IT IS CRUCIAL FOR BUSINESSES TO LOOK FOR AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY GLOBAL RECOVERY – LCCI BOSS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Asiwaju Michael Olawale-Cole, the President and Chairman of the Council of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has said that the dreaded COVID-19 crisis gave the LCCI the opportunity to “re-evaluate” its operational model, reorganize its operational procedures, and expand its range of services, policy advocacy, initiatives, and programs in order to better support the growth of the business community and the economy as a whole.

He stated this on Wednesday during his speech at the induction ceremony of new 57 newly admitted members.

While giving his speech, he also said that, it is crucial for businesses to look for and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the global recovery adding that the Covid-19 challenges created new opportunities that “we must never allow to waste away.”

He listed the opportunities to include: ā€œdiagnosis of actions taken, data, trend and insights on lessons learned from the pandemic, and then using the outcomes to prioritise strategic measures to enhance business operation and build strategic resilience for future.ā€

The President said: ā€œAs we formally induct your company into the Lagos Chamberā€™s family today, I wish to emphasise the commitment of the Lagos Chamber to the cherished tradition of high ethical standards, innovation, continuous improvement, integrity, and good corporate governance in business practice.

ā€œAs business owners and managers, though your primary obligation is to maximise profit, I charge you to pay adequate attention to the integrity of your business transactions and practices, environment, climate actions and social sustainability. I, therefore, enjoin you all to be committed to the core principles of high ethical standards, global best practices, and responsible corporate citizenships. Indeed, the Chamber has a code of business ethics to which all members are to subscribe.

ā€œThe Lagos Chamber has been reinforced to continue to consistently provide services that meet the needs and expectations of our valued customers and esteemed stakeholders to catalyse private enterprises and organisations to achieve full potentials in terms of sustainable growth and global competitivenessā€.

Following the pandemic experience, Otunba Olawale-Cole said it was expedient for members to position their organisations, so as to benefit optimally from the specially designed initiatives and programmes of the Chamber.

He noted: ā€œI am confident that with your active participation in the activities of the Chamber, your businesses will derive tremendous benefits.ā€

The President congratulated the inductees as bonafide members of the LCCI, wishing them further successes and prosperity in their endeavours.

Meanwhile, Otunba Olawale-Cole established that LCCI remained the leading voice of the private sector through its sustained public policy advocacy, stakeholdersā€™ engagement and trade promotion activities.

He informed that the Chamber has dedicated resources and energy to consistently promote and protect private enterprise development, commercial and industry activities to foster global competitiveness of the Nigeria economy.

ā€œThe goal of the Lagos Chamber is encapsulated in our mission which is: ā€œTo promote and protect the interest of its members and the business community at large through public policy advocacy, creation and facilitation of commercial and industrial opportunities, provision of business development service and observance of highest standard of business ethicsā€™ā€™.

“The efforts and sacrifice of LCCIā€™s visioners, founding fathers and successive leadership to give us an institution we are all proud to be associated with cannot be overemphasised. They laboured passionately and unconditionally to preserve the cherished legacy of impeccable, impartial, and faithful service to all.

“Their commitment to actualisation of the mission and strategic goal is the backbone of the Lagos Chamberā€™s progress and growing popularity in Nigeria and across the world.Ā  I make bold to inform you that the LCCI is the only chamber of commerce in Nigeria that is appointed to the General Council of World Chambers Federation (WCF) to reaffirm the Lagos Chamberā€™s relevance in the international chamber movement.

Olawale-Cole also mentioned that, “In the quest to continue to play leadership roles in the chamberā€™s movement in West Africa, the LCCI in year 2020 bagged International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 certificate, thereby becoming the first Chamber of Commerce in West Africa sub-region to be ISO certified and the second in the Continent of Africa. Another milestone we relish with pride!ā€

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