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A faculty of speakers at the recently held 2nd IIPCEL Annual Global Conference Awards and Dinner in Jos, Plateau State have advocated for increased utilization of digital tools in wealth creation. They emphasized that the digital economy requires entrepreneurs to embrace novel digital technologies for new ventures and the transformation of existing business models.
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According to the dons, who were drawn from across various universities in Nigeria, entrepreneurship in the digital economy has made it imperative for entrepreneurs to approach all new ventures and the transformation of existing business models or social value by creating and using novel digital technologies.
Entrepreneurs and Wealth Creation in a Digitalized Economy
The conference with the theme: “Entrepreneurs and Wealth Creation in a Digitalized Economy-Action Plan” held as part of the investiture ceremony the of its first president of the International Institute of Professional Corporate Entrepreneurship and Leadership (IIPCEL).
Professor Tanko Ishaya, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, highlighted the shift toward a digital era, creating opportunities for those adapting to new parameters related to digital technologies diffusion. He outlined the five pillars of digital entrepreneurship: digital business environment, digital awareness base and ICT market, digital expertise, entrepreneurship culture, and easy access to finance.
The Professor of Computer Science & Information Technology said modern day entrepreneurship is based on factors and features quite different from established game rules and open unfathomed opportunities for corporate entities and individuals able to adapt at the new parameters and functionalities related to digital technologies diffusion. He was represented by Prof. Emmanuel Umoru Oki, a Professor of Finance, Banking and Entrepreneurship who is currently, the Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies, University of Jos.
Digital entrepreneurship fosters innovation and creativity, allowing for the creation of new products and services and the development of entirely new business models, according to speakers from the Department of Business Administration at the University of Jos.
Vice Chancellor of Salem University, Lokoja-Nigeria, Prof. Johnson Alewo Akubo, expressed similar position in his presentation with the title: “Trends and Digital Innovations in Education Management and Delivery – Beneficial Impacts on the Economy.’ He said studies have shown that entrepreneurial intentions measured in terms of perceived feasibility, desirability and propensity to act tend to promotes new venture creation which in turn result to wealth creation through employment. Prof Akubo was represented by Head of Department of International Relations, Salem University, Dr Morgan Ode.
Other speakers from the Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences; University of Jos expressed similar position. They include Prof Meshach G Goyit, Dr Reuel J Dakung, and Dr Nanfa D Kusa. They argued that digital entrepreneurship encourages innovation and creativity since the resort to digital tools allows for new products or services to be created as well as the formation of an entirely new business model.
Managing Director and Chief Executive of Tarmac Security Limited, Inko-Tariah Ipalibo, in his own presentation on: ‘Trends and Digital Innovations in Security Management Delivery on the Economy – Private Sector Perspectives’ said the emergence of digital entrepreneurship is helping to revolutionize the entrepreneurial landscape, empowering entrepreneurs to overcome traditional limitations and engage on an unprecedented scale. There is now a ready resort to innovative and knowledge base strategies,
Investiture of first President and Award Recognition
Highlights of the event included the investiture of the First President and Chairman of Council of the IIPCEL. Dr. Bitrus Pam Badung, then followed by award recognition of Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos with Excellence in Leadership Award of the year 2023; Hon. Ajang Alfred Iliya for Excellence in Business and Leadership Award; Professor Johnson Alewo Akubo, Vice Chancellor of Salem University Lokoja was conferred with the Grand Corporate Entrepreneur and Leader of the Year 2023; Mrs Grace Nanji Chikan, Chairperson of the African Women Entrepreneurs Program, Plateau State Branch conferred with the Woman Corporate Entrepreneur and Leader of the Year 2023; Miss Ritmwan Sitkukka, CEO of Awtik Beautifiers, and a recipient of the YouWin Entrepreneurship Grant, was conferred with the Young Corporate Entrepreneur and Leader of the Year 2023.
Badung: IIPCEL’s First President
The new IIPCEL’s First President has contributed extensively to scientific publications on various areas of Medical Microbiology. He is a member of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Fellow, West Africa Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science (FWAPCMLS), and Fellow, International Institute of Professional Corporate Entrepreneurship and Leadership (FPCEL).
Badung, who is also Business Development/Operations Manager of Sysmex Healthcare Ltd based in Lagos, describes his investiture as first president and award recognition as a challenge to infuse discipline and professional ethos into leadership role across sectors in Nigeria.
Earlier, Godwin Urhie, Executive Chairman/CEO of Oakland Business School, Jos and Director General of IIPCEL said the event is an annual stocktaking gathering on the place of leadership in advancing Nigeria’s development.
