Historic Milestone as PHCCIMA Forges Powerful Alliance with CIPM For Business & HR Synergy

In a landmark courtesy visit underscoring women’s leadership and strategic collaboration, Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce has warmly received Mrs. Catherine Kadiri, Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Rivers State Chapter at the chamber office in Port Harcourt.

Dr. Nwoga, who also serves as the second deputy president (ex-officio) of the national umbrella body, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), expressed profound appreciation for the insightful engagement. She noted that the visit illuminated CIPM’s pivotal role in professional human resource management, benefiting numerous PHCCIMA members.

Reflecting on her personal connection, Dr. Nwoga recalled serving as CIPM secretary in 2000 under then-President Chief Agorom, highlighting deep historical ties that now fuel renewed partnership.

She provided a compelling overview of PHCCIMA’s stature: operating under NACCIMA—which coordinates numerous state, city, and bilateral chambers—PHCCIMA stands as Nigeria’s second-largest and second-oldest chamber, and one of the nation’s elite premium chambers. Its core mandate centers on robust advocacy for ease of doing business, empowering members to launch, scale, and sustain enterprises amid Nigeria’s dynamic economic landscape.

“Our primary function is advocacy for ease of doing business—ensuring our members can start, grow, and sustain their enterprises,” Dr. Nwoga emphasized. Guided by core values of integrity, accountability, fairness, inclusiveness, and global best practices, PHCCIMA positions Nigerian businesses for international competitiveness.

Key pillars of its operations include strategic networking, trade promotions, dispute resolution, member-to-member patronage, and targeted collaborations with professional bodies such as CIPM, the Nigerian Bar Association, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). The chamber actively engages embassies not merely for visas but to unlock trade, agency, distributorship, partnerships, and investment inflows, while nominating credible members for these opportunities.

Support services extend to regulatory facilitation—hosting weekly sessions with agencies like the Nigeria Export Promotion Council—community development, business incubation, policy advocacy, free training and capacity building, export assistance, research data access, nationwide office space support, and seamless business referrals.

Dr. Nwoga spotlighted two flagship platforms: the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, where she serves as national vice chairman, and the National Youth Entrepreneurs Association. These initiatives create empowering, focused environments for women and youth to thrive in business.

Concluding with optimism, she declared: “Nobody succeeds alone. There is greater success when we pull together—especially as women in leadership, supporting and mentoring one another while standing on the shoulders of those who paved the way.”

In her remarks, Mrs. Catherine Kadiri articulated a compelling vision for partnership in a rapidly evolving world. After outlining CIPM’s mission and vision, she stressed that isolation is no longer viable: “We cannot achieve meaningful progress alone. That is why we must deliberately seek out and partner with well-structured organizations that already have established systems, strong networks, and proven track records—organizations such as the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce.”

Kadiri posed forward-looking questions: “What can we do together? How can we collaborate effectively? How can we create lasting synergy while strengthening our respective organizations?” She acknowledged Rivers State’s vibrant ecosystem of associations and professional bodies, committing to sensitize CIPM members on the immense value of PHCCIMA and similar platforms.

“This collaboration is not one-sided—it is a mutual synergy, a partnership of equals,” she affirmed, envisioning a formidable “Riverside” alliance delivering greater impact for members and the state. For future events and initiatives, CIPM anticipates full partnership with “new faces and fresh energy.”

With one year left in her current tenure (and potential re-election at the upcoming Annual General Meeting), Kadiri emphasized selecting tested and trusted partners. “We know, without doubt, that you, Madam, have proven to be such a leader,” she told Dr. Nwoga. “And since we are both women, I believe we will move even faster!” she added with a smile, celebrating International Women’s Month.

She paid tribute to women’s strength, resilience, and achievements: “Women, we are doing great things! Trust me… women, we are unstoppable.”

Chairman of PHCCIMA’s SME/NGO Trade Group, Mr. Daboikiabo Jack, eulogized women in leadership and expressed strong confidence that the partnership would yield mutual benefits.

Also in attendance was a very strong supporter of the present administration, MD/CEO Ken-Next Ventures Nigeria Limited, Kelvin Onah who was at the event to identify and show solidarity with the President.

Ken-Next Ventures Nigeria Limited is a technology-driven engineering firm primarily serving the oil and gas sector’

This high-level engagement signals PHCCIMA’s unwavering commitment to forging professional synergies that drive business growth, workforce excellence, and inclusive economic progress in Rivers State and across Nigeria. As two accomplished women at the helm join forces, the “Riverside” partnership promises accelerated impact—uniting advocacy, human capital development, and strategic networks for a more prosperous future.