Ekiti Indigene emerges the 22nd President of NACCIMA........first of its kind in the 63 years of the Association's existence

By Omolara BANJI

"I thank the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mining and Agriculture (NACCIMA) for the honour bestowed not only to me but also to the people and government of Ekiti State for choosing a son of the soil as her 22nd president".

This was made known by His Excellency Mr Biodun Oyebanji, at the 63rd Annual General Conference and the Investiture of Barr. Kelvin Dele Oye Esq. as the 22nd President of NACCIMA, which held at the Alfa Belgore Hall of the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti with the theme "Promoting public-private partnership for National Development".

He pledged the commitment of the government of Ekiti State to partner NACCIMA in steering the ship of the association to the shore of fortune.

Oyebanji stated that Public-private partnership serves as a bridge that connects the government and private sector towards a common goal of national development. 

He spoke extensively on the benefits of Public-private partnership which includes enabling the government to leverage on the efficiency and innovations of the private sector to enhance quality service delivery thereby reducing the burden on public finance, encouraging investment and economic growth by contracting local and foreign investors who brings in capital, technology and managerial expertise which in turn improves the overall living standards of citizens, fostering transparency, accountability and good governance amongst others.

"Recognizing the immense potentials of PPP, the government of Ekiti State took a giant step by enacting the Ekiti State Public-private partnership law of 2022 which provides a legal framework for partnership, risk sharing mechanism and fair competition" he said.

Oyebanji expressed the commitment of the government to promote investment through her established institutions such as the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and EKDIPA, which both work as a one stop shop providing comprehensive support for investors both local and foreign.

In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment, Trade and Industry, Mrs Omotayo Adeola welcomed NACCIMA to Ekiti State the land of honour with abundance of human natural endowment and innovative economy.

Adeola highlighted the various agricultural and mineral deposits in Ekiti State which includes cassava, tomatoes, fruits, feldspar, kaolin, granite, tantalite, bauxite, gold coal, gemstone, etc in large quantities that can be processed and exported to other parts of the country and abroad.

She displayed some of the ready to use products proudly made by entrepreneurs in Ekiti State such as LED bulb, mixed grains flour, plantain flour, stone-free rice, honey, corn flour, liquid black soap, caster oil, ceramic insulator used on poles for lighting etc

She encouraged potential local and foreign investors to maximize the enabling factors in the state to secure a future for their businesses.

In his speech, the chairman of the occasion as well as the immediate past minister of Investment, Trade and Industry and the first executive governor of Ekiti State, Mr Niyi Adebayo welcomed NACCIMA members to Ekiti State.

Adebayo simultaneously congratulated the outgoing national president of NACCIMA Ide John Udeagbala, for the successful completion of his administration and the incoming president Barr. Kelvin Dele Oye Esq. wishing him a successful tenure in office.

He assured the gathering that NACCIMA will continue to play a vital role in fostering the Nigerian economy.

In his keynote address, the Pro Chancellor of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) Aare Afe Babalola applauded NACCIMA for appointing an Ekiti man as its president after 63 years, a feat that will birth greater achievements in the State and for choosing ABUAD as the rallying point of the Conference and Investiture.

Afe Babalola charged NACCIMA to be alive to their responsibility and take giant strides towards making the economy of Nigeria a viable one.

He recommended steps that the association can take to change the narrative in the nation to ensure their footprint in the sand of time, they include a push for the replacement of the 1999 constitution, no to severance package for presidents and legislatures on their exit, no to duplication of legislative houses, allocations for the Local government be paid directly to the account of the Local Government, restriction of public office holders from having foreign accounts, finding ways of paying debts and not incurring more amongst others.

In his speech, the 22nd and new NACCIMA president Barr. Kelvin Dele Oye Esq. expressed his joy for the honour bestowed on him and pledged his commitment to the development of the association and Nigeria at large.

There were goodwill messages from Chief Nabil Saleh chairman planning committee of NACCIMA, Mr Olufemi Ogunmola President, Ekiti State  Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mining and Agriculture (EKICCIMA), Ide John Udeagbala outgoing president of NACCIMA.

All works and no play they say make jack a dull boy, the conference featured one of Nigeria's famous comedian Alibaba Alleluya Akobome, who dished out comedies that cheered the audience.