LCCI partners LASU on entrepreneurship programme

By Sola Fadare, Lagos

Group Managing Director, Chemstar Painting
Industry (Nig) Ltd, Apostle Remi Awode (middle);
with the International Award for Technology and
Quality won by Finecoat Paint brand of the
company in Paris, France, recently. With him
are President, Editorial Office, Madrid, Spain
(sponsors of the event), Mr Arsenio Pardo (left)
and a representative of the French governmentEfforts to develop a vibrant Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector of the economy received a boost last week as the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), as part of its public policy advocacy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at running a Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma programmes in Entrepreneurship Studies with Lagos State University (LASU).

Speaking before signing the agreement, the president of LCCI Asiwaju Solomon Onafowokan said the Chamber found it imperative to develop the SME sector through proper training because the problem of unemployment in Nigeria which has become alarming was due to lack of orientation from the school on self employment and the need to actualize the potentials of these unemployed graduates through this type of training and exposure, adding that “as the population grows especially in Lagos, the problem gets more and more compounded and yet the SMEs sector of our economy that is supposed to provide a soft landing for these people has not grown as it did in India, China and the United States of America because the knowledge and spirit of entrepreneurship is lacking.”

He also added that the huge risk aversion of most Nigerians to salary paid jobs which has made the SME sector to be dominated by artisans practically rendered informal.

Asiwaju further said that majority of its (LCCI) members are in the SME group and the need to improve heir entrepreneurial skills and management techniques become inevitable in order to attract the necessary succour from the financial institutions, the introduction of such programmes , he noted would enable the members to be kept abreast of the necessary modern day entrepreneurial trainings.

On while Lagos State University is the target of the Chamber, the LCCI boss stressed that “on the issue of entrepreneurship teaching, we found Lagos State University a suitable partner in view of the interest the University itself has shown for entrepreneurship development.

From the moment we introduced this to the University, the enthusiasm has been quite high.” In his address at the epoch making event, the Vice Chancellor of LASU, Professor Lateef Akanni Hussain said the university is delighted in collaborating with the Chamber in order to fill the vacuum observed at the level of manpower development that the programme would eventually offer, adding that “the establishment of this programme is also within the mission statement of our Department of Business Administration which is to provide well trained intermediate manpower for the Nigerian business system.

The University in furtherance of her mission statement to provide internationally acclaimed scholars for the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge building lifelong capacity for creating jobs and adding value to global development has to fill the vacuum in our emerging economy for the development of sound entrepreneurs.”

DACCIMA guarantees peace in Niger Delta

By Sola Fadare, Lagos

One of the major objectives of the 2008 Delta Trade Fair organized by the Delta Association of Chambert of Commerce, Industry, Mineand Agriculture (DACCIMA) which kicked off yesterday is topave way forelasting tranquility and developement of the Oil rich region.

The president of the Association, Barrister (Mrs) Mary Awhotu Iyasere while speaking to newsmen in Lagos noted that during the Fair,participants who would come from different local and international organizations,state,local government as well as major corporate organizations would have opportunity of displaying their wares and products and also contribute to the peace and development of the Niger Delta and the Nigerian economy in general.

The Fair holding at Permanent Trade Fair Comlex, Osubi near Warri is expected to last till April 3,2008. DACCIMA is made up of Chambers of Commerce from Asaba, Warri, Ethiope and Sapele.

Barrister Iyasere said further that the theme of the fair:
Corporate Governance: Peace and Development of the Niger Delta is woven around the search for the lasting solution to peace and development in the Niger Delta area.

She stated that the participants will have a special day to showcase their activities and products as well as their contributions towards the development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria economy.

Barrister Iyasere said against the backdrop of the perception of most people about the area, Niger Delta is conducive for business activities despite the little hitches that people capitalize on to castigate the entire area as a troublesome area and hostage taking people.

“Delta people are very active in businessmen and women while hostage taking and insecurity in the area is always exaggerated and that does not stop people from carrying on with their active businesses without harassment.”

“In the pursuance of socio-Economic policies and further entrenchment of the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategies (NEEDS), there is need for genuine cooperation to exist between the government and the private sector business operators, through the Chambers of Commerce movement. This cooperation, will no doubt assist the government to attract businessmen both locally and internationally to the state, as the Chamber of Commerce is a major referral point when it comes to foreign Business relationship.”