Ben Eguzozie, in Port Harcourt
Nnewi, the Nigerian ‘small town for the super-rich’, according to Forbes, which had grown mainly by private investment efforts of its businessmen, with little or no help from government, has readied events to mark the 20th annual general meeting of the town’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA).
Jude Osumuoh, NCCIMA’s 10th chapter president said they are inviting the national president of chambers of commerce umbrella, the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Saratu Iya Aliyu, to grace the occasion.
Nnewi, in the second largest commercial town in Nigeria’s south-eastern Anambra State, after Onitsha, either by good fortune or hard work, has raised more Nigerian billionaires than any other town in Nigeria, and possibly Africa. The town nicknamed the ‘Japan of Africa’, is famous as a hub for automobile spare part dealers, and most recently, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Nigeria’s first indigenous car manufacturing plant. Nnewi is also known for its factories that manufacture household goods, and is home to the biggest road transport companies in all of Nigeria, and perhaps Africa.
An award presentation and investitures would be held, with the theme: “Global Economic Crises and Domestic Impact of COVID-19” at an event that would take place on 15 May 2021 at the Convention AJ Events Centre, Nnewi.
According to the siting president, Ifeanyi Uzodike, the special guest of honour would be the outgoing governor of Anambra, Willie Obiano; while the guest of honour would be Cletus Ibeto, chairman and chief executive of Ibeto Group of companies.
Osumuoh, the NCCIMA president, the chairman of the award presentation and investiture would be Robert Anwatu, chairman and chief executive of Roban Stores, a retail chain operating in parts of the south-east. Ifeanyi Okoye, chairman and chief executive of Juhel Group, will deliver the keynote address, while the guest speaker would be Orji Udemezue, the CEO of Flame Academy & Consulting Ltd, Lagos.
Igwe Kenneth, the Orizu III of Nnewi would be as the event’s royal father of the day. Many other dignitaries including: the president of South-East Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), Humphrey Ngonadi; the former president of Nnewi Chamber of Commerce, U.P Chukwu would be the chief host and chairperson of the AGM/investiture planning committee.
The NCCIMA annual general meeting and investiture is coming after the ‘small town of the super-rich’ received a lull due to the Covid-19 pandemic which was greeted by nationwide lockdown and restrictions.
According to Chukwu, the annual general meeting would be loaded with business ideas and ways out of the present economic challenges facing the nation, comparing it with the level and standard of the participants in the business world.
