The President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, has reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to youth entrepreneurship and business development following a courtesy visit by members of the Youth Business School (YBS) to her office in Port Harcourt.
Speaking during the visit, the YBS Board Chairman, Dr. Joseph Obele, explained that the Youth Business Innovative Class is a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)-registered non-profit entrepreneurial development centre focused on nurturing young entrepreneurs. He disclosed that YBS partners with Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, to offer Professional Diploma Certificates to participants.
Dr. Obele sought PHCCIMA’s support and partnership, requesting the nomination of 12 distinguished Chamber members to participate in YBS’s monthly “On the Tap” interactive learning platform. He also appealed for support in providing training facilities, publicity, and other strategic resources to strengthen the programme’s impact.
Responding, Dr. Nwoga commended YBS for its visionary initiative and highlighted PHCCIMA’s position as the second oldest city chamber in Nigeria. She outlined the benefits of Chamber membership, including access to intervention programmes and business support services through institutions such as the Bank of Industry.
The PHCCIMA President assured the delegation of the Chamber’s readiness to collaborate, noting that while PHCCIMA is a non-governmental organisation, it remains committed to initiatives that promote enterprise development and economic growth.
She also acknowledged the support of the Rivers State Government to the Chamber while stressing PHCCIMA’s responsibility to make constructive policy contributions. Dr. Nwoga emphasized the potential of YBS to reduce youth idleness and unemployment and encouraged the organisation to leverage opportunities available through the Chamber.
PHCCIMA’s NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneurs Coordinator, Richard Okiasi, praised YBS for its impact on young people, while the State Deputy Coordinator of WCCIMA, Patricia Ihunze, commended the group’s passion and determination, describing them as future leaders of the business community.
