By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, Igbariam Campus, was a beehive of activities, Thursday, 21st March, 2024, as Professor Ellis Idemobi, a Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship from the Department of Business Administration of the University presented the 11th Inaugural Lecture Series of the Citadel of Learning.
The 11th Inaugural Lecture Series had ”Sustainable Development Pursuit with Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation on the Run: The Paradox of Nigeria”, as its topic.
Addressing his audience at the ETF Auditorium, Igbariam Campus of the University, Professor Idemobi thanked the Acting-Vice Chancellor of COOU, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, who chaired the occasion, for creating the enabling environment for the academia to thrive, stating that the Ag. VC had placed the varsity on the path of progress.
Speaking on the topic of the day, Prof Idemobi noted that Nigeria had grown beyond the level of still importing everything it needed, including food across borders, despite huge endowment in natural and human resources.
‘If we should consider the current economic realities occasioned by the dwindling oil revenue, there is no better time to promote made in Nigeria goods than now. If we are really serious about diversifying our economy, we must revive all our local industries and promote patronage for made in Nigeria goods.
‘China closed its borders and faced only made in China products for over 30-years, and today, they are among the best economies in the World.
‘Nigeria can practice the same, at least close its borders for 20-years and the negative economic narrative will change for the better.
‘Despite the fact that Nigeria has been counted as the biggest economy in Africa, sustainable development is still a mirage because of high poverty rate, high unemployment rate and continuous increase in socio-economic inequality,’ he said.
To reduce the run on entrepreneurship and wealth creation, Prof Idemobi recommended regional co-operation in infrastructural provision, improvement of security nationwide, greater focus on local production and use of Nigerian made goods and services, as well as ethical re-orientation of Nigerians to jettison every political, ethnic, tribal and religious sentiments, to enable them to do what was right at all times to take Nigeria to the promised land.
Earlier in her remarks, the Ag Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, while commending the lecturer on the topic, said the inaugural lecture series was a platform created by the University to enable Professors to showcase their academic achievements over time.
She noted that the 11th series was the third that had taken place under her watch and would continue unhindered.
In an interview, the Lawmaker representing Onitsha North II Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Patrick Okafor, who is House Committee Chairman on Judiciary, enjoined all, especially the youth, to make use of the lecture for self-development.
