By Chinedum Treasure
The Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis has called for stronger partnerships among government, business owners, community leaders and professional organisations to support small businesses, create jobs and promote sustainable economic development in Anambra State.
The call was made during a fellowship organised by the Club to commemorate Community and Economic Development Month, with the theme, “Building Stronger Small Businesses: A Collaborative Approach to Job Creation and Sustainable Economic Development in Onitsha.”
Delivering a paper at the event, Rtn. Ifeanyi Ezemuoka identified limited access to finance, high operating costs, inadequate infrastructure, poor financial management, market access challenges and limited digital skills as major obstacles to small business growth.
Contributing to the discussion, Rtn. Obiaku Ijeoma Juliet, Assistant Governor for Onitsha Zones 18, District 9142; Past President Rtn. Oby Arinze; and Past Assistant Governor Rtn. Ossai Obinaefo highlighted the need for sustained government support and stronger stakeholder engagement.
President of the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, Rtn. Ezuma Smart Chinedu, urged entrepreneurs to maintain proper financial records, adopt digital tools, improve product quality and embrace innovation to expand their businesses.
He called on traditional rulers, town unions and community development associations to promote peace, security and environmental sanitation while supporting vocational training and youth empowerment.
Ezuma also urged local government authorities to improve market facilities, access roads and other infrastructure that supports commercial activities.
He encouraged the Anambra State Government to strengthen entrepreneurship programmes, improve infrastructure and facilitate access to business support services.
He equally called on the Federal Government to promote affordable financing, local production and policies that improve the ease of doing business.
The fellowship identified business education, mentorship, youth empowerment, digital marketing, sustainable enterprise and engagement with financial institutions as potential areas for future collaboration.
Participants emphasised that effective partnerships among government, the private sector and communities would help businesses overcome operational challenges, create employment and improve livelihoods.
The Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis reaffirmed its commitment to community-centred initiatives that promote economic opportunities and sustainable development.
The Club noted that stronger small businesses, supported by practical interventions and effective collaboration, could contribute significantly to the economic growth of Onitsha, Anambra State and Nigeria.
Tags: Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, Small Business Development, Anambra State
