The grand finale of the Purple Preneur Star, organised by Purple Rain Galore, took place at the Zumji Event Centre in Jos with the theme, “Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs, Innovators and Change-makers.”

The event attracted entrepreneurs, innovators, movie producers, actors, entertainers, political figures, students and other stakeholders committed to promoting youth entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity across Africa.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Purple Rain Galore, Ahmed Oyiza, said Purple Preneur Star was established to discover, develop and empower entrepreneurs, innovators and creators through mentorship, technology, enterprise development and sustainable opportunities.

She said the initiative was inspired by the conviction that talent is universal but opportunities are not, adding that the organisation is determined to ensure that no talent is wasted and no dream is abandoned.

“Purple Rain Galore exists because potential should never be determined by circumstances. We are transforming ideas into businesses, businesses into jobs, and jobs into communities that will prosper. We discover talent, build entrepreneurs, create opportunities and empower young people through mentorship, technology and enterprise development,” she said.

Oyiza described Purple Preneur Star as an African entrepreneurial reality show designed to provide visibility for businesses, develop leadership capacity and connect participants with opportunities that will help them build sustainable enterprises.

Veteran Nollywood actor Sani Mu’azu urged young entrepreneurs and aspiring filmmakers not to underestimate their potential because of their location, insisting that success can be achieved from Plateau State.

He noted that Jos has played a significant role in the growth of both Nollywood and Kannywood, urging participants to leverage networking opportunities and learn from experienced professionals.

“You can make it from Plateau. Don’t be deceived by anyone who tells you otherwise. Network, learn and remain committed to your dreams,” he advised.

Presenting a paper titled “Old Wisdom, New Ideas,” Dr. Jekse Le’an, Director of Administration and Finance at PLASMIDA, emphasised that successful businesses are built on character, integrity and excellent customer experience.

He said branding is not merely about logos or designs but about the lasting impression customers have after interacting with a business.

Dr. Le’an encouraged young entrepreneurs to acquire practical skills, exercise patience and learn from experienced business owners, warning that many businesses fail within their first two years due to lack of experience and poor customer service.

Speaking on “Innovation, Branding and Sustainability,” Victor Kuchili said innovation remains the only sustainable competitive advantage in today’s business environment.

He warned that many businesses collapse because they fail to adapt to changing market realities, urging entrepreneurs to understand their target audience, build strong brands and consistently engage their customers.

“People don’t buy products; they buy benefits. If you’re not listening to your customers, someone else will, and they will win the market,” he said.

Also delivering a lecture on “Business Growth and Entrepreneur Mindset,” Sylvia Matlong challenged participants to cultivate positive attitudes towards business and continuous learning.

She identified upbringing, environment and life experiences as the three major factors influencing entrepreneurial mindset, urging participants to surround themselves with positive influences and remain committed to personal development.

Matlong advised entrepreneurs to understand their customers, create value, market consistently and never stop learning, stressing that business growth requires deliberate effort and resilience.

The event was further enlivened by captivating performances from Living Scroll, Edge and energetic dance presentations, which entertained guests and added colour to the grand finale.

The organisers also announced that the official Purple Preneur Star website would soon be launched to enable aspiring entrepreneurs to register for the reality show and access mentorship and business development opportunities.

The event climaxed with the presentation of the Purple Legacy Awards to distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship, leadership and the creative industry.

Among the recipients were veteran Nollywood actor Sani Mu’azu, Sir Edward Fom Pam, Dr. Ulan Victoria Jatau, alongside other notable personalities honoured for their impact in their respective fields.