Asian-African Chambers of Commerce and Industry to establish University in Nigeria

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Asian-African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) has announced its plan to establish its university in Nigeria.

The organisation which recently inaugurated its Nigerian board at an event in Lagos revealed it had acquired an expanse of land in Oyo State to establish the University of Entrepreneurship and Technology.

The board instituted 27th April has eminent Nigerians who are expected to help midwife the organisation’s university.

Founder/Chairman of AACCI, Professor Dr. Sir G.D. Singh however called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the establishment of the proposed University.

Singh, who is also the President of the University of Entrepreneurship and Technology located in the State of Delaware, USA, is optimistic the institution would succeed in Nigeria.

According to him, any economy that would succeed must employ expertise of skilled professionals, stating that AACCI focuses on providing the needed expertise to boost economies in Asia and African countries.

“Skilled people are needed in developing any economy. I believe AACCI is now basically a research oriented institution and we need donours to accomplish this.

“So any investor, who wants to be part of this university, can meet us for talks. The proposed University of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria will create its own milestone and build a legacy.

“Education is one area we should all promote and that is what the University is all about. That is why we have eminent personalities to be part of it and this is why some of you will be honourary Doctoral awardees. After this honour you have to show responsibilities to this University,” he said.

In his welcome address, Vice Chairman-Africa Region of AACCI, High Prince Dr. Leye Babalola, shared the vision of the organisation, urging Nigerians to buy into the dream for collective benefits and economic growth.

Answering questions about how small scale businesses in Nigeria can benefit from the high trade volume going on between Nigeria and Asian countries, Babalola said, the small enterprises in Nigeria have so much to benefit from AACCI.

“AACCI is a platform for the investors and the entrepreneurs to meet and build synergy so as to develop the economy for growth and development of every one,” he said.

He also assured that AACCI is a platform for transfer of economy and technical know-how. “AACCI is also a platform for economic and technical transfer, and by the special grace of God in December, Asian investors and African entrepreneurs are going to meet to have what we call bilateral e-trade and e-commerce synergy.”

Also at the event, Lagos State coordinator of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Yinka Fisher addressed participants on the challenges of Micro and Medium Small Enterprises (MSMEs) and how such challenges can be ameliorated.

“The challenges MSMEs are facing are so global and one of the ways they can be solved is through capacity building,” he said, adding that, “People should know what to do and when they should do such and when information is not put in place, there is always a gap. People should be well informed on what to do and there will be more enlightenment to know what opportunities abound.”

Managing Director of Rinllandded Nigeria Limited, Mr. Anrinle Ahmed Adekunle at the event shared on what worked for his business as a small enterprise. According to him, any small start-up with serious minded entrepreneur can learn from his story.

“The very first thing you need to know is that manna does not fall from heaven. Young entrepreneurs who believe without capital they cannot go anywhere are getting things wrong,” he said.

The businessman, who started his business as an undergraduate, hit his first million naira mark before graduation. Anrinle continued that, “If young entrepreneurs continue thinking they cannot succeed without capital; I can certainly assure them they will still remain where they are.

“It is not about the capital but about what they have within themselves. If they could develop what they have within themselves, those things will bring the capital they need. I am an example myself. I never had any capital before starting my enterprise and today my ideas have attracted capital both within and outside the country, he said.

He however advised young entrepreneurs to develop their ideas and follow passionately.

Advising the government, Anrinle said the government should assist SMEs to grow via enabling environment.

“I will also advise the government if it is actually sincere to developing SMEs in this country, they need to forget about taxes. They need to give tax relief to SMEs as this will give them the opportunity to develop and sky will be the limit for the country’s economy,” he advised.

Delivering her lecture on Poverty Reduction and Wealth Creation, the roles of SMEs in Africa, the Chief Trade Promotion Office for the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Bolanle Emmanuel addressed the participants on how SMEs can take advantage of the non-oil export.

Emmanuel, who represented the Executive Director of the NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, explained how the small businesses in Nigeria can take advantage of the various programs of the Federal Government agency.

“SMEs can take advantage of what NEPC offers by participating in our capacity building trainings and by visiting our smart offices nationwide to get information and support for whatever they are producing so that they can develop their products to international standard,” she said.

She also added that the Executive Director is passionate about the non-oil export sector in Nigeria which the NEPC is in charge of. According to her, “Mr. Olusegun Awolowo who would have loved to be here but for other pressing official assignments is passionate about MSMEs and SMEs in Nigeria.

“Due to his passion and mandate at the NEPC, the organisation has created Smart Offices across Nigeria to serve the public through several trade promotions and awareness programs.

“Entrepreneurs and SMEs which are engine rooms for economic growth should approach any NEPC office nearest to them to obtain ready information to grow their businesses,” she advised.

 

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