By Douglas Blessing
The new President of the Bonny Kingdom Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BonnyChamber), Amairigha Edward Hart has assured that his leadership will make the island an investment destination of choice.
Hart said changing the economic paradigm of Bonny Island in concert with relevant stakeholders would be the focus of his administration.
He made the promise, after his investiture by the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), John Udeagbala, who was supported by the Dean of the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Bonny, Very Rev. Richard Hart, at the Ibani-Se Hall, Bonny.
Addressing the stakeholders comprising top government officials, industry players and community leaders, the BonnyChamber President stated that the Chamber under his watch would collaborate with all stakeholders to grow local content in Bonny Island and pursue investment, job opportunities, education and training towards achieving an all-inclusive socio-economic paradigm.
Until his investiture as President of BonnyChamber, Amairigha Edward Hart, a business tycoon and community leader, was the Chairman of the Bonny Kingdom Development Committee (BKDC).
Speaking earlier, NACCIMA President, John Udeagbala explained that the event was God’s handiwork and signposts the onset of progress for business and investment towards a greater Bonny Kingdom, urging the organized private sector (OPS) to align with the rejigged Chamber to achieve set objectives.
Udeagbala, arrived with NACCIMA’s 1st Deputy National President, Alabo Dr Emi Membere-Otaji, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Doxa International Engineering Services Limited, Kent Bright Keremu, CEO of Jovitapatricks Limited, Jovita Ada Iroemeh; National Vice President, NACCIMA and former President, Aba Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tony Ejinkeonye, Special Adviser to the Managing Director of Nigeria Export and Import Bank (NEXIM), Hope Yongo, Representative of Sealink Consortium, Frank Nwaotule; and some officials of NACCIMA, Barr. Eze Chukwuemeka, Sir Chidi Ihenacho, and Ole Nnanna Kalu, amongst others.
Ahead of the investiture, a new logo was launched for the Chamber, which name was also changed from Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA) to Bonny Kingdom Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the sobriquet ‘Bonny Chamber’.
Shortly after his investiture, the Bonny Chamber President proceeded to inaugurate his Executive Council members comprising chamber officers, trade group chairmen and council members.
The Chamber Officers are First Deputy President; Claudius Dite Wilcox, Second Deputy President; Dienye Willie-Pepple, Director General/Executive Secretary; Constance Nwokejiobi, FCA, Membership Secretary; Dame Carol Allison, Treasurer; Rev. Iyoruowusi Rufus Green, and Financial Secretary; Chidiebere Myke-Obialo.
The Trade Group Chairmen are: Davies Ako Obioma; Chairman, Oil and Gas and Energy, Dimieari Green; Chairman, Travel Agencies, Tourism, Hotel and Catering Services, Dr. Daniel Onyetulem; Chairman, Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, Iyke Nzeocha; Chairman, Distributive Trade, Import and Export, Walter Longjohn; Chairman; NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneurs, George Brown; Chairman, Marine and Road Transport/Logistics Services, Godswill Jumbo; Chairman, Environmental Protection and Sanitation, Kenneth Elechi; Chairman, ICT, Educational and Printing, Elijah Udoh; Deputy Chairman, ICT, Educational and Printing, Chairman, Agricultural, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry; Mercy Bluejack, and Chairman, Women in Business; Elfrida Mina Jumbo.
The inaugurated Council Members were Tumini Mangete, Chinwe Nduka-Ohaeri, Adaoha Oloworaran, Reginald Hart, Grace Ikufusile, Sokari Tobin, Joseph Irimagha and Kalada Green.
In his remarks, NACCIMA’s 1st Deputy National President, Alabo Dr Emi Membere-Otaji said that Bonny Chamber is well positioned to network globally with other chambers of commerce to drive economic change and attract investment to Bonny Island, pointing out that Bonny Island has Tourism and Oil and Gas potentials similar to other economically viable countries in the world,.
He stressed that support of the traditional institution was a boost to assure its success.
In his goodwill message, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Doxa International Engineering Services Limited, Kent Bright Keremu congratulated the Bonny Chamber on its strides, expressing gratitude for the opportunity accorded him by the Chamber and Bonny Kingdom to invest in Bonny Island, informing that his firm would bring to bear its unique business offerings to impact the community.
Highlight of the event was a Fashion Show which highlighted Ibani cultural dresses and dance steps, conferment of recognition on the Chairman of the Bonny Chiefs Council (BCC), and special rendition by the Convener of the Bonny Choral and Choirmaster of the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Edward Ibifubara William-Jumbo.
The Bonny Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BonnyChamber), formerly Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA), was founded in 1998 and incorporated in 2003 as a non-profit organization, limited by guarantee under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) of 1990.
