Agege Int’l trade fair targets 50,000 participants on entrepreneurship
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Mr. Omotileolawa Folahan
Organisers of the 2021 Agege International Trade Fair, has assured of their readiness to host about 500 vendors and 50,000 participants daily to boost entrepreneurship.
The Convener of the fair, Mr Omotileolawa Folahan, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos.
Folahan said the Agege International Trade fair, scheduled for July 13 to19, was aimed at boosting entrepreneurship and promotion of the SMEs in the state.
“The Agege International Trade fair is an innovative platform developed to help the average entrepreneur in Lagos State to grow. Our aim is to host over 500 vendors with 50,000 visitors daily.
“This year’s edition will be a physical and a virtual event, with participants from around the world.
“Participants can order for products from anywhere in the world with a 50 per cent discount on delivery within Lagos.
“The fair will go a long way in boosting trade and commerce in the state as well as reduce unemployment.
“We are also focusing on how our vendors will make big sales and return for their investment.
“The fair is going to be affordable for all the SMEs as our stands sell for as low as N40,000 for the seven days, vendors can also share stands to display their goods,” he said.
Folahan also commended the Lagos Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperative (MCIC) for their support to ensure success.
“We want to appreciate the MCIC for throwing their support behind the fair. We have been assured of their full support toward the success of the fair,” Folahan said.
Also speaking, the Agege Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Ogunjobi, commended the organisers, saying the council would support the fair to make it successful.
Ogunjobi was represented at the event by Mr Rotimi Sulaimon.
“We are fully behind this trade fair, this event is ours. It is one of the biggest events in our council area.
“We are glad the fair was a success when it commenced two years ago. We must appreciate the roles the SMEs play in our economy.
“We will be deceiving ourselves if we think the government is the sole driver of our economy. We assure our visitors that it is going to be a good outing for all participants,” Ogunjobi said.
On his part, the Special Assistant to the Kano State Governor (Lagos Affairs), Mr Anthony Oneya, said the fair would be an opportunity for Kano and Lagos states to strengthen their bilateral trade agreement signed in 2018.
“In 2018, the governors of Lagos and Kano signed a partnership for economic productivity. Both states are similar in commercial activities.
“As far back as 1932 the first settlers of the Arewa people (of which most were from Kano) settled in Agege. They traded here, when the rails passed through Agege.
“It is an honour to be part of this trade fair. With the fair we hope we hope to drive trade between the people of Lagos and Kano,” Oneya said.
(NAN)
