Valentine Ozigbo, a respected Nigerian business mogul, has declared that Nigeria can become a global economic titan if it had visionary leaders who could transform the country’s economic threats to successes.
Mr Ozigbo made the remark on Saturday, April 17, 2021, when he delivered the keynote address at the first session of the Doing Business in Nigeria Conference organised by Maurice Xandra Solutions Limited.
While speaking at the virtual conference, which was attended by top business leaders in Nigeria, Ozigbo outlined several revolutionary steps that could be taken to reshape Nigeria’s economy and set it on the path to prosperity.
The respected business leader spoke in detail about the delineation of responsibility between the government and the citizen. He expressed his firm belief that “the enormous potentials of Nigeria are still untapped”.
Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Group CEO of a conglomerate behemoth, Transcorp Plc, said that a SWOT analysis of Nigeria reveals some inherent threats and opportunities.
According to Ozigbo, these threats include a turbulent economic climate, an economy heavily dependent crude oil exports which means being exposed to global oil price fluctuations, unstable currency value, insecurity, anti-business government regulations, import and export policies, poor investment in education, a poorly trained and equipped workforce, dilapidated infrastructure and social amenities, and the constant threat of corruption.
Ozigbo, who is widely regarded as the frontrunner in the 2021 Anambra governorship race, revealed that he decided to take a leap from the business world to public service because he believed he was one of those “called to lead Nigeria into a new era of prosperity and growth”.
“This is why I recently left my role as President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc to dedicate the next chapter of my life to public service. I am presenting myself to the people of Anambra to lead the state to the place of greatness that we all yearn for,” Ozigbo disclosed.
“I stepped out into an arena which many regard as ‘the murky waters’ and many people close to me are perplexed why I made such a decision.
“My answer is that I am pulled by the unshakeable belief that Nigeria is a great country and we need to urgently close the leadership gap in order to actualise our dreams.
“I believe I have the leadership content needed to bring a positive transformation to my people, and that is why I am running for the office of Governor of Anambra State this November.
“I believe that we have to bust the myth that someone like me can’t make it to political leadership. But it is simply not true. We are already proving this on the ground in Anambra. I believe I will lead the change we need,” Mr Ozigbo added.
An esteemed panel of business leaders was on hand to add colour to the enlightening session with members drawn from varying fields in the business and industry.
The members of the panel included successful businesswoman and fashion industry titan Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi; Teddy Ngu, the executive director of GB Foods; Eyong Ebai, the zonal general manager for Sub-Saharan Africa for GE Healthcare; Ifeoluwa Orioke, the chief commercial officer of Flutterwave, and Amaka Nsofor, an executive director at Standard Chartered Bank.
