By Ijeoma John, Nnewi
The Nnew Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA) has flagged off the Igbo Apprenticeship Programme (Igba-Boyi.
The community and its environs popularly known as the Japan of Africa is one of the major commercial cities in Anambra State and has produced through Traditional Apprenticeship System notable industrialists in Nigeria like Coscharis, Chicason, Ibeto, Innoson, Ngobros, and others.
The event, which took place on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the Gific Limited Premises, Uru Umudim, Nnewi attracted noble speakers, among the speakers were: the President, South East Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Humphrey Ngonadi, MPON (keynote Speaker) , the President of NCCIMA, Chief Sir Moses C. Ezukwo, Chief Sir Patrick Nwosu, Nze Chuma Obi, the CEO O. G Chuma Group, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Ukachukwu (Adaife), and Hon. M. Ugboma.
The Obi of Nnewichi, Obi Onyekaba Obidiugwu thanked the organisers for the wonderful programme, saying he is a product of the Igbo Apprenticeship System.
“I served my Oga well and learnt a lot which has helped me today in my family” he added.
The keynote speaker, Mr. Ngonadi, who spoke on ‘Institutionalizing the Igba – boyi Model for Modern Trade and Industry encouraged young people to take the Igbo Apprenticeship System serious and endure any treatment they may encounter there, noting that the process made them what they are today.
He said the system being an agelong practice has succeeded in reducing unemployment, poverty, and strengthens family ties.
Ngonadi further enjoined masters to settle their apprentice boys to encourage others to join the process instead of chasing shadow.
“I encourage Ndi Oga to settle their Umu boyi, doing so we are building future leaders. Failure to settle your apprentice boy will result to weakening the process which has helped so many of us to be in the position we are today” he urged.
The President of NCCIMA in his remarks said they organised the programme to empower the next generation and preserve their traditional business model so as to build a stronger economic future for Nnewi and the entire region.
He noted that Igbo Apprenticeship System is gradually dying, insisting that there is need to revive it.
He said the process has been weakened because of most mentors/masters fail to settle their apprentice boys, calling on them to endeavour to settle their Umu Boyi to keep the process alive.
He finally disclosed that NCCIMA has more to do revive the system that has helped a lot of them in life.
Other speakers, Nze Chuma, Dr. Ukachukwu and Hon. Ugoma said the system has helped them in life, calling on young people to take the process serious.
“To build an enviable Nnewi, we must revive the process. We learn patience, hard work and determination during the process and must put our hands together to make it work” they stated.
Mothers were advised to help their children and instill the spirit of hard work and determination in them so that they would be able to endure the process.
The flag off brought together Nnewi Stakeholders, the PGs from the four quarters in Nnewi, notable businessmen, apprentice boys and among others.