Nwonu inaugurated as 16th President, Onitsha Chamber of Commerce

•Vows to revive industrial growth in Anambra

From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

A business performance management consultant and policy analyst, Chinedu Nwonu, was recently inaugurated as the 16th President of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ONICCIMA).

The investiture and inauguration of the 2025-2027 Council of the Chamber attracted various stakeholders, captains of industries, politicians, policy makers and associates.

With the theme –“Revitalising  Onitsha as the commercial and industrial hub of the Southeast “, the new president sought the active collaboration of all relevant stakeholders towards reviving the industrial growth of Onitsha which he described as the heartbeat of commerce and industry in the southeast Nigeria.

The immediate past president of the chamber, Chief Augustine Ibeme, who passed the baton of leadership to Nwonu had, in a brief handover speech, noted that the Chamber, under his leadership between 2023-2025, recorded significant numerical growth with the addition of 83 new members to its fold.

He expressed confidence that Nwonu will provide dynamic leadership to the chamber even as he urged him to build on the foundation laid to strengthen collaborations both the with the entire Anambra Chambers, Southeast, and the nation at large.

In an inaugural address, Nwonu recognised the efforts of past presidents of ONICCIMA who had laboured since inception in 1954 to date. He specifically mentioned the President of the Presidential Council, Sir Rob Emeka Eze-Remmy Jez, Pharm. Uche Apakama, Dr Tim Anosike, Don Ebubeogu, Pharm. Chris Ukachukwu, Chief Kelvin Obieri, and the out-going president, Chief Sir Augustine Ibeme.

Describing the trust given to him to lead as a solemn responsibility, he pledged to lead with integrity, transparency, candor, and an unwavering commitment to advancing the interests of their members and the wider business community.

He noted that the inauguration  theme—”Revitalising Onitsha as the Commercial and Industrial Hub of the South East Liveraging Trade Networks, Technology, and Public-Private-Partnerships”— was intentional, deliberate, and a clarion call to action.

Nwonu posited that, for generations, Onitsha has stood as the heartbeat of commerce and industry in the Southeastern Nigeria and one of Africa’s greatest trading cities. 

“From the famous Main Market and 20 other independent open markets to the industrial estates, our city has been a symbol of entrepreneurship, resilience, and opportunity. Added to this is the logistics prowess of which Onitsha is known for in Nigeria and in West African travel space”.

He, however, lamented that Onitsha’s competitiveness has declined as a result of poor infrastructure, insecurity, flooding, inadequate power leading to high operating costs, multiple taxation, limited industrial expansion, inadequate access to finance, and insufficient investment in modern logistics infrastructure all, he noted, have slowed the city’s progress.

He said the real question should be what must they do together to restore Onitsha to its rightful position. He went on to proffer an answer which, he said, lies in collaboration rather than competition, innovation rather than complacency, and strategic action rather than rhetoric.

The newly inaugurated president, thereafter, presented a vision statement built on seven strategic pillars which included –Repositioning ONICCIMA as the voice of the business community; reviving industrial growth; transforming Onitsha into an investment destination; and empowering small and medium enterprises.

Other vision strategies he outlined included building a modern business ecosystem; developing the next generation of entrepreneurs; and building strategic partnerships.

“Our Chamber must become the most influential platform for business advocacy in the South East. We shall engage constructively with governments at every level to champion policies that promote enterprise, improve infrastructure, reduce the cost of doing business, and enhance the ease of doing businesses”, he stated.

He also made a passionate appeal towards completing the permanent secretariat of the chamber, noting that the revitalisation of Onitsha as the commercial and industrial hub of the South East requires a habitable secretariat.

“Revitalising Onitsha is not the responsibility of government or ONICCIMA alone. It is our collective responsibility. Every trader, manufacturer, banker, transporter, entrepreneur, investor, professional, and public servant has a role to play.

“I call on the government of Anambra State and critical stakeholders to continue ensuring the safety and security of the Onitsha Business Community, increase funding in road infrastructure, take a decisive action that will ensure the functionality of Onitsha River Port and other inland waterway logistics enablers; deliver power and industrial infrastructure that will make Onitsha more competitive”.

While extending his hand to every stakeholder, irrespective of background or affiliation, Nwonu sounded confident that, together, they can build a stronger Chamber, a stronger business community, and a stronger economy for the business community in Onitsha.

He said that guided by excellence, innovation, integrity, and service, he is confident that they will, together, strengthen industry and expand commerce, then create prosperity for generations to come.

Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, former Aviation Minister and Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Chief Osita Chidoka, urged the Onitsha business community to reinvent itself and also called on the government to take necessary measures to foster a business friendly atmosphere in Onitsha.

Chidoka noted that no city can thrive successfully without economic activity.  He challenged the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce to be that organisation that can recreate Onitsha as a commercial nerve centre of the entire eastern region, comprising nine states today.

He pointed out that Anambra and southeast are presently laggards in Value Added Tax collection in Nigeria because of lack of formalised businesses. He added that with the existence of big formalised businesses, Onitsha can turn from the city with the biggest depositor of cash in banks to the city with biggest collector of loans from Nigerian banks to move the economy forward.

The guest speaker, Hon. Mark Okoye, Managing Director/CEO, Southeast Development Commission (SEDC), represented by Hon. Sylvester Okonkwo, pointed out that the South East can only become stronger when its cities complement one another.

“Nnewi strengthens manufacturing. Aba strengthens production and innovation. Enugu strengthens knowledge, governance, and services. Owerri strengthens hospitality and the creative economy, and Onitsha strengthens commerce and distribution. Together, these are not competing economies. They are complementary strengths,” he stated.

He said Onitsha Chamber has a proud history of representing the interests of businesses, but the opportunity before this new leadership is even greater because, according to him, ONICCIMA can become one of the South East’s most important strategic institutions, a champion for regional competitiveness and a bridge between government and enterprise.

He expressed the willingness of the Commission to work closely with the new leadership of ONICCIMA to advance their shared objectives.

The Anambra State Government, through the Commissioner of Commerce, Nonso Chukwuma Ebonwu, and the Commissioner for Environment, Clem Aguiyi, all pledged to partner with the Nwonu leadership of ONICCIMA towards a greater and sustainable business community in the commercial city.