An Economic Group in Akwa Ibom has convened a business leadership summit to tackle the uncertainties and negative impact of corona virus pandemic on the economy as well as businesses in the State.
Convener of the summit, Manti Umoh in a press statement on Monday said the event, tagged, ‘Leading in the midst of uncertainty,’ is slated for Friday, 29 January, 2021 and would feature keynote speakers including a former Executive Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil, Mr Udom Inoyo, former Speaker of Akwa Ibom Assembly Barr Onofiok Luke, Justice Ifiok Ukana(Rtd.), renowned entrepreneur, Mr. Ubong Obot, Mr. Magnus Chukwumah and Ms. Mmanti Umoh.
Umoh explained that the Speakers were carefully selected to share their wealth of experience in proffering solutions to problems and building meaningful connections as well as inspiring change across the State’s ‘diverse multi-stakeholder communities’.
The convener who harped on the need for public private partnership in driving the economy said gone are the days when people had solitary attitude towards a burning issue and achieve result adding, ‘there is an urgent need for local stakeholders to cooperate in simultaneously managing the direct consequences of the COVID-19 crisis.”
Describing the negative impact of covid 19 as a wake-up call to the society , Umoh sued for equal, inclusive, and sustainable economies and societies that are more resilient in the face of pandemics and many other local changes that may come up.
On the objectives of the summit, Umoh said, “our objective is to find ways to address issues at the heart of business by developing sustainable and scalable tactics and frameworks that corporations, governments, and community groups can use to tackle these issues together.
“COVID-19 and the related economic turmoil has put a strain on businesses around the state and poses an existential threat for many enterprises. We want to enable companies to navigate this uncertainty and turn unpredictability into resourceful innovation.
“The inconsistencies, inadequacies, and contradictions of multiple systems –from health and finance to energy and education – are more exposed than ever amidst a global context of concern for lives, livelihoods, and the planet. Leaders find themselves at a historic crossroads, managing short-term pressures against medium- and long-term uncertainties.
“With this in view, there is an urgent need for local stakeholders to cooperate in simultaneously managing the direct consequences of the COVID-19 crisis.”
She however stressed that Akwa Ibom citizens deserved an economy where each person can succeed through hard work and creativity noting that the free-market system is the best means of generating a strong and sustainable economy as well as an economic opportunity for all.
