LCCI, stakeholders rally support for industrialisation

Akande emerges chamber’s new president

According to the stakeholders, the economy despite the present challenges remains robust with numerous opportunities and potential.

Besides, the chamber has appointed Dr Nike Akande as its next president following the expiration of the tenure of Alhaji Remi Bello.

Speaking at the yearly general meeting of the Chamber and investiture ceremony of the new President of the Chamber, Dr. Nike Akande, the immediate past president of the chamber, Alhaji Remi Bello noted that while the chamber continues to engage with the government on advocacy issues especially as they affect the business environment, there is a need for government to address pressing issues limiting the growth of businesses in the country.

Specifically, Bello added that issues bordering on the counterfeiting and influx of fake products, common external tariff policy, right of entrepreneur initiative and other issues of concern need to be addressed by the federal government in order to ensure that businesses thrive in the country.

On the investiture, Bello, said the investiture is unique in a number of ways, noting that the new president is the second female president of the chamber in its 127 years history.

“She is the first former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to be president of the LCCI or any major business association of that matter. The value of this is that she is bringing a rich blend of
public and private sector experience to bear on the LCCI presidency. I want to formally congratulate her on the well-deserved election,” he said.

On her part, the wife of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hajia Aisha Buhari has charged the new president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Nike Akande, on economic diversification, maintaining that new opportunities are springing up in the nation’s real sector.

She explained that the country is currently experiencing tough times as a result of the dwindling oil price at the international market, calling on the need for private sector investments in emerging opportunities of the economy.

Aisha Buhari who was represented by the former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Princess Adejoke Adefulire commended the chamber for maintaining a ‎visionary leadership process over the years, saying that its new president will definitely take the chamber to the next level.

“I am confident that your sincerity of purpose and dedication to hard work are all needed to take the chamber to its desired position.
I am glad to collaborate with the LCCI on addressing economic issues.
The chamber is one of the leading voices in policy advocacy and we are very glad to be associated with the chamber,” she added.

According to her, the investiture will inspire more women in the society to aspire great positions, adding that the challenges are enormous but surmountable ‎through hard work and dedication.

Lagos State Gov‎ernor, Akinwumi Ambode said the investiture is coming at a time when the nation needs the best brains to move the nation forward, adding that businesses must reinvent themselves and be innovative to achieve sustainable economic development.