By GABRIEL IDAHOSA

I am delighted to present the vote of thanks on this memorable occasion, the opening ceremony of the 2021 Lagos International Trade Fair. Over the past thirty-five years, we have continued to preserve the profile of the Lagos International Trade Fair as the flagship of trade fairs in Nigeria and across West Africa. Our mission is to ensure the delivery of increasing value to our exhibitors and visitors; and impact the Nigerian economy positively. We have been doing our best to live up to this bidding.

We deeply appreciate the presence here today of important dignitaries from both the public and private sectors of the economy as well as the diplomatic community.

On behalf of the Council and members of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I express our sincere appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, CON for honoring our invitation to declare the 2021 Lagos International Trade Fair open. In the same vein, we express our sincere thanks to the Lagos State Executive Council represented here today for honouring our invitation. We acknowledge the passionate commitment of the government, at different levels, to the growth and sustenance of the Lagos International Trade Fair.

We express our sincere gratitude to our host, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu his support for the private sector in Lagos State. We thank the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Lagos State, Hon. (Mrs.) Lola Akande, and the entire leadership of the Ministry for their consistent support and interest in the development of commerce and industry in Lagos State.

Let me also express our very deep appreciation to the NACCIMA President, Ide John Chinyelu Udeagbala for gracing this occasion despite his busy schedule. We commend his commitment and dedication to the growth and development of the Chamber movement in Nigeria. We thank members of the diplomatic corps, our valued exhibitors (without whom we will not be here in the first place) and all our partners/sponsors who have worked with us to ensure that we have a successful fair.

My sincere thanks also go to the print and electronic media for their role in giving a befitting publicity to all our programmes and activities culminating in this year’s fair. It is my hope that this will be sustained throughout the duration of this fair and even after.

May I also express our thanks to the President of the Lagos Chamber, Mrs. Toki Mabogunje and all members of the Executive Committee and Council for the tremendous support given to the Trade Promotion Board. Many thanks to all my colleagues on the Trade Promotion Board of the Chamber for their tireless commitment, sacrifice and hard work. Let me seize this opportunity to express our appreciation to our landlord, the Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board; and the Cricket Federation for making the complex available for this fair.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we have done our best within the limits of prevailing constraints to put in place a befitting fair. I am confident that our exhibitors would get the full benefits of participation at this fair. They would expand their business horizon through the development of new partnerships, new customers, feedback from their consumers, and showcasing their products, not just to the Nigerian market, but also to the continental and global markets.

Finally, and above all, we give thanks to the Almighty God for making this day a reality and we pray that the Fair would run its full course without any hitches or unpleasant incidents. Once again, I thank you all for being here today and for your kind attention.

BEING THE VOTE OF THANKS BY CHAIRMAN, TRADE PROMOTION BOARD OF THE LAGOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR GABRIEL IDAHOSA, FCA AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 2021 LAGOS INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR, HELD ON FRIDAY 5Tth NOVEMBER 2021.