In an uncommon move among churches, the Celestial Church of Christ, PraiseVille led by veteran journalist, life coach and reputation specialist, Shepherd [Dr.] Kunle Hamilton has presented seed capital worth N2.4 million to 12 young Christians, in cash prizes won at the just concluded “TheVille Tycoon Business Pitch Challenge” held in Lagos.
Explaining the good news to newsmen who covered the church event live, Dr. Hamilton said: “The 12 business pitchers, who are all Celestians from different parishes, emerged finalists over a three-week submission and evaluation process. TheVille Tycoon Challenge is an open presentation in which all 12 finalists pitched their business ideas before five business mentors and judges, while the congregation watched.
“Initially, we had announced only N500,000 cash win at N100,000 each for five winners with small businesses. Then we noticed that some submissions would do better with more startup capital, so we moved the stakes to N2,000,000 for eight winners. But on Saturday 31st January when we hosted TheVille Tycoon Challenge as part of CCC PraiseVille’s 10XBetter Annual Convention, we eventually increased the stakes to N2,400,000 to accommodate all 12 pitchers on compassionate grounds” Hamilton said.
The top three winners of N500,000 each were Ayomipo Ogunkoya (Crochet Designer), Olanrewaju Akinwale (Honey Merchant) and Olasunkanmi Abeeb (Tailor and Trader).
Nine pitchers who won N100,000 each were Ruth Adebayo (Sharwama Seller), Samuel Ogun (Grasscutter Farmer), Isaac Animashaun and Rebecca Afolabi (Palm Oil Traders), Temiloluwa Lawal (Handmade Bags), Sarah Adebimpe (Lingerie Maker), Julianah Olajide (Tailor), Yusuf Aderoju (Bread Baker), Toyin Ogundimu (Okrika Clothes) and PraiseVille’s blind but diligent percussionist, Jayboy Olaitan Oloyede (Handcrafts, Perfumes, etc).
Judges who supervised the final process in which the winners emerged were CCC PraiseVille’s Snr. Evang. Olatunde Folaji, Sup. Evang. [Dr.] Precious Iluku, Sis. Olusola Ajayi and Sis. Tolulope Adebowale – all chartered accountants – and the Shepherd.
“Each of our 12 new small business owners aka ‘TheVille Tycoons’ will enjoy guidance and mentorship over the next three months to encourage them make the best use of their seed capital. At CCC PraiseVille, where testimonies live and lives thrive, we train Celestians in leadership, entrepreneurship along with born-again, Kingdom-focused Christian character development. Our sermons, teachings and trainings have transformed many lives, home and abroad” Shepherd [Dr.] Kunle Hamilton said.
