The Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria ( CICAN), has concluded plans to host it’s 2022 National Conference and Workshop on November 3, 2022.

The theme of the conference is “Manufacturing : Despite FX and Energy crisis”.

The Association comprising of over 100 members who are Publishers, Editors and Reporters in Print, Broadcast and Online medium, that report Commerce , Industry and Small and Medium Enterprise ( SME) sector of the country’s economy.

 The concluded plan is contained in a statement made by the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Charles Okonji in Lagos.

The statement says President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Otunba Francis Meshioye,

will  be the guest of honor while the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adebayo will be the Special Guest of Honour.

The event will take place at Sheraton Hotels and Towers in Lagos on the 3rd of November.

According to Mr. Okonjo, the theme was carefully selected because of the challenges of FX scarcity and high cost of fuel coupled with and high electricity tariff.

“We chose the theme knowing the plights of local manufacturers  who now have to rely on the parallel market to source for FX at a high rate”.

” FX had been exchanging for between N500 to N740 to $1 since the beginning of this year, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is unable to meet demands at the official window.

” The impact of the Russia and Ukraine war led to diesel being sold for as much as N700 to N900 a litre as against N200 to N300 it was before the outbreak of the conflict.

To this end, CICAN is assembling government officials, manufacturers, dons, experts from different fields, businessmen and women to brainstorm and proffer ways on how local manufacturers can cope with the current situation in the country, the statement stated.

The statement added that the Director General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi – Kadir will give the keynote address.

It also added that the Association will also used the occasion to honour some prominent Nigerians and firms for their various efforts towards moving the country’s forward.

Those to be honored, include the Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, his Ogun State counterpart Prince Dapo Abiodun.