COOU trade fair unlocks entrepreneurial talents, says Omenugha

From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State, Prof. Kate Omenugha, has stated that the entrepreneurial spirit and talents of the students are being unleashed for greater productivity through their participation in the university’s trade fair.

Omenugha, speaking on Saturday at the Igbariam campus during the conclusion of the two-day trade fair organised by the Committee on Business Ventures Unit of the university, said no stone would be left unturned in her quest to push the university to global reckoning through the 3Vs project of Values, Visibility, and Viability.

Omenugha, who visited all the business stands at the fair, interacted with student participants and patronised their businesses, which included trendy clothing, accessories, beauty products, footwear, baked goods, kitchenware, and fragrances. She emphasised that students’ welfare would remain a priority in her administration.

Collins Okelue, Coordinator of COOU Business Ventures, the organisers of the fair, said the first-ever business venture trade fair of the university was made possible by the visionary leadership of the Vice-Chancellor.

“The primary aim of this trade fair is to encourage SMEs in the university, to inspire students to embrace hard work and shun all vices and indulgences. This is how the Vice-Chancellor and the university management are encouraging students to avoid shortcuts and other negative paths to success. This coincides with the one-year anniversary of the Acting Vice-Chancellor in office, which has been marked by a harvest of achievements,” she stated.

Okelue said the plan is to make the fair a biannual event, noting that the public and university community reception has been overwhelming.

He disclosed that there was scepticism at the initial stage of preparations, as many were uncertain about the event’s success, but in the end, expectations were exceeded, with spaces oversubscribed by both students and external participants.

One of the participants, Ifunanya Rosemary, a 400-level student in the Department of Entrepreneurial Studies, said the trade fair gave her the opportunity to market her products and expand her network, which will undoubtedly boost her outdoor kuli kuli and snack services to the next level.