Association Identifies Pathways For Nigeria To Achieve Sustainable Growth

By Adebayo Dawodu

As part of efforts aimed at driving sustainable growth for Nigeria, the School of Media and Communication Alumni Association of the Pan-Atlantic University (SMCAA) recently held its first Breakfast Session for 2016, under the theme ‘Achieving Sustainable Profit and Growth.’

The event, which held at the former campus of Pan-Atlantic University, Victoria Island, Lagos brought together members of the association who discussed strategies geared toward achieving the desired growth for Nigeria.

In her address, President of SMCAA, Mrs. Maria Okoriejor, reiterated the aims and objectives of periodic breakfast sessions, which included keeping alumni abreast of issues affecting the society, especially in the media and communication sphere, in addition to providing ideas to address them.

Dr. Harbhajan Batth, Group Chief Information Officer, Chellarams Plc., who was keynote speaker at the occasion emphasised the need for Nigeria to look inward in a bid to encourage domestic trade. He went further to shed light on the ‘make it in Nigeria & made in Nigeria concepts.’ He noted that the practice of mono-economy as a nation has led to the dwindling of the economy and the drastic fall of Naira.

He said: “Strong quest for survival (people seek money before value), inadequate knowledge, lack of focus (jack of all trade), fear of failure (aversion), lack of vision (short-sightedness), poor money management (extravagance) and “I can do well all by myself” attitude are some of the reasons why Nigerian entrepreneurs fail.

Participants expressed profound gratitude to the association for providing a platform that “educates and motivates members in repositioning themselves to provide tailored-made business solutions to the problems facing businesses in Nigeria.

Others also expressed great hope for the nation stating that Nigeria is an endowed nation whose economy could soar to greater heights with the right leadership culture. At the end of the event, participants resolved to make use of the information provided as they looked forward to the breakfast next breakfast sessions.

Others present at the event included Dean of the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya and other faculty members.