Centenary exhibition to promote intra-trade in Nigeria

The trade fair slated for January 13 to February 3, 2014, is expected to promote intra-trade among various ethnic groups in the country.

This was stated by chairman of the Nigeria Centenary Exhibition, Eze Romel Emenike in Abuja recently, at the maiden press conference of the exhibition that it “is meant to showcase Nigeria’s ingenuity from when the Northern and Southern Protectorates were amalgamated to form an entity called Nigeria in 1914 till date.”

According to Emenike, Nigeria has something to celebrate in terms of trade and commerce, especially in the progress made on improved products and services, processes and techniques.

“The exhibition is to show where we were, where we are, where we desired to be and where we want to be. We may not be where we desired to be today, but because it is an international exhibition of products and services, local

and international, it is our belief that the interaction and interface between the local and international exhibitors will create a synergy in the areas where we need mutual help,” Emenike said.

This, the chairman said, will help create a vehicle that would take the country to the desired destination of being among the 20 strongest economies in the world by the year 2020.

Speaking in the same vein, the project co-ordinator, Okundaye Obhiozele, said “this exhibition will boost Nigeria’s economic profile and engender confidence in all that the country has to offer, show its huge market

potential and indicate that it is ready to grow and sustain its position as the giant of Africa.”

Despite the daunting challenges, the nation’s spirit has grown strong enough to overcome them, Obhiozele noted, considering that the economic indices have remained favourable over time.

He explained that “the difference between this exhibition and conventional trade fairs is that this is being organised basically to prove that the nation can hold its own economically.

“By showcasing what have been and what we are now and ultimately where we are going as a nation, we will be making bold statements to investors that Nigeria remains one of the best investment destinations across the globe.”

Obhiozele further informed that Nigeria would through the exhibition throw its doors open to foreign partners and collaborators, saying that all embassies and business communities in the country, especially the multinational companies, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government are expected to participate in the event.

He added that various state governments would also use the opportunity to showcase the unique products from their states.

In his remarks, chairman of the press conference, India Garba, said the exhibition would enable Nigeria showcase what it had been able to achieve in terms of trade and commerce in the last 100 years.

Garba, who is the vice president of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, said the chamber agreed to partner the organisers in order to promote commercial activities in the country.

By: Harrison Edeh