By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The President General of Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna has called on Ndigbo, especially the people of Anambra State to revive the Igbo apprenticeship system popularly known as, Igba boi.

Anuna who spoke to journalists in Onitsha on Tuesday described the system as a tested pathway to success in commerce.

He attributed lack of interest and basic trading skills as one of the major reasons for the decline in trading success, with particular reference to Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State.

The PG said: ?God has given every profession a formula to thrive in business, that formula is learning through apprenticeship.

?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.

Anuna described apprenticeship as a traditional involvement of young people who could not continue formal education but chose to learn a trade under a successful trader for five to six years, adding that on completion, they would be ?settled? with capital to start their own businesses, equipped with the necessary skills to thrive.

While lamenting the increasing number of idle or locked up shops in markets like Main Market, Onitsha, due to the absence of apprentices, the ASMATA PG said: ?Some shops are locked up because their owners travelled for ceremonies or are hospitalized. If they had apprentices, business would continue smoothly.?

He further harped on 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.

He further said: ?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.

?Jacob in the Bible repeated apprenticeship after investing wrongly. Mentorship in business.

?The growing culture of quick wealth among youths, sometimes leads to criminal practices.?

He hailed Governor Charles Soludo for launching the ?1 Youth, 2 Skills? initiative to empower youths and complement the apprenticeship model.

He also commended Chief Sir Everest Uba, Special Adviser to the Governor, for ensuring traders benefit from government programs, and ASMATA executives as well as market leaders for maintaining order and preventing fire outbreaks in Anambra markets.

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