The International Institute of Professional Corporate Entrepreneurship and Leadership (IIPCEL) has ushered in the year 2026 with a Presidential and Fellows’ New Year Dinner, bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals, and distinguished members of the public in Jos, Plateau State.
The event, hosted by the President and Chairman of Council of IIPCEL, Hon. Bitrus Pam Badung, FPCEL, MSc, FWAPCMLS, was held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Plateau Club 1921 Main Hall, CBN Road, Jos. It attracted Fellows of the Institute, senior professional members, and invited guests from diverse sectors of the economy.
Speaking at the dinner, Hon. Badung described 2025 as a challenging year for businesses but commended IIPCEL members for their resilience and innovation despite the harsh economic climate. He expressed optimism that 2026 would provide new opportunities for entrepreneurs to restrategize, embrace innovation, and drive business growth.
According to him, the New Year Dinner serves as a platform for members to interact, review performance, and explore better ways of doing business. He emphasized that innovation would be a key focus for the Institute in 2026, noting that building capacity within small teams can have a far-reaching impact on the broader business community and national development.
Also speaking, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of IIPCEL, Godwin E. Urhie, described the Institute as a growing professional body and a focal point for entrepreneurs and leaders in Nigeria and beyond. He stressed that entrepreneurship remains the most viable pathway to wealth creation and sustainable development, particularly for Africa and other developing regions.
Urhie explained that IIPCEL admits both practicing and aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders, adding that entrepreneurship goes beyond owning a business. He outlined three dimensions of entrepreneurship: business entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, and social entrepreneurship, noting that leaders in corporate, public, and religious spaces all play critical roles in shaping society and driving development.
On plans for 2026, the Director-General disclosed that the Institute would build on existing achievements by organizing conferences on topical issues in entrepreneurship and leadership, as well as capacity-building trainings for both members and non-members, in line with IIPCEL’s mission to promote structured and sustainable entrepreneurship.
In his remarks, the Plateau State Chairman of IIPCEL, Engineer Mfon Eyibio Essien, acknowledged that 2025 was a difficult year for members due to economic challenges but noted that the period also tested and strengthened their resilience. He said the state chapter rolled out several workshops and engagement activities to support members through the challenging period.
Essien revealed that in 2026, the Plateau State chapter plans to deepen engagement with strategic partners, expand its membership base, and intensify advocacy for structured entrepreneurship. He emphasized the need to raise awareness among current members to serve as ambassadors of the Institute, encouraging others to embrace organized platforms that help structure and grow entrepreneurial potential.
The New Year Dinner provided a relaxed atmosphere for networking and experience sharing, as guests and their spouses appeared in colourful African traditional attire. The event featured sumptuous meals, music, and entertainment, reinforcing IIPCEL’s commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation, and leadership for wealth creation and Nigeria’s development.
