The Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis has called for stronger collaboration among government, business owners, community leaders and professional organisations to strengthen 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.”
The fellowship brought together Rotarians to examine the contributions of small businesses to the local economy, identify challenges confronting entrepreneurs and explore practical ways stakeholders could collaborate to support business growth and improve livelihoods.
The Club noted that small businesses provide livelihoods for families, create employment and sustain local commerce, stressing that stronger partnerships and targeted interventions were essential to helping enterprises survive, expand and contribute more effectively to economic development.
Speaking at the event, President of the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, Rtn. Ezuma Smart Chinedu, urged business owners, community leaders and government authorities at all levels to strengthen collaboration towards creating a more supportive environment for small businesses.
He commended public institutions and private enterprises for their contributions to economic development and called for deeper engagement with entrepreneurs to understand and address their practical needs.
Addressing business owners, Rtn. Ezuma advised entrepreneurs to improve their financial management practices, maintain proper business records, adopt digital tools, improve product quality and develop clear growth strategies.
He also encouraged them to embrace innovation, good customer service, responsible management and strategic partnerships that could open up new markets and create employment opportunities.
The Rotary president urged traditional rulers, town unions and community development associations to promote peace, security, environmental sanitation and cooperation while supporting local businesses, vocational training and youth development.
He called on local government authorities to prioritise market facilities, access roads, environmental sanitation and other infrastructure necessary for commercial activities. He also encouraged them to maintain regular dialogue with traders, artisans and business associations to identify pressing challenges and develop practical solutions.
At the state level, Rtn. Ezuma urged the Anambra State Government to sustain efforts to promote entrepreneurship, improve infrastructure, facilitate access to business support programmes and strengthen partnerships with financial institutions, professional bodies and private-sector operators.
He also called on the Federal Government to strengthen policies and programmes that improve the ease of doing business, expand access to affordable financing, promote local production and address infrastructure and energy challenges affecting small enterprises.
According to him, government, businesses and communities each have important roles to play in building a stronger economy, adding that effective collaboration would help align public policies with the realities entrepreneurs face and improve the impact of business support programmes.
He further observed that the number, quality, productivity and sustainability of businesses in a state or country were important indicators of employment generation, household welfare, public revenue and long-term economic growth.
The discussion paper for the fellowship was presented by Rtn. Ifeanyi Ezemuoka, who identified access to finance, high operating costs, inadequate infrastructure, weak financial management, limited market access and insufficient digital skills as major challenges confronting small businesses.
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 shared their observations on the operating environment for small businesses in Anambra State.
They emphasised the need for sustained government support and stronger engagement among public institutions, entrepreneurs, professional organisations and other stakeholders to address challenges limiting business growth and employment opportunities.
The Rotarians observed that sustainable business development depended on access to finance, reliable infrastructure, effective management, market opportunities and a stable operating environment. They also stressed that government policies and private-sector initiatives should complement one another to encourage investment, improve productivity and create jobs.
As part of the fellowship’s outcomes, members discussed possible initiatives through which the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis could complement existing efforts to promote entrepreneurship and community development.
Proposed areas of engagement included business education and training in bookkeeping, financial management, budgeting and business planning; mentorship programmes connecting experienced professionals with emerging entrepreneurs; and youth empowerment initiatives supporting apprenticeships, internships and vocational skills development.
Other proposed interventions included promoting business networking, digital marketing and connections between local producers and buyers, as well as encouraging responsible business practices, recycling and opportunities within the circular economy.
Members also identified sustained engagement with government agencies, business associations, financial institutions and other development partners as important to advancing the proposed initiatives.
The Club noted that any intervention would be considered based on available resources, potential partnerships and identified community needs, with emphasis on measurable outcomes.
Members further stressed the importance of working with existing government and private-sector programmes, where appropriate, to avoid duplication and maximise available resources.
The fellowship ended with a shared recognition of the vital role small businesses play in achieving inclusive economic development.
Participants agreed that entrepreneurs could contribute through innovation, sound financial management and responsible business practices, while government, professional organisations and community leaders could help create an enabling environment through infrastructure development, skills acquisition, access to opportunities and constructive engagement.
The Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis reaffirmed its commitment to community-centred initiatives that promote economic opportunities, strengthen livelihoods and improve residents’ wellbeing.
The Club maintained that sustained cooperation among stakeholders remained critical to helping businesses thrive, creating employment and supporting the wider development aspirations of Anambra State.
Onitsha, one of the South-East’s major commercial centres, is home to thousands of traders, artisans, distributors, manufacturers and other entrepreneurs whose activities contribute significantly to the economic life of the city, Anambra State and neighbouring communities.
The Club expressed optimism that stronger small businesses, supported by effective partnerships and practical solutions, would contribute significantly to a more prosperous Anambra State and Nigeria.
