Public presentation of the report of the first ever research on reinvigorating Igbo entrepreneurial behavior through enhanced apprenticeship in Onitsha markets has been made public at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State Capital.
The event, organized by Pro-Value Humanity Foundation in collaboration with UNIZIK Business School, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, was attended by the sponsor and founder of Pro-Value Humanity Foundation, Chief Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, community leaders, staff and students, as well as friends of the institution.
Addressing participants, the host and Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Professor Frederick Odibo, expressed hope that the research findings will be given needed publicity and applied within Igbo business community to strengthen it’s leadership role and for possible emulation, adding that the event is in line with his vision of increasing relevance of the institution in addressing societal needs, thanking the University’s research team for their efforts.
Director UNIZIK Business School, Professor Emma Okoye, who recalled how investigation into Igbo apprenticeship scheme was initiated by Chief Okonkwo, described the public presentation as an output of its research team, whom he commended for undertaking such responsibility using three major markets in Onitsha, which he said has biggest cluster of Igbo apprentices.
He said Igbo apprenticeship scheme has remained an age-long system that seems to have defied understanding of critics, saying that with the completion of the research work, UNIZIK Business School has made Igbo apprenticeship more understandable, as well as developed it into a model that can bring about business sustainability, bearing in mind that “nwaboi” has been exported by Igbo kith and kin in the Diaspora, which triggered interest of researchers in the area, even in foreign Universities.
Sponsor and founder of Pro-Value Humanity Foundation, Chief Okonkwo, who regretted breakdown of ethical infrastructure among Igbos, as well as poor economic situation that contributed in debasing Igbo apprenticeship, said faithful implementation of findings of the research will increase values attached to Igbo apprenticeship and help in addressing youth unemployment.
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