Pat Utomi’s 70th Birthday Symposium in Enugu: Experts Target Africa’s Poverty, Spotlight Grassroots Leadership

Pat Utomi’s 70th Birthday Symposium in Enugu: Experts Target Africa’s Poverty, Spotlight Grassroots Leadership

By Naomi Onome

Prof. Pat Utomi’s 70th birthday celebration kicked off on February 4, 2026, in Enugu with a high-profile symposium titled “Overcoming Poverty in Africa: Did We Get It Wrong? What Next?” held at Amaded Event Place, Ebeano Tunnel Road.

The event drew prominent figures, including Peter Obi, former Anambra governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate; Ghana’s former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen; and other leaders, alongside Nollywood stars and students from secondary schools and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Panellists identified poor leadership as a key driver of Africa’s persistent poverty and emphasised the crucial role of local government, accountability, and citizen engagement. Ghana’s success in establishing 300 companies was highlighted, focusing on access to credit, affordable financing, entrepreneurial training, and technology.

The symposium also spotlighted the need to revive SMEs in Nigeria to combat poverty, with Utomi endorsing Ruzu Group’s products and receiving a souvenir ahead of a follow-up lecture in Asaba on February 6, 2026.

The panellists outlined practical steps to tackle Africa’s poverty, stressing that years of bad leadership have been the main driver of its rise. Mr Alan detailed how local governments are the most crucial pillar among Nigeria’s three tiers of government, calling them the grassroots engine for poverty eradication. Peter Obi added that citizens must demand accountability, transparency, and proper use of resources and should vote out leaders who fail to deliver on their promises. He emphasised that without this civic pressure, poverty will remain a persistent problem.

Dr Uzu Robert, CEO of Ruzu Group, asked the panellists what concrete steps Nigeria can take to revive its dying SMEs, noting that eradicating poverty is nearly impossible without strong small and medium enterprises. Mr Alan, former Ghanaian Minister for Trade, Industry and Private Sector Development, shared four key measures Ghana used to grow 300 companies that helped reduce poverty: genuine access to credit, affordable credit that lets local firms compete with multinationals, entrepreneur management training to improve handling of human and material resources, and access to technology and innovation for greater efficiency and standardisation.

Prof. Pat Utomi thanked everyone who made the event vibrant and successful, giving special appreciation to Dr Uzu Onyemaechi Robert, CEO of Ruzu Group, and his team for their crucial role. He used the opportunity to endorse Ruzu’s range of products, pledging his readiness to support the brand in gaining global recognition whenever needed.

On behalf of staff and management, the Ruzu team presented a souvenir to Prof. Pat Utomi. The gift has been approved as the official materials for his birthday entrepreneurial lecture in Asaba on Friday, 6 February 2026.

High-profile attendees include former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi; Mr M.K. Ahmed, OON, Chairman of the Council of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria; Mr Alan Kyerematen, former Ghanaian Minister for Trade, Industry and Private Sector Development; Prof. Osita Ogbu, OON, Chairman of Alaigbo Stabilisation Fund Ohaneze Ndigbo; Dr Uzu Onyemaechi Robert, CEO of Ruzu Group; Prof. Nnaemeka Franklin Ngwu; and Bishop James Okorocha. Also present were legendary Hollywood and Nollywood actors Prince Emeka Ani and A.B. Cowboy, plus students from prominent secondary schools and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).