PHCCIMA Special Dinner Party In Honour Of Retired Total Staff, Engr. Obembe

Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce last Friday, 28^th August 2015, in recognition of his immense contribution to the sustained development and soaring reputation of the organization held a special and befitting send off party for retired staff of multinational oil company, Total Exploration and Production Company, Engr. Olubunmi Obembe at the glamorous and exquisite Chinese restaurant inside Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt.

The colourful event was attended by well known personalities and key officers of the Rivers state government, including the Chief of staff, Rivers state Government House, Chief Emeka Woke, Secretary to the Rivers state Government, Hon. Kenneth Kogbani, Rivers state House of Assembly member for Emohua Constituency, Hon. Sam Ogeh; Comptroller of immigration, Rivers state, Mr. I.A.M Haliru; former presidents of PHCCIMA including other valuable members of Port Harcourt chamber of commerce.

In his remark the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Emeka Unachukwu while extolling the virtues and outstanding support received from the Total retiree, said “today’s event is not only a send off party put together to honour and fete a very strategic friend of the chamber who just retired after 35 years of illustrious service to Total Nigeria Limited, but it is also a special night dedicated in appreciation of the value, outstanding contribution and support Engr. Olubunmi Obembe offered to the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce.

He said Obembe was the brain behind an annual support fund received from Total, the only organization that has continued to support PHCCIMA. Unachukwu explained that all these wouldn’t have been possible without facilitated efforts of the man Engr. Olubunmi Obembe, whose impact on the activities and development PHCCIMAwas hugely impactful.

In view of this outstanding contribution, Engr. Olubunmi Obembe was earlier on during the August council meeting of the chamber bestowed with the honour of ‘Life Council Member of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce’. Speaking to the quality audience at the special dinner night the PHCCIMA helmsman said “This award is first of its kind in the history of PHCCIMA because by this award Engr. Obembe is now the only human member of the chamber. In PHCCIMA we only accept membership of companies and organization and not individuals; however today we are lowering that statute in appreciation of his inputs to our organization.

Welcoming the Chief of staff and Secretary to the Rivers state Government to the occasion he said PHCCIMA is honoured to have them attend the event despite their tight schedules. He commended the Wike led administration for its relationship with the business community. According to him PHCCIMA has contributed in putting the map of the state in global stage not just because of its business accomplishments but her invaluable contribution to virtually every sector of the economy.

The night also witnessed a mini welcome back ceremony for the First Deputy President of PHCCIMA Dr. Emi Membre-Otaji in recognition of his recent award of fellow of the Nigeria institute of Management, NIM in Lagos. Dr. Membre-otaji was officially received back home by the Secretary to the Rivers state government, Hon. Kenneth Kogbani among others..

Speaking on behalf of the Rivers state government the Secretary to the Rivers state government, Hon. Kenneth Kobani express gratitude to Engr. Obembe for his numerous supports to the chamber and said it is apparent that his contribution to the chamber did not go in unnoticed even as it added value to the organization. He wished him more blissful years ahead as he retires from active service to TOTAL. He also commended PHCCIMA for the laudable improvement witnessed and attained over the years. However, he lamented the lack of synergy between the organized private sector and the previous administration, giving assurances that the Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike led Rivers state government will continue to be open and willing to work with the Private sector in the state in a bid to stimulate the economy and provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. He said this has been further demonstrated in the recent visit by the business community, the first after his inauguration.

In his vote of thanks, former PHCCIMA President, Prince Billy Gillis Harry poured encomiums on Engr. Olubunmi Obembe describing him as an astute contributor who was instrumental to sustained upward reputation garnered over the years by PHCCIMA. According to him the honour is one well deserved.

The special honouree, Mr. Obembe in his brief statement expressed gratitude to the Emeka Unachukwu led PHCCIMA administration, saying he is overwhelmed by the outpouring of commendations and honour accorded him. “I cannot take the glory alone, but must share this honour with Total who were actually the once who saw reasons to continue to heed to the call to support PHCCIMA and further dish out funds.

Engr. Obembe said he was grateful to God for 35 years of service, according to him the complexity of the various departments he was opportuned to work in brought out the best in him. He said he was able to achieve so much and spearhead the implementation of various policies and programmes during his sojourn due to his principles of life and his trust and faith in God.

Immediate past President od PHCCIMA,, Dr. Vincent Furo, First Deputy President, dr. Emi Membere-Otaji elected council members, Oluwatoyin Alabi, Jovita Patrick, Chima Wami, Surv, Emmanuel Ogbonda and Chief Paxy Elekima among other members were all in attendance.