At a time when global economy is witnessing a downward trend due to the ripple effects of the Coronavirus pandemic and countries are focusing on salvaging their economies by supporting businesses that can drive massive industrial growth, the Nigerian Global Business Forum (NGBF), an umbrella organisation for Nigerian Business Forums in the UK, USA, Ireland, Austria the Caribbean etc in partnership with Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(NACCIMA), the umbrella body for all  City, State, Regional , Bilateral and Multilateral Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria have joined forces to partner on a wide range of activities covering initiatives such as the development of Industrial parks,(light factories), organising of workshops, exhibitions, conferences, trade missions, policy advocacy and much more.

The objective of this historic and ground breaking partnership as noted by Mr Afolabi Andu, President of NGBF, is to primarily establish Nigeria’s economic growth and ensure sustainability through the strategic involvement of both the NACCIMA Membership network alongside the NGBF members. Corraborating this, Otunba Dele Oye Esq., 2nd Deputy President of NACCIMA emphasised that with this partnership, there is bound to be a healthy exchange of ideas and commercial interface between both organisations which will invariably be to the country’s overall benefit.

The strategic partnership between NACCIMA and NGBF is an actualization of one of Hajiya Saratu Iya Aliyu’s  principle objectives for her tenure as National President of Nigeria, which is to promote and develop all matters affecting business through provision of a network for national and international business. NACCIMA was established in 1960 to provide advocacy, trade promotion, business development, capacity building, research and mediation on trade and investment. Currently the organisation as well has over five thousand registered members across Nigeria.

With oil price hovering around $30 per barrel and the country in another recession technically, there’s no better time for diversification into non-oil sectors of the economy for GDP growth.

Andu further reiterated the view that no one can help to develop our economy, stating that it is not done anywhere in the world as countries view it as a slight on a nation’s dignity and an evident security risk to the country’s wellbeing. Hence, the need for paradigms shift rather than trading blames.

He also pointed that most of the Asian and Far Eastern brands globally recognized today, emerged through the vision of Industrial  Parks where quality national brands were initially established now resulting into global Brands.

“This is in line with our strategy of systematically and deliberately working towards the development of formidable Nigerian brands through our strategic partnership” states Andu.

The MOU signing for this partnership between NACCIMA and NGBF held via the Zoom online platform on Monday 1st June, 2020 was witnessed by NACCIMA team. Present for the signing was led by Otunba Dele Oye Esq., 2nd Deputy President of NACCIMA who represented the National President, Hajiya Saratu Iya Aliyu. Other key members of the team present include Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu, National Vice President of NACCIMA; Chief Kola Akosile, Elected Exofficio member of NACCIMA and president of ODUACCIMA; and Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni, the Director General of NACCIMA. Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni executed the signing on behalf of Naccima, while Otunba Dele Oye Esq. witnessed for NACCIMA.

The NGBF team present for the signing was led by Mr. Afolabi Andu, the President of NGBF. Other members of the NGBF team present include Mr. Tony Awobode; Dr Remi Duyile representing the Nigeria-America Business Forum, Professor  Rotimi Jaiyesimi, Chair of the Nigerian British Business Forum Health Sector, Mr Emanuel Okoroafor from NBBF and Mr Lance Kadiri also from The Nigerian British Business Forum amongst others. Mr  Afolabi Andu, President of the Nigerian Global Business Forum signed the MOU on behalf of NGBF whilst the document was witnessed by Mr Victor Nwoke, Admin Executive for the Forum.

More information on the partners can be found at www.ncbizforum.com and www.naccima.com.

1st June 2020.