September 25, (THEWILL) – History was made at the 9th Annual General Meeting and Investiture Ceremony of the Ota-Agbara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OTAGCCIMA), an affiliate of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), which ceremony took place on Thursday, September 23, 2021, with the investiture of the first female President of OTAGCCIMA in the esteemed person of Deaconess Cynthia Titilayo Saka, FCAI, and under the distinguished chairmanship of Alhaji Oladotun Shokunbi, FCA.
The theme of the ceremony, which held at the tastefully-furnished hall of Alarco Hotel and Suites at the OPIC Industrial Estate, was “African Continental Free Trade Area – Impact and Competitiveness for Nigeria Market” was well-attended and was witnessed by the representatives of the Ogun State government, the top echelon of NACCIMA, the Ogun State royalty, experts of the African Free Trade Area, eminent business personalities, big players in the commercial, industrial, mines and agricultural sectors of the economy and the general public.
The epochal ceremony of the investiture of the first female President of the OTAGCIMMA began with the call of invited guests and eminent personalities to the high table after an opening prayer led by Engineer Mike Akingbade at about 11.30am. The representative of His Excellency Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, MFR, the State Governor, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe, the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; the First Lady and Mother of the Day, Her Excellency Mrs Bamidele Abiodun represented by the wife of the Speaker of the State Assembly, Mrs. Victoria Oluomo; the Senior Special Adviser to the Ogun State governor on Commerce, Ms Shola Arobieke; and the Chairman Alhaji Shokunbi were all invited to the high table.
Joining them on the elevated stage were the following: the Royal Father of the day His Royal Majesty Oba Abdulazeez Oluwatoyin Akinde, the Oloja-Ekun of Igbesaland, represented by Prince Lanre Adu-Asungbalaja; President of the Badagry Chapter, Alhaji Fatai Shokunbi, representing the NACCIMA President, Ide J. C. Udeagbala, NPOM, KSJI; OGUNCCIMA President, Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye; the speakers to deliver the lecture of the theme, Chijioke Odo and Seye Arowolo from Deloitte; Board of Trustees chairman, Prince Bayo Ikujenyo and the newly-elected president of OTAGCCIMA, Deaconess Saka.
The Welcome Address was delivered by the immediate past president, Dr. Kayode Bowale, who welcomed everyone present to the very auspicious ceremony in the annals of the history of OTAGCCIMA, which was witnessing the first ever investiture of a female president. Bowale expressed gratitude to God for the successful tenure he had irrespective of the scourge of the pandemic, the socio-economic factors and widespread insecurity that posed serious challenges to businesses in the country while appreciating the distinguished guests and invited attendees who honoured the invitation to be part of the historical ceremony.
The outgoing president highlighted the accomplishments that were recorded under his administration as president of OTAGCCIMA especially with regards to capacity building of members which included entrepreneurial training programmes with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the drive to encourage more youth participation in the Chapter through seminars, the paradigmatic focus on micro and small scale businesses around the Ota and Agbara axis while resolving all issues associated with erecting the Commerce building.
Furthermore, Bowale added that his administration was able to initiate collaborations with institutions and agencies such as Covenant University for research-based workshops on sustainable development; with SMEDAN for micro and small businesses and have reached an advanced stage in collaborating with the Zone Management of Ogun-Guangdong to organise a Trade Exhibition. He added that the Chamber played an advocacy role in improving the business environment in the area, made some donations to the vulnerable during the pandemic while keeping up to their financial obligations to all bodies and the hosting of the OGUNCCIMA Management retreat.
Bawole rounded up by expressing his appreciation to the Board of Trustees led by Prince Ikunjenyo, past and incoming presidents, Engr Akingbade and Deaconess Saka, the outgoing Executive Committee and all members of the Chamber who cooperated and supported his administration and all that they set out to accomplish. He extended his wishes of success to the new president and once more welcomed everyone present.
Mr. Odo was thereafter introduced to present his lecture on “African Continental Free Trade Area – Impact and Competiveness for the Nigerian Market”. Based in Lagos, Odo is the Global Trade Advisory Lead at Deloitte’s West African Cluster tasked with the responsibility for designing strategic and workable solutions for West African businesses looking to optimise their customs supply chains whilst remaining compliant with global trade regulations.
Speaking broadly on the importance of trade and investments, Odo expanded on Nigeria’s strategy to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) by being a major player on the continent. However, the essence of prior understanding of the fundamentals to better appreciate the import and therefore key into of the Free Trade initiative gave the speaker the opportunity to delve into the background of how the continent arrived at the initiative.
Odo contrasted Africa’s overabundance of potential, natural and human resources with the standard typification of Africa in the media as poverty-stricken, dependent on aid, a region of widespread migration and underdevelopment. The advantages of Africa, as the resource supplier and as one of the best climate regions in the world have not been enough to tip the scales of the negative aspect of the continent. Many strategies have been evolved to change this but Africa has remained stagnant in many parts. Money pouring in from outside for human and infrastructural development has not changed much.
Some years ago, African leaders tried another tactic: We, as Africans, were going to be the solutions of our own problems. One of the ways to bring this about was to find a way to increase intra-Africa trade. “It should be TRADE and not AID,” Odo noted as he explained the origin of the AFCFTA, that evolved as a trade agreement by Africans for Africans to help us develop our infrastructure and sell “not to our friends in Europe, not to our friends in Asia or America, to sell to one another.”
This keeps the value of the market process, from raw materials and resources to finished goods and services, within the continent rather than transferring it abroad to enrich the economies of those who will thereafter send a micro-portion of the value back to Africa as aid, when in reality it is Africa’s resources that are aiding their economies. Labour, manpower, job opportunities and intellectual property all remain in Africa with the AFCFTA. By aiding an incentivisation to the movement of goods within the borders of the 54 African countries, with the removal of tariffs, it ensures a more seamless enablement of African trade.
One of the immediate impacts will be that there will be an influx of goods and services that will render the domestic market products, which were formerly protected by high tariffs, unnecessary especially if the quality coming in is better. This will force everyone to get their quality and pricing right to take full advantage of the 1.2 billion-strong African market, over the 200 million Nigerian market. Skilled labour will also be impacted as there will be a job displacement towards a net gain for better opportunities and higher pay. Investments are already moving, Odo pointed out, from 2018 when the AFCFTA was just signed, with foresighted investors coming to the continent.
It behoves on the government to make the economy and investment climate efficient enough to attract that investment so that Nigeria can gain from this influx and attract the money to be anchored in Nigeria. This will make the 200 million-strong Nigeria market viable to tap into the 1 billion extra that the continent holds. The best time for governments to plan for this was in 2015 when the negotiations began for the AFCFTA with infrastructural development, regulations towards ease of doing business seeing positive changes. The industrial and manufacturing industry will be complemented by the services sector which has gone online now and can be a massive game-changer. The government must help and we must make the demands for this to happen.
Odo hinged Nigeria’s comparative advantage on the creativity, industry and intelligence of the typical Nigerian. This can be exploited in the creation of content and services sector to give Nigeria a leg up in the intra-Africa Trade. Upon that, Nigeria can add petrochemicals, agricultural and other advantages that will come from creating our own identities to give us a competitive edge in the continental market as we seek where we can initiate wins and evolve in the process by identifying where there is a comparative advantage. For any business that does not understand how to take advantage of this, Odo suggested they go to NACCIMA and get the help they need to navigate to success as AFCFTA is most ideal for small businesses as it removes the previous hindrance of “small market” to give a huge opportunity of a 1.2 billion figure market.
While the lecture was being delivered some distinguished personalities arrived and were welcomed, including the Aro of Igbesa Land, Chief Murtala Sanusi and Otunba Durojaiye of Igbesa Land.
There was a presentation of plaques to Mr. Odo, who delivered the presentation on the theme, together with his associate Mr. Arowolo by the chairman of the occasion Alhaji Shokunbi, on behalf of the OTAGCCIMA.
This was followed by comments from the OGUNCCIMA President, Alhaji Olaleye, who began by congratulating the outgoing President, Dr. Bowale, for discharging his responsibilities admirably and for exiting the position as required of the Chambers while expressing confidence in the abilities of Deaconess Saka to continue to keep the flag flying especially living up to the reputation of the Chamber in the industrial hub of Ogun State where the Chamber must ensure that their presence is adequately felt.
Next to speak was Alhaji Shokunbi, representing the NACCIMA President Udeagbala, and on behalf of the NACCIMA Council, appreciated the invitation of the OTAGCCIMA while hailing the achievements of the previous President and encouraging the incoming President to continue the giants strides so far achieved including the involvements of Private Sector Participation to improve the fortunes of the State for the good of all. He did not leave out for praise those who successfully organised the AGM and Investiture ceremony, commending the choice of the AFCFTA theme for the lecture especially in the age of the pandemic and the need to key into the benefits of the agreement as the NACCIMA President Udeagbala continued to pursue. He concluded by thanking the State governor for always supporting NACCIMA and making the State business-friendly.
Goodwill messages began with Oba Akinde, the Oloja-Ekun of Igbesaland, delivered through his representative, Prince Adu-Asungbalaja, who also hailed the lecture on AFCFTA and was pleased that the Nigerian government signed to join the Free Trade Area. He therefore challenged everyone involved to take full advantage of the opportunity while continuing to take the OTAGCCIMA to greater heights.
The next goodwill message came from Ogun State First Lady, Mrs Abiodun, which was delivered by her representative, the wife of the Speaker of the State Assembly, Mrs. Oluomo. The First Lady thanked OTAGCCIMA for the strides in helping businesses progress in the State and was pleased that women were making a difference in leadership. She rated OTAGCCIMA as strong partners towards realising the last parts of the State governor’s “ISEYA” acronym, which are Youth development and Agriculture, especially at they represent more than 1,200 businesses. The AFCFTA also pleased the First Lady as it opened the State to the wider African market and it was encouraging that this new era will be ushered in by female leadership.
Then, Mrs Longe, the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, delivered the message from the State Governor, H.E. Prince Abiodun. On behalf of the governor, she thanked the OTAGCCIMA for their support in the development and transformation of the state to Nigeria’s preferred investment destination of choice, while also commending the timeliness of the AFCFTA lecture. The governor encouraged commitment to accelerated adoption of the AFCFTA to fasttrack intra-African trade. The governor expanded on infrastructural progress made to facilitate businesses together with the Ogun-Invest initiative to help investors with best investments choices in the State. The investment focus of the government on small and medium scale enterprises was highlighted with the government’s automation of business registrations. Also highlighted were steps taken by the governor to demonstrate unreserved determination to help businesses in the State grow.
Thereafter, the outgoing President, Dr. Bowale, took the microphone to call out the members of the new EXCO, who came out and stood before the high table as each one was called. Then, just after calling the chief celebrant, the incoming President and the first woman President of the OTAGCCIMA, Deaconess Saka, Dr. Bowale went to join the group in a photograph session in front of the audience. While they were applauded as they took a bow before the high table and left, the investiture itself was due to take place and so the outgoing and incoming presidents remained standing before the audience to allow Dr. Bowale decorate Deaconess Saka with the insignia of office.
For this part of the ceremony, Prince Ikujenyo, the chairman Board of Trustees, Alhaji Shokunbi, Alhaji Olaleye were all on hand to guide the investiture ceremony. Ikujenyo thanked Bowale and the outgoing EXCO for their leadership before forthrightly dissolving it and welcomed the incoming EXCO to be led by Saka and prayed for greater accomplishments for the new EXCO.
The profile of the new President was read revealing that, as an industrialist, she had racked up over 28 years of experience in waste management, waste recycling and production of raw materials and was Founder and Chief Executive Officer of T. Cynthia Nigeria Limited which is over 26years in existence. A graduate of Political Science Education from Ogun State College of Education, Deaconess Saka’s long-term goal was the continual expansion of T. Cynthia Nigeria Limited, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship development and involvement with investors on a global scale.
She is the National Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the United Waste Recycling Association of Nigeria and has mentored several youths and young entrepreneur in waste recycling business in a bid to contributing to the development of the society as well as keying into the initiative of converting waste to wealth. She was recognized at the Lion clubs where she has been an active player and was the President of the Lagos Apex lion club 2019 /2020. She was also the Zone Chair of district 404b2 of the Lion International Year 2021 and currently the chairman Entrepreneur and networking Committee.
Deaconess Saka is also the Ogun State Coordinator of the NACCIMA Business Women group (Ogun NAWORG) and member of the NACCIMA Business Women Group (NAWORG). She is also a member of the Ogun State Council of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture where she once held the position of Treasurer. She is currently a member of the Ogun State Technical Committee and the Chair of the Igbesa Technical College. Deaconess Saka is an administrator and member of the Institute of Corporate Administration.
As the new President, she took to the podium to deliver her inaugural speech where she acknowledged the enormity of the responsibility, appreciated the opportunity to serve and demonstrated clear understanding of the purpose of the Chamber through her personal business experiences. She also invoked the reality of how much collective wealth was available in taking advantage of intra-African trade through the AFCFTA while pledging to explore it further with information for members to make the best use of the opportunity.
She promised that her administration was prepared to “enhance the visibility of the Ota-Agbara Chamber of Commerce by engaging with relevant people, government and other businesses. Encourage our members’ participation at government activities, trade missions both locally and internationally. We shall build upon the successes of previous administration to increase the membership of the chamber by actively embarking on membership drive activities and incorporating other business associations as members of the chamber.
“This administration will also build the capacity of the Chamber Secretariat to function optimally. As we are all aware, the Chamber need a befitting accommodation, consequently we shall work towards completing our Chamber building at Agbara to enable the chamber take its pride of place. We shall build on the successes of previous administration to strengthen our advocacy and build stronger relationship with all stakeholders.
“I want to appeal for the support of our distinguished Board of Trustees, Executives, members, the government and the private sector generally to support my administration with their, resources, talent and time for greater development of the society.
“In conclusion, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I pledge to perform my duties with all sense of responsibility to serve with humility, accountability and transparency as well as carry along the membership in the discharge of my functions. I therefore call on all of you to support me.”
Just before concluding, OTAGCCIMA made presentations to the government functionaries present. Deaconess Saka, in her second function as President, presented the first plaque to Her Excellency, the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Abiodun with complimentary words of thanks for her unalloyed support. Prince Ikujenyo made the presentation to Mrs. Longe, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry while Alhaji Olaleye made the presentation to the Senior Special Adviser to the Ogun State governor on Commerce, Ms Shola Arobieke. The final plaque went to the chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Shokunbi, and was presented to him by the now previous President, Dr. Bowale.
The vote of thanks followed and was delivered by the chairman of the Investiture Planning Committee, Evangelist David Bello.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
