Following Mrs Aina Omo-Ojeonu’s passing in early 2023, the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA) elected Barrister Austin Atakpu as the new President.
At the 58th Annual General Meeting of the Chamber, held in Benin, the new president and other executive officials were chosen.
Atakpu previously served as the Chamber’s acting president.
In a statement issued by the president’s office on Tuesday, other members of the new executive were announced as follows: Engr. Godwin Omoregie Eki as the first deputy president; Barr. Alex Eghosa Aganmwonyi as the second deputy president; Pastor O.A. Balogun as vice president; Sir (Dr.) B.J. Braie as vice president; Mr Jonathan Alele Oboite as vice president; Hon. (Barr.) Igbuan
“The 58th Annual General Meeting of the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA) was held on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at the Secretariat of the Chamber, Aerodrome Close, Off Goodwill Street, Off Ekenwan Road, Benin City, Edo State.
“Government officials, businessmen and women from the Chamber of Commerce Movement, the whole business community in Edo State, and people from all over Nigeria attended the conference. The election of Hon. (Barr.) Austin Atakpu as the 16th President of the Chamber marked the culmination of a great event.
The incoming president pledged during his acceptance address that his administration will support corporate initiatives for Edo’s economic emancipation and be friendly to development.
We’ll be open to ideas and proposals, he continued, and collaborate to take the Chamber to new heights.
The president also gave the group assurances about better working links with the various branches of the state government.
“We’ll see to it that the Edo Domestic Trade Fair is arranged early each year. This will help us plan effectively and make the Trade Fair a success.”
The president declared, “We will collaborate with the government at all levels to improve the economic and commercial operations in the State.
In the handover note, Mr John Imalingmhe, Director General of the Chamber, spoke on behalf of the late President and stated that the departing administration planned the Edo Trade Fair’s 2021 and 2022 editions.
He added that the management also erected a new chamber secretariat, and 11 new outlets, and refurbished and maintained the website for the organisation.
According to the statement, the new administration has appointed a number of people to corporate vice president positions, including Mr Victor Ayemere as vice president for international business, Chief Edobor Ozakpolor as vice president for hospitality and tourism, and Mr Igbe Osayande as vice president for project monitoring and industrial development.
