing tribute to the indefatigable Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency,

Governor Seyi Abiodun Makinde whose leadership has provided opportunity and the enabling business environment for the citizenry. His interest in youth empowerment through the various programmes of the State is our motivation and his leadership has ensured our peaceful gathering here today. The support of the Oyo State government for this summit is innumerable and is highly appreciated.  We are grateful". 

Other speakers at the event included the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Commerce, Investment and Cooperatives in Oyo State, Hon Adeniyi Adebisi, Director-General, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, Dr Adebowale Akande who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr Kolawole Badmus, Pharmacist Abimbola Adebakin and State Manager of SMEDAN, Mrs Iyabo Ojogbede. 

They all advised the youths to make wise use of the available opportunities in the country.