BY MOSES IKEBELI

The winners of the second edition of Unilever Nigeria sponsored Ideatrophy business challenge emerged at the grand finale of the competition held in Lagos.

Team ‘Life buoy Musketeers’, from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, beat six other teams in a keenly contested battle of business ideas to emerge winners. Two other teams ‘Aspire’ from Federal University of Technology, Minna and ‘Deluxe Brains’ from Abia state University emerged first and second runners up respectively.

The Ideatrophy competition is a national competition which gives Undergraduates from various Universities in Nigeria an opportunity to develop and execute strategies that deliver business results.

Speaking at the grand finale, the Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Thabo Mabe congratulated the winning team “I congratulate the ‘Life buoy Musketeers’ for a well deserved victory. They brilliantly analysed the business case they were presented with and came up with winning ideas.  I also congratulate the other participating teams who also made an impressive showing during the regional draws and the grand finale”.

Mr. Mabe also expressed Unilever Nigeria’s passion to help equip Nigerian Undergraduates with invaluable business skills that will help them become successful entrepreneurs or outstanding employees when they graduate, “Our sponsorship of the ideatrophy business challenge is in line with Unilever’s commitment to developing the quality of lives of citizens in communities where we do business.

We believe at Unilever that one of the ways through which Nigerian youths can be equipped to contribute to this country’s economic development is by helping them acquire cutting edge business skills, and that is exactly what the Ideatrophy competition is all about”

Members of the winning team could hardly contain their excitement. One of the team members, Brenda Agidi, a  400 level Geology student at the  Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said winning the competition gave her an “indescribable sense of Achievement”, she was also immensely grateful to Unilever for giving her an opportunity to participate in the competition.

“Participating in the Ideatrophy Competition has been a life-changing experience. Although I haven’t graduated, I have learnt so much about the world of business and how to develop potent strategies that can win in the marketplace.  I can’t thank Unilever enough for this huge opportunity”