Prof. Charles Esimone, Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, says that surviving the challenges of Nigeria today, requires creativity, hard work, consistency, resilience, networking and focus.
Esimone said this on Thursday in Awka at the inauguration of Learning and Development Unit of UNIZIK Business School in collaboration with the Centre for Regional and International Development (CRID).
“It is a trying time for the nation, the institution and the people. The salaries and incomes are no longer adequate. Therefore, there is the need for Nigerians to start to think differently.
“You must be creative to innovate. Your innovation must be towards solving a problem, creating value or simplifying a process. You need hard work, resilience and consistency to push through your innovation.
“You have to leverage your network to succeed. Seize every little opportunity that comes your way and remain focused while at it”, he said.
According to him, to survive in this present age, one needs to have eggs in many baskets, take risks, adding that `great things are not found in a common pathway`.
The Vice-Chancellor said the programme was designed by CRID in Kent, United Kingdom, in line with the institution’s mission of using teaching and research to solve the problem.\
“This programme will support and develop the skills of individuals who want to survive anywhere, develop new skills, make impact, solve problems and create new things.
“I urged the general public, managers, captains of industry, students, young graduates and everyone who wants to change the world to take advantage of this opportunity to upgrade their skills.
“They should also change their thinking pattern and improve their effectiveness in the world,” he said.
In her keynote Amb. Rosalyn Hazelle, said the programme would help individuals and organisations to thrive and progress in their endeavours.
“UNIZIK is setting the pace in Nigeria as the first institution to launch this programme in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
.
“The goals are also geared towards address major development challenges faced by people in Nigeria and around the world,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Nicholas Aitalegbe, Chief Executive Officer, CRID, said the programme was borne out of commitment to meet current and future capacity development needs of public and private sector organisations.
“This programme is obtainable in Harvard and it is a key game changer as it concerns the university’s internally generated revenue.
“UNIZIK is toeing that line with this partnership and we urge other institutions to key into it.
“Challenges are meant to make us think outside the box and this partnership is here to make Nigerians critical thinkers in their various fields,” he said.
In his remarks, Chief Kevin Obieri, President, Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), urged the institution to assist the chamber transform the business mindset of Onitsha traders. (NAN)
