*Plans Intervention Programmes for Young Entrepreneurs
The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) Business Management Class of 1997, at its first reunion in Abuja, emphasised the need to support young entrepreneurs and provide them with the necessary assistance to enable them to contribute to economic growth while discouraging practices that fall below acceptable moral and legal standards.
The Class of ’97 also agreed to constitute an investment committee that would assist the forum in pursuing its goals ahead of its proposed 30th anniversary, slated for 2027.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Babangida Nguroje, who spoke at the reunion, called on his former coursemates to deploy their professional expertise in ways that would strengthen the nation’s economy, give back to their university and groom upcoming entrepreneurs through training and other opportunities for growth.
Nguroje emphasised the need to boost Nigeria’s economy through investments that would create jobs for the teeming youth population and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
According to him, “It is my honour to be in your midst this evening and a rare opportunity for all of us to be united again after several years.
“It is particularly important that this reunion is coming at a time when this country needs our expertise as students of figures, data and research.
“This is our first reunion, and I am glad that we have developed in our individual capacities and areas of interest.
“Much as we are here basically to catch up again, it is important that we discuss matters that will leave our footprints in our university by identifying areas where we can assist the institution, particularly our department.
“We must also look at ways of making this gathering an annual event and determine how best we can lift those in need and create opportunities for all of us.”
One of the organisers of the reunion, Mrs Julianna Aiwerioghene, said the Class of ’97 would take the issue of empowerment seriously, adding that, as managers, members would be interested in grooming younger business owners to attain their full potential.
“We will be interested in harnessing their capabilities and helping them build themselves through training and other forms of support.
“We want to see a productive generation among the younger ones. We will subsequently look at helping one another and continually explore ways to remain united and grow together.
“Progress is something we take seriously, and we will also not forget our university in the process,” Aiwerioghene said.
