By Praise Chinecherem
Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Security, Ben Chiobi has advised Nigerian youths to shun the ‘japa syndrome’ and explore abounding opportunities in the country.
He said opportunities to making money in Nigeria, particularly in Southeast abound more than in Western countries.
Chiobi spoke in Awka, Anambra State at the 2023 edition of The Pivot Conference, themed: “From Challenges to Opportunities: Unveiling the Potentials in South-East Nigeria through Social Innovation.”
He advised the youth to avail themselves opportunities to mentoring, arguing that the only way to succeed in the ICT generation was to be disruptive and not be a copycat.
One of the resource persons and Chief Executive Officer, Selecom LTD, Precious Obimdi regretted that Nigerian system was designed to frustrate younger entrepreneurs from thriving in their businesses.
He identified partnerships with governments, agencies, and bigger establishments as ways of staying afloat and making impacts on human lives.
“Although doing business in Southeast is challenging due to insecurity and other vices, but one can explore and discover what is not working, and turn same into a thriving global venture,” he added.
Banking expert, Tochukwu Nwokediuko, said over 65 percent of businesses scarcely survive first three years in Nigeria due to lack of access to funding and credit facilities, planning and poor financial literacy among business owners.
He underscored the powers of partnership and collaboration, noting that ability to appreciate and factor in the elements would define future successful businesses.
Also speaking, Technology expert and Managing Director, of Anambra State ICT Agency, Fred Agbata said many opportunities abound in the ICT sector, but insisted that without innovative spirit, teamwork and partnership, success in business would be difficult.
Speaking on “Fostering Youth-led Impact Entrepreneurship As A Catalyst For Growth,” Regional Coordinator, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Engr. Mrs. Chito Onuzulike said SMEs were crucial component of the economy.
She identified mindset, action and process as three ingredients of entrepreneurship critical in doing business in the country.
Earlier, Pivot Executive Director, Barr Ifedi Eze, lamented that the past half-decade has been period bedeviled with socioeconomic problems with negative impact on economic indices of the Eastern region.
However, Pastor Jude Obiekwe said the challenges are money in the making.
“For every problem in the southeast, there is a direct opposite opportunity. The more the problem, the more the opportunity to create wealth; the easier the lesser.
“Adversity is the cultivator of innovation. You cannot be a champion except you fight battles,” he added.
