BCCIMA Flags Light Up Bonny
*Says BITE 2025 More Than Event
The Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture has officially flagged off the long-awaited first
Bonny Investment and Tourism Expo (BITE 2025), with a promise to offer more packages than a mere event.
The President of the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Constance Ngozi Nwokejiobi, FCA, yesterday, during a Press Briefing at NUJ Press Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, organised in conjunction with Nigeria Union of Journalists, Rivers State.
In her speech, the President highlighted that the forthcoming Bonny Investment and Tourism Expo (BITE) would not just be a mere event but a rallying call to rediscover Bonny Island as a destination of pride, culture, hospitality and economic opportunity.
“As we symbolically “Light Up Bonny Island,” we set in motion a vision rooted in self-sufficiency, youth empowerment, strategic trade partnerships, and tourism as a key driver of local prosperity.”
She emphasised that 2025 BITE would serve as an avenue to stir up the local economy, promote innovation among youths, as well as elevate Bonny Island as a vibrant destination for commerce, culture, and tourism.
“It is both an investment drive and a destination marketing campaign, drawing global attention to the island’s business potential, rich heritage, and hospitality.”
According to her, the initiative is geared towards celebrating the beauty, potential and abundant opportunities embedded in Bonny Island, and in commemoration of the 60th birthday of His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, the Amanyanabo of the Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom and Grand Patron of the Bonny Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking further, Mrs. Nwokejiobi
posited that the 1st BITE of Bonny was a bold initiative targeted at illuminating the area, hence the tag: “light up Bonny Island” , through investment, youth empowerment, and cultural tourism.
Nwokediobi who reiterated that the Bonny Chamber of Commerce was a unified voice of the business community on Bonny Island, maintained that the event
was in tandem with what she described as the lifelong vision of the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom to see Bonny thrive through sustainable development.
“As an active member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and NACCIMA, we proudly participate in both local and international trade and investment missions.”
In her words:
“Our mission is to advocate for a thriving economic environment that nurtures growth, creates jobs, and positions Bonny for global engagement.What is BITE 2025?BITE 2025 is a platform designed to stimulate the local economy, promote youth entrepreneurship, and elevate Bonny Island as a vibrant destination for commerce, culture, and tourism.
“It is both an investment drive and a destination marketing campaign, drawing global attention to the island’s business potential, rich heritage, and hospitality.
“Expo PhasesPhase 1 – June 9–12, 2025Tagline: “Light Up Bonny Island”Symbolic Lighting and Grand Opening at the Bonny Kingdom ConsulateBonny Youth Entrepreneurs Workshop & Inauguration focusing on:• Access to finance•
Business development toolkits• Business-to-business mentorship opportunities.
“Coalition of South-South Chambers of Commerce (COSSCCIMA) Q2 Meeting in preparation for B2B engagement at the 4th Afri-Caribbean Trade & Investment Forum in Grenada, Caribbean.
“Phase 2 – December 8–12, 2025; Conference featuring corporate and MSME exhibitions, Food and Cultural Festival spotlighting Bonny’s heritage and tourism strengths.
Similarly, among the core Core objectives she enlisted were: “Launch Expressions of Interest for the Bonny Kingdom; Free Trade Zone and Industrial Park;
Stimulate the local economy through entrepreneurship, cultural enterprise, and tourism; Position Bonny as a destination brand for commerce, leisure, and cultural exchange”.
Others were:
“Facilitate bilateral partnerships and MSME-led joint ventures via the Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum, powered by Afreximbank; and to leverage the AfCFTA framework to attract global collaborations and foster regional integration;
Their “Strategic Partners”, according to her are: “NLNG, with its VIBES Scheme for youth entrepreneurs and MSME Financing Scheme for vendors.NEXIM Bank, supporting regional inland maritime trade through the Sealink Promotional Company.Afreximbank, fostering Afri-Caribbean trade opportunities for MSMEs. AfCFTA Secretariat, providing trade facilitation support.Coop-Fund Microfinance Bank and Elshcon Nigeria Ltd, offering financial and operational leverage; NIMASA, deploying NSDP Maritime Cadets in the region and enhancing human capital in maritime development.Why Invest in Bonny Island?Bonny is a natural hub for investment, offering: A natural deep-sea harbour and extensive shorelinesPresence of major international oil companies including NLNG, Renaissance (SPDC), and Seplat (ExxonMobil)”
Fielding questions from journalists, Nwokediobi outlined the extant infrastructure upgrades, among which were the Bonny Ring Road and expansion of three key roads in the city.
Asked about the security of the area, Nwokejiobi, without mincing words, reassured potential investors of improved coordination among local security teams, crackdown on illegal refining camps, and enhanced waterway patrols.
On the plans for the support system laid down for young school leavers she outlined that there were efforts towards organising training sessions that would run all through the outstanding months of year 2025.
Responding, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, Comrd. Paul Bazia, amidst ecstasy, applauded the Chamber, while assuring her of the unflinching support of the Council.
Comrd. Bazia used the medium to improre Journalists to endeavour to disseminate the activities of the Chamber, as he further urged the latter to promote investments that benefit communities
“The NUJ stands solidly behind projects thaDelta.”t drive sustainable development and inclusive growth, BITE 2025 has the potential to change narratives not just for Bonny Island but for the entire Niger Delta.”
