By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof. Charles Esimone has emphasized the essence of robust publicity for the University’s products showcased and exhibited during the occasion of the 2024 UNIZIK COCES EXPO held on Friday, 19th April 2024 at the COCES Complex.
Prof. Esimone made the remarks during the tour of the various exhibition stands and interaction with the exhibitors on the occasion of the 2024 UNIZIK COCES EXPO. Prof. Esimone who spent over an hour during the tour expressed deep satisfaction with the exhibition and the turnout. Esimone who was thrilled with some exhibits coming from the University, averred that they are of good quality to compete favourably with foreign ones.
The institution’s Chief Executive while on the tour advocated for more publicity using online platforms to provide the needed visibility for the products to attract wider patronage.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended the Management of COCES for executing the all important event effectively without seeking for any form of financial support from the University. The VC rounded off the tour with a symbolic planting of one of the special breed coconut plants exhibited at the event at the frontage of COCES Complex.
The COCES, which was a beehive of activities owing to the 2024 COCES EXPO promoted sales, contacts and orders being placed as well as networks created, had exhibitors who were majorly innovators and business owners from all walks of life within and outside the University in their various stands displaying their products as early as 7am of that fateful day.
The various units of the COCES were not left out as they had their products on display even as different Departments and Units of the University equally showcased their goods and services on offer. At the colourful event, past and present student Entrepreneurs including the UNIZIK 2019 Student Entrepreneur of the year and the MD/CEO of AngeloJude Feets, Jude Otaru had his products on display.
Staff Entrepreneurs were also not left out as they were on ground to showcase their products while External exhibitors from within and outside the State exhibited their products including ADSI Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd, Stanel World, Koccs Accessories, Mascon Worldwide Solutions Company Ltd, Chozza Fashion and Academy and many more participating in the exhibition. The COCES EXPO also provided a platform for business facilitators such as the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) who were on ground to witness the exhibition.
Earlier in the day, the Centre conferred ‘Excellence Award on Entrepreneurship’ to some prominent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their field of endeavour as successful entrepreneurs and job creators.
Delivering her welcome address, the Director of COCES, Prof. Ada Sam Omenyi described the theme of the EXPO “Entrepreneurship: Converting your skill to Pay Cheque” as apt and one which should interest anyone who wishes to be at the top. 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.
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 State is undergoing entrepreneurial, social, economic, industrial and innovative transformation.
On his part, the Special Guest of Honour and the State Manager, Bank of Industry Ltd, Andrew Ogbomi offered financial advice that can lead to assessing loans from the BOI and the various criteria considered for assessing loans which includes a well developed blueprint and key variables needed for a comprehensive business plan.
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.
The recognitions in form of awards were bestowed upon top personalities such as the Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu; Traditional Ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, HRM Igwe Pharm. Alex Onyido; Founder of Emzor Pharmaceuticals and COCES Benefactor, Dr. Stella Okoli; The Anambra State Manager of Bank of Industry Ltd, Andrew Ogbomi and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) UNIZIK, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu for their outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship.
Other Awardees were the Deputy Majority Leader, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Akpua; MD/CEO, Anambra State Small Business Agency ASBA, 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 finally MD of Dynamo Group Ltd, Mr. Samuel Onyema Aneto.
Highpoints of the occasion were award presentations and response by the awardees, sharing of quality sourvenirs in form of gift items from the Founder of Emzor Pharmaceuticals and COCES benefactor, Dr. Stella Okoli to students, exhibitors and guests.
The event also featured tour of the exhibition points, sales and marketing of goods and services as well as cultural exhibition and dance performance by Africana International Troupe (AIT) led by her Founder/President, Prof. Oby Okonkwo.
