REPORT OF THE 3RD
CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIA TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 19TH
MAY, 2021
The 3rd edition of the Conference of Nigeria Trade
Associations (CONiTA 2021) which has remained the largest gathering of diverse
trade associations in Nigeria was held at the LCCI Conference and Exhibition
Centre, Lagos, Nigeria on Wednesday 19th May 202. The theme of the year’s
conference was “Governance and Economic Prosperity in a Pandemic World”.
The conference which was conducted under strict adherence to
COVID-19 protocols, with minimal numbers of participants began with an opening
address by Mr. Nelson Obine, the convener who is also the Chief Sustainability
Advocate of People Planet and Profit Media. 
In his welcome speech, he re-echoed
the theme of the conference which is ‘Governance and Economic Prosperity in a
Pandemic World’ that it was born out of stern desire by a consortium of
leaders to lend a voice in the drive for inclusive growth, decent work, shared
prosperity and achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals
(SDGs) 2030 in Nigeria. The dominating aim has not change which is ‘to identify
modern ways of harnessing sustainable practices for diverse trade associations
across sectors and industry; explore the potentials and opportunities inherent
in our economy; establish enabling policies and recommendations for good
governance, inclusive growth and shared prosperity amid COVID-19 pandemics. In
a presentation, he said the spate of heinous events in Nigeria in recent time
should be addressed, stressing that “prosperity cannot be reckoned in the
atmosphere of threat and insecurity; and calls for stakeholders intervention if
we must drive sustainable development above board. Nigeria has over 500 hundred
trade associations, over 41.5 million MSME businesses operate in the country according
to a survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics and the SME
Development Agency of Nigeria, these teeming numbers portends influential
pedigree in the drive of good governance, inclusive growth and economic
sustenance in all sectors of the country.”
Nelson stressed that Trade Associations and across all
levels, individually and collectively where possible should open conversations
with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other related agencies and invest in
comprehensive preparedness and prevention programme.
In his submission he encouraged public and private institutions
to embrace the United Nations eight principles of good governance to ensure
sustainable leadership; that to address development challenges, insecurity,
scarcity and inflation whether large or small, the world need to commit to
cooperation and coordination both within and between countries; we must commit
to working together for long term, working better and achieving predefined
results.
“We recognize our corporate partners and sponsors; News
Express, Lagos City Reporters, Economywatch and other media organizations,
Guinness Nigeria, Nigeria Breweries, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and
Safety Agency (NIMASA) for believing in our mission and throwing-in their
in-kind support, we encourage you for open doors when our call for next edition
CONiTA 2022 begins; rest assured we will live up to and surpass your
expectations,” he said.
Participants took turn to make their presentations with
provisions for question and answers across guest and speakers.
One of the keynote Speaker, Mr.
Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in a goodwill
message represented by Susie Onwuka congratulated the Nigeria Trade Associations on the
successful hosting of this conference, whose theme underscores the symbiotic
relationship between stewardship and the economic well-being of the people. He
stated that it is only good governance, both in public and private sectors of
the economy that can guarantee sustainable economic development and prosperity
in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, in good times, and in
difficult times, those in corporate governance and political leadership must
strive to create the enabling environment for citizens to attain their greatest
potentials.
He affirmed that the
cardinal mandate of the FCCPC is to promote economic efficiency through the
maintenance of competitive markets in Nigeria, protection of consumers’ rights
and the promotion of their interest and welfare; in order to build a resilient
economy for Nigeria in the pandemic world and ensure that the already
precarious economic situation is not exploited by unscrupulous businesses,
individuals or entities, the Commission undertakes activities to prevent
unconscionable business practices with respect to basic safety and personal
hygiene products.
In the goodwill message he said the Commission’s enabling
law, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018,
encourages FCCPC to collaborate with trade associations, civil society, and
industry groups, among others to develop professional ethics and standards
aimed at enthroning best practices across board;“ I therefore extend a hand of
fellowship to the Nigeria Trade Associations in working towards the sustainable
economic development of the economy, and are optimistic that this conference
will provide a veritable platform to share experiences, build the capacity of
stakeholders and strategise towards promoting good governance and economic
development in the country”.
Mr. Tony Peters, a management/financial consultant in his
presentation, stressed that corporate governance is not strictly for
multinationals, big private organizations and public companies. It is a key for
start-ups, small and medium firms’ entrepreneurs’ as it is an important
foundation for the growth of every business. As a leader (Chairman, C.E.O &
Managing Director), if you understand governance and its importance as the
driver of the vision, 65% of the success of the business has been achieved, he
said. Tony advised that new entrepreneurs‘ start-ups, small and medium business
owners should seek for professional advice from business incubators or
management professionals from time to time for guidance as we are coming out
from the pandemic period and to as well survive in the current global space.
One of the Guest of Honour, Mr. Afolabi Adebayo Solebo, General
Manager of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA); emphasised the need for industry players to
develop and enforce quality standards designed to protect and safeguard the
interest of consumers. He said the agency has striven to achieve this through
regular public enlightenment with a vision to ensuring consumer satisfaction
and value for money. He said it is only when the public has good health that
you can run an economy successfully, hence the agency is beckoning on all
stakeholders to key into the driving force of development under the T.H.E.M.E.S.
agenda of the Lagos State government instituted by the Governor Babajide
Sanwo-Olu administration.
He said since its inception, the agency has received a total
of 3,336 cases and out which 2,960 were resolved, 237 ongoing, 139 referred to
other agencies and parastatals for action while 14 cases are in court.
Highlighting the agency’s achievement, Solebo said: “In the last two years the
agency has recovered more than N9 million from unscrupulous people doing all
forms of unscrupulous business. “Since inception, the agency has also recovered
a total sum of N134.2 million for people; for those who lodge their complains;
about a total sum of N49 million as well has been recovered for customers in
the last six months that I have been the General Manager of LASCOPA”.
While feeding questions from participants, he reiterated that
“The most important of the department is education; it is only when the
citizens are aware, that they even have right. Consumer has a right; that is
why the agency has been carrying out public enlightenment on radio and TV
stations.
“The only place you can go when your rights are being
infringed upon is the Lagos State Consumer Right Protection Agency. One of the
achievements of the agency is the continuous enlightenment of citizenry so that
they don’t buy product that has deformation. “Mr. Governor has given total
support to the agency and has zero tolerance to the right of consumers being
wasted here and there,” he said.
The Conference of Nigeria Trade Associations held on Wednesday 19th
May, 2021 at LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre in Lagos came to a climax
with an award ceremony in
a consensus reached by the organizing Committee; CONiTA 2021. The theme of this
year’s conference is Governance and Economic Prosperity in a Pandemic World.
Mr.
Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the Lagos
State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment bagged an Award of Recognition
respectively for outstanding dedication and commitment towards inclusive growth,
shared prosperity and sustainable development.
Award of Recognition was received by Mrs.
Susie Onwuka on behalf of its recipient Mr. Babatunde Irukera, the presentation
was made by Mr. Omotoba Saheed, President of the Association of Embroidery
Designers; while Mrs. J. O. Amida, President of the Lagos State Tailor and
Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (LASTFADAN) presented to the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, the Award
was received by Mr.
Babawale Thompson-John on-behalf ofDr. Chukwuka Onyekwenathe Ministry.
The recipients in a show of appreciation
commended the convener of the Event Mr. Nelson Obine and called on other
institutions and individuals to join hands in the drive towards achieving
sustainable development in Nigeria.
The Conference has held two editions
since it started in year 2018 with theme “Harnessing the Power of Trade
Associations for Good Governance, Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity”. The
theme for 2019 was “Convergence of Informal Sector and Trade Associations for
Sustainable Development”, both of them witnessed support and participation from
diverse sectors and industry and becoming a voice in the drive for sustainable
development.
Previous Speakers
The conference focused on sustainability for trade associations, chambers of commerce and sustainable business in Nigeria
It aims to drive honest conversation and generate dialogue around critical issues
Conversation focused around some of the changes we see in today’s
Governance and Leadership in times of pandemic in Nigeria
Discovering strategies to subdue these risks will be a huge factor for business survival day by day.
Discovering strategies to subdue these risks will be a huge factor for business survival day by day.
Discovering strategies to subdue these risks will be a huge factor for business survival day by day.
Discovering strategies to subdue these risks will be a huge factor for business survival day by day.
Discovering strategies to subdue these risks will be a huge factor for business survival day by day.