AE-FUNAI DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES HOSTS 2ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION WITH A CALL FOR EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES
The Department of Economics and Development Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State has concluded its 2nd International Conference themed: “Economic Transformation in a Digital Era: Building Innovative and Sustainable pathway”, with a call for an equitable distribution of wealth to ensure social justice, and thereby pave the way for a more inclusive society.
The conference which held at the Needs Assessment building of the University, was geared towards proffering innovative pathways for achieving sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

Declaring the conference open, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga commended the department for their thoughtfulness and insight in hosting the conference, noting that the topic of the conference was relevant, given the downward trend in the Nigeria's economy which has been worrisome for political leaders, economists, policy makers and Nigerians in general.
He stated that digital technologies have already transformed how people communicate, learn and work, emphasizing that changing the geography of economic activity through their impact on corporate strategies will enhance economic growth.

Speaking further, the Vice Chancellor noted that the needs of the present generation should be met without compromising the needs of the future generations, and charged participants to assimilate the dynamics of economics to help them identify valuable innovative trends.
Earlier in his speech, the Head, Department of Economic and Development Studies, Prof. Kalu Uma, stated that economic transformation in a digital era involves harnessing the power of digital technologies to create innovative and sustainable pathways which can lead to increased productivity and improved quality of life.
He added that the conference was meant to create a platform for engagements in order to explore new ideas and knowledge in the field of economics. He therefore urged every participant to take advantage of the conference to acquire new knowledge for a better tomorrow.

Speaking further, he appreciated the Vice Chancellor for his constant support to the department, stating that his attention and interest in such innovative programs has continued to encourage the department.
The Keynote speaker, Prof. Uwazie Iyke Uwazie, during his lecture, said sustainable development is a pathway towards an equitable, prosperous future, ensuring that todays’ progress does not compromise the wellbeing of the future generation.
He listed the different types of sustainable development t include Economic, Social and Environmental Sustainability, and harped on the need to sustain them which arises from the pressing global challenges like, climate change, resource depletion, and socio-economic disparities.

He also hinted that the rapidly increasing global population brings about a critical concern which centers on overexploitation of natural resources and their ways of consumption especially from fossil fuel to fresh water that depletes these vital resources at an unsustainable pace.
He further noted that sustainable development calls for equitable distribution of wealth, by ensuring social justice to pave way for a more inclusive society, adding that creation of opportunities and adoption of sustainable practices can create new industries and jobs, particularly in sectors that are viable.
Concluding, the scholar stressed that innovative and sustainable development pathways for national growth and development is a collective deliberation that involves collective agreement rather than that of an individual or government.
There were also other resources persons that present thought-provoking papers at the conference, all geared towards proffering solutions to the intractable economic challenges facing Nigeria.