BY GORDI UDEAJAH
College of Management Sciences (COLMAS) at the Federal Government owned Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Abia state has honoured the former two-terms lawmaker for Ikwuano/Umuahia constituency in the house of representatives Hon Sam Onuigbo with Ambassador Plenipotentiary Award.
Hon Sam Onuigbo, who is currently the South East representative on the Board of the North East Development Commission ( NEDC), chairs it’s Committee on Security, Climate Change and Special Interventions.
He was specially honoured in recognition of his “Exemplary Stewardship and Distinguished Leadership in Legislative Excellence, Climate Ombudsman, National Integration and his role in the restoration of the MOUAU College of Management Sciences ( COLMAS) Programme”.
The Award was effected during the three-day 2025/second international Hybrid Conference of the College of Management Sciencesof the Michael Okpara university of Agriculture Umudike ( MOUAU ) Abia State, which had the theme “Innovation and Sustainability of MSMEs in Emerging Economies”.
Hon Onuigbo also at the conference presented a paper titled “Innovation And Sustainability Of MSME In Emerging Economies”, stating that the recent tax reforms by President Bola Tinubu led federal government and the implementation of the 2021 Climate Change Act, were beneficial to the MSMEs.
” The new tax regime has eliminated nuisance taxes/petty taxes with low revenues for the government, but high compliance costs for MSMEs),”
He also pointed out that the MSMEs who he said mainly operate in the informal sector, faced some bottlenecks, and triple challenges that include more pronounced vulnerability to external business environment, urging government to urgently do the needful interventions that would impact their longevity /sustainability.
The MOUAU Vice-Chancellor ( VC ) Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, represented by the Deputy VC (Academics), Professor Nneoma Obasi, described the international conference as one capable of providing a robust platform for all stakeholders to share experiences and ideas on emerging trends, challenges and innovations in their respective fields.
According to the VC, MSMEs are critical drivers in emerging economies, given their contribution to global market in relation to their share of businesses, employment, significant impact on the environment and Gross Domestic Product.
“Expectedly, therefore, this conference will generate new ideas and strategies for sustainable micro, small and medium enterprises, foster economic growth and development in the country, bridge the gap between theory and practice, while promoting cross-sector collaboration through knowledge sharing hubs, paper presentations and panel discussions”.
