Government urged to create business-friendly environment

The Nigerian government has been called to create an enabling environment for people, businesses, and ideas to thrive and grow.

Convener, Future leaders Conference (FLC), Mark Idiahi, stated that when leadership is missing, the environment becomes hostile for growth and investments or investors.

This was said at a media parley in Lagos organised by FLC on its yearly conference and debut of the African Leadership Magazine, which would take place on October 28.

Idiahi noted that with its seven years of existence, FLC has inspired over 30,000 young Nigerians since inception in entrepreneurship, leadership, climate change, civic responsibility and others.

He stated that this year, FLC would award 30 leaders for their outstanding contributions to various spheres of society.

He noted that the conference, which is a project of Second Chance Care Foundation aims to nurture and prepare present and future generations of leaders in all facets of human endeavor as against the seeming lack of visionary and purposeful leadership seen in almost all sectors of the economy.

“I am very excited about the seventh edition of FLC. This year, we are redefining Leadership and its role on the economy. Africa has been regarded often times as the dark continent of the world, the continent that swallows its own. Africa, most especially Nigeria, has become a land that cannot export goods but rather exports her brains and brilliant minds.

“To put things in perspective, over 33,000 Doctors and Medical Consultants left the shores of Nigeria for greener pastures in 2021. It is based on these reasons and many more, that the foundation plans unveiling a Pan-African magazine with major focus on changing this age long narrative.

According to him, Nigeria is a blessed nation yet reflects the curses. Over 60 per cent of start-ups fail within the first 2 years. The buying power of citizens diminishes each passing day, corruption is degrading the human spirit and many brilliant minds have been reduced to nothing.

“However, the time has come. The time for real, true and genuine change has come. The spirit of patriotism is awakened amongst us today. We are ready to harness and channel it appropriately. We are ready to hold the hands of one another, walk the path of history and rewrite what needs to be rewritten,” Idiahi who is also the Founder, The Second Chance Care Foundation, said.

Speakers for the summit includes; Alibaba, Sola Oyegbade, Engr. Pacqueens Irabor, Mrs Abimbola Adebakin, Mr. Goriola Erogbogbo, Johnson Abbaly, Dr. Lucy Surhyel Newman, HRM Chief Francis Kelechi Nwaneri, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and Jamie Pajoel.

The award ceremony, divided into individual and co-operate categories, includes; Outstanding entrepreneur, business leader of the year, CEO of the year, public speaker of the year, agri-preneur, among others.