The 2025 Academic Conference of the Rivers State University Business School took place on February 15, 2025, at the DBA Hall of the University’s Business School. The conference, themed “Pioneering Entrepreneurship for Transition to Renewable Hope in Emerging Economies,” was chaired by Morritz Abazie, Executive Chairman of Strides Group of Companies.
Professor N. Gladson Nwokah, Director of the Rivers State University Business School, welcomed attendees to the inaugural conference. The event aimed to highlight entrepreneurship’s crucial role in fostering sustainable development through renewable initiatives.
Her Excellency Ambassador Dr. Maureen Tamuno, Group Managing Director of Abuja Investments Company Limited, presented the lead paper. Ambassador Maureen has had a distinguished diplomatic career, representing Nigeria as Ambassador to Jamaica and Permanent Representative to the International Seabed Authority (ISA). She has also made significant contributions to academia, teaching at Cardiff University and the Maritime Academy in Oron.
Ambassador Maureen’s paper enriched the discussion and provided in-depth analysis of entrepreneurship and investment in renewable initiatives and sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the importance of innovation and value creation. She highlighted the vast opportunities in emerging economies, particularly in the production and processing of high-demand crops.
Ambassador Maureen encouraged women and youth to capitalize on these opportunities by developing innovative solutions, such as precision farming, vertical farming, and e-commerce platforms, to create financial value and drive sustainable development. By seeking innovative solutions and creating financial value, Ambassador Maureen emphasized that women and youth can drive sustainable development, reduce poverty, and promote economic growth. Her presentation inspired attendees to think critically about the role of entrepreneurship in shaping a sustainable future.
Earlier during the event, Hon. Dr. Chamberlain S. Peterside, Ph.D., M.IoD, Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, delivered the keynote address. He discussed entrepreneurship’s opportunities, challenges, and evolution in emerging economies.
The Director of the Rivers State University Business School Professor N. Gladson Nwokah, also emphasized the need to reflect on the historical trajectory of the Rivers State University Business School, established on February 29, 2021, with the vision of providing high-quality business education that meets the evolving needs of the local and global economy.
The conference also commemorated the tenure of Professor N.S. Okogbule, during which the Rivers State University Business School was established and achieved its National Universities Commission (NUC) Resource Verification.
The Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University thanked the management of the University’s Business School for honoring him. He encouraged students to continue striving for excellence.
Some members of the RSUBS management committee present at the conference included:
– PROF. N. GLADSON NWOKAH, Director, RSU Business School
– PROF. VICTOR AKUJURU, DVC (Admin)/Chairman, RSUBS Management Committee
– KENNEDY R. WEST Esq., Secretary/Board Secretary PROF. JOHN OHAKA, Dean, Faculty of Administration and Management (Member),
PROF. DONALD I. HAMILTON, Head of Emohua Campus (Member),
PROF. ISAAC ZEB-OBIPI, Director, ICTC (Member),
PROF. JOSEPH ONYEMA, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences (Member),
DR. GIFT O. EKE, Bursar, RSU (Member),
PROF. TAMUNOENE KINGDOM ABAM, Dean, Postgraduate School (Member),
ENGR. PROF. A. H. IGONI, Director, Quality Assurance (Member), and
PROF. PRECIOUS EDE, Director of Academic Planning.
