UNIZIK VC Advises Nigerians To Solve Challenges With Hard Work, Focus

The Vice-Chancellor of  Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Prof. Charles Esimone, has advised Nigerians to be creative, hardworking, consistent, resilient, networking, and focused, in order to solve the challenges facing the country.

The VC made this known on Thursday during the inauguration of the Learning and Development Unit of UNIZIK Business School in partnership with the Centre for Regional and International Development (CRID) held in Awka.

“It is a trying time for the nation, the institution, and the people.

"The salaries and incomes are no longer adequate.

"Therefore, there is a need for Nigerians to start to think differently.

“You must be creative to innovate. Your innovation must be towards solving a problem, creating value, or simplifying a process.

"You need hard work, resilience, and consistency to push through your innovation.

“You have to leverage your network to succeed. Seize every little opportunity that comes your way and remains focused while at it," he advised.

Esimone added that survival in this era depends on diversification and taking risks. 

Speaking on the programme, the VC said it was invented by CRID in Kent, United Kingdom to complement UNIZIK's pursuit of problem solving through teaching and research.

“This programme will support and develop the skills of individuals who want to survive anywhere, develop new skills, make an impact, solve problems and create new things.

“I urge the general public, managers, captains of industry, students, young graduates and everyone who wants to change the world to take advantage of this opportunity to upgrade their skills.

“They should also change their thinking pattern and improve their effectiveness in the world,” he said.

Nicholas Aitalegbe, Chief Executive Officer, CRID, said the programme was initiated to meet the present and future needs of private and public establishments.

“This programme is obtainable in Harvard and it is a key game changer as it concerns the university’s internally generated revenue.

“UNIZIK is toeing that line with this partnership and we urge other institutions to key into it.

“Challenges are meant to make us think outside the box and this partnership is here to make Nigerians critical thinkers in their various fields,” he said.

Amb. Rosalyn Hazelle, in her keynote, also said: “UNIZIK is setting the pace in Nigeria as the first institution to launch this programme in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The goals are also geared towards addressing major development challenges faced by people in Nigeria and around the world."

Chief Kevin Obieri, President, Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), encouraged UNIZIK to help the chamber in transforming how Onitsha traders think.