The Umuahia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (UCCIMA), has installed Elder Dr. Catherine Chika Igbokwe, as it’s 7th President, that will serve the Chamber for the next two years.
The ceremony which was held at the Golden Olives Resort, Umuahia, featured the installation of the President,the 1st and 2nd Deputy Presidents, the inauguration of other executive members, the investiture of new members, as well as, the presentation of awards.
In his opening remarks, the National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Oye, who was represented by the President of South East Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), Humphrey Ngonadi, commended the immediate past president of UCCIMA, Chief Chidi Nkem-Aruoma, for his visionary leadership and bringing life to the Chamber.
According to him, before now, no one heard or knew about UCCIMA, but today, Chief Chidi Nkem-Aruoma, has given UCCIMA a name and identity without any government support.
The SECCIMA President, said Chief Nkem-Aruoma brought his vision to bare, which made the chamber to record notable progress, stating that the immediate past president bridged the gap between public policy and the private sector.
Ngonadi while commending the Governor of Abia State for creating an environment that would engender collaboration with UCCIMA, urged the new leadership to foster team work, patience and strategic collaboration to drive UCCIMA’s continued growth,while appealing to Chief Aruoma to continue to support the Chamber with his wealth of experience.
Delivering his welcome speech, the immediate past president of UCCIMA, Chief Chidi Nkem-Aruoma, reminded the members of the NACCIMA Code of Ethics, which included, loyalty in their dealings and having mutual respect for the Laws of the land and that of other nations, protecting the health, safety and economic environment of all, and as well, promoting and protecting the business interests of private sector operators by healthy networking.
Immediate past president of UCCIMA,Chidi Nkem-Aruoma
Similarly, to shun any form of abuse of office, bribery and corruption, to be fair, firm and transparent with customers, suppliers and competitors, to remain a partner with the government but non-hesitant to criticize or disagree with bad policies of the government, to settle disputes or disagreements that may arise within the Chambers, among others.
Chief Aruoma noted that his tenure as the President recorded notable achievements, ranging from changing the narrative of Umuahia Chamber of Commerce that was invisible to gaining affiliations with eight international chambers of commerce. He hinted that under his leadership, UCCIMA proposed a Business school which he noted would be pursued by the new administration.
He disclosed that UCCIMA now have a global presence, emphasizing on the recent visit of some Vietnamese representatives to Umuahia, to explore business opportunities.
The immediate past president further narrated that his biggest challenge was lack of support from the government of Abia State. He said every success made by the Chamber was achieved singlehandedly without any support from the government. He, therefore, appealed to the government to team up with the organised private sector, since they are the ones that create wealth and employment.
In an interview, the immediate past president, lamented how most private companies in Umuahia have gone moribund, calling on the government of Dr Alex Otti, to look into the resuscitation of modern ceramics, Ulonna farm settlement, among other key investments in the state, highlighting the enormous benefits they would have on the state’s economy.
He further congratulated the new leadership, praying that they would lead the Chamber to an enviable height.
Also, the Chairman on the occasion, Prince Obasi Ekeagbara, while congratulating the new leadership of UCCIMA under Dr Catherine Igbokwe, commended the immediate past president, for his efforts in repositioning the Chamber and urged business owners to identify with the Chamber for funding, networking and opportunities that could help them grow their businesses.
In a goodwill message, the Abia State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Maureen Aghukwa, congratulated the first female President of UCCIMA and prayed her tenure records remarkable success.
In their separate goodwill messages, the President 9th Mile Chamber of Commerce, Ozo Surv.Ugwu Leo and the President, Greater Awgu Chamber of Commerce, Dr Nnanyelugo Obasi, congratulated the 7th President of UCCIMA and other executive, urging them to explore avenues that would help the Chamber grow, while commending the immediate past president, for his efforts.
The Keynote speaker and representative of Governor Alex Otti, Chief Nwaka Inem, emphasized the State government’s efforts in building structures that would help sustain businesses.
According to him, if after building businesses and there are no structures to sustain them, it becomes a wasted effort.
The Keynote Speaker who doubled as the Special Adviser on Trade, Commerce and Industry to the Abia State Governor, disclosed government’s readiness to collaborate with UCCIMA in shaping policies that could help revitalize the State’s economy. He, however, commended Chidi Nkem-Aruoma for a good job done.
Giving her acceptance speech, shortly after being installed as the 7th President of UCCIMA, Dr Catherine Igbokwe, said her first assignment would be to reconcile and bring back to the Chamber those who left for one reason or the other.
7th President UCCIMA,Dr Catherine Chika Igbokwe
According to her, she was elected to lead the organization and not to rule over it, promising to serve to the best of her ability, adding that with their support,the Chamber would attain new height, create an environment that would drive expansion and growth of businesses in Umuahia.
She called on all aggrieved members to forgive and forget past grievances, urging them to come together with renewed zeal to work for the Chamber. “It is my vision to work assiduously with my executive for the expansion of the Chamber’s membership and as well, explore how best the Chamber can establish new frontiers of cooperation with the government and other stakeholders in order to drive growth”, she said.
Igbokwe further appreciated the outgone executive for their robust contributions in sustaining and promoting the Chamber at the global level, promising to consolidate on the avenues created.
In an interview, one of the newly inaugurated Vice President, Dr Obioma Okorie, the CEO of Obioma Cement, promised to give his support to the new leadership. He added that his presence in the new executive of UCCIMA would go along way in charting a new course for the organization, going by his antecedents.
Dr Obioma Okorie, CEO, Obioma Cement
Dr Obioma Okorie stated that the UCCIMA would record great exploits, disclosing his readiness to open new frontiers for the Chamber to thrive.
Highpoint of the occasion, that was witnessed by business moguls, private sector operators, NACCIMA and SECCIMA Presidents, other Chambers Presidents, government functionaries, was the inauguration of the new executive,award presentation and the decoration of the Governor of the State, Dr Alex Otti, as the Grand Patron of UCCIMA.
