…Commends Soludo’s “1 Youth, 2 Skills” Initiative
By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
The President-General of Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, has urged Ndigbo—especially the people of Anambra—to revive the age-long Igbo apprenticeship system known as Igbaboi, which he said remains a tested path to success in commerce.
Speaking with journalists in Onitsha, Chief Anuna, popularly known as Onwa Ora-eri, attributed the decline in trading success, particularly in Onitsha, to a loss of interest in apprenticeship and lack of basic trading skills.
“God has given every profession a formula to thrive. In business, that formula is learning through apprenticeship,” he said. “Anambra people once understood this well. An apprentice (Nwaboi) who faithfully serves his master gains the knowledge and experience to succeed. That’s how our people built wealth—but sadly, that system is fading.”
Chief Anuna explained that apprenticeship traditionally involved young people who could not continue formal education choosing to learn under a successful trader for five to six years. Upon completion, they would be ‘settled’ with capital to start their own businesses—equipped with the necessary skills to thrive.
He lamented the increasing number of idle or locked shops in markets like Main Market, Onitsha, due to the absence of apprentices. “Some shops are locked up because their owners traveled for ceremonies or are hospitalized. If they had apprentices, business would continue smoothly,” he said.
He further emphasized the dangers of not transferring knowledge or training successors, warning that many family businesses collapse when the owner dies or becomes incapacitated because no one else can manage them.
Anuna, while advocating for a return to the Igbaboi model, also called for commitment from apprentices. “Some apprentices today squander their master’s money instead of learning. Such people rarely succeed. A good apprentice lifts his master’s business, sometimes even enabling him to buy cars and build houses,” he said.
He cited the biblical example of Jacob who, according to him, repeated apprenticeship after investing wrongly, stressing the importance of proper mentorship in business.
Anuna criticized the growing culture of quick wealth among youths, which he said sometimes leads to criminal practices. He praised Governor Charles Soludo for launching the “1 Youth, 2 Skills” initiative to empower youths and complement the apprenticeship model.
He also commended Chief Sir Everist Uba, Special Adviser to the Governor, for ensuring traders benefit from government programs, and expressed gratitude to ASMATA executives and market leaders for maintaining order and preventing fire outbreaks in Anambra markets.
“Our markets are intact. We’ve had no major fire incidents—contrary to some reports—except in shops located outside the main markets,” he concluded.
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