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The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce (PHCCIMA) has urged the Federal and state governments to intensify efforts towards encouraging entrepreneurship and ‘Make in Nigeria’ strategies as a conscious effort towards economic stimulation, wealth creation and employment generation.
President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, represented by the first deputy president, Chief Nabil Saleh made this known at the opening ceremony of the week long International Christian Business Exhibition and Conference (IC-BEC 2017) held in Port Harcourt.
Membere-Otaji said in adopting a ‘Make In Nigeria’ economic strategic plan, Nigeria is investing in an end-game with a win-win outcome, because it will promote home-made goods as a substitute for the imported ones, and reduce pressure on foreign currency demand, which ultimately increases capacity and competitiveness for export earnings.
“Make in Nigeria effort will also re-position Nigeria as a producing economy in the medium to long term, once power and other infrastructural support come on stream, and also expand capacity for job creation and structured funding of new sectors that have grown without government support such as arts, creative and entertainment industry, fashion and culture, technology, crafts and farming,” he said.
The PHCCIMA helmsman noted that “efforts to encourage Make in Nigeria goods and development of entrepreneurs and enterprises has been part of the cardinal objective of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce as an organization; we have contributed in no small measure in encouraging and mentoring business enterprises – supporting ventures and providing opportunities that has contributed in invigorating our local and national economy. PHCCIMA has been frontal in providing relevant business information, encouraging business linkages, and networking and facilitating foreign direct investments as part of value for our teeming membership.”
Former chairman of Pfizer and Neimeth boards of directors, Dr. Sam Ohuabunwa, said Nigeria has under-performed in her 57 years of existence, adding that little wonder they are branded the 3rd most miserable economy in the world, with 75% poverty rate, and ranked 152 in the world’s least human development indices countries.
He said the solution to these heartrending ratings is for us as a people to always dwell on the positives and brace up to unyielding competitiveness. He said we must identify entrepreneurship as being capable of helping us to reverse the trend, adding that government must take a critical step to engage in entrepreneurship development, research and global competitiveness.
Ohuabunwa noted that as a people “we can start creating jobs rather than seeking for job. How? By identifying problems, finding the solution and implementing the solutions which basically translate to employment creation.” He said money is fundamental to every business but it is not the key factor like the idea, vision, plan, and passion with providence and support from God.
Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Mrs Ipalibo Harry Banigo, represented by the managing director, Rivers State Micro-Finance Agency (RIMA), Mr. Ipalibo Sogules commended organizers of the event for their consistency and hunger to develop the spirit of enterprise among the people of the Niger Delta and beyond.
He said the Rivers State Micro-Finance Agency, in accordance with the mandate of the state administration, has put in place programmes geared towards supporting entrepreneurship and innovative thinking. He said the state will continue to support the IC-BEC programme, and urged participant to take advantage of the programme to get value for them.
Convener of the International Christian Business Exhibition and Conference and president of Marketplace Apostles Empowerment Foundation, Pastor Uche Onochie said the event is dedicated to equipping men and women in the marketplace with Kingdom principles for business and leadership; towards the development and transformation of cities and nations. “We are committed to raising leaders who will create much more than personal wealth.”
