By Samuel Egburonu

Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Friday called for revival and sustainance of Igbo business system, known as ‘Igba Boi ‘apprenticeship’ system.

He regretted that the system, which has attracted global interest, is being neglected today by the Igbo who invented it to the world.

Kalu made the call in Lagos at the “All Markets Conference 2023” with the theme: “Catalysing Partnership with Traders through Innovation, Technology, Analytics & Sustainability”.

The Deputy Speaker who also condemned the Mondays sit at home order in the Southeast region, outlining the huge economy loss arising from it, said: “We cannot afford to retreat from our business endeavors. The stay-at-home order on Mondays has resulted in staggering losses of 4 trillion Naira in the last two years in the Southeast alone according to statistical data.

This is also affecting the businesses of our brothers across Nigeria, especially in the supply-chain.

We must find lasting solutions to the security challenges in Igboland, addressing them collectively with innovative strategies. My brothers and my sisters. We must think and think again!”

Kalu spoke passionately of the need to revive Igbo apprenticeship system, a time tested practice in Igboland that has caught global interest.

As he puts it: “I want to draw your attention to a remarkable aspect of our economic history—the “Igba-Boi” Apprenticeship System otherwise called the Igbo Apprenticeship System by Business and Economics experts worldwide.

This time-honored tradition has played a pivotal role in the growth of capital formation in Igboland, especially during the challenging post-civil war recovery period.

“It is a system that has been studied extensively by renowned institutions such as Harvard Business School, with business cases dedicated to showcasing its unique merits in top business schools worldwide.

Today, it stands as a shining example of excellent venture capital in the world.

“However, let us pause for a moment and ask ourselves a rhetorical question: How many of us in this conference still have apprentices?

Perhaps a few. As we reflect on this, we must acknowledge that the “Igba-Boi” apprenticeship system is going into extinction, but we must be innovative in our approach to revive and sustain it.

We cannot afford to let this invaluable heritage fade away, for it carries the seeds of our future prosperity.

“This draws down to another important question we must ponder on – should we formalize the Igba-Boi Apprenticeship system? What I mean here is whether a national apprenticeship system should be set up that adopts the core element of the Igba-Boi apprenticeship system and combines it with the conventional education system in Nigeria to optimize the benefits for our teeming youth.

“This is why my office is open to you all umunnem! Please feel free to come
and engage in this fruitful discourse as we look for the way forward to advance a core element of our rich economic and business practices and ensure that it is sustainable for future generations.

“Ummunem na Umunnam, Igbo bu Igbo, let me assure you that as the Deputy Speaker, working with my colleagues from the Southeast in the National Assembly are committed to this task in the next four years of the current administration.

Together, we will work towards an inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.”

Source: http://newsorientng.com

Photo Credit: The Punch