By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU & RICHARD UDOFIA

It is an undeniable, and a universally accepted fact that information and communication technology, ICT, is redefining business operations in the post-industrial society.

Despite the uniqueness of ICT in business operations worldwide, Small and Medium Enterprises still remain the bedrock of every economy. Known for wealth creation and reduction in the number of unemployed youths in the market, there is a clear indication that SMEs that are not properly rooted in ICT will naturally fade away in this post-industrial society.

Ironically, the 21st century economy is not a job creating one. Although, ICT has increased efficiency and productivity, it has equally blocked the traditional mode of employment in the post-industrial society, thereby making available few jobs in the post-industrial society where ICT is  the emerging market. Clearly, there is a vacuum in ICT clime and knowledge  transmission between those who have successfully built competitive businesses with this new technology and those who just starting their enterprise.

The missing link is the propelling force, that compelled one of Nigeria’s leading Telecoms company, MTN to create a platform tagged, “MTN Link Forum”, where successful business men and women interacted and shared ideas on how to grow a globally competitive business in contemporary society.

Speaking at the forum, an entrepreneur, Mr. Mike Edinah, said that the programme has helped numerous entrepreneurs by investing in human capital development and providing huge financial support to budding entrepreneurs.

Edinah added that the forum provides insight into opportunities that the digital global environment presents and how Nigerian entrepreneurs can take the advantage of ICT in enriching their businesses.

In its usual tradition of connecting ideas to opportunities for millions of young, able and visionary entrepreneurs, MTN Link Forum has hitherto brought successful enterpreneurs and role models together.