Business experts converged on the virtual space provided by the Zoom Conference organized by the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA) with the theme “Business Resilience beyond the Island” to beam the light on emerging trends that have the potential for businesses to thrive in the post-Covid-19 era.

These experts include international business and strategy development expert, Dr Akanimo Odon, celebrated diplomat and     Director General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), HE Ayoola Olukanni, seasoned entrepreneur and President of the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA), Lawrence Jumbo, dedicated technocrat and General Manager, External Relations, Nigeria LNG, Eyono Fatayi-Williams, and business development buff and Director General of BOCCIMA, Constance Nwokejiobi.

The well-attended webinar was a precursor to the forthcoming BOCCIMA Membership Induction Ceremony billed for Tuesday, November 24, 2020 in Bonny, Rivers State.

Bonny is an Energy Hub – UK-based Investment Expert

Guest Speaker at the two-hour webinar, which held on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, Dr. Akanimo Odon described Bonny Island as an energy hub that holds the key to the future of Nigeria’s energy economy, shedding light on the vast investment opportunities for African entrepreneurs.

“I had an over-fly over Bonny Island. It is a wonderful sight. There is light always, something most top cities in Nigeria does not have. It is obvious Bonny is an energy hub. It is a premium island surrounded by water,” he said reminiscing his days as a consultant to Nigeria LNG on a community project in Bonny.

Odon harped on the need for leveraging the investment opportunities for economic growth, highlighting over 200 grant-giving organizations ready to help African entrepreneurs, stressing that the African business space was waiting for Nigerian entrepreneurs, while revealing eight economic belts in Africa forged by partnerships.

Disclosing that Francophone West Africa is zone with best ease of doing business, he tutored on the imperatives of accessing funds for business, growing the business, and forging partnerships that yield long term value.

“You cannot be looking for money without knowing who gives money and know why they give money. I know 200 organisations that give money. How do you partner, who else do you speak to? Think of partnerships, consortiums. It’s about how to access money.”

“Africa is now seen as a destination for prosperity, no more destination for charity. It is important to get the right perspective because it decides everything. Recognise your position in Bonny and use it to frame your perspective which would decide what you want to do and how you want to do it.

Blue Economy, Online Business, Way to go – NACCIMA DG

Delivering the Keynote Address at the webinar, Director General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), HE Ayoola Olukanni proposed the concept of blue economy given the Bonny environment and online business which is the global trend currently.  

“Take note of your immediate environment and this leads to the concept of the Blue Economy. Think of online trade and economic drives. Focus on SMEs because that’s where jobs are created and the economy is boosted.”

Acknowledging that the Nigerian economy like other around the world have been adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the accomplished diplomat posited that public sector players need to do more to revitalize the economy by creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

“Covid-19 has emerged as the single most impacting occurrence in recent history. Over 50 million persons have been infected and about one million have died. The economy has contracted massively. There is looming recession with contraction estimated at -6 per cent for Nigeria. The economy is prostrate because of oil slack; the gloom circles. There is massive unemployment and huge infrastructure deficit.”

“Let the government around you realize you are the private sector leaders. Let the government know you can work for them. Prepare your members and position them to deliver when called upon so government will know this.”

The NACCIMA DG stressed the fact that transforming the Bonny economy would require strategic input from BOCCIMA, calling for strengthening of the BOCCIMA Secretariat and position of the Director General to “provide an enabling environment for the management to perform and lead the membership”.

Bonny Economy Expanding Beyond Oil and Gas – BOCCIMA President

On his part, President of the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA), Lawrence Jumbo clarified that the webinar theme, “Business Resilience Beyond the Island” implied that Bonny businesses grow beyond the island and not depend on oil and gas activities.

“By the webinar theme; Business Resilience Beyond the Island, we do not mean that businesses should migrate from Bonny and go elsewhere but we mean that we do not want our businesses to depend only on oil and gas in the island but to look outside and bring businesses to Bonny.

Welcoming participants of the webinar, Jumbo, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) expressed the hope that the influx of businesses into Bonny Island would build up the economic fortunes of Bonny Kingdom.

“Also, we want businesses here to extend their tentacles and perform at their best so they can compete anywhere. We want to build a smart city; so business resilience is important. BOCCIMA is the leading voice in the island. We have been helping businesses in the island along their value chain. We look forward to getting more companies so we can do more.

“We urge our members to endeavour to improve on business relationships so as to attract more businesses into the island, enhance supplier-capacity for men and women businesses. Diversification of Bonny businesses is our goal, and to achieve the Green Bonny project; these will underscore the FG policy initiative. We hereby commend His Majesty, the King of Bonny, for resuscitating the BOCCIMA. He is the grand-patron of the association.”

The BOCCIMA President also commended NACCIMA for conferring all recognitions needed to make the world feel safe to transact with them, saying that “We commend the LNG for helping us to become viable. We now have the ability to utilize business potentials in Bonny.”

BOCCIMA Deepening Private Sector in Bonny – Nigeria LNG

The General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development of Nigeria LNG, Eyono Fatayi-Williams, said the seminar validated the deepening capacity of the private sector in Bonny.

“Bonny is critical and has been a focal location over the centuries especially in export matters from palm produce, ivory, coal, to oil and gas. It is also an entry point of goods.”

Represented by Nigeria LNG’s Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Sophia Horsfall, she highlighted her company’s commitment to ensure it continues to contribute strategically to the growth of Bonny Island’s economy.

Innovative Business Ideas Driving Bonny Economic Growth – BOCCIMA DG

Earlier, Director General of BOCCIMA, Constance Nwokejiobi had applauded the participants and special guests for keying into the vision of reinventing the economy of Bonny Island by leveraging innovative business ideas, urging them to brace up for a new era of business inventiveness an expanding the scope of investments beyond oil and gas.

The Membership Induction Ceremony billed to hold on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at the Palladium Hub, No. 1 Ring Road, Abalamabie, Bonny, promises to be a convergence of business leaders on the island.