Business
RSG Tasks NACCIMA On Research Funding
The Rivers State Govern
ment has urged the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and its city affiliates to establish linkages between them, the universities and research institutes in the country with a view to finding solutions to the nation’s economic problems.
The call was made by the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, in a keynote address at the 2012 First Quarterly Council Meeting of NACCIMA at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, on Thursday.
The governor, who was represented by a director in the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Nelson Dagogo-Brown, said that the nation’s vast natural resources needed to be better harnessed and properly managed, and that the chambers of commerce can play an important role in this regard by establishing linkages with the universities through research funding.
He advised that rather than continue to organise seminars where people assemble, talk and disperse without achieving much, NACCIMA should learn from the situation in the United States and other developed nations where chambers of commerce undertake the funding of activities in research institutes.
Amaechi also noted that a commerce chamber is not a place for retirees, but persons with sufficient stamina to read widely about research breakthroughs, travel out for trade meetings with foreign businessmen, liaise with local banks to reduce loan conditions for small and medium-scale enterprises, and make presentations to the government on issues that will grow business and economy, among others.
He described as unnecessary the conflict within the organised private sector in Nigeria and particularly urged NACCIMA and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to focus more on how to utilise good ideas emanating from any of them for the benefit of the nation’s economy.
Speaking earlier, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Engr. Vincent Furo, had, in his welcome address, thanked NACCIMA for choosing Port Harcourt as the venue for its first council meeting for the year.
He also expressed gratitude to Governor Amaechi for creating the needed ambience for private sector participation in economic policy decisions of the state.
“We would not forget in a hurry his laudable responses to some of our public outcry against certain government policies and decisions that ultimately affects the common man and also the organised private sector in the state,” he said.
Highlights of the occasion include the presentation of an achievement award on Corporate Social Responsibility to Total Upstream companies in Nigeria and another to Governor Amaechi, in recognition of his Developmental Strides in the state.
Ibelema Jumbo
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
