Some 20 women-led nano and micro businesses in Rivers State have received grants from the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) as part of efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment and tackle poverty in the state.
The empowerment initiative, led by PHCCIMA’s first female president, Chineyere Nwoga, formed part of activities marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, held on October 17, 2025, in Port Harcourt. The event featured a Financial Literacy session themed “From Classroom to Boardroom” and an essay competition for selected secondary schools.
Speaking at the event, Nwoga decried the persistence of poverty globally despite abundant resources and technological progress. She expressed concern over reports indicating that 131 million Nigerians live below the poverty line and over 700 million people worldwide face hunger and deprivation.
“Over 700 million people globally still go to bed hungry. They cannot afford basic education or decent housing, and the number keeps rising daily,” she said.
According to her, poverty robs people of dignity and suppresses their potential. “There is no dignity in poverty. More people are being drawn into it daily, and the more we talk without taking action, the worse the situation becomes,” she said.
Nwoga noted that PHCCIMA remains committed to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating opportunities for practical solutions to social challenges. She described the ‘From Classroom to Boardroom’ initiative as a platform to reshape young people’s mindsets and prepare them for future leadership.
“The goal is to create entrepreneurial opportunities for our young people. We want them to see entrepreneurship as more than a means of making money, it is a path to self-reliance and purpose. We aim to raise a generation of independent thinkers and changemakers,” she said.
Highlighting the importance of women’s empowerment in development, Nwoga said the chamber’s support for 20 women-led nano and micro enterprises underscores its belief that societies cannot progress when half of the population lacks access to economic opportunities.
“Women are not asking for handouts; we are asking for access to tools of empowerment. We know how to make things work. When you give us resources, we multiply them. We are determined to build stronger families and communities,” she said.
The Regional Manager, South-South and South-East, Bank of Industry (BOI), Pacqueens Irabor, also addressed participants, stressing that poverty is not merely the absence of money but the lack of discipline and determination to take the right steps. He urged entrepreneurs to focus on solving problems rather than chasing trends, noting that the BOI had invested over N12.2 billion in the South-South within the first nine months of the year.
Edughom Hanson, PHCCIMA Treasurer and Managing Director of Wider Perspectives, led the Financial Literacy session, highlighting the importance of early saving habits, goal setting, and smart money management.
“You don’t have to wait until you start earning a lot before developing a saving culture,” she said, urging participants to set Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reliable, and Time-bound (SMART) goals to achieve financial stability and independence.
She also encouraged entrepreneurs to avoid common money mistakes and adopt proactive financial habits that promote long-term growth.
Chairman of PHCCIMA’s SMEs and NGOs Trade Group, Jack Daboikiabo, reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to nurturing young entrepreneurs, whom he described as “the future of the country.” He urged participants to seize opportunities provided by PHCCIMA to grow their businesses and skills.
A highlight of the event was the recognition of 10-year-old co-founders of the StayWoke App, Akachukwu Blessed Nwachukwu and Ifunanya Gabrielle Okoye, whose innovation, an app designed to help drivers stay awake and reduce road accidents, won an international competition, earning applause from participants.
Through its empowerment drive and youth-focused initiatives, PHCCIMA continues to position itself as a key advocate for entrepreneurship, gender inclusion, and MSME growth in the South-South region.
