– As Prof. Adekoya-led UNILAG Muslim Alumni holds first AGM/Congress
Nigerians have been urged to diversify into entrepreneurship as it has the potential to boost the national economy and end economic woes facing the country if given the desired attention.
Dr Ayodele Ibrahim Shittu made this call on Monday at the 34th Annual General Meeting/Congress of UNILAG Muslim Alumni (UMA), held at the Islamic Centre Hall of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
Speaking on the topic “Rethinking Entrepreneurship in a Changing Economic Landscape”, Dr Shittu identified the various contexts of entrepreneurship and the fact that entrepreneurship is a complex process that occurs on multiple levels.
He opined that the challenging circumstances need entrepreneurs as innovators, risk-takers and wealth creators, as well as potential catalysts for socio-economic growth.
The former Deputy Director at the UNILAG Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Center probed Nigeria’s entrepreneurial drive, noting that it does not have a healthy supportive ecosystem and effective policy for its transformation from a struggling state to a thriving socio-economic venture.
According to him, entrepreneurship enhances employability, and a more progressive system allows entrepreneurs to scale up through the productive exploitation of opportunities supported by policies that will not overtly penalize entrepreneurs for making mistakes.
Dr Shittu also spoke about social entrepreneurship which is based on applying entrepreneurial principles, processes, and operations to achieve social changes.
In his words “…we need to be better to improve our entrepreneurship drive. The current dominant focus on cost-efficiency needs to be replaced by sustainable opportunity exploitation.”
His presentation pointed out the role of entrepreneurship within the university and hailed the university for its approach to promoting entrepreneurial spirit and supporting students to set up profitable business ventures in their chosen professions before graduation.
He urged UMA to partner with the entrepreneurship centre to improve the quality of life for both individuals and communities, create new jobs, eliminate poverty in local areas as well and bring about economic independence.
In his remark, the UMA President, Professor Khalid Adekoya welcomed and expressed gratitude to the UMA members for their immense contributions.
He thanked the trustees, elders, and NEC members whose financial contributions were instrumental to the realization of the association’s projects.
Professor Adekoya reported the association’s activities in the past year of his tenure and identified some key areas it focused on which consequently led to the advancement of UMA.
His words, “For an organisation to accomplish its tasks and aspirations, fund is the oxygen that powers the vision and mission.”
He revealed that to continuously engage members positively, there have been regular, quarterly webinar series anchored by erudite scholars in their fields on political, developmental, financial, entrepreneurial and religious topics for the benefit of members and the general public.
One of the highlights of the event was a free medical check-up organised for participants. The organisation also held a health enlightenment sensitisation for all the members.
In the health talk delivered by Dr Maridheeyah Olokodana-Adesalu, she called on members to take seriously their health and urged them not to allow earning a living deprive them of taking good care of their health.
Dr Olokodana-Adesalu spoke extensively on the importance of regular health screenings for all, stressing that it remains the only way to take charge of health in old age.
The hybrid event which featured Quranic recitation, and prayer session had in attendance notable alumni including former UMA President, Alh. Lérè Alimi; Group Sports Editor, Complete Football/ Magazine, Dr. Mumini Alao; Director, Centre for Information Technology & Systems, UNILAG Professor M.O.H Amuda; and Dean, Students Affairs, UNILAG, Professor Musa Adebayo Obalola.
Other guests who graced the meeting were the Provost, Federal College of Education(Technical) Akoka, Dr. Wahab Azeez, and former presidents of the association, Lateef Bakare, and UMA Chairman, Board of Trustees, Alhaji Razak Oladejo who joined virtually.
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