Author: Okechukwu Onwuka

Pivot Conference: Experts Call For Partnership, Collaboration as Key to Optimal Productivity in S’East

By Uche Kalu :

Technology has a big role to play in our social life, business, economy as well as security. The maiden edition of The Pivot Conference which was held in Awka has ended with a call for students, businessmen, stakeholders as well as investors to leverage on technology and explore many opportunities that abound in Southeast, Nigeria.

The event, which was held at Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), Secretariat, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka with the theme: “From Challenges to Opportunities: Unveiling the Potentials in South-East Nigeria through Social Innovation, featured experts from different fields, students, government officials, journalists, others.

Speaking at the conference, the Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo on Security Matters, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Ben Chiobi advised youths to resist the ‘japa syndrome’ and explore opportunities in the country.

AVM Chiobi who noted that there are many opportunities of making money in Nigeria, particularly in the Southeast more than what is obtained in Western countries, advised youths to avail themselves of opportunities for mentoring, emphasising that the only way to succeed in the ICT generation was to be creative and not be a copycat.

Speaking on the topic,”Fostering Youth-led Impact Entrepreneurship As A Catalyst For Growth,” the Regional Coordinator, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Chito Onuzulike said SMEs are crucial components of the economy.

Mrs Chito who is an Engr, emphasized that mindset, action, and process are the three ingredients of entrepreneurship that are crucial to doing business in the country, noting that by collaborating with partners, businesses can leverage shared resources, infrastructure, and capabilities, leading to optimized processes and increased productivity in the land.

The Managing Director of Anambra State Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata explained that many opportunities abound in the ICT sector.

Mr Agbata , a technology expert noted that without innovative spirit, teamwork, and partnership, one may find it hard to succeed in the business.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, Sealcore Global Ltd, Precious Obimdi, explained that the system in Nigeria is designed to strangle younger entrepreneurs and stop them from thriving in their businesses, stressing that partnerships with governments, agencies, and bigger establishments are ways of staying afloat and making impacts on human lives.

Mr. Obimdi who spoke on “Impact Driven Entrepreneurship: Turning Local Solutions into Globally Scalable Businesses,” shared insights on how to harness the power of innovation and passion to create businesses that not only thrive locally but have the potential to make a global impact.

He further said that doing business in the southeast is challenging due to insecurity and other challenges but maintained that one can explore, discover what is not working, and turn same into a thriving global venture.

A Banking expert, Tochukwu Nwokediuko, noted that in Nigeria, over 65 per cent of businesses do not survive the first three years after set up due to poor access to funding and credit facilities, lack of planning and poor financial literacy on the part of some business owners in the country.

Mr Nwokediuko emphasized the powers of partnership and collaboration, noting that the ability to understand and factor in them will define successful businesses in times to come.

The Regional Pastor of Dominion City, Awka, 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 explained.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the Pivot, Barr. Ifedi Eze, expressed dismay that the past half-decade has been a period bedeviled with socio-economic problems that have impacted negatively on the economic indices of the Eastern region.

He,therefore, urged the citizenry to leverage technology and reap the inexhaustible opportunities it holds and how tech can help solve most of the problems in the society today. (Ministry of Information)

The officer reports from UNIZIK, Awka

Orumba North TC Boss Sets Pace: Commissions Multiple Projects within Short Period

By Chioma Ezeiru :

It was harvest of dividends of democracy and celebration over the weekend at Orumba-North Local Government Area as the action Transition Committee Chairman (TCC), Sir Ogochukwu Ekwueme commissioned five completed capital projects in Ufuma, Ndiowu and Oko communities, with many other community initiative projects still ongoing in different parts of the local government area.

The projects include; a newly drilled borehole water and generator house at Umunebo Ufuma to make drinkable water available and accessible to the people of the community who have suffered lack of accessible water for many decades; Laterite stabilization, drainage and reinforced culvert at Umudiabor-Ndiowu community; six ultramodern toilet and shower facility at Eke Oko market; and renovated borehole water facility with generator house to supply clean water to Eke market and Oko community.

Commissioning the projects, Mr Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, said that the Solution government of Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo has come to touch the lives of people and bring dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

“This is an uncommon development. I thank the transition chairman for the great work he is doing in Orumba-North. The Soludo government believes in and exists for the masses at the grassroots level. We want to bring dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

“We are going into communities to revive many abandoned projects because government is about continuity. Even with the bad economy, Gov. Soludo has achieved so much in less than two years. He is cutting down on every waste and channeling available resources to areas that will improve the lives of the people.

“We are coming to Orumba-North LGA with many packages. This is the first phase of our work in Ufuma, Ndiowu, Oko and other communities. The boreholes will make drinkable water accessible to the people. The ultramodern toilet will provide comfortable convenience for people to use.

“I am very impressed with the quality of work of the culvert and drainage. We will also grade the road and extend the drainage as we hope to link every community and provide accessible road.”

He also appealed to Ndi Orumba-North to keep supporting the TC Chairman and the state government, more importantly to take ownership and protect government projects in their various communities.

Speaking, the Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba North, Sir Ogochukwu Ekwueme noted that the ‘ward choose your project initiative’ was introduced by his team at the ward level where each ward will select a project dear to them.

“We introduced the ‘ward choose your project initiative’ where each ward will choose a project to be carried out in their community by the local government council and this borehole drilled and delivered to Ufuma community is one of such projects.

“Getting good drinking water was a huge challenge in the area as they trekked long distance to get water from the stream. This is a project that will touch and change their lives positively and we give glory to God.

“Also in Ndiowu, we constructed a 72m culvert and drainage system due to the deplorable state of the road there. Now they have accessible road which also link them to Ogboji and other neighbouring communities.

“We also constructed an ultramodern toilet facility with shower at Eke Oko and renovated the borehole water facility there to provide comfort and accessible water to traders and the community.

“We appreciate the local government commission, stakeholders and those who partnered with us and urge them to be patient as more projects will be undertaken and commissioned soon.”

The House of Assembly Member representing Orumba-North constituency, Mr Emeka Aforka while welcoming Mr Commissioner to the local government expressed gratitude for his approval of projects and support to Ndi Orumba.

“Thank you Hon. Commissioner for your magnanimity and benevolence for approving and making these projects possible. Without your support, these projects would not have been carried out and completed. You are very diligent and dedicated to your job.

“The local government has achieved this feat through the hardworking transition chairman. May posterity and history never forget you. The challenges in this area is enormous and we plead for more intervention by the state government through your good office,” he said.

Also, the Orumba North All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Chairman and borehole contractor, Mr Festus Arukwe thanked the government for the privilege and opportunity to showcase his talent and serve the people.

“We appreciate the Solution government for the great work through the TC Chairman. I am a borehole contractor and I was hired to drill the just commissioned Ufuma borehole. It’s a rare privilege and we did a great work there.

“We will continue to support the Soludo government as Orumba-North is APGA and APGA is Orumba-North,” he said. (Ministry of Information)

The information officer reports from Orumba North LGA

RNI/Ezenwata

TCC Anaocha Lauds Soludo over N1.5B Education Grant to Mission Schools in Anambra State

By Ginika Oguji :

The Transition Committee Chairman (TCC) Anaocha LGA, Mr Gerald Ozoh has commended the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo for providing financial support worth about One billion five hundred and twenty four million Naira to Mission Public schools returned to Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches to develop their schools in the state.

Ozoh speaking to journalists after the presentation ceremony at the Governor’s Lodge Amawbia on October 5, described Education as a basic tool for shaping humanity and building better future for children.

He extolled Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s genuine efforts toward advancing education to an enviable height in the state, describing him as an education friendly governor.

He encouraged Anambra students to always participate in internal and external examinations, saying that they have been equipped to emerge victorious.

Ozoh noting that Anambra is arguably the light of the nation, called on the authorities of the schools to make judicious use of the funds for the development and betterment of their schools.

Accordingly, a total sum of nine hundred and eighteen million naira (N918,000,000) was handed over to Anambra Catholic Mission Public Schools which has 459 schools that were returned to them.

A total sum of five hundred and fifty million naira (N550,000,000) was handed over to Anambra Anglican Mission Public Schools which has 275 schools returned to them.

Furthermore, a total of sixteen million (N16,000,000) was handed over to Anambra Salvation Army Schools which has 8 schools returned to them.

Also, a total of forty million (N40,000,000) was handed over to Pentecostals which has 20 schools in the State. (Ministry of Information)

The information officer reports from Anaocha LGA

RNI/Ezenwata