VFD Group Boss Tasks Entrepreneurs To be Resilient, Collaborate and Impact Lives

The GMD/CEO VFD Group PLC, Mr Nonso Okpala has tasked emerging and young entrepreneurs to be resilient to create a successful verifiable track record for their business initiative, collaborate with people of like minds for long-term value creation and endeavor to impact lives when they become successful in life.

Mr. Okpala made the call yesterday while speaking at the 7th International Conference Symposium (HYBRID) 2026, themed 'Shaping Africa's Future Through Accounting Governance, Technology and Sustainable Business Management

organized by the Department of Accountancy, Faculty of Management Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) Awka, Anambra State, held at the Unizik Business School.

Presenting a paper titled 'From Vision To Legacy: Inspiring Africa's Next Generation of Responsible Business Leaders' Okpala also called on Government at different levels, Organized Private Sectors and Well to do Individuals to support business initiatives and intentions of young entrepreneurs with great, innovative ideas.

"Wealth begins with an idea or problem to solve. For mechanical industries, you need land, financial capital, Digital capital and Attention capital (Your ability to capture people's attention and translate it to a weaponized means of raising capital to improve your business).

"Develop a replicable business model especially for retail business. Refine it to a point that it can be sold to people who can buy the idea and support it. Collaboration: ability to lead, bring people together, inspire and create value. Establish a track record by documenting the value and achievement so that even if somebody does not believe in your idea today he may believe it in the next 5 years. Replicability: Scale it up from 1 to 3 or 5 units with technology you can get educated in any kind of small business. Institutionalize your company and get to the Exchanges with your CAC approval.

"Meanwhile, Government can help in guaranteeing schemes that would ensure that Small Business have access to the capital that they need to execute their businesses.

Seminars and workshops like this is very helpful, people share experiences so that young entrepreneurs will know that they are not alone in the journey. People have been through that path and they can learn from that person's wealth of experience.Training is very important, These training can be supported by government but government cannot do all. Individuals and the Private Sectors can assist.

Okpala also called for stronger collaboration between government, institutions of learning, civil society organizations, investors and communities to improve public education system in Nigeria saying that it would address socio-economic challenges confronting the country at the moment.

According to him, the joint intervention will bring impacts, create avenue for job opportunities and also serve as a worthy example of giving back to the society.

“VFD Group is seriously committed towards improving education sector and supporting Retail Revolution that is about to hit Nigeria. Our focus is on sustainability and impact because wealth without purpose and impact is valueless.

“As we all know, Education opens up ones mind, gives ability to solve problems and to build modelers solutions to those problems as businesses.

“With the love for education, the management of VFD Group is building 20 free schools across Nigeria, and we have started one in my home town UGA community in Aguata local government area of Anambra State.

“We are providing this gesture as part of our contribution for a better Nigeria and also to showcase my company’s track records as a leading principal investment company listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) with over two decades of experience spanning capital markets, investment management, corporate finance and ecosystem development.

The conference featured panel discussion and the presence of the Secretary to Anambra State Government SSG, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, Directorate Head, East Directorate UBA PLC, Mr Sampson Aneke, MD/CEO Afriland properties PLc, Mr Azubuike Emodi, Acting Head, Anambra Emerging Tax Audit Nigeria Revenue Service, Mrs Joan Emegoakor, Dr Chienye Okafor SAN, NAU DVC Academic, Prof Alex Asibo, Head Accountancy department, Prof. Onyinye Eneh and other dignitaries.