Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has said Nigeria’s wealth and prosperity lie in harnessing and encouraging youth entrepreneurship for productivity. He however stressed that to move Nigeria from consumption to production, governments must aggressively support entrepreneurship and small businesses.
Obi stated this on his twitter handle, while recounting his experience at the Owerri Business Week, in Owerri, Imo State. The presidential candidate said he had a fruitful and engaging interaction with about a thousand youths, and that they exchanged ideas on entrepreneurship, leadership, and business management.
He said, “I was gratified by their zeal to succeed and their enthusiasm to initiate and contribute to positive changes in society. Sadly, our neglect of productivity has made us abandon this critical component of development – entrepreneurship and small businesses, which are proven catalysts of development in many comparable economies around the world. However, I encouraged the youths to remain committed and resolute in being entrepreneurial and growing their small businesses and to continue with their contribution to our national productivity for growth and development. To achieve the New Nigeria which will be anchored on moving Nigeria from consumption to production, governments must encourage and support entrepreneurship and small businesses aggressively. I supported the program with a token of 3 million Naira.
“I thank the organisers of the program and the individuals who contributed to mentoring the young ones. I appreciate them for the success they have recorded so far. The wealth and prosperity of our nation lie in harnessing and encouraging youth entrepreneurship for productivity.
“Together we will achieve the New Nigeria of our dreams as a land where all great things are POssible. -PO” he said.