Business

NDCCITMA will transform Niger Delta economy – Eno

Published

2 years ago

October 9, 2024

OCHEFA

401 Views

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has expressed the hope that the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines & Agriculture (NDCCITMA) will facilitate the transformation of the economy of the region.

He said this on Wednesday in Uyo during a one-day sensitisation of the people of the state on the Establishment of NDCCITMA.

Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr John Etim, said that the region had been wrongly portrayed as mono-economy, in spite of its huge resources.

“For too long, the Niger Delta has been erroneously portrayed as a mono-economy, which boasts only of crude oil deposit with negative fallout, such as environmental degradation, ravaging poverty, among others, but our region is much more than that. “We are blessed with abundant human and mineral resources far beyond crude oil.

“In fact, we are the major producers of oil palm and other cash crops in this country. “The region can be both self-sufficient and a net exporter of palm oil and many other food items.

“The NDCCITMA initiative is not only desirable but imperative for the speedy transformation of our region,” Eno said. He commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for seeking the synergy for the implementation of the initiative for the betterment of the people.

In a remark, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said that the objective of NDCCITMA is to stand in the gap between NDDC and entrepreneurs in the region.

He further said that the chamber would provide the long sought support to sustain the business of those who cannot meet the stringent conditions of financial institutions.

Ogbuku, represented by the state Representative on the Board of NDDC, Mr Abasiandikan Nkono, said that the activities of the chamber would influence development in the region.

“The establishment of NDCCITMA will positively influence the development of a robust transport system, manufacturing, merchandising, mining, marine, and food security for our families.

“We intend to work with the people and bring down the cost of food to affordable level to improve the health of our people,” he said.

The Chairman of NDCCITMA, Mr Idaere Ogan, described the chamber as a forum where people could seek genuine guidance and assistance in developing their businesses and scaling up capabilities. Ogan also said that the chamber would boost trade and commerce from the nano business level through the micro, small and medium entreprises to the large organisation.

He said, “We are poised to work with our development partners, the NDDC, to solve the food problem of the region, enable manufacturing of goods, develop skills and build capacity within the region.”

He called on all the chambers of commerce in the region, business communities, professional associations, governments and individuals to prepare to work with NDCCITMA for accelerated development of the region.

Source: Vanguard

Related Topics:Chambers of Commerce Featured Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce

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President Tinubu Tasks Judicial Officers To Remain Abreast of Evolving Global Maritime Laws

President Tinubu made the call in Abuja during the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

Published

10 hours ago

July 22, 2026

OCHEFA

14 Views

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday urged judges to continually update their knowledge on autonomous vessels, digital shipping, artificial intelligence-driven maritime operations, maritime security and evolving international environmental regulations.

Represented by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, President Tinubu lauded the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for initiating and sustaining the international seminar for judges.

He described it as one of Nigeria’s foremost platforms for strengthening maritime jurisprudence, enhancing judicial capacity and promoting excellence in maritime justice.

According to Oyetola , rapid technological advancement is creating unprecedented legal questions relating to liability, navigational responsibility, insurance, collision regulations and allocation of responsibility when autonomous vessels malfunction.

He emphasised that the courts will increasingly adjudicate disputes involving decarbonisation, environmental compliance, blockchain-enabled cargo documentation, electronic bills of lading and other evolving international maritime legal frameworks.

“The emergence of autonomous vessels demands a judiciary equipped to resolve complex legal questions involving liability, insurance, navigation and technological accountability.

“Judicial officers must remain abreast of evolving international maritime law to ensure justice keeps pace with technological innovation,” he said.

Business

Naira Exchange Rates Wednesday, July 22

Published

17 hours ago

July 22, 2026

OCHEFA

26 Views

BLACK MARKET RATES

US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1,408 Sell ₦1,413

GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,885 Sell: ₦1,905

EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,585Sell ₦1,600

CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,020 Sell ₦1,080

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90

UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370

CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦190 Sell ₦205

GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110

WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 300 Sell ₦2, 400

CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2,150 Sell 2,250

AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900

Official CBN Exchange Rates

US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,375. 31

GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,841. 13

EURO (EUR) ₦1,569.78.

SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,694.98

JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.45

CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦203. 25

WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.40

WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,874. 32

SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦366.36 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦83.50

Business

Cardoso Urges Banks To Lend Out Idle Funds With CBN * Retains MPR at 26.5%

Cardoso made the call on Tuesday after the 306th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held in Abuja from July 20 to July 21.

Published

1 day ago

July 21, 2026

OCHEFA

33 Views

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso , urged banks from keeping idle funds with the apex bank and encouraging increased lending into the economy.

Cardoso made the call on Tuesday after the 306th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held in Abuja from July 20 to July 21.

The apex bank retained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), also known as benchmark interest rate, at 26. 5 percent.

This decision marks the second consecutive retention of the MPR at 26.5 per cent, following a 50-basis-point reduction in February from 27 per cent.

“The committee’s decision to maintain the current policy stand follows a thorough assessment of the balance of risk,” said Cardoso.

He emphasised that although headline inflation moderated marginally in June 2026, global uncertainties have heightened due mainly to the renewed hostilities in the Middle East.

The MPC also adjusted the asymmetric facilities corridor around the MPR to +50/-450 basis points—a move aimed at discouraging banks from keeping idle fund with CBN.

Furthermore, the committee maintained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) for commercial banks at 45 per cent, retained the rate for merchant banks at 16 per cent, and kept the CRR on non-TSA public-sector deposits at 75 per cent for liquidity management considerations.

Cardoso said despite the global uncertainties, the Nigerian economy has “remained largely resilient to the external shocks”.