HIghligt of the 6th Edition of CONiTA
Group Lament’s at the 6th Conference of Nigeria Trade Associations
Access Bank, First Bank, Flour Mill of Nigeria and Nigeria Breweries threw their weight behind the 6th Conference of Nigeria Trade Association (CONiTA 2024).
CONiTA, an annual multi-interface conference that provides platform for different trade associations, professional organizations and artisans both at formal and informal sector; business regulators, policy makers and sustainability advocates across industries to share practical models and ideas that can harness the inherent status of trade associations for good governance, inclusive growth and shared prosperity in Nigeria.
The theme of the year’s edition was: The Nexus of Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Trade Association in a Modern World. The Conference was held on Wednesday 30th October, 2024, at the LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.
The conference started with a prayer, national anthem and a welcome address delivered by Dr. Nelson Obine.
Dr. Nelson Obine, Convener and President of the Institute of Trade Associations Management in a welcome address expressed delight with First Bank for supporting the event once more. He said first bank has stand with the Conference since inception that their brand and their goodwill resonate with the participants.
Dr. Obine also recognized with appreciation Access Bank, Nigeria Flour Mill, and Nigeria Brewery for believing in the mission of the Conference and throwing-in their cash and in-kind support while encouraging other well-meaning corporations for open doors when call for next edition CONiTA 2025 begins.
Like the editions in the past, there was the opportunity for people to network and also deepened conversation about sustainability, marketing strategies and development of the Nigerian economy.
The conference was attended for free at no fees with prior registration to encourage mass participation and mix of diverse trade associations. Large numbers of the members of the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA) was also in attendance.
- Mr. Iyanda Olufemi, on behalf of the Guest speaker Princess Jumoke Owoola, Projects Director at the Center for Indigenous Knowledge, Development and Sustainability (CIKDAS) frowned at the act of foreigners taking over our resources and heritage through illegal mining with promises that never came through, he classified the act as an invasion of rural community across Nigeria with hidden agenda whose effect diminishes indigenous entrepreneurship, and stressed that this should not be taken for granted while he called on relevant government agencies to intervene.
- Mr. Adepeaiye Nurudeen of National Electronics Technicians Associations of Nigeria (NETAN) in his submission during the question-and-answer session laments over the importation of fake electrical parts into Nigeria, it is killing electronic repairers he said. And wants to know how government can provide help in stopping the importation of fake parts into the country.
- The leadership of the Lagos State United Waste Recycling Association lamented over the direct access to waste pickers by foreign players in the recycling business, especially the China and Indian owned organizations. The norm has been involving recycling chain of labour including pickers, preprocessors and other middlemen who supply waste to the processing company, thereafter supply to other companies as a raw material for their production, they said LAWMA is in charge for issuing licenses which is required to gain access to the dumpsite, that LAWMA is obviously aware of these practices. The implications according to Mrs. Akinlosotu Funmilayo, secretary to the association is that many people shall be rendered jobless, spiking unemployment rate and denial of government revenue through taxes which the chain of operators usually pay to the government account annually.
- Mr. Jerry Ukperoro of Association of Carton and Wastes Recycling Dealers of Nigeria (ACWREDON) stressed that foreign company came to exploit us, the advent of foreign players caused the death of indigenous craft and artisanal production, because they mass produce and sell directly in the local market thereby discouraging indigenous production and resentment, the Cain village at Maryland, the Adire culture and several other indigenous entrepreneurship business has become a shadow of itself, he said further that if the government do not come up with policies to revamp indigenous business; that the current 98% rate of informal sector employment might drop drastically below 45% and this would mean a chaos for Nigerian economy.
- Princess Jumoke Owoola represented by Mr. Iyanda Olufemi spoke on a topic “Unlocking potential for Indigenous Entrepreneurship strategy and success”, he said it is not too different from the basic concept of entrepreneurship whose motive is to make profit, it involves identification of investment opportunities and application of the available resources for successful growth. He encouraged artisans to take advantage of indigenous knowledge in production of materials that are highly demanded outside Nigeria for example charcoal are usually in demand abroad between September and February which could be added to their survival strategy as multiple streams of income in modern times. However, there are requirement and guidelines by the standard organization and the Nigeria export promotion council. In a recommendation, he said government should engage artisans in providing technologies with financial assistance and connecting to financial organizations like Bank of Industry for financial assistance.
- Chief Olalekan James a member of the Lagos State Charcoal Marketers Association (CMA) Alimosho chapter in the same opinion is calling on Lagos state government to proffer solution to the issue of soft loan for business expansion.
The question and answers section came to a close leaving several questions for the government agencies to answer in course of their association and daily operation. How can Government extend their financial incentives to Artisans? Are there collaborations between the bank of industry and Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment to train, support and patronize Artisans?
- Messrs.’ Ibrahim Rukayat of Tie and Dye Association asked to know the effort of government in regulating foreign businesses in Nigeria as it affects their industry.
- Engr. Sanya Gbolahan, President of the National Electronics Technicians Associations of Nigeria (NETAN) in a recommendation said aside training of Artisans, that in as much as they are well organized sector and can be located with ease, that government should get them connected to job that they can execute using their skills and knowledge acquired over time.
- Dr. Nelson Obine, President of the Institute of Trade Associations Management described how Trade Associations can promote sustainability practices for their members, the list include: Education and awareness; advocacy and policy influence, facilitating access to finance, supporting safety measures, encouraging innovation, monitoring and evaluation whose benefits he said includes: Enhanced brand reputation, increased members/customer loyalty, improved profitability, minimized regulatory risks and a being recognized as a contributor to sustainable development.
- Dr. Obine said every artisan and entrepreneur that is looking to expand their sales across the border should consider imbedding the practice of sustainability in their operation if they are not doing so already because it is one of the features of marketing strategy he did prescribe for African Artisans. There is tendency for potential customers and stakeholders to make demand for the sustainability practice that were embedded in the production and services being offered. Entrepreneurs seeking to fuse sustainability in their daily operation should focus on developing innovative business solutions that minimize environmental impact, conserve natural resources, and promote social equity.
- Dr. Obine further said Trade Associations should engage advocacy for sustainable practices, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing, involve itself in promoting industry-wide sustainability standards.
Speaking on marketing strategies for African Artisans, he analyzed the tools and platform with emphasis for Nigerians, he encouraged them to learn and adopt modern method associated with offline marketing strategies while taking advantages of availability of global market by engaging in online marketing also, instead of solely waiting for customers to meet them at one particular shop or location
Advisedly, he said it is high time for the government at all level to consider the allotment of site and building of ultra-modern market for artisans with the needed publicity and resources, this will go a long way to boost employment, apprenticeship, development and inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.
- The keynote speaker, Mrs. Taiwo Abiose, Director of Entrepreneurship Department, Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation & Employment through the assistant director, Mr. Wale Thompson buttressed the importance of practicing social responsibility in business undertakings. He called on Entrepreneurs and Artisans to focus on solution instead of alarming over problems day by day, the Japan, China and other developed nations we use as an example today focused on solution where others are magnifying their problems. It is solution that has brought the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) innovation that we are currently embracing to run our motor vehicles.
The Conference has held five editions since it started in 2018 with theme “Harnessing the Power of Trade Associations for Good Governance, Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity”.
2023 Theme: Prerequisite for Acceleration of Economic Growth and Development in Modern Nigeria
2022 Theme: The Place of Small and Micro Enterprise for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa.
2021 Theme: Governance and Economic Prosperity in a Pandemic World
2019 Theme: Convergence of Informal Sector and Trade Associations for Sustainable Development.
2019 Theme: Harnessing the Power of Trade Associations for Good Governance, Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity.