The students and lecturers of the university of Ibadan have experienced how traditional Institutions is pivotal to national development.
This was the focus of the Personality Lecture delivered by the former president of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Oyo state Engr Chief Ndubisi Okorie . The lecture was organised by the Gender Studies Programme , Institute of African Studies University of Ibadan.
The students and staff witnessed the significance of the Igbo culture of breaking of tkolanuts and prayers offered in various dialects .
Also the offering of garden eggs and groundnuts were noteworthy moment taught during the event.
Speaking on the theme ” The role of traditional Institutions and entrepreneurship in a secured environment for national development and gender cultural conversation”, Engr. Chief Okorie said traditional institutions serve as the clearing house for engagement of aspiring entrepreneurs and guarantors, referees in their various communities.
He added that as the custodians of the socio-cultural and economic activities in Igbo land they can identify individuals and groups/families through which these skills are imparted on their youths. They are able to: ” identify successful genuine businessmen/women who are into legitimate ventures. These men/women serve as mentors and train the youths in various trades and business. Identifying those with practical skills. They engage the youths in hands-on training and knowledge acquisition. Thereby preparing them for entrepreneurship and ventures.Identify wealthy individuals and families that are willing to engage or support indigent youths through their family links and connections. Finally, the traditional institutions serve as arbitrators in settling disputes or misunderstanding between mentors and their apprentice.”
The mentors and families usually help to finance the take-off grants of their wards on completion of their skill acquisition or at the end of the number of years of apprenticeship as may have been agreed upon at inception.
Engr Chief Okorie added that there are many ways the Igbo entrepreneurship have impacted on our nation.The Igbo traditional institutions and entrepreneurship model help to foster sustainable entrepreneurship within the Igbo Communities and the nation in general. It enhances social mobility and empowerment. The youths are taken to distant towns far away from their place of birth where they settle to ply their trades and skills. They help to develop their host communities.Their activities help to institute a vibrant small to medium scale businesses which are the drivers of economic development of the society and the nation at large.
“They help to enhance security through the engagement of youths in useful ventures and trade. An idle hand is the devil’s workshop.
The Igbo race is known to be very adventurous and are willing to explore new ground. They bring in new innovations into their business. They move to hitherto undeveloped places and through their business bring development wherever they settle.
The event witnessed the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities including the Oyo State Commissioner of Police CP Johnson Adenola who bagged a distinguished Personality award for his outstanding leadership in promoting security in Oyo state . Erstwhile President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Oyo, Emeritus President Chief Engr. Benjamin Okorie was also conferred with a distinguished Personality award . Other distinguished Personality awardees include Chief Okechukwu Umeh , the president Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Oyo state, Mr. Michael Chibuzor Publicity Secretary, Barr, Chima Onah, the Youth Leader , High Chief Benjamin Okeke , Dr. Paul Ilona , Dr. Chris Nkoo, High Chief Francis Ugbeagbala , Hon. Tallest Innocent , Evang. Ijeoma Uchendu, the Women Leader, Chief Isaac Okonkwo,High Chief A. O Obi JP, for their philanthropy and contributions to the Igbo traditional Institutions and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.
The Coordinator of the Gender Studies Programme , Dr. Molatokunbo Olutayo commended the Lecturer and the awardees . She said ‘’ The lecture was very rich and our students have learnt a lot about our tradition and the need for them to embrace it ‘’.
The Director of the Institute of African Studies , Prof. Sola Olorunyomi calls for unity among Nigerians . He said ‘’ If you take some words in Igbo language and some words in Yoruba language, they are similar. Unity among the tribes will bring progress. We stand to gain more when we are united’’
