ASMATA PG Anuna Unveils Two Books on Wealth Creation, Dignity of Labor
By Uzo Ugwunze
The CEO Pineleaf Estates and Homes Ltd, Archbishop Onyeka Nzekwesi (Chinakalibeya) has lauded the Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association ASMATA President General, Chief Humphrey Anuna (Onwa Oraeri) on the two books he launched recently titled "Igbo Apprenticeship System (Igba Boi)' and 'Becoming Rich or Poor,".
Speaking shortly after the Book launch which held at ASMATA Secretariat, Modebe Avenue Onitsha, Archbishop Onyeka Nzekwesi said that the books were intentional to help the young ones understand the rules of wealth.
"One of the books is named 'Rich or Poor is a Personal Decision' and the other book talks about Igbos Trade system of Apprenticeship (Igba Boi). It is a very good one coming from a typical trader.
"The Commissioner for Information who reviewed the book explained how the Boi Boi system should not be abolished rather it has been enshrined in the Anambra Edicts through the State House of Assembly to help people from very poor background start up and become rich. It is a means Igbos transfer wealth from one family to the other and one generation to another.
"The two books from Chief Humphrey Anuna Onwa Oraeri are extra ordinary and everyone who wants to become rich can pick any of those books, apply it and start enjoying wealth. That was why I was touched to launch these books handsomely for him to be able to gift out some of them to those who may not be able to buy it".
"This Igba boi has been the trend in those days that any Igbo man will either send his child to school of Igba boi and after his stay in the apprenticeship, he establishes his own trade and become a master. But these days our youths prefer get rich quick syndrome to apprenticeship scheme which results in today's all manners of crimes and criminality," said Archbishop Nzekwesi.
In his opening remark, Chief Humphrey Anuna said that he authored the book based on what is happening in Anambra State, that include the youths' negligence on igba boi scheme, disclosing that it is the master trader that would tell you his experience.
He stated that the westerners started this apprenticeship scheme in form of slave trade but Ndi igbo in their own way do it as it is today that parents take their children to the master trader to serve as apprentice traders for some years prior to settlement and being self reliant.
Moreso, Chief Anuna also celebrated his 2025 New Yam Festival later that day thanking God for bountiful harvest and for blessing the traders in different areas praying God to make next year's harvest more productive.
Moreover, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor who was the Book Reviewer described the books as timely saying that the author, Chief Anuna in the his book portrayed Apprenticeship scheme as one of the rich cultural values of Igbo people who are known to be successful in various fields of endeavor practice to be established in life.
Going by the saying 'Onye fee Eze, Eze eruo ya, (If you serve me as king, kingship will get to you), Dr Mefor emphasized on the need for cordial relationship between the master trader and the apprentice trader lamenting the attitude of some masters who condemn and dismiss their nwa boi (apprentice), when his apprenticeship period was about to end the master comes up with frivolous, false and unfounded allegations against the apprentice.
"These accusations he said were not made during his first, second and third years of apprenticeship until the nwa boi (apprentice) is about to be settled and that is part of the essence of passing into law the Igba boi apprenticeship scheme.
"The Anambra State government has responded to some questions in the books by passing a bill through the state House of Assembly for Igba boi. There will be a Commission set up for igba boi, most of the things written in this books were captured by the bill, everybody should go and read it.
"There will be a fund where the government will be contributing, likewise the master, so that at the end of the apprentice system, the master will not be alone in the financial settlement of such nwa boi. The government will contribute a million naira and the master contributes a million naira also to make it two million naira," Mefor stated.
He added that another interesting chapter is that the book talked on the different types of apprenticeship schemes and the daily life of nwa boi
Mefor stated also that nwa boi system has been supported by the Harvard Business School recalling that it was with Igba boi system that Ndi Igbo survived the Nigeria/Biafra civil war.
He said the book stressed on the rights of both the master and the nwa boi, and quoted the Biblical labourer who he said is entitled to his wages even if he is regarded as a slave.
"The Nwa boi lasts for five years and above and he helps in the earnings when he was serving and therefore is a way to help the master grow his business, and as such he is entitled to be settled," Mefor reiterated.
The CEO of CB GOFRAN, Chief Dr. Chukwudozie Bobfrancis Nzekwesi, expressed satisfaction with the launch of the two books stating that they will assist immensely as guide line to future wealth acquisition.
He urged all and sundry to ensure good use of the books which the author took time to work on for publication consumption and guidance to riches.
In his own contribution, the Chairman, Mgbuka Obosi Old Motor spare parts market, Chief Samuel Ifurunwa recalled that governor Chukwuma Soludo started work on his first day in office, and same with ASMATA PG.
"ASMATA PG thought us, market chairmen wisdom whenever we are with him. So with the launch of his books he showcased that his wisdom, citing Igba boi scheme as a case study.
Ifurunwa disclosed that he did apprenticeship for 14 years and six months under two masters, serving the first one under seven years and the second seven years and six months.
CEO Ngozi Obichukwu Associates, Property Management and Real Estate Consultants described the ASMATA PG as an inspiration to traders saying that his books were very fantastic. "He has opened the eyes of everyone showing that anyone can use his talents no matter the field of endeavor the person finds him or herself.
They all advised everyone to pick the books because of their contents adding that the books would be shared to the masters and umu boi in all the markets to add to their existing knowledge
High Chief Emeka Nwafor, Onowu of Akpo kingdom, said that, "We saw what we have not seen before because they say that business men are illiterates, but we have proved them wrong today that the author of the book is a trader. I came to see by myself and it is a lesson to all of us".
Speaking, Evaristus Ejezie, the chairman, Iron Dealers Union Nteje, described the event as a good one, and commended the ASMATA PG for the books he authored pointing out that a lot is there to be learnt especially for our youths who see Igba boi as a waste of time.
He added that if everybody can make use of the books written with wisdom, there will be a remarkable difference between Umu Boi and master traders in today's business pursuit compared with past.
A chieftain, High Chief Chukwujekwu Maduka, stated that everyone has his destiny explaining that all fingers are not equal and prayed God to bless and keep the PG to celebrate the next year's new yam festival and beyond.
Highlights of the occasion include, unveiling the books, Book Review, Book launch/fund raising to support circulation of the books, New Yam festival/Iwa- ji by the ASMATA PG with refreshments.
