Dozie, Maduka, Ubah, 67 others to be screened for Igbo Business Leaders’ Hall of Fame, Award
…For Igbo Business Leaders’ Hall of Fame, Award
Prominent Igbo business leaders and entrepreneurs have been scheduled to be honoured at the maiden Igbo business leaders’ hall of fame and award event slated for December 5.
Among those shortlisted to be screened are Paschal Dozie, Vincent Maduka and Ifeanyi Ubah.
The event is to be celebrated in an exclusive gala in Enugu and is to be chaired by former president Goodluck Jonathan.
Ifeanyi Igwebike Mbanefo, organiser and president of the Champion Court, said that ten formidable Igbo entrepreneurs, screened from a long list of 70 by a panel of economists, business analysts, researchers, and journalists, are in contention for the maiden award.
Mbanefo said that the award was created for Igbo entrepreneurs because despite the region’s colourful political history and numerous outstanding achievements in literature, arts, music, sports, science and technology, the Igbo is defined mainly by business, industry and resilience.
On the shortlist of individuals to be honoured are, Cosmas Maduka, Innocent Chukwuma, Cletus Ibeto, and Ifeanyi Ubah.
It was noted that these individuals did not have formal university education when they ventured into the world of business.
But Leo Stan Ekeh, Arthur Eze, Stella Okoli, Paschal Dozie, Samuel Onyishi, and Allen Onyemawere were all university graduates before they became entrepreneurs.
Among the silver-spooners are Eze, scion of the Dunukofia royal dynasty who came from a wealthy family; Okoli’s parents trained her in University of Bradford and University of London for her graduate and postgraduate degrees; and Dozie, who founded Diamond Bank and owns substantial shares in MTN Nigeria was educated at London School of Economics.
“We recognise that they were not all born of the same pedigree. We acknowledge that some individuals have travelled further in their life’s journey than others. There are scions who inherited family wealth. There are those who came from upper and middle classes. There are people who grew up poor and overcame significant obstacles in their climb to the top,’ Mbanefo said.
According to him, “There are people who did not get any education. And there are those who got little education and were self-taught. So, the Award Committee, comprising economic editors from select national newspapers, shall discriminate between silver spooners and bootstrappers.
“Someone who inherited significant fortune, who had a headstart in life will score a little less than a bootstrapper who battled wrenching personal and family obstacles and made it to the top through his own efforts.
“We shall look at upbringing, paying special attention to their parents’ socioeconomic status. Orphans, victims of child labour and menial jobs, those who faced abuse, served prison terms, discrimination, sexual abuse, survived war or were known targets of government intimidation or lawlessness will get extra points. Female entrepreneurs, because of the daunting obstacles they face, will similarly get extra points.”
Mbanefo further said that the highest consideration would go to candidates who forged their own path using entrepreneurial capitalism to attain a vast fortune because they exhibited the Igbo can-do spirit, adding that he hoped the prize would spark a conversation about Igbo men and women of wealth, visionary entrepreneurs with deep pockets and their commitment to the public good.
“As this is purely merit-based, we shall request these shortlisted candidates to send written confirmation of their willingness to be vetted by our researchers who will also interview their employees, community members, mentees, and peers. Most importantly, we shall review important documents such as personal income and company tax clearance certificates – this is the topmost criterion - and testimonials of charitable giving.
“Because we are determined that the best candidates, best ideas, regardless of where they come from, should have a chance to be heard and to change the world. Winners shall be encouraged to take thought leadership positions and bring the best new ideas directly to public attention,” he further said.
He revealed that the award committee would estimate every candidate’s total lifetime giving, from the testimonials from beneficiaries, press reports and determine the percentage of wealth a candidate has given to charity.
“A candidate must have invested a minimum of USD $10million in his community and other charitable causes to be considered for this award. We believe mindful entrepreneurs will be inspired by our prize to lead their businesses in ways that help our communities. We want them to see social value as a currency,” Mbanefo explained.