Other News

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

Awka, Anambra State Capital Set to Witness Launch of a Pilot Waste Management System

By Benjamin Ogbuagu :

Awka the Anambra State capital will soon witness the launch of a Pilot system for effective management of municipal wastes that will be the first of its kind in the South East region of Nigeria.

Boskel Nigeria Limited, the consultants and initiators of this pilot scheme, is expected to carry out a demonstration on the operations of this scheme to waste management stakeholders in Anambra State.

A letter from the company reads in part, “Following our presentation to your Board and discussions thereafter, we hereby notify you of our plans to conduct a demonstration of the pilot systems for effective management of municipal wastes to your Board and Government”

A press statement signed by the Managing Director of Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) Mr Mike Ozoemena invites members of ASWAMA Board and all stakeholders on Environment to this event scheduled to hold on Tuesday, 5th September 2023 at the New Dumpsite, Agu Awka Industrial Area, Amaenyi-Awka by 12 noon.

The statement further invites all Transition Committee Chairmen, Waste Management Contractors, all related Agencies, and indeed the general public to this epoch making event. (MOI)

Information Officer reporting from Awka

Anambra Assembly Calls on Soludo to Carry Out Palliative Works on Umueze Anam-Oroma Road

By Anastasia Agunwa/Chizoba Okeke/Gloria Abugu:

The Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Gov. Charles Soludo to direct the Works Commissioner to immediately carry out palliative works on the Umueze Anam-Oroma road to reduce the sufferings of Ndi Anambra West.

The resolution followed a motion moved under ‘Matters of Urgent Public Importance’ by Mr. Patrick Udoba representing Anambra West State Constituency and seconded by Mr. Ejike Okechukwu representing Anaocha II State Constituency during plenary on Nov. 8.

The Speaker, Mr. Uche Okafor, who presided over the plenary, noted that Gov. Charles Soludo had flagged off the construction of many dilapidated roads in Anambra State, expressing optimism that Anambra West, especially Umueze Anam-Oroma Road, is among the roads.

The Speaker put it to a voice vote, and the lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion through voice votes.

Dwelling on the motion, Mr. Udoba said that the devastating effect of the recent flooding in Anambra West Local Government Area has cut off Umueze Anam-Oromaetiti road after it was submerged by the recent flooding in Nigeria.

According to him, the flooding has caused serious losses in lives, properties, and government infrastructure and has displaced many of Ndi Anambra West, who are predominantly farmers.

“Though the water level has gone down, it has devastated my people and the environment. Among numerous damages, the flood has cut off the Umueze Anam-Oroma road, which is the only access road to more than 10 communities in Anambra West.

“The bad condition of the road will worsen the already bleeding economic and social activities of the area occasioned by the economic hardship and the flooding,” he stressed.

The lawmakers that spoke in favour of the motion, including the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Pascal Agbodike, expressed the need for the road to be urgently constructed as the area is one of the food baskets of the state.

Also at plenary, Gov. Charles Soludo, in a letter sent to the House through the Speaker, informed the State legislature of his intention to present the 2023 Proposed Budget Estimates on Nov. 10.