By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (COCES), Nnamdi Azikiwe University on Friday, 19th April 2024 conferred awards of recognition on prominent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their field of endeavour as successful entrepreneurs and job creators on the occasion of the maiden EXPO and Exhibition held at the COCES complex.
The recognitions in form of awards were bestowed upon personalities such as Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu; Traditional Ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, HRM Igwe Pharm. Alex Onyido; Founder of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Stella Okoli; The State Manager of Bank of Industry Ltd, Andrew Ogbomi and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) UNIZIK, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu for their outstanding contributions to humanity.
Other awardees were the Deputy Majority Leader, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Akpua; MD/CEO, Anambra State Small Business Agency, Sir Clem Chukwuka; Founder of Pa-Cent Technologies and current Head, Department of Information Technology UNIZIK, Associate Prof. Ikechukwu Umeh; MD of Moob Petroleum Nig. Ltd, Chief Obiora Obuekwe; ICT Consultant, Lady Princess Ngozi Okosa; Founder, Mascon Worldwide Solutions Company Ltd and UNIZIK Lecturer, Amb. Dr. Nma Okechukwu Okoroji and MD of Dynamo Group Ltd, Mr. Samuel Onyema Aneto.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion and State Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Udechukwu described the event as foresighted and visionary coming at an opportuned time that Anambra is undergoing entrepreneurial, social, economic, industrial and innovative transformation. Udechukwu described innovation as the future while expressing optimism that the young ones especially students of the institution will develop entrepreneurial spirit to create jobs instead of being job seekers, he informed that the government of the day and Ndi Anambra are proud of UNIZIK and their accomplishments.
In his address, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone affirmed that the founder of Chike Okoli Foundation, Dr. Stella Okoli’s vast philanthropic endeavours have touched many lives and by extension through the foundation, Chike Okoli complex domiciled in the University was built and equipped with state of the art furnishing and as well the institution has benefited at various times from its medical outreaches.
Prof. Esimone who was represented by the Deputy Provost (Humanities), College of Postgraduate Studies, UNIZIK, Prof. Emmanuel Obidimma averred that the institution does not only offer academic degree but encourage her students to acquire any of the Vocational skills available at COCES. The scholar congratulated the Director of COCES and her team for being able to reach out to and procure the support of firms and organizations.
Delivering her welcome address, the Director COCES, Prof. Ada Sam Omenyi described the theme of the EXPO “Entrepreneurship: Converting your skill to Pay Cheque” as apt and one that should interest anyone who wishes for the top. Prof. Omenyi disclosed that the UNIZIK COCES EXPO 2024 is based on the belief in the power of entrepreneurship to specifically turn ideas into reality through a new venture and small business that puts rising economies on the path to prosperity and empowers people to come together and tackle most pressing societal and even global problems.
The COCES Director stated that entrepreneurship is a major feature of the economic landscape of any country driving economic growth, job creation and the source of countless ideas many of which are successfully translated into products and services that touch people across our environment, country and around the world. She thanked the awardees for their significant contributions to the society in various areas of endeavour while also eulogizing Dr. Stella Okoli for the partnership in establishing the centre and UNIZIK VC for his innovation through the vision of ‘Project 200’.
On his part, the Special Guest of Honour and The State Manager, Bank of Industry Ltd, Andrew Ogbomi offered financial advice that can led to assessing loans from the BOI. He informed that criteria considered for assessing loans is a well developed blueprint and business plan with a good letterhead, registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), cost of machineries and well articulated ideas.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the UNIZIK COCES EXPO, Prof. Ugochukwu Okonkwo thanked all who found time to grace the occasion. He appreciated the exhibitors and vendors for their products, sales made and network established while also appreciating UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor for his approval to hold the exhibition and the COCES Director for her purposeful leadership.
Highpoints of the occasion was award presentations and response by the awardees as well as tour of the exhibition points, sales and marketing of goods and services while there was cultural exhibition and dance performance by Africana International Troupe (AIT) led by her Founder/President, Prof. Oby Okonkwo.
