Expert Advises FG On Conducive Business Environment As Oyo Mega Trade Fair Unveils Logo

The Federal Government has been called upon to create an enabling environment for business initiatives to grow and blossom in Oyo State in particular and the entire nation in general and other states of the nation.

Speaking in Ibadan while unveiling the logo of the forth-coming Oyo Mega Trade Fair, the President of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Mr. Rotimi Adeyeye, said it was the duty of government to create an enabling environment for the players and not to dabble into business ventures.

“What the government ought to do was to create conducive atmosphere by putting the necessary infrastructure in place, providing the right social amenities and utilities and instituting independent regulatory agencies to play the role of umpires rather than entering the field of play as active participants” he said.

Adeyeye stated further that when governments run businesses, they put themselves in the awkward position of being both a player and referee on the same game of play. He commended the Oyo State Government for making Ibadan, the state capital more business-friendly.

Speaking earlier at the event, the President of Oyo Mega Trade Fair, Mr. Delight Owoyemi, laid emphasis on the trade fair bringing business opportunities to investors home and abroad and also showcasing industrial and technological innovations.

“The 10-day trade fair, which will kick off at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Oyo State on August 9, aimed at building brands of major manufacturers, opening up Oyo State business opportunities to investors within and outside Nigeria, exchanging technical and commercial information as well as showcasing industrial and technological innovations,”Owoyemi said.

He also said that “in addition the trade fair would afford local and foreign investors an opportunity to seal deals and offer exhibitors and visitors a life time opportunity to buy and sell at bargain prices”.

According to him, this year’s trade fair, which has the theme, ‘Manufacturing Opportunities in Sensitizing the Nigerian Economy for Investment Evolution’, will attract no fewer than 20 sponsors and 10 partners, as well as over 1,000 exhibitors, apart from local governments. He stated further that about 100 companies will have their special days at the event.

The Fair President revealed that arrangements were being concluded to ensure seamless traffic and security as over 30,000 visitors are expected at the fair on daily basis.

Owoyemi, who initiated and organized last year’s Oyo State Trade Fair in collaboration with the state government said many who had thought it was impossible to stage a successful trade fair in Oyo State were pleasantly surprised at its success, adding that from what is being planned, last year’s trade fair would turn out to be like a mere dress rehearsal.

He said “after the success of last year’s trade exhibition, the persistent calls from sponsors, partners and exhibitors was ‘don’t stop the music.’ However, if the stakeholders in that edition of the trade fair are adjudging it to be successful, we have chosen not to be carried away by the accolades but to regard it as dress rehearsal to what we want to hold this year.

“From what we have conceived, what we are planning and from the green light which we are receiving from all quarters, the proposed 10-day trade fair coming up at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, from 9 – 18 August this year is going to be the mother of all trade fairs”.

Owoyemi said in view of trade fair being a marketing effort, the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) was being carried along strategically as partner in the project.

He said “you all know as much as I do that all professionally qualified marketing executives, officers, managers and directors in both the public and private sector organizations in Nigeria are members of NIMN.”

The logo unveiling ceremony, which took place at the conference centre of the University of Ibadan, was attended by representatives of prospective sponsors, partners, exhibitors, brand and marketing communication professionals, as well as other stakeholders.