‘Collaboration between govt, OPS key to development’
By Sulaimon Olanrewaju
WHEN the government, Organised Private Sector (OPS) and the civil society collaborate on
sustainable development, the hold of poverty on the people will break.
This is the submission of Sir Chief (Dr.) Debo Omotosho, President, Odu’a Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture at the first merit award ceremony of the chamber in Ibadan recently.
Omotosho, who was talking about the mission of the chamber, said, “our mission is to serve as a veritable platform for economic integration of the Southwestern states and an attraction of foreign investors to the Southwest zone in particular and Nigeria in general.”
The president listed the objectives of the chamber as:
To bring state councils of chamber of commerce and industry within the zone together and position the chamber movement therein to cope with the emerging challenges to business development in Odu’a states;
To work in close contact with the governments of all Odu’a states through the respective state councils of chamber of commerce for the promotion and development of the economy;
To accelerate promotion of goods and service within the zone through the staging of well-focused trade fairs, workshops, conferences and business visits; and
To explore best techniques that can bring about rapid development and improve living standards of all citizens of Odu’a states.
According to him, the pursuance of the afore-stated mission and objectives led to the agitation for an international trade fair to be held in the region. The chamber, to achieve this desire, sought audience with key stakeholders in the country, including former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
“On November 5, 2005, Odu’a Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture’s leaders visited the former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR at Ota where he approved in principle the international trade fair for agriculture, agro-allied industries and food products for sustainable development for Odu’a states to be held annually in Ibadan,” Omotosho said.
According to him, Obasanjo also directed the chamber to convey the information about the approval of the fair to the governors of Odu’a states and corporate organisations for their assistance and support.
The ODU’ACCIMA boss explained that the specialised international trade fair being organised by the chamber was a collaboration between the government, the OPS and the civil society. The trade fair, according to him, has been instrumental to the development of the zone.
Going into specifics, Omotosho said holding the fair in the region had the potential of providing jobs and employment opportunities for thousands of people.
The fair, he said, could lead to “revamping, expanding and hosting of the production of hitherto neglected agricultural produce native to the Southwest zone.”
He stated further that it could lead to an increase in foreign exchange earnings, creation of wealth and eradication of poverty, boosting of economic and commercial activities, exposing businessmen and women to the international community thereby encouraging them to improve the quality of their produce, accelerating the take off of the Inland Container Depot and giving a boost to tourism industry.
The international trade fair for agriculture, agro-allied industries and food products has held twice, in 2006 and 2007, and has become a success. Thus, the chamber was moved to honour those who were instrumental to this achievement as well as others who had contributed to the development of agriculture in the region in various ways.
Those honoured were Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Ogun State governor, Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, Engr. Chief J.O. Osibamowo and Prof. Dupe Olatubosun.
Others are; Mr. Adebayo Jimoh, Group Managing Director, Odu’a Investment Company Ltd, Chief Bamidele Dada, former Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr, Dare Omotosho, Commerce Commissioner, Ekiti State, Mr. I.O. Adefunke and Mr. Dayo Famoriti, Deputy Managing Director, First Inland Bank.
The chamber president, Chief Omotosho, praised all the awardees, many of who were present while others were represented, for their contributions to ODU’ACCIMA and development of agriculture in the country and advised them to continue with the good work.
He, however, added that now that Odu’a International Trade Fair has become a reality, the chamber would move to a higher level which would make it compete favourably with other international chamber of commerce which was part of the objectives of the merit awards.
His words: “One of the objectives of the 1st Merit Awards of the chamber is to raise the sum of N30m to finance medium term programmes of the chamber, especially in investment portfolio Internet/ICT facilities, establishment of a world-class business information centre, research and development department and provision of utility vehicles.”
All present agreed that within its few years of existence, ODU’ACCIMA had achieved great feats and they resolved to further cooperate with the chamber in its efforts to develop the agriculture sector as an alternative revenue earner for the country as well as reduce poverty and deprivation in the South West region.
The awardees all promised to continue in their efforts to improve the society as well as their support to the chamber.
Mr. Adebayo Jimoh, one of the award recipients, on behalf of his company, promised to donate an Internet/ICT facility to the chamber.
The award ceremony had many dignitaries in attendance including principal officers of the chamber such as; Elder Paul Jegede and Rev. Leke Osunbunmi, Director General, ODU’ACCIMA.
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