A businessman, Dr Obiora Okonkwo, has instituted a research chair at the UNIZIK Business School, Awka, Anambra State, on the Onitsha main market.
The research, he explained would document the beginning, growth and development of entrepreneurship at the Onitsha main market, which at a time, was the largest market in West Africa.
Okonkwo made the announcement after he was conferred with an award as Business Philanthropist of the Year by the school at the second UBS International Conference, themed, ‘Re-Engeineering Africa’s Economies towards Sustainable Business Development’.
Okonkwo said a new generation of Nigerians had a lot to learn from the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbo man which, according to him, was developed from the Main Market at Onitsha.
He said before the emergence of large markets in Lagos, the Onitsha main market held sway as the hub of Igbo enterprise.
Okonkwo added, “At that time, every Igbo millionaire took off from the main market in Onitsha. I had my first lessons in trading at the Onitsha main market, rising from there to become who I am today.”
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charles Esimone, said “Re-engineering Africa’s economies/business development should be anchored on exploiting the value chains of the continent’s primary resources, agriculture and minerals and expanding the portfolio to exports.”
