Ahead of the November 6, Governorship election in Anambra, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, Dr Obiorah Okonkwo has attributed the problem ravaging socio-economic activities in Nigeria to poor leadership.
This was disclosed when Pro- Value Humanity Foundation in Conjunction with Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School (UBS) Awka unveiled research geared towards reinvigorating Igbo entrepreneurial behaviour through an enhanced apprenticeship scheme in Onitsha markets, Anambra State.
Unveiling the project, Dr Okonkwo who is also the Sponsor and Founder Pro- Value Humanity Foundation, regretted that Nigerians had not understood the tenents of leadership in the country.
He maintained that what Nigeria is suffering today is a result of leadership.
“We need leaders that will consolidate the economy of our state. When we have a poor leader, we will have a poor economy.
“I advise the leaders in Igbo land to make use of the presentation of the research, to reduce the number of unemployment to the barest minimum at least 50%.
“I will change the narrative if elected on November 6, as I remain most credible to strengthen the economy and promote economic activities.
Delivering his address, the vice Chancellor of Unizik Prof. Charles Esimone emphasized the need to embrace basic education, which remains the foundation of every developed country.
The Vice-Chancellor who was represented by his Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Frederick Odibo, pointed that Nigeria needed an adequate research system to enable it to solve some vital issues.
Odibo, while commending the team that conducted and delivered the research, said it would be disseminated widely in the business community and must be emulated in Nigeria.
Director Unizik Business School, Prof.Emma Okoye said history had made, as it was the first time such effort was made, commanded the sponsor and founder of pro- Value Humanity Foundation Dr Obiora Okonkwo, and VC of the school for providing enabling environment.
Okoye stated further that the Igbo apprenticeship scheme is an age-old system that seems to have defied the understanding of those who criticise it.
He added that the Business School had put flesh on the skeleton of Igbo apprenticeship, thereby making it more understanding, developing it into a model that can bring about business sustainability.