9CCIMA inaugurated in Enugu, founding president, Exco members honoured

COSMAS  CHUKWU, Enugu

 

The 9th Mile Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (9CCIMA), Enugu state, was formally inaugurated on Thursday in a colourful event that also featured the investiture of its founding president, Surveyor Ozo Leonard Ugwu, and the Executive Committee Exco Members.

The inauguration was graced by the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, represented by his Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, Barr. Sam Ogbu Nwobodo, captains of industry within and outside the state, as well as the sister Chamber of Commerce in South East region of the country.

Speaking at the event chaired by a successful business entrepreneur, Chief Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, Governor Mbah, congratulated the (9CCIMA) president and his Exco, noting that the Chamber has a unique identity as the Gate way to the Eastern part of Nigeria.

He therefore urged the leadership to join hands with his administration in it’s quest to make the state the economic and investment hub of South East Nigeria, and his desire to grow the state’s GDP from $4 billion when he met it to $30 billion.

The governor further averred that the inauguration was a testament that the current Enugu state government under his watch is fully disposed towards partnering the organized private sector in driving the state economy to the expected destination.

While positing that the private sector remains a catalyst for industrial growth in any nation, he encouraged the new chamber to key into the 9th Mile free trade zones initiated by the state government to change the narrative of the poor inherited state economy.

Performing the 9CCIMA boss Investiture and Exco inauguration, National president of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Engr. Jani Ibrahim, said he had no doubt in his mind that Surveyor Ugwu, and his team have the capacity to deliver and make the national body proud.

The NACCIMA helmsman, who spoke through the president of South East Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (SECCIMA), Chief Humphrey Ngonadi, noted that 9th Mile has enormous potential that the new Chamber would harness to make meaningful headway.

He stressed that the private sector remains key to the development of any economy, hence the need for the government to always embrace it for a robust partnership.

In his acceptance speech, 9ACCIMA president Surv. Ugwu, who narrated the challenges they encountered at inception, said the idea of the Chamber came to him “as a dream after serving in Enugu Chamber as a Council member, and later Vice president in 2018”

He expressed optimism that the 9th Mile Chamber will definitely work “in tandem with our state government to realize her lofty goals within the Chambers axis as an economic boom to the state, disclosing that the area is the collation centre for most Agricultural produce such as Cashew nuts, Cassava flakes, and starch amongst others.

The 9CCIMA president made it clear that contrary to notions in certain areas, the Chamber is not exclusively meant for any segment of the state or people, emphasizing that “the chamber movement is not racial, nor tribal as people in some quarters may want to suggest.

“Rather, the existence of 9CCIMA is solely dependent on business men and women who do business within this corridor to enable the economy of Enugu state government and Nigeria to continue to improve.”

He added that “together with the free trade zones, super industries and small/ medium businesses, we will surpass the expectations of our dear Governor who is working tirelessly to create a Silicon Valley economic blueprint within 9th mile zone.”

To realize his dream, Surv. Ugwu revealed that he has engaged the new council in certain areas such as visibility, urbanisation of 9th mile Corner, sectoral planning, stating that his immediate focus would be on women and Youth engagement, partnership with other bodies, request for land allocation, amongst others.

He expressed appreciation to some key stakeholders in the Chamber movement in Nigeria, including ECCIMA, SECCIMA and others, for their encouragement and unflinching support towards the realization of the dream.

In his remark, the Director General, 9CCIMA, Mr. Osita Ebie noted that the strategic position of 9th mile for business is not in doubt, considering the abundant human and natural resources inherent in the area.

“The 9CCIMA has its aims and objectives, to serve as an umbrella to coordinate the different businesses and expose them to the international market”.Ebie stated.

“We have navigated through turbulent times and we have grown to play major roles in the Agriculture and agro allied sector.

And we have established links with some foreign missions in the country, to foster a strong business partnership that will be of immense benefit to our members.

“I am glad to inform you that in no distant time, the Ambassador of the Republic of Vietnam will be visiting our chamber for trade partnership and collaboration”.

Earlier, the Keynote Speaker, Chief Loretta Aniagolu, who is the Chairperson, Fit Consult, a multi-dimensional business outfit, charged 9CCIMA to take the bull by the horn and change the business narrative of the 9th Mile Conner environment.

She said the Chamber should serve as a bridge between the private sector operating in the area and the government, stressing that they should also put in place a mechanism that could ensure accelerated economic growth within the 9th mile axis as soon as possible.

Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture ECCIMA, and other sister Chambers form South East geo political zone presented goodwill messages to 9CCIMA at the ceremony, which also witnessed the presentation of award plaques to some individuals who have made huge contributions to the economic growth of Enugu and Nigeria.