A Biafra group known as the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists (IBN) has advocated for the recognition of the Igbo apprenticeship scheme from South East Governors, News About Nigeria reports.
The IBN Spokesperson, Edoziuno Chukwunonso, made this appeal in a statement on Wednesday.
He proposed that those who passed through the scheme should be recognised by the government as well as awarded certificates.
Chukwunonso noted that an average Igbo trader who passed through the Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme (Igba Boi) is an exceptional manager who is capable of effectively running high-tech blue-chip companies and therefore deserves to be recognised.
He argued that the traditional five-year apprenticeship these traders undergo is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in terms of practical knowledge and managerial skills, which equips them to be able to compete favourably on the global stage.
“The average Igbo trader, who is a product of the Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme (Igba Boi), is an exceptional manager capable of effectively running high-tech blue chip companies.
“We, the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination, call upon the South-East governors, members of academia, educators, and business moguls from the South-East to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to design a robust curriculum offering certificate, degree, and postgraduate qualifications based on the Igbo business apprenticeship scheme.
“Igbo traders and businessmen are treasures who can compete favourably on the global stage and, therefore, should take immense pride in their achievements. The traditional five-year apprenticeship they undergo is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in terms of practical knowledge and managerial skills. It is imperative to recognise that an average Igbo trader, when given the opportunity, possesses the capability to manage global or international businesses and corporations with great success. The outdated narrative that belittles the expertise of Igbo traders is not only unfashionable but also unsupported by empirical evidence.”
“Igbo traders must be celebrated for their acumen, tenacity, resilience, and ingenuity. Therefore, we strongly urge the governors of the South-East region to explore the feasibility of awarding degree certificates to Igbo traders, both past and present, who successfully completed their apprenticeships. This recognition will not only honour their contributions but also elevate the status of the Igbo business community on a global scale,” he stated.
He further noted that formal academic recognition of the apprenticeship scheme will help in bridging the gap that exists between traditional business practices and modern educational qualifications and will, in turn, pave the way for a new generation of globally competitive Igbo business leaders.
