CAMPUS CEO- CELEBRATING ENTREPRENEURS

Although the sun was out early on this particular beautiful Monday morning, the students started arriving as early as 8:00am and by 9:30am, the ETF hall of Cross River State University of Technology (Crutech), venue of the Campus CEOs conference was filled to the brim. The event which kicked off by engaging the students productively on their perspective on entrepreneurship. Although, quite a number of the students had an idea about entrepreneurship, majority of the response showed lack of understanding of what entrepreneurship represent. In her welcome address, Miss Blessing Akpan, representing the EDC Manager explained to the students the benefits of becoming campus CEOs and how much influence they could have on campus if they could add entrepreneurial spice to their educational ambition. She encouraged them to give attention to the discourses that would ensue during the event, as it will be the spark for a greater life. Speaking on the topic “Entrepreneurship; the fulcrum of Sustainability”, the Vice President of Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Efa Imoke stressed the need for more entrepreneurs to rise in the nation to sustain the economy of the country as that is the only way to create employment and sustainable development. “Nigeria urgently needs young people to embrace entrepreneurship as the most sustainable way to wealth creation and there is no better time to start than now. You can start doing something while in school, no matter how small. The choice is up to you all seated in this hall”. Dr. Imoke said.
Two guest CEOs Mr. Joseph Edet (CEO of La’shakara Wears) and Miss. Ringret Gofaan (CEO Ringret.com; NLP Practitioner) shared their own story about their “Giant strides of Entrepreneurship”. The students were ecstatic and open-minded about their story which articulated their struggles, their pains and their victories. The session ended with a question and answer sessions that nullified doubts in the hearts of the students about their decision to becoming entrepreneurs.
The Vice chancellor; Prof. Anthony Owan-Eno thanked the CBN SSEDC team for putting together the event, and encouraged the students to make good use of the opportunity provided. In his words, “the Campus CEO conference is potentially worth more to the student than any lectures they would receive from first year to final year”; adding that this event was going to mark a beginning of new things in their lives if they put to work all they heard today.
 
Other major highlights of the event was a presentation by Mr. Iso Bassey, on practical ways of generating markets with modern marketing strategies. He stressed on the importance of uniqueness and leveraging on their existing networks to advertise and promote their businesses. He concluded by encouraging the students to be change agents even in their immediate environment. Others who spoke were Dr. Nelson Takon, Director Entrepreneurship, international relations and development center CRUTECH and Mr. James Mbu, Dr. Civil Engineering MIIT USA.