Policy makers, business leaders and members of economic think tanks are expected to converge in Lagos State today, November 24, 2023, for the inauguration of the 18th President of NBCC, Mr Ray Chinedum Atelly.
The event, holding at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, is one of the many engagements by the chamber to promote Nigerian-British bilateral, business and trade relations and galvanise investments between the two countries with a long relationship history.
Since its establishment in 1977, NBCC has been at the forefront of promoting trade and investment between Nigeria and Britain.
With over 400 members, it is affiliated to the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), which gives it access to a network of 53 chambers of commerce across the UK and 71 other international affiliations. With its strong membership, from all sectors of the economy, which total net worth is about N200trn, the chamber is developing a network of local branches in other parts of the country and has a UK office presence.
The chamber continually creates value for its members and facilitates business-to-business relationships. It also promotes Nigerian exports to the UK and inflow of capital and investment into Nigeria. Other services it provides include the organisation of trade missions to Britain, management of trainings, conferences and seminars addressed by leading authorities in different fields, and acts as a forum for debate to members and non-members on topical issues affecting the economy, particularly Nigerian-British trade.
According to the fact sheet on trade and investment between Nigeria and the UK released by the Department for Business and Trade, total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Nigeria was £6.9bn in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023, an increase of 18.5 per cent or £1.1bn in current prices from the four quarters to the end of Q2 2022.
Out of this £6.9bn, total UK exports to Nigeria amounted to £4.0bn in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023 (an increase of 11.3 per cent or £406m in current prices compared to the four quarters to the end of Q2 2022).
The growing volume of trade and investment between Nigeria and the UK did not happen overnight. It was made possible substantially by the facilitation of stakeholders, including NBCC, in its determination to boost trade between both countries and expand the economy of Nigeria.
The inauguration of the new president today has been designed to expand the engagements and rally business leaders to expand the frontiers of partnerships towards boosting trade relations between the two countries and deepen investment opportunities for members of the chamber.
The chamber has a tradition of executing a two-year tenure for its president/chairman of council, hence the presidential inauguration dinner, as it is being done today, covers the 2023 to 2025.
Who is Ray Chinedum Atelly?
Ray Chinedum Atelly was born at the Holy Rosary Specialist Hospital and Maternity, Waterside, Onitsha, Anambra State, 56 years ago.
Ray commenced formal education at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Mission School, Apapa, in 1972 and went on to Osadenis High School, Asaba, Delta State, for his secondary education. Upon completing high school, he took a year to figure out what to do next.
He wanted to join the priesthood and become a Roman Catholic priest. In the midst of soul searching, what was originally meant to be a gap year became two years of entrepreneurial journey.
He founded ADC Ltd in 1985 and ran the property management company for two years before going back to school to obtain a BSc in mass communication from the Anambra State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, in 1991.
Over the years, he immersed himself in learning and training, undergoing a transition into HR consultancy practice, taking various professional courses of study both local and foreign, amassing over 20 certificates in leadership, HR administration, management consultancy, communications policy formulation and information technology.
Although he is not involved in partisan politics, he has held a few political offices at state and federal levels within the last 24 years. He enjoys volunteering for capacity building. A pioneer mentor of Fate Foundation founded by Fola Adeola. He won the maiden award of Outstanding Volunteer for the year 2001, alongside Professor Fabian Ajogwu.
Ray equally volunteers on other online platforms, where he mentors young business owners from different parts of the world. Ray, an influential figure with a multifaceted career, has consistently demonstrated leadership and commitment across various domains.
Apart from the administrative head of the NBCC who is the Director General (DG), Dr Ebere Njoku, the 2023 Presidential Inauguration Dinner Committee (PIDC) comprises prominent business leaders, including Mr Segun Akintemi, Vice President of NBCC and Chairman of the Trade and Investment Committee who chairs the committee; Dr Joe Dada, Vice Chairman of PIDC and Chairman of Members’ Support Services Committee; Mr Tajudeen Ahmed, Chairman of Programmes Committee; Ms Damilola Owolabi, Member of Programmes Committee; Dr Ikenna Nwosu, Chairman of Maritime and Logistics Group; Mrs Adeola Azeez, Vice Chairman of Energy Group; Mrs Ayomide Olajide, immediate p DG; and Mrs Ejiroghene Kajoh, Assistant Director, Membership. They have been saddled with the onerous task of organising a memorable inauguration ceremony.
The Chairman of the PIDC, Mr Akintemi, said, “The presidential inauguration dinner of the 18th President of NBCC, Mr Ray Atelly, is an event that happens once in every two years. It provides an opportunity for the new leadership of the chamber to explain its policy direction and philosophy.”
He disclosed that the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, would launch a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) ideathon at the dinner.
He further said, “One of the economic drivers Nigeria needs now is both local and foreign investments, and there must be policies to encourage that desire. The president will not only unveil his mandate for the next two years, the event will afford members and non-members the opportunity to understand the direction of NBCC during his two-year tenure.”
The DG of NBCC, Dr Njoku, said, “The primary function of the chamber is to promote trade and commerce between Nigeria and Britain.
“The presidential inauguration dinner will provide an avenue to bring together members and non-members, strengthen relationships among members and provide a significant window to attract new members.”
She added that the event, which would be attended by movers and shakers of the economy, policy makers and other leaders of “Corporate Nigeria”, would be an avenue to network, exchange ideas and experience fine dining.
Also speaking about the event, a member of the PIDC, Mr Tajudeen Ahmed, said that the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu; and Chairman of Polaris Bank, Alhaji Muhammad K. Ahmad, who doubles as President/Chairman of the Society for Corporate Governance in Nigeria (SCGN), were the guest speaker and chairman respectively.
He added that the new Managing Director (MD) of the Bank of Industry (BoI), Dr Olasupo Olusi; and the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter, would also attend the inauguration.
The NBCC welcomes its stakeholders, distinguished members of “Corporate Nigeria” and leaders of public service to this momentous occasion – an evening of serious dialogue, dining, entertainment and fun.
