By Hope Ikwe, Jos
The Ngas Development Association (NDA) has proposed a business forum as it lines up of activities to celebrate its yearly festival known as Pusdung.
Gonen Gofwen, president of the association, who addressed journalists said a “Business Round-Table Meeting” has been introduced to the festival which has been celebrated since 1988 to create an atmosphere to enable youths and women generate business ideas and plans which can be translated into concrete realities that would bring development to the state.
Gofwen also disclosed that there will be “Business Pitch and Enterprise Competition”, during which Ngas entrepreneurs/potential entrepreneurs, especially women and the youth who have business ideas but lack the direction to sell it and build on them are encouraged through a presentation of their unique business ideas/innovations or proposals to a panel. The best three winners will be awarded prizes”.
The President who appealed to the state tourism authority to provide a calendar for the celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the state to attract visitors to consequently boost the economy of the state said “I am happy to state that beyond the competition, the benefits derivable from the competition are indeed enormous, as they are capable of opening the women and youths to the world of business. It is our belief that when such entrepreneurs are introduced to the wider world of business, they will fly higher and higher” he added.
Meanwhile, the group has proposed to set up an endowment fund to assist indigent students to promote education amongst the people.
Gofwen stated “we are celebrating Pusdung 2019 with a theme ‘Educational Transformation in Ngasland: Imperative for Accelerated Development’. Those who know our situation concerning this issue may know that it is apt for our current situation, and that is why we are passionate to bring an end to the problem”.
