Professor Pat Utomi’s 70th Birthday celebration has kicked off in Enugu city, the capital of Enugu State in grand style with high profile personalities in attendance.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the event started on 4th February, 2026, with an annual symposium titled, “Overcoming Poverty in Africa: Did we get it wrong?. What next.
The event, which took place at the Amaded Event Place 3, Ebeano Tunnel Road, Enugu, witnessed high profile personalities in attendance, including the former Governor of Anambra State and the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, Mr. Peter Obi, Mr. M.K Ahmed, OON, Chairman, the Council of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, former Minister for Trade Industry and Private Sector Development, Ghana, Prof. Osita Ogbu, OON, Chairman, Alaigbo Stabilisation Fund Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Uzu Onyemaechi Robert, Chief Executive Officer, Ruzu Groups, Prof. Nnaemeka Franklin Ngwu, Bishop James Okorocha. Notable guests also present are Hollywood and Nollywood legendary actors, Prince Emeka Ani, A.B Cowboy, including students from notable secondary schools and University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN.
The panellists thrilled the audience with practical measures to tackle the issue of poverty in Africa, laying emphasis on accumulated bad leadership over the years as the main causes of continuous increase of poverty in Africa.
Mr. Alan explained in details the role of local governments in the eradication of poverty in Nigeria, saying that they are the most important pillar among the three tiers of government. He referred to them as the government of the grassroots.
Mr. Peter Obi explained that until the citizens begin to demand accountability, transparency, and proper utilisation of resources from the leaders, the issue of poverty will continue to be a theme of discussion. He emphasized that citizens must hold leaders for on promises and vote them out of government if promises are not met.
Dr. Uzu Robert, the CEO of Ruzu Group, asked the panellists, “What practical measures to address the issue of dying SMEs Nigeria, knowing fully that it is extremely difficult to eradicate poverty in Nigeria if small and medium scale enterprises are not sustained.
Mr. Alan, former Minister for Trade, Industry and Private Sector Development, Ghana, gave four measures, which the government of Ghana used to increase established 300 companies, which really supported the alleviation of poverty in Ghana. They include:Genuine access to credit facilities; make the credit facilities affordable and this will enable them to compete favourably with multinationals, access to entrepreneurs management training to boost their capacity in resources (human and raw materials) management, and finally access to technology and innovation for efficiency and standardisation.
Prof. Pat Utomi expressed his gratitude to everyone who made the event colourful and fruitful and also thanked Dr. Uzu Onyemaechi Robert, CEO Ruzu Groups and his team, for the role they played in the overall success of the event. He used the occasion to endorse Ruzu range of products, and requested that he is ever ready to support the brand to gain global recognition whenever they call upon him.
Ruzu team, on behalf of the staff and management, presented souvenirs to Prof. Pat Utomi, which have been approved to be the materials for the birthday entrepreneurs lecture in Asaba on Friday 6th February, 2026.