PHCCIMA Champions Youth Empowerment, Financial Literacy to Curb Poverty

The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling poverty through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and youth empowerment.

To commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, PHCCIMA held a one-day conference on Friday, October 17, 2025, in Port Harcourt, themed “From Classroom to Boardroom.”

In her opening address, PHCCIMA President, Chinyere Nwoga, described poverty as a destructive force that undermines human dignity and weakens the fabric of society.

“Despite the abundance of wealth and technological advancement, over 700 million people are still stricken with poverty and cannot afford basic amenities”.

Nwoga attributed the persistence of poverty to a decline in personal values and self-worth.

“It is the loss of dignity and the drowning of potentials and talents, that’s what poverty does to us. There’s no dignity in poverty”.

She explained that the theme “From Classroom to Boardroom” was designed to inspire a mindset shift among young people, encouraging them to embrace innovation and enterprise.

“PHCCIMA is here to help raise a better generation, not stricken by poverty, the theme is targeted towards shifting the mindset of the younger generation for the future , creating and nurturing opportunities for our young people who will lead us tomorrow.”

Delivering a lecture on Financial Literacy, the Managing Director of Wider Perspectives Limited, Edughom Hanson, stressed the importance of proactive financial management as a pathway to independence and sustainable wealth creation.

“Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage money effectively”.

He outlined the key principles of financial literacy, including income, expenses, savings, and investment and urged participants to cultivate the habit of basic budgeting.

“Money functions as a tool that can either create opportunities or limit them, as effective money management involves conscious decisions aligned with personal and professional goals”.

The event also featured a presentation from the Divisional Head of Bank of Industry (BoI), South-South Region, Pacqueens Irabor who highlighted the bank’s role in industrial growth and business support.

“The Bank of Industry is the largest, oldest, and most successful development finance institution in Nigeria. Our core mandate is to transform the Nigerian industrial sector and provide loans for value-added activities and businesses”.

He added that “the bank gives this awesome opportunity to move away from contracts to becoming very productive. Our message is that one doesn’t need to be fixated, if you already have the mindset to contribute, the Bank of Industry has the resources and the appetite to support every businessman and businesswoman.”

The conference also featured an essay competition involving students from various schools in Port Harcourt, as well as a presentation by Renaissance Education Foundation’s Project Coordinator, Lawrence Nwosu.

In addition, young innovators Akachukwu Blessed and Ifunnaya Okoye showcased their work, Staywoke a driver-assist app designed to make driving less stressful through artificial intelligence technology.

The event concluded with the presentation of grants to women entrepreneurs within PHCCIMA, delivered by the Chairman of the SME and NGO Trade Group, Jack Daboikiabo, in recognition of the vital role women play in small business development.