It was a historic moment for Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, following the public presentation of the report of the research on Igbo Apprenticeship (Igba Boyi) model by the Unizik Business School (UBS).
The research was sponsored by the governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and chairman of Dunes Entertainment Centre, Abuja, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, through his Pro-Value Humanity Foundation.
The research was titled, ‘Reinvigorating Igbo Entrepreneurial Behaviour Through Enhanced Apprenticeship Scheme in Onitsha Markets, Anambra State’.
Presenting the research findings, the Principal Investigator, Prof. Nkemdili Nnonyelu, decried the decline in Igbo apprenticeship scheme which, he said, was because of devaluation of family values and unbridled quest for materialism.
According to him, the apprenticeship scheme should be reconceptualised to eliminate any form of stigma attached to the ‘Igba Boyi’ syndrome in order to make it attractive.
He said, “majority of Igbo traders in Onitsha went through the tutelage of ‘Igba Boyi’ under different masters, and that was significant to their business success”.
According to him, the ‘Igba Boyi’ model should rather be christened the ‘Apprentice preneurship’ or ‘Nkwado Ogaranya’, as a way of sustaining the values behind the Igbo spirit of enterprise.
“We also found that the devaluation of family values and the new orientation of get-rich-quick mentality were some of the causative factors that have affected the state of Igbo apprenticeship,” he said.
Nnonyelu noted that apprenticeship had helped to inculcate values and advance entrepreneurs as co-creators of wealth and employers of labour, noting the need to restore the lost glory of apprenticeship practice in Igboland.
He said the research was a product of over two years journey and thanked Dr. Okonkwo for providing the N15 million research grant
According to him, the research would be an interface between the academic institution, the business school and the industry.
Dr. Okonkwo called for the immediate implementation of findings of the research, which, according to him, would go a long way in reducing the unemployment rate in Anambra State and provide a latitude for youths to thrive in businesses.
According to the gubernatorial candidate, there is need to rebuild ethical infrastructure and value reorientation of youths to restore the lost glory of Igbo apprenticeship scheme in Anambra State, South East and beyond.
He said the gesture was a way of giving back to society, especially having had a short stint in business in Onitsha, before travelling out of the country for studies.
In a remark, the Director, Unizik Business School (UBS), Prof. Emma Okoye, thanked the benefactor for his commitment and financial support, even as he urged him to extend such support to other Igbo states like Abia, with highest clusters of SMEs.
