The INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL CORPORATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LEADERSHIP (IIPCEL), in collaboration with the INSTITUTE OF MORTGAGE BROKERS AND LENDERS OF NIGERIA (IMBLN), has emphasized the role of entrepreneurship, innovation, and democratic governance in driving sustainable wealth creation and national development.
The call was made during the 2026 Democracy Day celebration programme organized by the institutions, which featured the IIPCEL Fellows Investiture, Global Awards, Membership Induction, Luncheon, Corporate Branding, and Nigerian Products Exhibition.
The event, held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the Plateau Club 1921 Main Hall in Jos, was themed “Democratic Governance as Global Catalyst for Wealth Creation and Sustainable Development.”
The programme also featured sub-themes focusing on “The Real Estate and Mortgage Industry: Unlocking Nigeria’s Goldmine for Creating Sustainable Wealth and Development,” as well as “Global Economy and Insecurity: Turning Volatility to Victory through Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Uncertainty.”
Speaking during the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of IIPCEL, Godwin E. Urhie, said the institute used Democracy Day celebrations not only for social engagement but also as a platform for learning, professional development, and recognition of excellence.
According to him, the institute honoured accomplished entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders who have distinguished themselves in their various fields.
“We are here to celebrate Democracy Day, but in the tradition of IIPCEL, we do not just celebrate and wine and dine. We also use the opportunity to learn, educate ourselves, and celebrate those who have achieved milestones as entrepreneurs and leaders,” he said.
Urhie explained that the fellowship category remained the highest professional recognition conferred by the institute, adding that recipients were accomplished professionals, including doctorate degree holders and chief executives of organizations.
He further noted that entrepreneurship in Nigeria had evolved from being viewed merely as a vocation to becoming a recognized profession requiring training, structure, and professional standards.
“Before now, entrepreneurship was seen as a vocation where someone simply decides to become an entrepreneur without understanding the fundamentals. Today, entrepreneurship is a profession, and we are poised to train both existing and aspiring business leaders on the tenets and processes that will ensure sustainable business development,” he added.
A guest discussant and founder of Know-How Media Lagos, Olusegun Oruame, encouraged entrepreneurs to remain resilient despite economic uncertainties and challenges facing the country.
He said entrepreneurs often thrive best in difficult situations and stressed that Nigeria’s future economic independence would largely depend on the success of entrepreneurs.
“We came here to look at entrepreneurship in a volatile situation and encourage entrepreneurs that you are best built when times are tough. The true test of entrepreneurship is being able to build something meaningful despite the challenges,” he stated.
Oruame, who disclosed that he had spent over two decades in the business terrain, noted that entrepreneurs in Nigeria often rely on self-driven growth strategies due to limited institutional support frameworks.
He described the June 12 celebration as an opportunity to inspire Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic growth and national transformation.
The high point of the event was the conferment of IIPCEL fellowship awards, membership inductions, and recognition of distinguished personalities from different professional backgrounds.
Among those honoured were Dr. Jatson Matthew, a lecturer at Kaduna State College of Education; Engr. Markus Chun Pam, Chief Executive Officer of Pamtronics Nigeria Ltd; Cyprian Donjur, a senior broadcaster with Radio Nigeria; and Dr. Aiso Gabriel Osiwomequin, Registrar of Christian Faith Institute, among others.
The event concluded with exhibitions of locally made products by entrepreneurs, showcasing innovation and indigenous enterprise development.
