Former PDP governorship candidate in the last Anambra guber election, Mr. Val Chineto Ozigbo, Presiding bishop of Life of Faith Gospel Assembly and Chairman, Emos Best Industries LTD, Bishop Dr. E.C Obiorah, Pastor Samuel Obiorah, business man and lead pastor, City of Transformation, Prof. Segun Sogbesan of Onitsha Business School, Chief Obieri, President, ONCCIMA, Anambra celebrity and richest young carpenter, Nelson Emmanuel, foremost Anambra based industrial cleaner, Somto Ezeaniomenyi, STEM advocate, Uche Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu were among the speakers and panelists at this year’s Under 45 CEO Summit organized by UDUF Africa, ANAMBRA PEOPLE reports.
Other guests who spoke at the event include; Barr. Nick Mbagwu, Chairman, CITN Onitsha, Engr. Chito Onuzulike, State manager, SMEDAN Anambra, Tochukwu Akunna, manager, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, Anambra state, Joy Ifeyinwa Uzor, CEO, Eagles Mind Fashion Academy and Amarachi Nina Uma, Author and public speaker. The summit which held at Presidential Hall, Archbishop C.J Patterson International Auditorium Complex, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha was themed ‘Business Purpose and Profitability, the key for business sustainability’.
In his welcome address, the founder, UDUF Africa, Dr Smart Chinedu Ezuma stated that the summit was designed to inculcate in young business owners/ leaders mindset and principles they could imbibe in order to operate businesses that will outlive them and solve generational problems. He said, “Businesses don’t exist to make only profits; they exist to solve problems. Solving problems are the major purpose of venturing into business which will produce profit in return. Profits are simply a byproduct of understanding your purpose in the marketplace”.
Former president of Transcorp, Mr. Val Ozigbo while delivering his keynote address titled ‘Become a purpose driven business leader’ reiterated the need for business leaders to imbibe certain positive entrepreneurial and leadership qualities particularly emotional intelligence, as it is the key to success. He equally emphasized on the need for entrepreneurs to develop character that will attract people to them and not repulsive attitude. He mentioned those characters relevant for success in business which include honesty, patience, humility, to mention but a few. Mr. Ozigbo further stated that with consistency and passion, one can get to any height he so desires in business.
Also, presiding Bishop of Life of Faith Gospel Assembly who is also Chairman of Emos Best Industries LTD, Bishop Dr. E.C Obiorah, a time tested entrepreneur himself thrilled audience with his personal business experiences and urged entrepreneurs to be steadfast and nurture their enterprises with patience noting that it takes a lot of hard work and time to build a sustainable business. He traced the origin of his entrepreneurial journey to 1979 when he was into building materials and noted that at some point in his business in 1982, God told him he would make him an industrialist. He stated he was the first person in Anambra state to produce oil from palm kernel and further stated how he has traversed from various businesses including foam manufacturing to his current cosmetic industry.
In his own speech, the president of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Chief Kevin Obieri represented by Dr Sunny Nwachukwu,his vice President finance, cautioned entrepreneurs to conserve goodwill in every step they take in rendering services or providing products to customers without break in business relationship, while Prof. Olusegun Sogbesan of Onitsha Business School charged participants to leverage changes around them as a means of driving growth in their respective ventures.
Other speakers used their life experiences to drive home important business points with a view to inspiring the participants and were in unison that consistency and passion were the main attributes that can catapult entrepreneurs to greater height.
The event featured keynote address, business success stories, panel discussion, networking and award presentation. SMEDAN and NIRSAL Microfinance Bank were equally on hand to guide entrepreneurs on how best to benefit from the services of the organizations.
Ultimate Destiny Uplifters Foundation, UDUF Africa, is a movement centered on providing capacity- opportunities to young people; entrepreneurs, politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and student leaders who have passion to serve humanity selflessly and transform African communities.
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