President Bola Tinubu, Thursday, said his administration was committed towards building one trillion-dollar economy through enterprise, productivity, and innovation.
Tinubu stated this at two-day conference and workshop organised in Awka by the Unizik Centre for Capital Market Studies (UCCMS) in collaboration with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the theme, “Harnessing Capital Market Opportunities for SME Growth and Investment Sustainability.”
The President, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship Development (Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy), Ms Chalya Shagaya, said his government would make Nigerian brands take lead in Africa and all over the world.
“We are laying a foundation for a Nigeria where every small business has a fair shot, where good ideas do not die and where entrepreneurship becomes not just survival, but success. So, let us harness the power of our capital markets, our creativity, and our collective will to build a Nigeria that works for everyone.
“So, when we talk about innovation, productivity, and national growth, let us be honest, it is happening right here. The markets of Onitsha and Nnewi have built more entrepreneurs than most MBA programs could dream of. We want our SMEs to compete locally and globally. We want our brands to understand and overcome all parts of Africa.
“As a government, we would continue to eliminate barriers to business. And to our entrepreneurs: keep doing what you do best, innovate, persevere, and disrupt. You are the heartbeat of this economy. And trust me, the Federal Government sees you, hears you, and is working daily to make sure you thrive,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Director-General of SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, represented by Executive Commissioner (Legal), Ms Frana Chukwuogor, called on universities, especially those in southeast to establish innovation hubs and expatiate action towards bridging the gaps between theories and convention.
In address, the Acting Vice Chancellor, UNIZIK, Professor Carol Arinze-Umeobi and the Director of UCCMS, Professor Chinedu Onyeizugbe, explained that the workshop was a gathering of policymakers, academics, regulators, investors and entrepreneurs to reposition the Nigerian economy through sustainable enterprise and capital market participation.
SOURCE: Blueprint
