Pay attention to industrialisation, agriculture to create jobs — Trade Fair official

Chairman of the 11th Kwara Trade Fair Organising Committee, Mr Abu Salami, on Wednesday in Ilorin called for more focus on production and industrialisation via agriculture and livestock development.

Salami told the newsmen the sector had the potential to create jobs and wealth for youths and women while contributing to the state’s economic growth and prosperity.

“We are thrilled to be marking a significant milestone in the history of our Trade Fair which began on Friday at the Kwara State Sports Stadium Complex and will end on Monday.

“As we move forward, I urge us all to focus on production and industrialisation via agriculture and livestock development.

“This sector has the potential to create jobs and wealth for our youths and women, ultimately contributing to the state’s economic growth and prosperity.

“Let us work together to create a brighter future for ourselves, our children and our state.

“Let us harness our collective energy, creativity and resources to drive economic development and improve the lives of our citizens,” Salami, who is the First Deputy President of Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA), said.

He added that a collective passion for KWACCIMA’s vision and mission was crucial in achieving success.

Speaking also to newsmen, the President of KWACCIMA, Mrs Ronke Adeyemi, said the Trade Fair, like the others before it, was specially designed.

She said it was designed for businessmen and women to showcase their products and services to the world with a view to attracting customers and investors to the state.

Adeyemi said Kwara was not only blessed with human, natural and agricultural resources but also strategically located in the middle of the country.

“This allows for favourable weather conditions that is good for the growth of diverse agricultural products,” she said.

The KWACCIMA President noted that, like the rest of the world, Nigeria was passing through a difficult economic period.

“This is taking its toll on businesses, and this is why our theme for this year’s Trade Fair is ‘Unlocking Investment Potential of Kwara State for Sustainable Economic Development’.

“The sharp rise in the cost of fuel and electricity in our country are dealing big blows on our economy.

“But these hard times also have an advantage.

“We are forced to think outside of the box, not only in the effective management of our resources, but also to develop new business ideas that are capable of improving our lives as a people.”

Adeyemi pointed out that Kwara was blessed with good weather, mineral resources, fertile land and a healthy population consisting of all cadres of people.

“This year’s Trade Fair is therefore aimed at drawing the attention of investors and the business community to the limitless opportunities that abound.

“We have on display products from our intellect, factories and from our farms.

“Our people in (Ministry of) Commerce are here with their wares and our local government areas have come with samples of products available in their localities.

“We implore our guests to go round and see our products and patronise our people”, she said.

The KWACCIMA President then expressed her appreciation of the governor of Kwara for the development of the private sector in the state and his generosity in hosting the Trade Fair.

“We seize this opportunity to acknowledge the urban renewal programme now embarked upon by the Kwara government to beautify our cities.

“This is a welcome development that has largely corrected the distortion of the landscape of llorin in particular and we appreciate the governor for this bold step,” Adeyemi said.

She however pleaded for nano and small-scale business owners whose shops and sources of livelihood have been greatly affected by the development to be resettled in another market area.

“Our kind and compassionate governor should assist these groups with the provision of a resettlement market where they can continue their businesses without hindrance.

“Times are really very hard now and every help received will go a long way in alleviating the condition of our people.”