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Take Advantage Of Opportunities, Elechi Urges PHCCIMA Members

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The President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Sir Mike Elechi, has urged members of the association to tap into the advantage of what his administration has put on their table.
He gave the advice while addressing PHCCIMA members during the general monthly forum at its Secretariat in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
He said, “it is our promise to add value to the chamber and to ensure that you derive benefits out of your annual dues, and part of it is the consistent monthly general forum. As business men, whatever we do without marketing our produce to each other, we have done nothing. So, I felt that we should start trading within ourselves on our various products and services and translate it to our next door neighbour.
“In the monthly gathering, we share complementary cards and reach out to one another, we’ve designed the gathering in a way that each of the meeting day, we bring one or two organisations to talk to us on relevant topics as it affect our businesses and we have kept fate to that”, he added.
Elechi, who is the chairman and chief executive officer of Vintage Farms and Products Ltd, frowned at members who deliberately absent themselves from the monthly gathering, which according to him; do not tell good of their association in the eyes of their guest speakers who have clamoured to meet them in their numbers.
He, therefore, appealed to members to try and tap on the opportunities before them.
In his keynote presentation, the Regional Manager, Trustfund Pensions Ltd, Dr. Omaka Omaka, who spoke on “Various Subjects on the Contributory Pension Scheme”, encouraged corporate organisations on the advantage of partnership with the Trustfund Pensions Ltd as any contribution made keep appreciating over time.
He advised business owners, particularly those at the informal sector, to involve themselves in microfinance fund and enrol their staff in pension scheme, which were in stages with the essence of getting fund at the retirement age, adding that it was a motivational approach for their staff to turn in their best, and a criminal offence to withhold pension deductions.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, represented by the Deputy Director in charge of SMEs, Mr. Patrick Igbo, also spoke on the topic, ‘Rivers Cares’, advised business owners to take advantage of the national domesticated programme tagged, RivCares, an intervention programme put together by the Federal/State Governments and World Bank to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained the processes valid members of PHCCIMA would go about registering online, cautioning that there was no agent appointed for the programme, which according to him, would end on July 13, 2022.
In another keynote presentation on “How to Make Your Business Succeed In These Tough Times”, the Managing Director of Primeport Logistics Ltd, Otunba Femi Adewunmi, advised business organisations to consider their fundamentals when growing their businesses to be able to stand strong in tough times.
In an interview with journalists after the meeting, the Managing Director of Primeport Logistics Limited, Otunba Femi Adewunmi, explained that whereever problems exit, there was always an opportunity, adding that as business owners, one needs to calibrate and get prepared for an eventuality.
The clearing and forwarding expert also gave reason why the Eastern Ports were not making much progress against that of Lagos.
He said, “The truth is that we are not uptimising the limited things we have in the region.There is no structure on ground at the Eastern Ports, and that is what the Primeport is putting in place”.
Other executive and council members present at the forum include the 2nd Deputy President, Hon. Prince Charles Beke; Treasurer, Surveyor Emmanuel Ogbonda; Publicity Secretary, Pastor Uche Onochie; PHCCIMA HLVP and SESSCCIMA President, Dr. Hyke Ochia.
The rest includeelected council members: Barrister Innocent Amah, Chief Emeka Ezekwe, Mrs. Florence Nwosibe, who also is the chairman of Trade Missions Desk, Trade Group Chairmen and distinguished members, other guests, pressmen and the Director General, Mr. Erasmus Chukunda.
The July Members’ General Forum was sponsored by the Chamber Members’ Welfare Secretary and Managing Director of Goddie Chemicals International Company Ltd, Engr. Godwin Etim, and Trustfund Pensions Ltd.

By: Nelson Chukwudi

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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