Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and the Lagos State Polytechnic are to stage a trade fair at Ikorodu in Lagos State, to boost business opportunities and exploit untapped resources in the town.
The fair, slated for April 8 to April 17, is headlined “Optimal Utilisation of Untapped Resources in Ikorodu Division for Lagos State Economic Advancement.’’
The second Vice-President of the chamber, Chief Olusegun Oduloye, made the announcement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday.
Oduloye said that `IKODIV Expo 2020’, was an innovative business collaboration between Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu and ICCI to bring development to the grassroots.
According to him, this is the first fair to be organised in Ikorodu since the establishment of the ICCI.
“This is the maiden edition of our trade fair, aimed at boosting economic activities not just in Ikorodu Division but in Lagos State as a whole.
“We added the phrase: `For Lagos State Advancement’ after liaising with the State Government. They felt we should get them involved.
“At the end of the day, whatever we do at the fair will add to the overall benefit of the State Government and its economic growth.”
Oduloye said the fair would provide opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises to grow their businesses and get networking opportunities.
“Having signed the necessary papers, we informed the State Government through the ministry of commerce, industry and cooperatives and they have given us full support.
“We have been able to convince some conglomerates to come and display their goods and services and they have given us their words.
“So we are expecting a lot of exhibitors at this fair. Exhibitors will get opportunities to boost their businesses as well as build good networking connections for their businesses.
“We have advised our exhibitors to knock down the prices of their wares to give buyers opportunities to purchase goods and services at affordable rates.”
Oduloye noted that students at the polytechnic would get opportunities to display their goods and services.
“The minimum price for exhibitors at the fair is N40, 000, that is N10, 000 per square metre. The minimum space we offer our exhibitors is four square metres.
“However, for large corporations who will come under our canopy with partitioning, it goes for N15, 000 per square metre, which amounts to N90, 000.
“We also have short-term training sessions at the fair. We have about 22 of such training, including crop production, poultry farming, soap and detergent making, etc.’’
