Kunle ADELABU
-New Exco for inauguration November 8
The newly elected executive members of the Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) have appealed for the supports of traditional rulers in Ikorodu division in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the Chamber.
The new exco, led by the President, Engr. H.O.B. Lawal, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Consteng Construction Engineering, made the appeal during their visitation to His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, on Monday, October 29,2018.
The exco also informed the monarch that the new executive committee of the Chamber would be inaugurated on November 8, 2018 at the Ikorodu Town Hall.
Members of the new executive council of the Chamber, which was incorporated in 2011, were elected on August 17, 2018, at the annual general meeting of the Chamber.
The new executives would be steering the affairs of the party for the next two years.
In his address during the visit, Engr. Lawal said:
“Kabiyesi sir, we know this is an eloquent demonstration of Your Royal Majesty’s recognition of the need to rub minds together with this Chamber which you co-founded, in order to chart a way forward towards addressing germane issues that could empower Ikorodu division to continue to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the private sector and the economy of Ikorodu division, Lagos State and the nation in general.
“We, members of the new Executive Committee of the Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are here today to pay you homage in your capacity as the paramount ruler of Ikorodu division and as one of the founding members of ICCI who has been identifying with the Chamber financially and morally since inception to date.
“In this connection, we must most profusely express our hearty appreciation to Your Royal Majesty for all the support the Chamber has received from your office over the years.
“We are particularly appreciative of Your Royal Majesty’s generosity and unflinching support towards the Chamber’s growth and development as well as your prompt attention to matters concerning the Chamber over the years. Kabiyesi sir, we cannot thank you enough.”
The President, who commended the Ayangbure for the landmark achievements within the short time of his reign, stated that the Chamber, since its inception, has been supporting and protecting the interest of businesses in the division.
“As Your Royal Majesty is aware sir, Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry was corporated in 2011 and has since been representing, supporting and protecting the interest of the business community in Ikorodu division as well as liaising with government and the private sector operators within and outside Lagos and Nigeria with a view to promoting, attracting and increasing trade and industrialization among other things in Ikorodu division, Lagos State and the nation in general.
“Moreover, our Business Luncheon is held quarterly to stimulate discussions on the challenges facing investors, particularly the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, as well as proffer lasting solutions to these challenges. It is our belief that the ideas generated at such business luncheons could promote the growth of SMEs in various business areas in line with the best practices of Chambers of Commerce and Industry worldwide.
“Our visit here today is to kick-start the ICCI New Exco Unveiling Programme. This is in continuation of our deliberate policy to interact with major companies and traditional rulers within Ikorodu division to attract credible and viable companies within Ikorodu division to join the Chamber for the advancement of Ikorodu division as well as Lagos State industrially and commercially.”
Engr. Lawal also stated that the Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry is ready to galvanise groups engaging in commercial and industrial activities within the division into a strong body for economic development.
“Conscious of the fact that since 70s Ikorodu division has maintained its dominant role as a business and industrial hub of Lagos State, the new Exco of ICCI is poised to galvanize all commerce and industry groups into a strong body whose synergy will enhance the ease of doing business with the concomitant effect of attracting more businesses into the division so that Ikorodu division will continue to maintain its pride of place in the comity of progressive cities in Nigeria and the world at large.
“Kabiyesi sir, as lofty as our objective seems to be, we are here to get your royal blessings as well as seek your cooperation before making our first outing which is scheduled for Thursday 8, November when we shall be unveiling our Exco. This is in line with our cherished African tradition and we plead that Your Royal Majesty grants this our maiden request.”
He also solicited for the traditional rulers’ support in the area of membership mobilization by asking Ayangbure to use his good office in influencing businessmen within his domain to be part of the Chamber.
“We wish to point out that the success of our maiden outing and indeed the success of our two year tenure will hinge heavily on the cooperation and assistance of your highly revered office in getting all business and industrial outfits in the division to join hands with us and register with the Chamber.
“In fact sir, it will be much appreciated if all business outfits in Ikorodu division receive your royal admonition to register with the Chamber for orderly coexistence with the resultant benefits in the area of ease-of-doing-business as well as increase our collective bargaining power to attract more infrastructural developments and rehabilitation. This is in line with the acceptable international best practices; and Ikorodu Division cannot be an exception.”
Oba Kabiru Shotobi, in his response, commended the Chamber for improving since its formation in 2011.
“Since 2011, the Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been growing and I thank those incharge who have committedly and dedicatedly seeing to its improvement.
“ICCI is bringing golden opportunity for businesses in Ikorodu division and we all must embrace them. I know that we shall get there in our division because of the caliber of people incharge of the Chamber.
“I am one of you and shall forever be part of you. I am ready to assist you in whatever capacity necessary to achieve business growth in Ikorodu division. You have my blessings in everything that you do.
He challenged members of the chamber and residents of Ikorodu to be involved in bringing business development to the division.
“If you are to achieve your set objectives in the next two years, we all must work together and work hard. We can only get results only when we all get involved with the chamber. We need to intensify our membership drive so as to increase our capacity.
More so, the monarch stated that business opportunities are abound in Ikorodu but the division is suffering neglect
“I told a team that visited me recently that we have great business opportunities here in Ikorodu but the state has neglected Ikorodu division.
“We have the largest industrial estate in West Africa and other opportunities but nobody is looking at us. It is now time we give support to ICCI to maximize these opportunities.
“I have been pushing for a Governor’s Chalet in Ikorodu. Why can’t the state executives also be meeting in Ikorodu if they are meeting in Badagry,Lagos Island and Epe? If we have the Chalet here, that would also enhances our economic and social growth. The state has been allocated land and I learnt that the issue is with the appropriate ministry.
“If we give maximum support to the Chamber, we can influence great things for Ikorodu division”, stated Kabiyesi.
Other members of the new exco of ICCI include Prof (Chief) Kunle Ade Wahab, 1st Deputy President, Sir Engr. R. 0. Shoderu, 2nd Deputy President, Rev. Col. (Rtd) B. T. Onafowokan, Vice President, Chief Oloruntele Oduloye, Vice President, Alhaja K. 0. Lamina, Treasurer, Alhaji Kolawole, Deputy Treasurer, Alhaji Mukaila Afolabi, Public Relations Officer and Prince Jamiu Adio Saka, immediate Past President.
Other are Engr. Lukman Erogbogbo, Ex-Offico Elected, ACP Opoola A. Taiwo (Rtd), Ex-Offico Elected, Alhaja M. 0. Oduloye, Ex-Offico Elected, Hon. Ganiu 0. Abiru, Ex-Offico Elected, Mr. Adeola Elliot, Ex-Offico Elected, 16. Mrs. Folake Jayeoba, Ex-Offico Elected, Chief Kaoli Olusanya, Ex-Offico Elected, Mr. Adewale Disu, Auditor and Chief Michael Ojo, MNIM, Director General.
