AS the countdown to Wednesday, April 13, 2022 date for Maris Annual Public Service Lecture begins, the Executive Assistant to Delta State Government on Export Initiatives and the Coordinator UNIDO Center, Mrs Shimite Bello, will feature as a discussant.
Secretary to Maris Trust Council (MTC), organisers of the thought-provoking lecture series, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, stated this on Tuesday in Asaba.
He disclosed that the MTC led by Chief Kenneth Olise, Ph.D, FCA, JP, for the first time, resolved that two women should feature in this year’s edition as discussants.
According to him, “everyday, we are witnessing new developments for the year 2022 edition of Maris lecture and in line with partnership agreement with the public, we shall keep you posted as events unfold.
“We are all aware that one of the oldest political office holders, a thoroughbred politician, Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, will deliver the lecture which has as theme, ‘Selfless Service, A Phenomenal Virtue.’
“The choice of Rt. Hon. Agas was due to his experience in government as he has held elective and appointive positions since the birth of democracy in 1999, so, he is very fit to speak on the topic.
“We already have a philanthropist and successful businessman, Hon. Eta Enahoro and a Catholic Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Chris Ekabo, JP, as discussants.
“Today, we want to inform the public that in line with the people’s wish, we are having two women as discussants for this year’s edition.
“Mrs. Shimite Bello, the Executive Assistant to Delta State Government on Export Initiatives and Coordinator of the UNIDO Center, is featuring as a discussant.
“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, no doubt has recorded a lot of successes; this has made Asaba to be very conducive for the annual Maris Lecture.
“Apart from the ancient city by the Niger boasting of world class hotels because of peace and conducive environment for business as ensured by Governor Okowa administration, the Asaba International Airport has made it such that participants at the lecture can fly in from any part of the world for the lecture.
“Though, we are not presenting awards which may be considered in future editions in line with public suggestions, Governor Okowa who has won several awards will be attending this year’s lecture as Special Guest of Honour.
“Already, former Nigerian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, a renowned political tactician who was recently administered oath of office as Chairman/Pro-Chancellor of Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Ambassador Godson Echegile, OFR, will be the Chairman of occasion while a boardroom guru and the Visitor to Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Dr. Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, OFR, MFR, will be the Mother of the Day.
“The rich profile of Mrs Bello made her to be well qualified as a discussant for this year’s lecture.
“Below is her profile:”
Mrs Shimite Bello (Nee) Nwakalo was born into the family of late Mr Jacob Okwunudu Nwakalor and Mrs Roseline Nwakalor, married to Mr Richard A. U. Bello.
Shimite Bello attended Air Force Nursery School, Legico, Victoria Island between 1979 to 1981.
She attended Air Force Primary and Secondary School both in Ikeja between 1981 to 1986 and 1986 to 1990 respectively, and later obtained her SSCE from Air Force Secondary School, Makurdi in 1992.
In her quest for more knowledge, she obtained her B.Sc in Political Science at the University of Ibadan in 1999 and served her NYSC immediately after.
During her passing out parade in the year 2000, she was awarded a plaque of honour for her work in charity during her once a week Corpers Day (CD), especially with reference to her activities with Modupe Cole Memorial Home for people living with Mental Disabilities.
Mrs Shimite Bello has gathered so much working experience during her early years.
She has worked with Clapper Board T.V., with Lagos Weekend Television between 1992 to 1994 on a teenage programme, Teeny Boppers as a TV presenter.
She also worked with her elder sister, Mrs Agatha Amata on the Inside-Out TV series throughout her University and NYSC years as programme Coordinator and Marketing Executive.
She ran a travelling Agency “Generations Travel Agency and Tours” between 2005 to 2012. She was also a contributing editor for travel and tourism with Daily Trust Newspaper, Leadership Newspaper and African Travel Quarterly Magazine.
She was an active member of National Tour Operators of Nigeria (NATOP), National Association of Travel Agencies (NANTA), Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) and Association of Nigerian Journalists in Entertainment and Tourism (ANJET).
Shimite later veered into working with grassroots women and youths in financial literacy, gender mainstreaming, financial inclusion in the areas of Agriculture, Solid Minerals, ICT and Agency Banking.
She trained with CIBN, SMEDAN and other DFID interventions in order to expand her knowledge base.
She joined Women in Public Management, Business and Administration (WIMBIZ), Rural Financing of Nigeria (RUFIN), Association of Non-Bank Micro-Finance Institutions of Nigeria (ANMFIN) and Chartered Institute of Commerce, amongst others.
Her NGO, Quintessential Business Women Association (QBWA), has a United Nations Consultative Status and works with different UN organisations. QBWA has partnered with CBN, BOI, BOA, NDDC, DFID and USAID.
Due to her diligency, Mrs Shimite Bello was appointed by the Delta State Government as the Executive Secretary of Delta Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency from 2015 – 2019.
She was appointed in 2019 as the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Export Initiatives and the Coordinator UNIDO Center.
Notable amongst which is the Delta Food Export Initiative, Job Creation Steering Committee, Agricultural Marketing Board and Delta State Focal Person the Federal Government Intervention: National Social Safety – Net programme ( SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME) that oversees N-Power, Home Grown School Feeding Programme, GEEP, the Social Register and Cash Transfer.
Mrs Shimite Bello worked as Technical Adviser on Business Ethics and Values under the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Ethics and Values Mrs Sarah Jibrin. She also served on committees including Steering committee of USAID/NEXTT ( Nigerian Expanded Trade & Transport) – LAKAJI Trade Corridor and the Agric – Business Development and is an active member for policy formulation and amendment for National Assembly Business Environment Round-Table (NASSBER).
Mrs Bello is the group President / C.E.O of Quintessential group, a conglomerate of Non- Governmental Organization, a Social Business Enterprise and Limited Liability Company in Agriculture and Solid Minerals sector of the economy.
Mrs Bello is also a media professional, producer and presenter of ” African Pot” and ” African Pot Extra”; a highly regarded Television documentary that promotes Traditional African Cuisine, Tourist attraction and culture as well as investment opportunities in Africa. She has produced to 2 recipes “African Pot Recipe Book ” and “100% Nigerian”. She has infused her leadership quality with a thorough understanding of the African Rural Community, Rural Financing Strategies and the African Marketplace.
Mrs Shimite Bello is renowned for her intricate knowledge of Micro Finance, MSME Development, Human Capital Development, Export, Financial Literacy Traning, mentorship, Job and Wealth creation, through innovation in the Agricultural and Solid Minerals Value chain, Utilizing grassroots Women and Youth entrepreneurs as drivers of the process.
Mrs Shimite Bello is a multiple Award winner in the areas of Community Development, Micro Finance, Youth and Women Development, Media and Agricultural Development.
