'Igbo businessmen should rethink their enterprise mannequin' – Otti

Otti acknowledged this on Thursday throughout an annual public lecture collection to commemorate the seventieth birthday ceremony of the chairman of Chisco Group of Companies, homeowners of Chisco Transport Limited, Chief Chidi Anyaegbu.

The lecture collection was organized by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, in honour of the transport mogul to rejoice his birthday and likewise the institution of Department of Transportation within the college.

The occasion which was held on the college additionally featured a groundbreaking ceremony of the Chidi Anyaegbu Resource Center and the disclosing of a guide in honour of Anyaegbu, with the title: Platinum footprints of enterprise: The life, management and legacies of Chief Chidi Anyaegbu.

“Sole proprietorship will not give us the edge to contribute or lead in business. There is need for us to rethink the model. Individual business ventures is becoming too restrictive. We should begin to explore shared ownership, but let’s explore ways to attract financial backings. Competition is not something to dread, it brings us out of our comfort zone. We must look at ways of expanding our businesses with what is internationally acceptable as that is the only way to sustain our businesses.

“We can’t proceed to stay to the Okonkwo and Sons or Okafor and Bros Limited, or what we name the ikeotuonye philosophy (the facility of 1 man).”

Speaking of other ways Igbo businessmen can grow their businesses and the lessons to learn from how Anyaegbu grew, Otti said people must try to be trustworthy, dedicated and hard working, insisting that such time tested virtues cannot be replaced with technology or artificial intelligence.

“Okiyi has proven that belief is a big capital in enterprise. Diligence, trustworthiness cannot be substituted for expertise. I would be the final individual to make an argument in opposition to expertise, however belief, diligence are currencies that can’t be wished away. Young ones who aspire to be the Chiscos of tomorrow should brace up as a result of the competitors is even stiffer immediately. The quickest option to be a superb entrepreneur is to construct belief, it’s simpler for individuals to refer you when you’re reliable.”

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, former governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa in his opening address said the occasion was one to celebrate hard work, success and philanthropy.

“We are additionally right here to rejoice the elements that gave rise to success. We are celebrating self-discipline, dedication, onerous work, trustworthiness. If our benefactor immediately did not have this attributes, we might not have been right here to rejoice him. So we’re right here to rejoice the issues that made him succeed.

“Many people have tried and didn’t succeed and some who even had these attributes did not succeed because they need God factor in their lives. We will also want to recognize those who helped his destiny for him to come up to where he is today.

“We additionally must look and examine the philanthropy fashion of Anyaegbu. After he succeeded, he determined to assist others. He did not simply confine his philanthropy in Amichi (his village) however determined to take it far and broad. So I cost all, wherever you’re, as soon as God blesses you, please prioritize serving to others to succeed too.”

Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof Kate Omenugha said the Department of Transportation will help study transport from an academic perspective, not just learn from a man who built transport, logistics, oil and gas firms and others from N150 settlement money given to him by his master in 1976.

“This division will assist our college students to be taught that transportation isn’t just about revenue however about service to humanity, which is what Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, the godfather of transportation enterprise in Nigeria stands for,” she acknowledged.