…Bemoans over 700m persons in the world going to bed without food
Some 20 women-led nano and micro businesses in Rivers State have run into good fortune provided by the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA).
The PHCCIMA is led for the first time by a female president, Chineyere Nwoga, who assumed office in November 2024.
The empowerment was part of activities in Port Harcourt to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, on October 17, 2025. It included Financial Literacy session with the theme: ‘From Classroom to Boardroom,’ and ‘Essay Competition’ for selected secondary schools in the state.
Nwoga, noted that the PHCCIMA despite the abundance of wealth, natural and human resources and extraordinary technological advancements, poverty has remained a nagging and persistent challenge that confronts the society.
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She bemoaned latest reports on poverty where 131m people are now below poverty line and the over 700m that are hungry in the world. She said; “Over 700 million people globally still go to bed very hungry. Over 700 million people still cannot afford basic education, still don’t have decent housing. The number is increasing on daily basis.”
Nwoga however pointed out that one of the most unfortunate aspects of poverty is the loss of dignity and the drowning of potentials and talents. “That is what poverty does to us. There is no dignity in poverty today.
“More people are being drawn into poverty in the face of the very difficult times. The more time we spend talking about this, the more people are drawn into poverty. The more people get poorer.
“So what should we do about this situation? What can we do to provide quality education, affordable housing, access to healthcare and all the SDG goals? Are we doing enough? Are we ready to do more?”
Nwoga said PHCCIMA is keyed into the SDG goals. “And this event today is a fine example of that. Creating opportunities and platforms to engage in practical solutions is our mainstay, that’s our business in the Chamber of Commerce.”
She pointed out that the initiative, ‘From Boardroom to Classroom,’ is targeted towards shifting mindsets and planning for the future.
“The goal is to create a bunch of entrepreneurial opportunities for our young people who will lead us tomorrow.
“So today, we encourage the young people to kindle their interest in entrepreneurial skills beyond making money. Entrepreneurship comes with a beautiful sense of self-reliance and a great sense of purpose. We want to help raise a generation of independent minds and game changers,” she said.
Nwoga emphasized the role of women in social development. She stressed this as the chamber extended grants to 20 women-led nano and micro businesses in the state.
She pointed out that conversation around repositioning the society for greater development must recognise the need to empower women.
“No society can progress if more than half of the population lack access to economic independence. More than half of the population are made up of women.
“Women are not asking for handouts. We are asking for access to tools of empowerment and self-development. We know how to make things work. Whatever is given to us, we multiply. When you give us money to go and buy tomato and pepper, we give you a pot of stew. So we are skilled at multiplying things positively that are put in our care. And we are determined to make things work,” she said.
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Pacqueens Irabor, Regional Manager, South-South and South East, Bank of Industry (BOI), pointed out that, “Poverty is not the lack of cash or lack of capital. Poverty is the lack of sufficient will and discipline to do that which you know is right.
He said entrepreneurs should be problem-solvers, and not crowd-chasers who follow every emerging trend and business.
Irabor urged participants to take advantage of the opportunities for funding available at the Bank of Industry, adding that the bank had recorded a total risk asset of N12.2 billion in the South-South within the last nine months of the year.
Edughom Hanson, Treasurer (PHCCIMA) and Managing Director (Wider Perspectives), in her speech, explored the core principles of ‘Financial Literacy.’
She identified smart saving strategies and stressed the value of building an emergency fund early enough, especially for young people who aspire to be entrepreneurs.
Hanson urged the participants to understand that, “You don’t have to wait till you start to earning a lot of money before building the saving culture.
“You should also set realistic and measurable financial goals using the SMART framework, which is abbreviation for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reliable and Time-bound Goals,” she said.
Participants, Hanson said, should also understand how to avoid common money mistakes and develop habits that promote financial discipline and long-term growth.
“You should be able to adopt a proactive mindset toward financial decision making and take actionable steps toward financial independence,” she said.
Jack Daboikiabo, Chairman, PHCCIMA’s SMEs and NGOs Trade Group, said PHCCIMA is passionate about growing young and aspiring entrepreneurs, whom he described as “the future of the country.”
He noted the high level of poverty in the society, while urging participants, particularly the young among them, to take advantage of opportunities presented by the programme and PHCCIMA to improve themselves.
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One highlight of the PHCCIMA event was the presentation of the two co-founders of StayWoke App, Akachukwu Blessed Nwachukwu and Ifunanya Gabrielle Okoye, both aged 10.
Their app, which focuses on keeping drivers awake, in a bid to reduce road accidents, won an international competition, and became a major point of celebration for participants at the PHCCIMA event.
