·The Kalabari chief may become first Rivers man to lead NACCIMA
By Ignatius Chukwu
His late parents would never have looked out for their first son to be at the pinnacle of business leadership in Rivers State, let alone Nigeria and Africa. Yes, they could look out to find him amongst the best medical doctors in the land, having seen him through Unilag, for that matter. In that case, they would be shocked to find Emi, as they proudly named him, to sit where the Dangotes and the Jimohs and Elumelus sat.
Details:
A multi-sector investor, entrepreneur, leadership guru, and one-time president of the Port Harcourt City Chamber, Chief/Dr Emi Membere-Otaji, has emerged 2nd national deputy president of the nation’s main organized private sector body, the National Association Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
Membere-Otaji, a University of Lagos-trained medical doctor, won the slot at a keenly contested election on June 8, 2023, where he defeated his opponent with 33 votes against 12.
By this outcome, the one-time commissioner of health in Rivers State and Kalabari chief is lined up to assume presidency of NACCIMA in 2027 behind the man on the seat, Dele Kelvin Oye, a lawyer, who will serve for two years and give way to Kwara-born Jani Ibrahim, now first Deputy National President. Membere-Otaji will be Inaugurated President in the next four years because there will be no other election for him to assume the exalted office of President beginning 2027. The slot open for contest is 2nd deputy national president, which he just won.
Membere-Otaji first founded the Princess Medical Centre which has grown into an international medical signature. He later established the Elshcon group of companies to which he is chairman and CEO.
The Kalabri chief is one of the early business executives that honed their skills at the Lagos Business School and later went to the MCDonough School of Business, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA.
The multiple award-winner is a one-time Chairman of West African Glass Industry Plc and a former Director of Pabod Breweries Limited. He was not only a former Commissioner for Health, he is also a former Special Adviser to the Rivers State Government on Investments & Privatization, and also a former Chairman, Board of Directors of Clearline International Limited (Health Management Organization).
Membere-Otaji is an event speaker on various aspects of the economy (Leadership, Management, Shipping, Healthcare, etc.)
The president, Oye, has been inaugurated at a star-studded event held at Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Thursday, June 8, 2023, under the chairmanship of Afe Babalola, SAN, Founder and Pro Chancellor, of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti.
