SMEs, VENDORS COMMEND LAGOS STATE GOVT FOR SUCCESS OF LAGOS TOURISM NBC TRADE FAIR
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As the three-day Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair concluded on Sunday, the Lagos State Government received praise for its support of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs, helping them enhance their brand visibility on the global stage.
The commendation came from Mrs. Nelly Agbogu, the Convener of the Naija Brand Chick (NBC), who expressed her appreciation for the financial and corporate institutions, entrepreneurs, vendors, and other participants at the trade fair, which was held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking to journalists after the trade fair, which ran from Friday, April 11, to Sunday, April 13, Agbogu highlighted the successful partnership between her organization and the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, noting how it has contributed to the success of the commercial activities.
Agbogu, visibly pleased with the outcome, proudly stated that this year’s edition of the Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair exceeded the success of last year’s event, which generated over N1.3 billion in revenue. She also pointed out that many entrepreneurs from other states had participated this year, further expanding the fair’s reach.
She said: “This year’s Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair has been an amazing experience; business owners are happy, and I am also happy we have broken the last edition’s record of revenue generation.
“I can say categorically I have been to many states in the country, but none comes close to the support we got from the Lagos State government. It is really huge, and I am grateful. I appreciate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, for throwing their weight behind the Naija Brand Chick Trade Fair. I do not take the support for granted. We are hopeful of a more successful outing in the next edition, which will take place on Lagos Mainland.”
Speaking on the success of the trade fair, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of over 100,000 participants for the three days, as vendors made massive sales.
Aregbe thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the initiative of infusing entertainment into commerce, as the creative economy also boosted sales generation for participating brands.
He said: “This is what Lagos is all about – putting smiles on the faces of small and medium-scale entrepreneurs by supporting them – and I want to specifically thank our Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for believing in this initiative. The Lagos State Government was actively involved in ensuring the trade fair where people from different parts of the world shop right, shop smart, and save costs.
The entertainment aspect is not all about dancing alone but using entertainment to drive commerce. Lagos has the huge market, and it took the advantage to show SMEs to the global map. I am indeed happy about the success of the trade fair.”
Also speaking, the Divisional Head for Retail and SMEs of Wema Bank, Ayodele Olojede, said the three-day trade fair has opened and unlocked further opportunities for SMEs in Lagos State.
She said: “SMEs represent a critical component of those who contribute to the GDP of this country. The more we do this, the more we are able to create avenues for them to be able to sell, and ultimately the government wins.
“The Lagos State Government, which is supporting this programme, would be the first beneficiary in the form of SMEs being economic contributors to Lagos State and, of course, Nigeria as a whole. So, we are very excited at everybody recognising and acknowledging what SMEs represent in this country, and we are all here to facilitate their growth, particularly in Lagos State.”
Many vendors who spoke at the fair praised Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for providing them with opportunities to sell their goods. They pointed out that the items they sold in three days at the trade show were typically the same items they sold in their offices and stores over the course of weeks and months.
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