The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Employability (CEE), Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, recently put all 200 level students of the University on a compulsory entrepreneurship course, to make them entrepreneurs.

The training took place at the capacity filled University Main Auditorium, with about 3000 students put in different groups, in attendance. The students were exposed to such tasks as business development plan, relevant to their various disciplines.


Dr. Makuachukwu Ojide addressing the students

In his introductory speech, Dr. Makuachukwu Ojide, Acting Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Employability (CEE), informed the students that they were being trained to equip them to become future producers and entrepreneurs, adducing that the training is a way of empowering them, as the experience gained from the training would give them the edge to set up businesses after schooling here, instead of waiting for paid jobs that may not come.

Dr. Ojide further explained that the training is taken to heart by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, who wants the graduates of the University to come out the best in whatever they are doing, iterating that it is the desire of the Vice-Chancellor that at the end of their university education, they would not be thrown to fate, hence this preparation to make them entrepreneurs, while still in school.


Mr. Ezennabuike, delivering his speech

The Guest Speaker, Mr. Chibuike Arinze Ezennabuike, Head, Corporate Affairs Commission, Ebonyi State, put the students through on the role of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), in the process of establishing their own businesses, pointing out that CAC is the body responsible for registering businesses in Nigeria. Mr. Ezennabuike further told the trainees that after a business has been decided upon, it is necessary to legalize and register the business while taking them through the steps, from conception to full operation of the business. He promised to assign a Desk Officer to the students to effect registration at subsidized costs, for those who may wish to register new businesses after the training.

Some 300 level students who were earlier trained in production of various consumables made presentation of their products to the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba. VC who was very pleased with the presentation, informed the students that it is his desire that entrepreneurs come from AE-FUNAI, emphasizing that one cannot go through the University and be looking for job. Prof. Nwajiuba enthused that “from this little beginning by the students, so much could begin”, promising that his administration would sponsor any student who is interested in registering a business.


Prof. Nwajiuba encouraging the trainees


Prof. Nwajiuba encouraging the trainees


Prof. Nwajiuba in group photograph with some Participants and Officers

Dr. Ojide thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his support in making the training a reality. He appreciated the Guest Speaker and his colleagues for their contributions in making the programme successful and the students for participating actively.


Cross section of students


Students with Organizers