COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ASSOCIATION OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES RESEARCHERS OF NIGERIA (AMSSRN) ON THE THEME “RESEARCH AND INNOVATION AS A PANACEA TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND SOCIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; WHITHER SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA?”, HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY (IMT), ENUGU, N 22ND –23RD JUNE, 2021.
1.0. Preamble
The Association of Management and Social Sciences Researchers of Nigeria (AMSSRN) held the 1st International Conference at the International conference Centre, IMT, Enugu, with the theme “Research and innovation as a panacea to economic recovery and social economic development; Whither Sub-Saharan Africa?”. The maiden conference provided the platform for authors and stakeholders while attracting participants from the industry, academics from various tertiary institutions in Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. A total of 200 participants were present at the conference. More than 250 members joined the conference online.
The Conference had 3 Keynote/Guest speakers. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Prince Famous Izedonmi of the University of Benin on the topic– “The Art, Architecture and Anatomy of Research”. Dr. Ololo, Isokari Francis presented on “Research and Innovation in Social Sciences as Panacea to Rapid Economic Recovery and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in a Pandemic-Ravaged Environment”. The AMSSRN President presented Professor Valentine A. Aletor’s paper as he was unavoidably absent. The paper was on the theme “Research and Innovation as Panacea to Rapid Economic Recovery and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in Pandemic-Ravaged Environment: Wither Sub-Saharan Africa?” The Welcome Address was delivered by Dr (Mrs). Uche Onyekwelu (President of AMSSRN) and Dr. Aondoakaa Kwaghfan (Conference Chairman) of the Association.
On technical sessions, the conference had eighty technical papers on the following Sub-themes; Management/Social Sciences and Disruptive Technology, Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Digital Finance, E-Banking, E-Commerce, Economic Diversification, E-governance, Entrepreneurship and Job Creation, Financial Inclusion, Intellectual Capital, Insurance Sector Reforms, Public Financial Management, Small and Medium Scale Businesses, and Tax Reforms. They were presented both physically and virtually and deliberated upon.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Godwin Emmanuel Oyedokum of Lead City University, Ibadan who stood in for Dr. Blaize Ijebor. Also, present at the conference were: Professor (Mrs) Ifeoma M. Okwo of ESUT who co-chaired the conference. Others were: Professor Wilfred Ugwuanyi, Prof Linus Ogbuoshi & Prof Chioma D. Oleka of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, and Hon Dr. (Sir) I. P. Okolie (Former Accountant General of Enugu State and Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State on Financial Matters.
2.0. Observations:
The Conference made the following observations:
(i). COVID 19 pandemic have ravaged our environment and changed the social-economic landscape of Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa and the World;
(ii). The pandemic has caused social and economic challenges and the effects are noticeable in all facet of life;
(iii). It has been established that research and innovation are imperative to the social and economic development of Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa;
(iv). Management and Social Sciences Researchers are yet to fully key into the research and innovation that is required to address the challenges;
(v). There is a need for academics and the industry to collaborate on management and social sciences research so that the outputs reflect what should be applied to bring sustainable development;
(vi). Researchers in Management and Social Sciences are expected to brace up to the current challenges and draw necessary arsenals to carry out trail blazing researches;
(vii). Students undertaking academic research at all levels need to be properly taught and guided to carry out research so that the outputs will be of desired quality;
(viii). The issue of integrity in research cannot be compromised;
(ix). Many African countries spend less than 1% of their GDP on education, thus, higher education institutions are grossly under-funded;
(x). Countries of Sub-Saharan Africa have many common features and challenges affecting sustainable social-economic developments in the sub-region;
(xi). Research and innovation remain the main panacea to rapid economic recovery and sustainable development across Sub-Saharan Africa;
(xii). Research and innovation should therefore be rigorously pursued and sustained in Sub-Saharan Africa;
(xiii). Nigerian universities/Polytechnics/Colleges of Education have great roles to play in ensuring that research and innovation takes centre stage in our developmental agenda;
(xiv). To achieve sustainable development there is need for government to provide infrastructure/equipment to support state-of-the-art research in tertiary institutions;
(xv). There is a disconnect between Nigerian government policies and research outputs from the existing tertiary institutions.
3.0. Resolutions and Recommendations:
At the end of the conference, the following resolutions and recommendations were adopted:
(i). The social and economic consequences of CPOVID 19 pandemic are very much with us and thus, management and social sciences researchers should take up the challenge to come up with solutions to mitigate the social and economic consequences of the pandemic.
(ii). There is need for those teaching research and supervising research projects, dissertations or thesis to take their work more seriously now than ever before in the face of COVID 19 pandemic ravaged environment.
(iii). Students should take their research work seriously especially by availing themselves to be taught and abide by necessary procedures that guarantee the integrity of their research outputs.
(iv). There is need for serious industry/academic based collaborations in research and innovation for the purpose of sustainable social economic development.
(v). Integrity should be the watch word for researchers avoiding plagiarism and improper relationships between supervisors and supervisees.
(vi). AMSSRN is commended for kick starting the process of research and innovation by organizing its 1st International Conference to address the issue of social and economic recovery and sustainable development in a pandemic ravaged environment and is charged to do more as well as utilise available opportunities to improve.
4.0. Conclusion
The 1st AMSSRN International Conference was a huge success. It is hoped that every participant will put the knowledge gained into use to remain current to be correct and allow the light (knowledge) to shine in darkness. In this way, we continue to research and innovate to achieve rapid economic recovery and sustainable social –economic development.
5.0 Special features
(i) Public unveiling of AMSSRN Book of Reading. During the conference AMSSRN 1st book of reading titled “Research as a panacea to management and social-economic sustainability in COVID-19 era” was presented to the public. The unveiling was done by Hon Dr. (Sir) I. P. Okolie (Former Accountant General of Enugu State and Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State on Financial Matters.
(ii). Conferment of AMSSRN Distinguished Fellowship Award of Excellence for Industrialists. This award was presented to Dr. Amaechi N. Ofomata, an Industrialist, global entrepreneur, mentor who has over six companies with well over 400 staff in his direct employment.
(iii). Conferment of Scholarship Merits Awards to selected Researchers. This was conferred to members of AMSSRN in the categories of Fellowship, Full membership and Associates. Fourteen members were conferred with awards in these categories.
6.0 Appreciation:
The conference expressed its profound appreciation to Professor Austin Uche Nweze (Rector, IMT) for availing AMSSRN the use of IMT International Conference Centre and other facilities and the peaceful atmosphere accorded the participants. The conference notes its profound appreciations to the Lead/Key note presenters, Professor Prince Famous Izedonmi, Professor Valentine A. Aletor and Dr. Ololo, Isokari Francis for their time and the deep insights they shared in their papers and for the practical teachings that greeted the conference. It also extended gratitude to AMSSRN Trustees, National Executives and Local Organizing Committee for providing invaluable support for the successful organisation of the conference.
