Obi of Onitsha, Ohabunwa, Darl Uzu to speak at $1bn Fund Enugu Economic Summit

The South East Business and Investment Summit (SEBIS) designed to set up a one billion dollar investment fund to support growth and development of Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs) in the region begins on Dec 11, a statement from SEBIS, says.

The statement issued by the Executive Secretary of SEBIS Dr. Ifedi Okwenna and made available to the Citypost in Abuja on Tuesday said the summit would be Chaired by Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe.

According to Okwenna Sam Ohuabunwa, former Chairman of Pfizer is one of the key speakers.

He said the Lead Private Sector Partner of Enyimba Economic City (EEC), and major sponsor of the summit, Mr.

According to him, Dr. Godknows Igali, an expert on economic diplomacy, who served 10 Nigerian Economic Missions, and former Ambassador to all Scandinavian Countries would would chair the premium business session.

He said keynote speeches would be delivered by Prof. Ken Ife, who is London Enterprise Ambassador and Chief Economic Strategist in ECOWAS Commission and Chairman of Enugu State Technical Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation.

Also to deliver a keynote speech according to Okwenna is Dr. Reuben Bamidele, National Programme Officer. United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

Okwenna said the keynote speeches would centre on:

“Enhanced capital inflow and innovative financing for Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSME) growth and development in South East, Nigeria and Institutional Programmes, Technologies, Innovations and Other Leadership Packages for Unlocking The South East Economy.”

He said other thematic topics to be discussed at the summit are:

“Agriculture and Food Security unlocking the potential of the South East for increased investment.

“Developing Partnership for Infrastructural revitalisation, bridging financing gap and sustainable management in the South East Nigeria.

“Unlocking the Energy Market and adequate energy needs for manufacturing and development in South East.

“Protection of investment and government support for businesses in the South East ”

He listed the resource persons at summit to include, Prof Charles Ogbologu, Vice-Chancellor, Maduka University, Ekwegbe-Nsukka, Enugu, Mrs. Nkiru Chime, Acting Managing Director/CEO, Infrastructure Bank.

Others are Prof Barth Nnaji, former Minister of Power and Founder/Chairman Geometrics Power Ltd and Dr Nkemji Ajoke Chief Executive Officer Investment Managers and Assets Consulting Limited (IMACL).

According to him, other presentations will be delivered on “Revitalising SME in South East as bedrock for increased Investment, Economic Stimulation and Growth in the Zone by Dr Charles Odii, Director General Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

He said the Director-General of Nigeria Automotive Design and Development Commission (NADDC), Mr. Joseph Osanipin, would speak on “Making the South East, the Nigeria’s Automotive Hub”

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SEBIS, a public private sector initiative, is powered by Enyimba Economic City, in collaboration with South East Chambers of Commerce and Enugu Chamber of Commerce, holds from December 11 to December 13 in Enugu.

Enyimba Economic City would during one of the sessions commence match-making of its SMEs partners in Indian, who are interested in manufacturing in Nigeria with Nigerian counterparts.