Lagos State government, in partnership with the Lagos Island Connect (LIC), plans to organize 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.
This was announced by the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs Lola Akande, at a press briefing.
She described the Fair as well thought-out as it bears direct relevance to the clarion call of Governor Babajide 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 qualities during the masterclass sessions.”
Akande noted that the state considers the Fair important because while it focuses on all MSMEs in Lagos Island in particular and Lagos State/Nigeria in general, it is giving 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, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will work towards implementing this initiative as a yearly programme,” she said.
Speaking earlier, the co-Founder, of Lagos Island Connect (LIC), which initiated the Fair, Mrs. Yemi Ransome-Kuti stated that its organization, 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 small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and Artisans in Lagos Island with business education and networking opportunities to learn effective, professional organizational styles and leadership qualities,” she revealed.
Ransome-Kuti commended the Lagos State government for the great support it is providing MSMEs in the State and for supporting the Fair.
