Essential Ndubuisi
By Chidinma Ikeanyionwu
With countries across the globe seeking solutions to mitigate the negative economic impact of Covid-19, a professor of banking, finance and economic development at the University of Nigeria, Josephat Onwumere has called on the Nigerian Government to come up with policies that will support entrepreneurs.
Professor Onwumere described as problematic governments’ continued involvement as regulators and competitors in the economy stating that this practice has shrunk competitive space in the Nigerian Market.
The economic development professor made the call in a lead paper presentation during the International conference on Managing Nigeria’s Economy in the Digitized COVID-19 Era of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
The International conference which is in its fourth year had the theme “Entrepreneurship As Engine Of Economic Development: The Nigerian Experience In The Digitized COVID-19 Era.”
The conference is one of the numerous ways of bringing intellectuals and students together to chart ways of finding solutions to topical issues militating against the Nigerian economy.
Opening the floor for intellectual discuss into the experience of Nigeria in the Covid-19 era, Prof Onwumere whose paper was on “Developing Nigerian Economy Through Entrepreneurship In The Digitized Covid-19 Era” said that the mixed economic system practiced by Nigeria should be heavily propelled by entrepreneurship and deliberate policies made to consciously increase the capacities of businesses to survive, compete favourable, and expand are the only means for the country to survive the current economic crises.
In his keynote address, the traditional ruler of Omor and Chairman on the occasion, Igwe Chris Chidiume, noted that boosting the entrepreneurship space will guarantee financial and economic liberation for the country.
Welcoming the participants, the Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Greg Nwakoby represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof Solomon Ekwenze was optimistic that the conference will help the participants come up with solutions to Nigeria’s economic woes this Covid-19 era.
Earlier, the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Uche Akam said that the conference will open up new ways that will intensify government efforts that promote entrepreneurship especially in this COVID-19 era thereby providing opportunities for states aspiring to achieve rapid economic growth and development.
The conference had in attendance professionals from different bodies, academics from different institutions, as well as faculty and students of the school.
