The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, has said that the Igbo apprenticeship scheme ‘igba boi’ has become the most popular indigenous Nigerian economic institution, globally recognized as the world’s largest business incubator.
The Vice President stated this during the maiden annual National Summit on Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme, organized by Anambra Broadcasting Service in collaboration with the Awka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, AWKACCIMA, in Awka.
Professor Osibanjo who joined virtually, said the scheme has the full potential to do for the Nigerian economy what similar apprenticeship schemes have done in many parts of the world especially in Germany and India, while describing the event as apt and timely, ABS reports.
Commending the organizers of the event, Prof. Osibanjo expressed hope that the summit will improve the growth and possibilities for the Igbo apprenticeship scheme.
With the theme of the summit Repositioning The Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme For Sustainable Economic Development, the Keynote speaker and Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo recommended that the scheme should be institutionalized.
Dr. Obiora made a case that ‘Ikwado Ogalanya’ should replace the name ‘Igba boi’ and the concept of ‘Apprenticepreneurship’ adopted, adding that the event is apt, following the recent rise in drug abuse, get -rich – quick syndrome and other social vices the youths indulge in.
He said that to reposition‘Igba boi’ as apprenticepreneurship, that the youths who hold the future of Igbo nation must begin to restore those time-honored values which saw the forebears become great entrepreneurs.
Earlier in his speech, the Convener of the national summit and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Dr. Uche Nworah and the President of AWKACCIMA, Mrs Caroline Ajuora, said the event is to bring to the fore at this time, the Igbo apprenticeship scheme which could be repositioned to help Nigeria battle various issues including unemployment, banditry, and ethnic agitations among others.
In his speech, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda represented by Mr. Victor Ugwu, commended ABS and AWKACCIMA for the programme, which according to him, serves as a new beginning for repositioning and expanding the laudable scheme for greater improvement of Nigerians economy.
Some of the panelist including the Chief Executive Officer of Komworld Cinemas Mr. Kene Mkparu, the Director, Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy Unizik, Professor Au Nonyelu, Convener, Ogbako Umunna Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, Head of Mass communication Department, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, Professor Angela Nwanmmuo, and Chairman Folio Group, Fidelis Anosike, among others gave their suggestions.
Some of the participants, including Chief Innocent Chialu from Awkuzu and Chief Theophilus Ikenwa from Ideani, commended the organizers of the event saying it will play significant role in the lives of the youths.
The event featured award presentation to Dr. Obiora Okonkwo as a pillar of Igba boi, and United Bank of African for being a proud sponsor of the national summit and other proud sponsors.
