…as Hon. Afishetu Braimoh pledges her support to change the narrative for proudly Edo products not just in Africa, but in the global market as well.
The newly elected exco members of the Edo state exporters cluster took their oath of office at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Benin Export Assistance Office, Benin City on Thursday, May 11, 2023.
In his opening speech, the chief host, Mr. Andrew Okhiulu, who is also the Assistant Director for Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Benin City, stated that the Edo state exporters cluster would be interacting with the representatives of state and federal organizations present at the inauguration ceremony, as the organizations would be assisting the Edo exporters’ cluster in achieving its aims and objectives.
“I want to note that we have come along through this process, we have had too much confusion in the past two years. But however, we have been able to surmount that challenge, and as it were now, we have arrived at a new horizon, we have arrived at a new pedestal, it is now time for us to move forward, it is now time for us to face new challenges, target new heights, target new glory for the cluster,” Andrew said.
With the inauguration of the newly elected exco members, Andrew expressed that hopefully the cluster would be getting every benefit accruing to Edo state, with every opportunity coming from NEPC will come as at when due. He also emphasized that Edo state products will be going to export warehouses in different locations of Africa and the World.
While congratulating the new exco members on their new assignments, Andrew stated that he was grateful and delighted for the achievement made so far because it took place in his time; though the challenge didn’t start in his time, but it ended in his time.
In his appreciation note, Mr. Andrew Okhiulu wholeheartedly displayed NEPC and Edo exporters cluster gratitude to the immediate past Edo State Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Cooperatives, Hon. Afishetu Braimoh, for her immense support towards the sustained growth of Edo exporters cluster thus far; “One of the people we have really worked with and we have really enjoyed working with her is our immediate past Commissioner, Hon. Afishetu Braimoh.
“She has really done quite a lot to move things forward. She has inspected products personally, she will look at them and give her advice, and she has helped several people with their products out of the shores of this country.
“She took products from Nigeria, specifically from the cluster to the US, and believe it or not some of our products are already on the shelves of shops out there in the US, and I don’t think anybody has achieved that before now in that capacity, nobody has achieved that. So I am really grateful we were able to work with her,” he noted.
Before the inauguration and the taking of the oath of office, the newly elected Edo Exporters Cluster Exco Members were introduced. They are:
1. Mrs Rhone Peters, Coordinator.
2. Engr. Aneru Izuagbe, Assistant Coordinator
3. Mr. Imoisi Marvel, Secretary
4. Mrs. Bridget Imokhai, Treasurer
5. Mr. Peterson Duotukeme, Financial Secretary
6. Mrs Helen Imoagene, P.R.O.
7. Mr. Raphael Osazogie, Ex-Officio
In her acceptance speech, on behalf of the newly inaugurated exco members, the Coordinator, Mrs. Rhone Peters, remarked that her term will deliver the desired expected results.
It was gathered that the election for the newly elected exco members was conducted a few days earlier and they were duly voted for.
Mr. Andrew Okhiulu revealed that in build-up to the election, a unanimous decision was taken by NEPC; that Hon. Afishetu Braimoh was elected as an advisor, a member of the board of trustees, and a lifetime patron, due to her passion love, and all that she has done for the exco. Furthermore, Andrew urged Hon. Afishetu Braimoh to accept the honour of being a life member board of trustees.
Hon. Afishetu Braimoh was also given the honour to administer the oath of office to the newly elected exco members.
Before administering the oath of office to the new exco members, Afishetu appreciated NEPC and Edo Exporters Cluster for the privilege to serve as a life member board of trustees.
Afishetu, later on, congratulated the newly inaugurated Edo state exporters cluster exco members for accepting to take on their respective offices, as well as thanked them for their passion not just for the Edo state exporter cluster, but for how other people get their products to the global market.
“I have a passion for SMEs, I have a passion for you guys, I have a passion for proudly Edo, I have a passion for made in Edo,” she remarked.
“In fact, I am already planning how I am going to move out products, now I have all the time to do that. My prayer is that we will continue to work together to really change the narrative for proudly Edo products not just in Africa, but to the global market,” Afishetu stated.
Afishetu who was occasionally emotionally with tears of joy during the ceremony, encouraged the new exco members to take their work seriously as she will be coming to everybody all the time so that as a team, they can deliver deserved quality services to the cluster and to the Edo people.
The ceremony was characterized by the presentation of memorable gifts and plagues, notably the “Queen Idia’s Head” artistic work to Hon. Afishetu Braimoh by the Edo exporters cluster members, as a demonstration of their hearty appreciation for her immense support towards landmark achievements by the Edo exporters cluster during her tenure as the Honourable Commissioner for Business, Trade and Cooperatives, Edo State. In addition, the Cluster gave her an award of Excellence, and her very detailed citation was read by the PRO, Mrs. Helen Imoagene. The MD and CEO of Amineru Foods, Engr. and Mrs. Izuagbe also presented a plaque of honour to Hon. Afishetu Braimoh in appreciation for her contribution towards the growth and development of Amineru Foods.
In attendance at the inauguration ceremony were: Mrs. Anita Eribo, Edojobs; Mrs. Antonia Afogu, representative of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives; Mrs Edosa Ogbebor, NFDAC; Mr. Andrew Okhiulu, NEPC, Benin; Hon. Mrs. Afishetu Braimoh, former Commissioner Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives; Mrs. Bafor Okitikpi, Shippers Council; Mr. Moses Egbabor, SMEDAN; Engr. Emmanuel Osagie, SON.
The vote of thanks was given by the Assistant Coordinator, Engr. Izuagbe.
