Yolamchi Ukaga, Aba
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state and other notable entrepreneurs are to participate in the 2021 Abia Business Summit, scheduled for May 26 to 27 in Aba, the commercial hub of the state.
The theme of the two-day business summit titled, “transferring tested and proven business models to the next generation,” aims at unravelling why most businesses in Aba, fail after the death of their founders.
Sam Hart, director general, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency, explained that the rationale behind the summit was to ensure longevity of businesses in Aba.
He stressed that an economically vibrant Aba, was important to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Abia state and must not be allowed to lose her important businesses.
According to him, history is replete with a long list of successful businesses. These businesses, sadly, are currently only being talked about with nostalgia and in the past tense, because they are no longer in existence and the ashes of their glory have long since evaporated.
He explained that Aba, as a cosmopolitan business melting pot, has had its own share of these great businesses of yore, which are no more in existence, noting that Aba remained the economic livewire of Abia state.
He stated that government and the business community must continue to work to ensure the continuous vibrancy of the business ecosystem in the city for the overall good of the state.
The vice president is expected to be the special guest at the summit, which is being organised, by the Abia state government, in conjunction with the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA).
Obi, who was vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, would deliver the first keynote speech on the opening day of the summit.
The lead discussants are Alex Alozie, group head [operations] at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Nana Nwachukwu, a development expert.
Panelists listed to take part in the event includes, Emeka Onwuka, chief financial officer (CFO) and executive director of Seplat Petroleum, Gregory Ibe, chancellor, Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Nnamdi Ezeigbo, chief executive officer, (SLOT Systems Limited) and Darl Uzu, chief executive officer (CEO), Crown Realities Plc.
Other panelists are, John Udeagbala, chairman, Udeagbala Holdings Nigeria Limited, Barth Nnaji, a professor and former minister for power, Uche Orji, managing director/CEO of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Lawrence Obetta, president of ACCIMA, Leo Nnnodum Okoye, a renowned businessman and Jerry Kalu, a principal member of Aba business community.