The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has appointed Nwachukwu Okafor as its new National Assembly Relations Executive.

Mr Okafor made this known in an interview with journalists on Saturday in Abuja.

He said his appointment was announced in a letter dated June 4, to perform roles including monitoring legislative activities, bills, motions, and committee proceedings affecting commerce, industry, agriculture, and the broader private sector.

Mr Okafor revealed that he will also organise meetings and strategic exchanges between both entities and facilitate NACCIMA’s involvement in public hearings, stakeholder consultations, and legislative engagements.

Mr Okafor, an accomplished lawyer, serial entrepreneur, business manager, and international development expert, would help prepare and submit periodic reports, legislative updates, and policy briefs relevant to the organised private sector.

He will also advance advocacy initiatives to improve Nigeria’s business and investment environment.

“Other responsibilities for the international development and corporate governance specialist will be to maintain effective working relationships with principal officials, committee chairpersons, clerks, and relevant departments of the National Assembly.”

In addition to representing NACCIMA at authorised legislative and policy engagement forums, Mr Okafor holds two master’s degrees: one in law from the University of Lagos and the other from the prestigious Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, in the U.S.

Mr Okafor said that his role will be to assist in the development of position papers, memoranda, and submissions on issues affecting the private sector, as well as to provide legal services in close coordination with the legal adviser and any other relevant assignments as directed by NACCIMA.

The newly appointed executive attended St. Joseph’s Primary School in Umunze from 1973 to 1979, after which he went from All Saints to the Federal School of Arts and Sciences in Suleja, Niger.

He studied law at Imo University, currently called Abia State University, and in 1989 graduated with second-class honours in law. In 1990, he was called to the Nigerian bar.

Mr Okafor, as a columnist and poet, has had his works published in various local and international news outlets.

Throughout his career progression, he joined the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited in 1993 and rose through the ranks to the position of chief legal officer at the time of the airline’s liquidation.

He was instrumental in setting up several subsidiaries of Nigeria Airways Limited, including Sky Power Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL).

He founded many other businesses, including Angel Global Trading and Investment Services Limited; Angel Avionics Inc., Miami, Florida; and Apex Security and Training Company Limited. 

(NAN)