News

PHCCIMA Inducts New Members, Unveils Investors Compendium

Published

3 years ago

September 5, 2022

The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) has again inducted another set of new members into the organisation as well as unveiled a compendium of the activities of the chamber since its incorporation and Rivers State Investor’s Guide.
In his speech, President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Sir Mike Elechi, expressed satisfaction that his vision of running an all-inclusive administration was yielding positive results, as the monthly general forum of the chamber has continued to gather momentum, saying that the forum gives members opportunities to interface with one another, exchange business ideas and make new friends while networking.
The chamber president, who is the managing director of Vintage Farms and Product, said that August in retrospect was loaded with so many activities, including the well-attended ‘POWER-TO-POWER’ business summit that was held at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt where major stakeholders and eminent personalities from all walks of live participated in the event.
He used the medium to commend the Chairman of Power and Energy Trade Group of the chamber, Engr. Tony Nwogbo-led committee for the success of the event, adding that within the month under review, the chamber acquired a new 30KVA Generator to power its operations, and also received a high-powered delegation led by the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Stanislas Kamanzi, where robust business ideas were discussed and the chamber secured an opportunity to lead a delegation of 50 members on a trade mission to Rwanda.
In his induction speech, Elechi charged the new members to see their induction as not only an opportunity to widen the scope of their businesses but also make contributions by attracting investors for the even development of Rivers State, adding that the copy of the compendium which chronicled activities of the chamber would serve as a guide to anyone doing business and those wishing to do business in Rivers State.
Speaking on the topic; ‘the role of non-oil Export in Economic Development in the South-South region, the Regional Coordinator of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Joe Itah, called for diversification into the non-oil export sector to save the country from imminent collapse, saying that Nigeria as a country was naturally blessed with abundant potentials apart from the crude oil and gas.
He expressed the hope that talking with PHCCIMA which was the leader of the organised private sector in Rivers State remained the best opportunity for the required attention.
He maintained that NEPC was constitutionally empowered with the responsibilities of coordinating, regulating and encouraging business owners to register their businesses and export their products to earn the much needed foreign exchange.
The NEPC regional coordinator further hinted that their organisation has assisted some small scale business owners that were affected during the COVID-19 era to return to business.
Highpoint of the August members’ monthly general forum at the chamber’s Secretariat, Aba Road in Port Harcourt, was the unveiling and lunching of the PHCCIMA’s compendium.
Other key members of the chamber in attendance were the Exco members who presented membership certificates to the newly inducted members in turns, the 2nd Deputy President, Hon. Prince Charles Osimibeke; Treasurer, Surveyor Emmanuel Ogbonda; Financial Secretary, Sir Dan Harrison;and Members Welfare Secretary, Engr. Godwin Etim.
Past President, Engr. EmekaUnachukwu, performed the swearing in of the new members and presented the chamber plaque of recognition to the NEPC Regional Coordinator Mr. Joe Itah.
The Director of Commerce and representative of the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Emmanuel Nwankwo, also took his turn to present membership certificate to new member.
Others present at the event were Director and representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Collins Nathaniel;state Coordinator of Nigerian Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Mrs.ObyAgbam; South-South Regional Coordinator, Nigerian Shippers Council, Chief Glory Onojedo;elected council members, Mr.OkeyOdu; and Chief EmekaEzekwe; various trade group chairmen; former publicity secretaries of the chamber, PastorOluwatoyinAlabiof The Promise Fast Foods; and Dr. Mercy Abu; as well as distinguished members, guests, pressmen, the Director General,Mr. Erasmus Chukunda; and staff of the chamber.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.