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From Marcel Alozie, Enugu.
Former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, has reiterated the need for Nigerian businesses to adopt a social network-driven approach, taking cues from the Chinese Guanxi business culture.
Nnaji who is also the CEO of Geometric Power Aba, Abia State, stated this at the opening of a three-day Business Summit held at Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu.
The event was organised by Dr Ugochukwu Chime, GMD of the COPEN Group under the corporate social expression through Barnabas Hope Foundation that provides a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and discussions on emerging business trends in Nigeria.
Nnaji in his keynote speech “appreciated the promotion of interactions as part of the objectives of the summit, which gives rise to ideas or creativity, and then focused on the exodus of young professionals from Nigeria and advocated stakeholder capitalism as a more sustainable business model.”
According to him, the theme of the summit: “Transposition of Interest in Service Delivery”, resonated strongly with the participants, particularly the small business owners.
Also speaking, DrEmeka Ene, CEO, OIDA Group, explained that success is not by accident, and referred to Shenzen in China that has the highest concentration of skyscrapers today was a fishing village 30 years ago, which was less endowed than Enugu State.
Ene highlighted the three mega trends the world is going through which are de-globalization, exit of investment capital, and digitization.
He also said that “for our economy to have a turn around, we need to be sensitive to our environment, energy to drive the industries and entrepreneurship to facilitate economic growth.
Also speaking, Emeka Mba, CEO of Afia TV noted that “the capacity of those in the public sector need to at least match the capacity of those in the private sector, of which the implementation capacity should trickle down the line for the policies to be well adopted and this requires a mind-set reorientation.”
Mba also emphasized on the need for hope by the youth who are expected to carry the torch into the future, which is a more insidious problem less focused on growth and more on making money.
Mrs Ifeoma Ezechukwu. CEO of Kitchen Pastries, who came from the angle of small business owners hinted on the blockage, which affects increase in revenue, staffing and capital for businesses, which are experienced in areas of taxation from different ministries.
Ezechukwu noted: “A lot of people are unemployable and this is shown in our lack of interest and constant blaming of the government. “
Prince Akintoye Adeoye in his speech encouraged entrepreneurs to ask the right questions, and realize that things are always going to be tough, urging them to be prepared for it as entrepreneurs.
He added: “Business is meant to make profit to be sustainable, and we have to realize that what we read in textbooks might not help the present day entrepreneurs, which entails asking the right questions and pursuing legitimate businesses without desperation, while you keep proper record-keeping and documentation.”
Also in his speech, Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone, pointed out the untapped potential of Nigeria’s young population and the importance of vocational skills training.
Ngwu shared his experiences in providing scholarships and vocational training for the youth in his constituency, stressing the importance of equipping young Nigerians with the tools for self-reliance and adaptability.
The Senator stated that the youths are leaders of today and not tomorrow, adding that the empowerment of the youths reduces brain drain, drug abuse, high rate of teenage pregnancy and insecurity in the country.
The event was proceeded with a panel discussion on business process improvement moderated by Dr Anayo Agu, CEO Seeds of Greatness Institute, featuring industry leaders like Dr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, MD, ENSG Investment Development Authority.
Dr Aworoke Ogbimi had also moderated another panel in a bid to deepen the narrative of youth empowerment as the focus for the day and panelists like Hon. Lloyd Ekweremadu, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, focused on policy formulation for the youths with a vision and mission to develop them.
Hon Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Director General of Enugu SME and SA to the Enugu State Governor on SME and Digital Economy, discussed several government-led initiatives designed to address the employment gap.
The highpoints of the occasion were the recognition of Msgr. Obiora Ike for his lifetime contributions to business and social development and award of Excellence to Prof Nnaji.
Other dignitaries at the occasion included the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Musa Dangiwa; Ex-Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo; Prof Barth Nnaji; Prof Chinedu Nebo, former Minister of Power; Hon Adaora Chukwu, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Enugu State; Dr Ifeanyi Okoye, President, NECA; Prince Akintoye F. Adeoye, President, REDAN; among others.
