– As PHCCIMA gets first female President in 67years
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has pledged to fight criminality in the State by working closely with the private sector to create jobs, with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, PHCCIMA, playing a central role.
Speaking at the investiture of Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, the first female President of PHCCIMA since its inception in 1957, Governor Fubara emphasized that massive job creation is the most sustainable solution to curb crime.
The governor described the private sector as critical to achieving this objective and assured business leaders of his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He urged the business community to support Nwoga’s leadership, noting that her success would benefit the entire state; and pledged to strengthen the government’s collaboration with PHCCIMA to boost economic activities and create jobs in the state.
“We are doing a lot to attract businesses to Rivers State. This is a mark of solidarity with the business community, and we are ready to work together to promote the economy of the state,” the governor said.
Dr. Nwoga’s investiture marks a turning point for PHCCIMA, with her leadership expected to usher in transformative initiatives to support businesses and drive economic growth.
In her inaugural address, she unveiled her agenda under the theme: “Positioning PHCCIMA to Create and Offer Dividends of Membership and Engaging All Stakeholders to Achieve Economic Progress.”
The former broadcaster turned corporate leader announced bold strategies, including the establishment of a PHCCIMA Business Council to serve as a think tank, fostering collaboration between academia and industry to produce employable graduates, and organizing regular business-government roundtables to align policies with private-sector needs.
Nwoga reaffirmed PHCCIMA’s dedication to working with the state government to achieve common goals such as job creation, economic development, and improved infrastructure.
“Our responsibilities as a chamber are clearly defined: sustaining trade partnerships, ensuring government provides an enabling business environment, and creating access to funding opportunities for members. This investiture is not a celebration but a call to service. All I see is work, work, work.
“The task of nation-building is a collective one, and PHCCIMA is ready to lead the charge,” she said.
Dr. Nwoga also launched the PHCCIMA Annual Lecture Series, a global networking event to promote Rivers State as an investment hub and showcase local businesses.
The event also drew praise for Dr. Nwoga from business leaders and dignitaries. John Azuta Mbata, former senator and chairman of the investiture, described PHCCIMA as a key driver of economic development in Rivers State and lauded Nwoga’s competence and integrity.
NACCIMA’s National President, Dele Kelvin Oye, represented by Jani Ibrahim, hailed Nwoga’s election as a victory for women in business and a step toward breaking gender barriers. Past PHCCIMA leaders, including Hyde Ochia and immediate past president Mike Elechi, also pledged their support to ensure her success.
