“Our goal is to produce graduates who are not just job seekers but job creators,” Aniekan said, adding that partnerships with SMEs remain central to the school’s training model.
By TheInvestigator
The Mainland Business School (MBS) in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State has spotlighted the importance of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) by honouring outstanding businesses during its maiden graduation and 6th matriculation ceremony.
The recognition of SMEs formed a major highlight of the combined academic event held on Saturday, drawing stakeholders from academia, industry, and the wider community.
Among the award recipients were Now Now Logistics, CY.COM, and Scrap To New Technologies, acknowledged for innovation, resilience, and contribution to local economic growth. The awards underscored the institution’s practical approach to entrepreneurship and its commitment to bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world business success.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Rector, Dr Ezekiel Aniekan, revealed that the institution operates as a licensed Entrepreneurship Development Centre, a status that reinforces its mandate to train and mentor business-oriented graduates. He noted that the school’s focus goes beyond academic certification to actively supporting enterprise creation and sustainability.
“Our goal is to produce graduates who are not just job seekers but job creators,” Aniekan said, adding that partnerships with SMEs remain central to the school’s training model.
The event also featured a lecture by Dr Anthony Ekpo Bassey titled “Building Theory and Practice in Entrepreneurship Education as a Catalyst for National Development,” where he emphasised the need for hands-on learning and innovation-driven education to strengthen Nigeria’s economic base.
The ceremony, which also marked the institution’s first graduation and sixth matriculation, celebrated graduates from multiple disciplines while welcoming a new cohort of students, further reinforcing MBS’s growing role in entrepreneurship development and capacity building in Cross River State.
The recipients of the awards, in their different speeches, thanked the institution for recognising them. They made pledges to the school.
The award presentation to Now Now Logistics.
Presentation of the award to CY.COM
Award presentation to Scrap To New Technologies.
Other pictures from the ceremony:
