Kunle ADELABU
The traditional ruler of Ipakodo Kingdom in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ikorodu division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, His Royal Majesty, Oba Bashir Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, has enjoined members of the Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) to focus more on strengthening the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The monarch made this appeal while addressing the newly executive members of the Chamber when they paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Ipakodo.
According to Oba Sotonwa, “The advancement of Nigerian economy is dependent on the promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Until we start focusing on them, we are not ready for economic exercise.
“Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce should place more emphasis on the SMEs by giving necessary business supports like facilitation of loans and other incentives.
“I will encourage anybody in our division that shows serious concern in starting production from small scale to attain higher standard”, Oba Sotonwa pledged.”
Oba Sotonwa cited examples of India where numerous cottage businesses drive the economy while advocating for the production of small households items like matches, straw among others that are being imported into the country.
He added that it is only when there is development of SMEs that the millions of graduates and school leavers in the division and nation as a whole can be employed.
“This body (ICCI) should assist in the growth of SMEs to cater for the numerous graduates and secondary school leavers who are unemployed. It is only when we have thriving SMEs that our teeming populace can be gainfully employed.
“If our SMEs are productive, there will be no need to be importing toothpicks, matches, toothpaste and others households materials that can easily be manufactured here”.
The traditional ruler also called on ICCI to create more opportunity for interactive platforms.
“I hope that there will still be more platforms for business discussions towards the development of businesses in Ipakodo, Ikorodu and Nigeria as a whole”, he requested.
Chief Sonubi, the Aro of Ipakodo, while also speaking, express dismay over the failure to develop SMEs in the country.
Engr. H.O.B. Lawal, the President of Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who led other members of the new exco of the Chamber to the Sekumade palace, stated that the body was visiting to pay homage, receive royal blessings and seek for the support of the traditional rulers in the division towards achieving success in their set objectives.
“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 the division as well as that of Lagos State and the nation in general”, he stated.
“We, members of the new Executive Committee of Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are here today to pay you homage in your capacity as paramount ruler of Ipakodo Kingdom and as one of the founding members of ICCI who has been identifying with the Chamber financially and morally since inception to date.”
He also listed achievements of the ICCI since its inception in 2011 till date.
“As Your Royal Majesty is aware sir, Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry was incorporated 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.
“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 proffering 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.”
Engr. Lawal also stated that the courtesy visit was designed to brief the royal father on the Chamber’s operation and also seek the royal assistance in achieving its objectives.
“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.
Chief Michael Ojo, MNIM, the Director-General of ICCI, while also speaking stated that:
“Chamber of Commerce anywhere in the world is meant to create platform for interaction among business owners on issues, networking and sharing of information vital to survival of businesses.
“Chamber has information that are very vital to businesses. We don’t give loans but we have information where these loans are domiciled. There are loans facilities with the state and federal government and also at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) but unknown to business owners.
“We also engage in advocacy by pursuing issues that are adversely affecting growth of businesses with government and other concerned bodies. Whenever there is any policy from the government that gives us concern, we advocate for its reversal and we have recorded many successes in this regard nationwide”, he stated.
“There are lots of benefits accruing to members of Chamber of Commerce”, he added.
Other members in the ICCI entourage to the Sekumade palace were Revd. Col. Titi Onafowokan (rtd), Chief Oloruntele Oduloye, Alhaja Lamina K.O, Alhaji Mukaila Afolabi, Alhaja Oduloye M.O and Mr Adewale Disu.
