As businesses in the country face various challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Rivers/Bayelsa branch, has exposed survival strategies for its members and associates. 
The National Deputy President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr.Emi Membere-Otaji, who was the guest speaker at MAN’s 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM), reiterated that survival depends on the company’s ability to learn fast, adapt and respond to changes and uncertainties which add value no matter what comes along.
Dr. Membere-Otaji, who is also the Chairman/CEO of Elshcon Group of companies with interest in Oil and gas, shipping and healthcare, noted the need for companies to develop “Risk Management Plans, which first analyse the situation and its impacts and activate their business continuity plan for those that don’t have. 
“Activate a crisis management strategy. In all, taking far reaching decisions to stay afloat. “Execute well and make quality a key ingredient to the business growth. Exploit existing capabilities and explore new business opportunities and new markets”.
He also said business operators should make the Covid vaccine mandatory at the workplace, saying that Covid-19 is not yet history. 
In his address, MAN’s Chairman, Senator Adawari Michael Pepple noted that the theme of the 37th AGM, “Covid-19 pandemic and Survival Strategies in the Manufacturing Sector”, was necessitated by the recent Covid-19 disease pandemic which shook the world, recording the highest number of deaths by an infectious disease in recent times.
The pandemic, he said, also resulted in the shutdown of factories and businesses which took a heavy toll on the world economy.
MAN Chairman who outlined the various challenges facing manufacturers said, “although the challenges bedeviling the manufacturing sector are numerous, we are confident that with careful and concerted efforts and through effective public-private sector partnership, we would recreate a friendlier operating environment for the sector required for sustained economic growth of the country.
He reiterated the unfailing commitment of manufacturers to fulfil their mandate in benefiting the manufacturing community in particular and the overall wellbeing of our economy.
MAN Chairman commended the governors of the two states, “His Excellencies, Chief (Barr.) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and Sen. Douye Diri, for steps taken to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and humbly request that the association be consulted when policies affecting the manufacturing sector are being formulated.
In her contribution, the former Vice Chairman of the association, Mrs. Emilia Akpan said the present survival strategy is for leaders to teach by example .
Akpan stressed that “company owners need to go down to the factory and work with the employees to ensure that the right thing is being done to achieve survival”.

By: Lilian Peters