By: Olamide Esther
The Ota Parapo Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OPCCIMA) is set to hold her formal inauguration ceremony and introduction of executive members tagged ‘Enhancing Business Sustainability in a Turbulent Environment.’
In a statement made by the Pioneer President of the chamber, Dr. Kayode Bowale, FCA while addressing newsmen during a press conference at the Chamber earlier on Monday, said that the ceremony is slated for 12th of September, 2024 at the palace of the Olota of Ota and it is to usher in its new executives.
While fielding questions from newsmen, Dr. Kayode described the chamber as a non-profit, non-governmental organisation with the aim of promoting the interests of members and also enhance business activities in Ota and it’s environs.
In his words, “the chamber’s reasons for existence includes; empowering members and entrepreneurs in Ota and its environ through joint workshop and training programmes with government agencies such as SMEDAN, Nigeria Shippers council, Nigeria Export and Promotion Agencies, etc and to also contribute to the promotion of the nation’s private enterprise system for global competitiveness.”
The Chamber has been up-and-running for two years despite not been officially inaugurated yet. He added.
Dr Kayode Bowale proudly extolled the successful activities undergone by the chamber since its exception, some of them are; full registration and representation at the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), preparation towards International Trade Fair through the establishment of International Trade Fair Complex Centre with the support of Olota of Ota, partnership with research centres and tertiary institutions with view to establish Ota Innovation Hub so as to promote creativity and high quality locally made goods and services etc.
He emphasized on the importance of the ceremony on the Chamber and the independence it affords Ota community as a whole by retelling the days when Ota didn’t have a chamber and was under the Ota-Agbara Chamber.
To round-off his address, the President appreciated the government for its efforts at all levels to ensure a conducive business environment in Nigeria before making a few suggestions for improvement on behalf of the Chamber.
He said, government should give more role to the Chamber of Commerce in the policy formulation and implementation especially when it has to do with business and matters concerning the economy. It is not enough to have a robust setup of policies without proper implementation.
