Building momentum towards linking business gaps between MSMEs, a press conference foregoing the 2nd edition of the IKODIV Trade Fair, organised by the Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICC) took place on the 22nd of march 2023.
Held at the boardroom of the Lagos State University Of Science and Technology in Ikorodu, the Trade Fair is billed to be a joint venture with LASUSTECH, ably supported by the State Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives.
With the primary objective of promoting commerce, industry, and the economic growth of Ikorodu Division, Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) is spearheading the 2nd edition to further develop more networks between over 100 registered small and large-scale business owners, giving expansion tendencies thereof.
Setting the conference in motion, Chief R.O Shoderu, President of ICCI, stated that the Chamber, over the years have helped tirelessly to create avenues of growth and improvement for businesses to thrive, asserting that they (ICCI) are proud to have made significant strides in achieving its objective.
According to Chief Shoderu, the annual Trade Fair event, also known as IKODIV Trade Fair, is one of the many ways the ICCI has demonstrated its commitment to the economic development of the waterbed region in Lagos State.
He continued, “This event provides a platform for entrepreneurs and business owners, including macro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) to showcase their products and services, network, and engage in business transactions”.
“As an organisation, we are convinced that promoting entrepreneurship and providing support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is crucial to the economic growth of our Division”.
“This is why we have made it our mission to provide support and guidance to these businesses so that they can compete favourably on the global stage”.
“As we embark on this year’s edition of the IKODIV Trade Fair, we are excited about the opportunities it presents to businesses in our environs”.
Wishing everyone a fruitful and memorable experience at the fair, Chief Shoderu concluded his speech by appreciating its sponsors, partners, and exhibitors for their unwavering support towards making the 2nd edition of the IKODIV Trade Fair a success.
Conversing briefly on the ICCI and Lasustech synergy, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odunsanya, Vice-Chancellor of Lasustech, expressed his optimism on the trade fair not only promoting the growth of individual businesses but also contribute significantly to the economic development of Ikorodu Division.
He affirmed his confidence that with ceaseless support, Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry will achieve even greater success in the coming years.
An ICCI exco member, Prince Seye Adedipe, used the medium to call on the Lagos State Government over the poor condition of the industrial estate in the odogunyan axis of Ikorodu North LCDA.
According to Prince Seye, both the Federal and State Government’s purported promises is yet to yield.
The vast industrial estate is considered the largest in west Africa.
Prince Seye mumbled that if businesses must flourish then the industrial estate has to be rejuvenated, which would be an economic growth factor, not only in Ikorodu but all of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
Past President, Prof. Emeritus Kunle Ade Wahab, channelled his words of encouragement towards the media practitioners present at the press conference, instructing them to effectively propagate the course and essence of the Trade Fair, reaching out to licensed prospects.
He also said that the media can equally play a big role in providing remedies towards challenges faced by the ICCI as underscored by Prince Seye if they carefully give emphasis to the plights and continuously sound the alarm for intervention.
“The media should also help us reach out to everyone to visit the Trade Fair and witness, firsthand, the wealth of talent and entrepreneurial spirit that exists in our Division” Prof. Kunle Wahab asserted.
Sola Obadimu, Director General of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, who was present at the conference lauded the ICCI for working on strategic means to create more business opportunities for traders.
He also thanked Lasustech’s administrators for joining heads together with ICCI to make the 2nd edition of the IKODIV Trade Fair a reality, citing that the collaboration is an open door for more futuristic synergies.
Lagos NACCIMA exco, Mrs Helen Tabunor Ogedegbe thanked everyone for attending the conference, urging every stakeholder not to relent in their commitment towards making the 2nd edition a success.
The conference was anchored by Mr Olarenwaju Kuye, PRO Lasustech.
Dr Olumide Metilelu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Lasustech, Alhaji Mohammed Ogidi, Mrs Kehinde Adelaja, DG ICCI, Alhaji Mukaila Afolabi, Mrs Adeola Rotinwa, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Alhaja Zainab Alogba (Coordinator, ICCI NAWORG Ikorodu) and other key personalities were in attendance.
The Trade Fair is slated to kick off on the 26th of March and climax on the 2nd of April 2023.
Traders partaking in the fair stand to gain a lot as some selected vendors were surprisingly empowered at the maiden edition by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, while participants were also presented with certificates of attendance at the grand finale.
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