AWKACCIMA Ready To Key In On Exports, as Abuja Chamber President shows the way

By Felix Oti, Awka

The President, Awka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, AWKACCIMA, Engr Chudy Egemba has assured that the Awka chamber is ready to key into Exports in all its ramifications, if availed with the requisite knowledge.

This is coming as the President Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( ACCI ), Chief Emeka Akajiugo Obegolu ,SAN says that the only solution to Nigeria economic problem is creation of exportable goods.

Obegolu ,who made this statement yesterday during a courtsy visit to Awka Chamber of Commerce ,Mines, and Industry ( AWKACCIMA), encouraged AWKACCIMA to brace exportation of their products.

His words : ” We had our annual retreat here in Government House Awka. We started yesterday and we decided to pay a visit to our sister chamber .

“So we are glad to be here . We thank the leadership of Awka Chamber of Commerce for the reception and we look forward for further collaboration in terms of trainings for the good of Chamber of Commerce.

The way to overcome this economic problem is to encourage governments at all levels to partner with chamber of commerce to support the business plans and policies that promotes , decentralise business and outgrown challenges .

“The only way Nigerian can come out of this bad economic situation is by bringing business to create exportable goods.

:It is inline with the training that is going on now which is aimed to support women and youths in Anambra in agro export which ended today in government house
.That will take us to canada for exhibition”, he concluded.

In earlier statement ,he said’: This is the first time of holding this annual retreat in Anambra state with a view of feeling the hospitality in the state

“We started yesterday and continued this morning and we decided to come and see our sister chamber in the capital city of Anambra state .To tell you that your assistant chamber is here for a training which leads us to share ideas.

“We must network with your chamber to share an idea of chamber business month in Nigeria , look into mutual means of helping each other including our members.

“Chamber movement as we all know is a movement of come to join and tell another one to join What is important is as a chamber in a city centre ,we continually bring out our self to serve the interest of members and how do we do this is by having engagement with the goverment

“Always chanel your certain request through our local chembers to the government because Government will take the responsibilty for development of business centre.

“Without the private sector no government will succeed.

“Each government both Local ,state or federal must as a matter of policy, support business in their area because is when this business prospers that they will get income through taxation

“We are here to support Awka chamber of commerce. We know the challenges the economy has brought each business we are into and Government has a role to play in addressing the economic challenge we are facing today.

‘Over two weeks now we have been issuing press statements on what, we think Government can do to arrest the situation.

“We urge the chambers in general to engage your government and profer solution to each goverment policy. You can advise them the way forward in the interest of your members and business will improve ,

Tony Ejinkonye ,an Abuja member and former President of the Abuja Chamber has this to say: “Let not this meeting today be a photo shop or ceremony ,he decleared.

“I want your branch to leaverage on our presence today to encourage government effectively to succeed. The structure you see today is not what came up overnight.

“It came up through hadwork and vision of past excos of the chamber. It is not an individual effort but a collective effort .
It is not only president that will do the work ,you have to come together in one mind to say this is how we want Awka chamber to be.
“Progress is not just bringing in quality members but bringing quality staff that will make things happen.

Hon Dr Aliyu IdiHong, one of the Abuja executives in his advice said: “Apart from having the centre to train people ,some of us take Anambra as our second state.

“In case if you do not know, we have National policy centre that articulates issues and policies that affects businesses and economy of the nation, and seeks advice from the private sector and we also have Dispute resolution centre but Anambra is a peaceful state.

In his reaction, the Awka Chamber of commerce President, Engr Chudy Egemba welcomed the team from Abuja and described the visit as a remarkable one and demanded for more support from Abuja Chamber to the Awka chamber.

He further said: “We are happy to receive you and your executives today. Your visit has given us strength to achieve,learn and key in to your advice.

“You know Abuja is a gate way to the nation. We are here to partner and learn from you by means of partnership in training and the rest of them .

Abuja Chamber has achieved a lot and we want to be like them on that note partnership is the key .

For Anambra State Commissioner culture and Tourism Comrade
Don Onyenji, the visit was in line with the ‘Think home’ philosophy ,the governor is talking about.

Comrade Onyenji commended the Abuja Chamber, noting that: “They are doing well ,if not he would have not even think of doing the training at home. Once you don’t do it at home it means you are hanging on air. The program is carring your toddler along and not peer group mechnism.

“We keep on improving and lot should be done. The private sector has a lot to do and government has to reach out to the private sector and here in Anambra state, I will testify that Anambra is reaching out

“Note that we did investiment summit which was in partnership with private sector.

Barr. Philip Ekwempu, a member of Awka Chamber appealed for adoption of Awka chamber for increased training to understand what chamber is all about for greater output.

Emeka Iloghalu of Teemartins Aquaculture Business Group and the Vice President of AWKACCIMA on Agriculture welcomed the Abuja delegates and demand for more partnerships and training for AWKACCIMA.

Iloghalu who is also the Managing Director of Anambra Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA), Anambra State launded the President and members of Awka Chamber for being eager to recieve more knowledge in chamber business.

Other members of Abuja executive committe who were part of the courtsy visit were Prince Adetokumbo Kayode,
Tony Ejinkonye,
Hon . Dr Aliyu Idi Hong,
Dozie Mbanefo
Olu Thompson,
Mercy Samson among others.