Rag To Riches

From Rag to Riches -The Goal of Entrepreneurship:

This is an annual event organized by the Centre to mark the international day against poverty. The Centre has hosted four editions of Rags to Riches Seminar. Distinguished and well acclaimed Entrepreneurs constituted as resource persons to share their own experience and encourage Entrepreneurship, which has been the goal for enterprise and bedrock to eradicating poverty.

On January 25th, 2007, the Centre hosted its very 1st Seminar on Entrepreneurship tagged “From Rags to Riches – The Goal of Entrepreneurship”. Distinguished and well acclaimed Entrepreneurs constituted the resource persons for the Seminar. They include, The Chairman of the Board of Directors Chike Okoli Foundation, Dr. Stella Okoli OON of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Mrs. Ndidi Okonkwo-Nwuneli, Chief G.U.O Okeke of GUO Motors, Mr. Molokwu Onyiuke of Bubbles, and Dr John Onuorah of Chitis Confectioneries.

The 2nd Seminar with the theme “Rags to Riches – The Goal of Entrepreneurship”, to mark the International Day against Poverty was held by the Centre on October 17, 2007, The Executive Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, who graced the event with his esteemed presence as the Special Guest of Honor, delivered an informal lecture on Entrepreneurship and also entertained questions from the participants. We had other Guest Speakers (Entrepreneurs) at the Seminar amongst who were: Mr. Young Okezie; CEO Enugu SME Centre Ltd, Mrs. Chukwu P. Uche; Centre Manager, Nnewi Business/ Technology Incubation Centre, Mr. Greg Anyaegbudike; MD Globamicrocom Ltd. The Seminar was a huge success with over 700 people in attendance.

On Friday, 17th October, 2008, the Centre had the third in the series of from Rags to Riches Seminar on Entrepreneurship under the chairmanship of His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred N. Achebe MNI, CFR, Agbogidi, the Obi of Onitsha. He was also the keynote speaker. The Executive Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi was the special Guest of Honor and presented the lead paper, Topic: Empowering youth through Skill Incubation and Entrepreneurship. Other guest speakers include Mr. Columbus Ndifon, Business Development Manager, First Bank of Nigeria Plc. He spoke on the topic – Financial Window Opportunities for Entrepreneurs and small scale businesses. Mrs. Uwani Yahya – Director, Students Support Services and Chairperson, Presidential Committee on Entrepreneurship in Nigerian Higher Institutions, National Universities Commission (NUC) Abuja, also presented a paper on the Topic: The gains of Mandatory Entrepreneurial Education in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria. Over 1000 participants attended the Seminar and were highly enriched by the quality of the papers presented.

The 4th from Rags to Riches Seminar on Entrepreneurship was held on Tuesday, 23rd November 2010, to mark the Global Entrepreneurship Week, under the Chairmanship of Prof. Anya O. Anya, who inspired students and other participants by his opening remarks. Resource persons included:

  • Mr. Peter Bankole, EDC Director, Pan African University, Lagos, who spoke on the Topic – Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW): An Overview.
  • Mr. Chibuike Aguene, President, Africa Youth Impact Initiative, Lagos. He spoke on the topic: Societal problems; Opportunities for Enterprise Development.
  • Mr. Stephen O. Onasanya, First Bank Group Managing Director, Lagos, his topic was: Entrepreneurship as a Personal and National Transformation Tool.
  • Mrs. Uwani Yahya, Director, Student Support Services, National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja. She spoke on “Purpose Driven Education: Key to becoming a successful Entrepreneur.
  • Dr. Mrs. Eleanor Ann Nwadinobi, President, Widows Development Organization, Enugu delivered her paper on – Key Elements of Entrepreneurship. She is a successful Civil Society leader.
  • The Executive Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi was the Special Guest of Honor.

The Seminar was well attended by over 2000 students and several staff of Unizik and other participants from outside the University community.