By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, Igbariam Campus was a beehive of activities last Thursday as Professor Eliss Idemobi, a professor of Management and Entrepreneurship from Department of Business Administration presented the 11th inaugural Lecture Series of the Citadel of Learning.
The 11th Inaugural Lecture Series had Sustainable Development Pursuit With Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation On The Run: The Paradox Of Nigeria as its topic
Addressing his audience at ETF Auditorium
Igbariam Campus of the Varsity, Professor Idemobi thanked the Acting-Vice Chancellor of COOU, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, fnipr, who chaired the occasion, for creating the enabling environment for the academia to thrive, saying that the Ag. VC had placed the varsity on the path of progress.
Speaking on the topic of the day, Prof Idemobi
noted that Nigeria had grown beyond the level of still importing goods across borders despite huge endowment of natural resources.
'If we should consider the current economic realities occasioned by the dwindling oil revenue, there is no better time to promote made in Nigeria goods than now. If we are really serious about diversifying our economy, we must revive all our local industries and promote patronage for made in Nigeria goods.
'China closes its borders and faces only made in China products for good 30-years and today, they are among the best economies in the World.
'Nigeria can practice the same, at most for 20-years and the negative economic narrative will change for the better.
'Despite the fact that Nigeria has been counted as the biggest economy nation in Africa, no commendable national development has occurred in the country since independence,” he said..
In his recommendation, Prof Idemobi said what Nigeria really needed now to achieved it grow and developed in all sectors of the economy included 'Regional corporation in infrastructural provision, increase operation on security nationwide, greater focused on local production and the need for every Nigeria to keep behind political, ethnic, tribe and religion sentiment if we must get it right.
Earlier in a remark, the Ag Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, in her brief remark, while commending the lecturer on the topic, said the inaugural lecture series was a platform created by the University to enable Professors showcase their academic achievements over time.
She noted that the 11th series was the third that had taken place under her watch and it would continue until August 2024.
In an interview, the Lawmaker representing Onitsha North II Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Patrick Okafor who is House Committee Chairman on Judiciary, enjoined all, especially the youths to make use of the lecture for self-development.