THE DIARYGAME: (21-01-2026) AKICORP DEEPEN PARTNERSHIP WITH INDUSTRIALISTS TO DRIVE AKWA IBOM 'S ARISE ECONOMIC AGENDA.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AKICORP, Mr. Imo-Abasi Jacob, made this known during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, at the corporation’s headquarters.
According to Mr. Jacob, AKICORP runs monthly business clinic designed to expose investors and entrepreneurs to bankable investment opportunities in the State, while providing practical guidance on how to start, nurture, scale up ,and sustain competitive business.
He said the initiative aligns with the State Government’s broader strategy of using private enterprise as a key driver of economic development. Ensuring effective coordination, he disclosed that a dedicated desk has been established in the Entrepreneurship and Business Development Department .
The AKICORP Chief assured NASSI of a rewarding partnership anchored on knowledge-sharing, institutional collaboration, and sustained engagement with the Association. He noted that participation in the business clinic would also serve as a platform for identifying enterprises that are investment-ready and aligned with AKICORP’s mandate.
Business brochures detailing the Corporation’s investment focus were presented to the Association.
Earlier, the Chairman of NASSI, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Prince Mascil Ekong James, said the Association was committed to building confidence among its members to engage in productive ventures. He outlined NASSI’s activities to include capacity-building, training, seminars, skills acquisition programmes, business tours, product branding campaigns, town-hall engagements, and professional certifications.
Prince James explained that these initiatives were supported through Government-approved SME empowerment programmes, grants, loan facilities, and other legitimate funding channels. He appealed for continued Government support to enable the Association effectively deliver on its mandate, while commending AKICORP’s leadership for initiatives aimed at bringing industrialists closer to the Government.
The meeting was attended by NASSI executives, including Vice Chairman, Mr. Abraham Godwin Sunday; Coordinator, Uruan, Mr. Oku James Eyo; Coordinator, Uyo, Elder Bill Ekong; Social Welfare Officer, Elder Emmanuel Nyong; and National Executive Member and Consultant, Dr. Tom Sylvanus B. AKICORP management staff present included the Executive Director, Other Investments, Mr. Usen Effiong; Director, Project Monitoring and Implementation, Mr. Innocent Ukwere; and the Deputy Director, Entrepreneurship and Business Development, Mr. Ikpe Jacob, among others.