From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Nnewi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA) on Saturday held her Annual General Meeting (AGM) and investiture of Pastor Mrs Patricia Uchenna Chukwu as the 12th President.
Pastor Mrs Patricia Uchenna Chukwu is the first female President of NCCIMA.
The event which attracted guests from far and near held at Classic Munich Hotels and Resort, Nnewi in Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State has “Repositioning Nnewi As Africa’s Premier Hub For Commerce, Manufacturing and Enterprise Development as the theme.
In his speech, the immediate past President of NCCIMA, Chief Sir Moses Ezukwo, said that the past two years (2024-2026) under his leadership has been a remarkable journey.
Chief Ezukwo said that the period has been a period of service, learning, challenges, collaborations and meaningful progress.
He identified the establishment of the Board of Trustees, Nnewi Economic Summit, Tax Reform and Igbo Apprenticeship Program as parts of his modest achievements in office.
The immediate past President acknowledged the support of God, family, members of the Executive Council, Board of various committees, dedicated staff, valued partners and the entire members.
The newly inaugurated President of NCCIMA, Pastor Mrs Patricia Uchenna Chukwu in her acceptance speech after investiture said that she is particularly grateful to God, Council of NCCIMA and the members, for the trust reposed in her.
The 12th President of NCCIMA assured that she would justify the confidence reposed in her with quality service delivery
She also appreciated her predecessors especially the immediate past President, Chief Sir Moses Ezukwo for their invaluable contribution to the growth of the Chamber which she noted has offered her a strong foundation to build on.
Pastor Mrs Chukwu pointed out that the theme of the event is dear to her heart and summarizes her vision and intentions of her administration noting that she would pursue its actualization vigorously not just for the Chamber but the entire Nnewi business community.
“The Nnewi community and it’s environs is one of the major commercial cities in not just Anambra State but in Nigeria at large, these community, which is popularly known as the Japan of Africa began with automobile spare parts business and grew to a major industrial city.
“The town attracted people from different parts of the country and other African countries like Ghana, Cameron, Niger Republic, and others coming to do business here, it was indeed African’s hub for commerce, manufacturing and all forms of enterprises,” she said.
The 12th President of NCCIMA however observed that the African Premier Hub for commerce, manufacture and Enterprise began to take a downward trajectory in it’s core activities with a lot of divestment to other part of the nation and Africa.
She expressed worry that many manufacturing companies have left Nnewi while some others have gone moribund with the remaining few grappling with insecurity and rising cost of energy.
Pastor Mrs Chukwu expressed her preparedness to reposition Nnewi as Africa’s Premier Hub for commerce, manufacture and Enterprise Development.
In his Keynote Address, Prof Pat Utomi, Founder, Center For Value in Leadership, stressed the need for commitment from policy makers to the socioeconomic development of the country.
He also berated bottlenecks hindering businesses between Lagos and South East as well as between South East and South South region especially Porthacourt.
Prof Utomi also identified poor succesorship plans as part of the factors hindering industrial growth not just in Nnewi but in Nigeria as a whole.
He however thumbed up the Pioneer industrialists like Chief Dr. Engr Ajulu Uzodike, and others who championed the industrialization of Nnewi.
The occasion was attended by HRH Igwe Dr KON Orizu 111 represented by Rt Hon Chukwudi Orizu, Obis, Captains of industries, Political Class and business community from Nnewi and beyond.