65th AGM: NACCIMA delegates pay courtesy visit to Emir of Ilorin
• Jani Ibrahim equal to the task as President: Emir
• Outgoing President commends monarch for supporting enabling business environment
Delegates of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, as part of activities commemorating the 65th Annual General Meeting/Conference of the premier association in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Going into its second day, the event was flagged off on Tuesday by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq with a golf tournament at the Ilorin Golf Club.
Leading delegates to the palace of the first class monarch, NACCIMA President, Barr. Dele Oye, said the visit was to seek royal blessings for the association and the incoming leadership.
The outgoing President commended the Emir for his contributions to peace and stability which have led to an enabling environment for businesses in Ilorin and Kwara State at large.
“We visited major companies in the state yesterday, and we are very impressed to see the quantum of investments in various sectors. The city is also peaceful. We have been going around with no threats,” he said.
Barr. Dele Oye also said in his remarks that NACCIMA remains a strategic and important partner for any government seeking to shore up its foreign direct investment.
He informed the Emir of Engr. Jani Ibrahim’s appointment as the new President of the association, expressing confidence in his ability to lead NACCIMA considering his wealth of experience and contacts.
In his remarks, the Emir of Ilorin said he is honoured to host NACCIMA, an association comprising men and women who have recorded success in various fields and business practices.
“Your choice of Ilorin for your Annual General Meeting is very timely and strategic. Ilorin is now bigger and will continue to grow,” the Emir said.
“We are ready to support businesses. We have been supporting you before and we will continue to do so. May God bless everyone of you. May your organisation continue to rise.”
The Emir meanwhile affirmed that Engr. Jani Ibrahim is equal to the task as the new President of NACCIMA.
“I’ve known Jani for a long time. He is my son. He is very gentle but smart. It’s a great honour for him to be so appointed. I can say that he is up to the task.”
For his part, the incoming President, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, thanked the Emir of Ilorin for the privilege of the visit.
He said one of his priorities in office will be to promote citizenship by investment in Nigeria.
“Your Royal Highness, our past presidents have done exceedingly well. Ours is just to build on the solid foundation they have laid,” the Kwara-born business man said.
Engr. Jani also lauded Governor AbdulRazaq for his urban renewal projects that have changed the face of Ilorin.
Later in the day, the delegates visited state-owned Ilorin Innovation Hub, where they were received by the Managing Director, Mr. Temi Kolawole. The visitors were briefed on the operations of the hub established by Governor AbdulRazaq, and then conducted round various sections.
The days-long event will culminate with a conference and investiture dinner on Thursday.
