The newly elected executive members of the Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and industry, (ICCI), under the leadership of a Chartered Engineer, Eng HOB Lawal, CEO, CONSTENG Construction Limited has been paying courtesy visits and homage to the palaces of royal fathers across the Ikorodu division, to receive royal blessings and to formally introduce the new executive council members to the royal fathers.
The group’s first point of call was the palace of the paramount ruler of Ikorodu Division and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotrobi, himself a pioneer member of the body. The ICCI executives were received by the Ayangbure and some palace chiefs.
According to Engr H.O.B Lawal, ‘the visit is meant to kick-start the ICCI new Exco Unveiling Programme. This is in continuation of our deliberate policy to interact with major companies and traditional rulers, within Ikorodu Division to attract credible and viable companies within Ikorodu Division to join the chamber for the advancement of Ikorodu Division as well as Lagos State industrially and commercially.
Responding to the address by the new ICCI President, Oba Shotobi affirmed his membership of ICCI while pledging his continued support to the body. He also promised to do more, in his capacity as the Ayangbure of Ikorodu towards achieving the vision of the group.
The ICCI delegation was received at the Adeboruwa Palace, Igbogbo by Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade 1, palace chiefs and Baales. Speaking on behalf of the palace Chiefs, High Chief Tajudeen Onasanya, the Odofin of Igbogbo commended the ICCI and its team for deeming it fit to visit Igbogbo Kingdom. He also made a case for the inclusion of more Igbogbo indigenes in the Chamber.
After prayers were offered for the success of the new executives, Oba Kasali in a brief remark lamented the state of many factories around Ikorodu division. The monarch specifically mentioned Lagos State Brick Company and Nichemtex as some industries with massive employment generating capacity that should not be left moribund.
Oba Kasali further charged the chamber to collaborate with the state government to ensure the revamping of many of the moribund factories and industries, across Ikorodu division, noting that this was the only way the group can make itself relevant to residents and other business stakeholders in the division.
The ICCI train also visited the palace of Oba Bashir Aremu Shotomiwa, Osomekun 1, Sekumade of Ipakodo who was joined by Lisa of Ipakodo, Chief A.R.O Shitta and Chief Shonubi, Aro of Ipakodo to receive the delegation.
Responding to the goodwill message of the ICCI President, Engr HOB Lawal, Oba Shotomiwa charged the body to intensify efforts towards encouraging the establishments of cottage industries across Ikorodu division. He noted that the era of young graduates looking for job was over, thereby charging ICCI to encourage the establishments of small scale industries within the division.
The monarch lamented a situation where many of the goods currently being imported into the country can be manufactured locally. He recalled his experience on a trip to India in the early 80s and how the country has been encouraging small scale industries since then.
Corroborating Oba Sekumade’s position, Chief Shonubi, the Aro of Ipakodo berated the government for not creating the enabling environment for small-scale production to thrive. The septuagenarian recalled his return to Nigeria in 1983 to start engineering production and how his dream was thwarted by unfavourable environment.
In the words of the newly elected president of ICCI, Engr HOB Lawal, the courtesy visits to the royal fathers Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry was incorporated in 2011 and has since then represented, supported and protected the interest of the business community in Ikorodu Division as well as liaising with Government and Private Sector Operators within and outside Lagos and Nigeria, with a view to promoting, attracting and increasing trade and industrialization among other things in Ikorodu Division as well as Lagos state.
Engr Lawal further assured the monarchs that, ‘the new exco is poised to galvanize all commerce and industry groups in Ikorodu Division into one strong body, whose synergy will enhance the ease of doing business with the concomitant effect of attracting more businesses to all the major communities of the emerging cosmopolitan city of Ikorodu Division’.
The newly elected executive members of the Ikorodu Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) will be formally inaugurated at a public event coming up soon.