The Lagos State Government has partnered with the Lagos Island Connect (LIC) to organise the maiden edition of the Lagos Island Business Fair scheduled to hold from Thursday, 24th to Sunday, 27th November, 2022 at the Tafawa Balewa Square, (TBS) Onikan, Lagos Island.
Speaking at a Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, The Secretariat, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos on Friday to announce the programme, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Dr. (Mrs.) Lola Akande, described the Fair as well thought-out for it bears direct relevance to the clarion call of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of transforming and positioning the State for the 21st Century Economy.
Her words: “LI-BIZ-FAIR is a one-of-a-kind event designed to encourage the promotion of business and social enterprise among Entrepreneurs, particularly the youths, create opportunities to identify comparative advantages present in Lagos Island and strengthen bottom-up growth for continuous business interaction and socio-economic security. It will also provide training opportunities for MSMEs in Business Education, Networking and Leadership during the masterclass sessions”.
Akande noted that the State considers the Fair important because it focuses on all MSMEs not only in Lagos Island but also in Lagos State and Nigeria in general, stressing that it was created to give special attention to youth entrepreneurs.
“The Lagos Island Business Fair falls into the category of other similar events in which the administration, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, collaborated to ensure exposure of our MSMEs to the outside world. I want to assure you that the administration of Mr. Governor will work towards implementing this initiative as a yearly programme”, she said.
Speaking earlier, the Co-Founder, Lagos Island Connect (LIC), which initiated the Fair, Mrs. Yemi Ransome-Kuti stated that its organisation, with the support of stakeholders, birthed the idea of a fit-for-purpose socio-economic model that is designed to meet both the present and future needs of businesses and youth population in the Lagos Island area in particular and Lagos State at large.
“The idea of the Lagos Island Business Fair 2022 originated from the Needs Assessment Survey conducted by LIC. The Fair is a logical platform that will be leveraged to launch and introduce the various concepts to the wider audience and policymakers. The Fair aims to provide Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and Artisans in Lagos Island with business education and networking opportunities to learn effective, professional organisational styles and leadership qualities”, she revealed.
Ransome-Kuti commended Lagos State Government for the tremendous support it is providing MSMEs in the State and for supporting the Fair.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration is doing very well to empower the MSMEs but most of the young businesses are not aware. So, this event will provide an opportunity for such businesses to further gain access to the market and tap from the numerous opportunities provided by the State Government”, she remarked.
She further stated that the aim is to replicate the Fair in the 20 Local Government Areas and the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the State, expressing her belief that such will serve as a great opportunity to boost the economy of Lagos State and the lives of emerging entrepreneurs.
