By Modupe Gbadeyanka
All is now set for the maiden edition of the Ota Trade Exhibition (OTE), which is slated for Thursday, November 30, to Sunday, December 3, at the Ijamido Town Hall in Ota, Ogun State.
Already, many entrepreneurs, especially those in the small and medium-scaled sector, have started jostling for space at the event so as to showcase their products to the array of people ready to storm the exhibition.
Organisers of the event, Perfect Brands, explained that the 2017 OTE is aimed at supporting Nigeria’s quest to achieve a virile industrialised economy by providing a platform for the nation’s small and medium scale enterprises.
According to Chief Executive Officer of Perfect Brands, Mr Fisayo Ajibola, the theme of the fair ‘Providing Veritable Platform for Commerce and Industry Growth’ is apt and timely in the face of the current economic realities which underscore the need for diversification and inter-sectoral synergy.
Mr Ajibola, during the unveiling and public presentation of the OTE 2017 prospectus, called on all industry players to support the efforts of the local government in making Ota, the business hub of Ogun State a force to reckon with.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Prince Bashir Oladele Adeniji, said the he was delighted to be host the exhibition at this crucial time when the country’s economy is undergoing a recovery from recession it slumped into last year.
He expressed optimism that this exhibition will impact positively on the socio-economy of Ota and its neighbours as it will further open up Ota to world and positions it towards maximizing its full potentials as the industrial and commercial nerve centre of Ogun State.
“The exhibition will bring people from all walks of life to Ota from manufacturers to vendors and shoppers and this is good for us all. Everyone will benefit when the biggest and quality brands come to display in Ota.
“Our government is looking forward to this and we enjoin everyone to embrace the unique opportunity and make the best out of it. We as a government will continue in our effort to ensure the ease of doing business,” Mr Adeniji added.
The exhibition project coordinator, Mr Abiodun Ogundele, also disclosed that 50,000 visitors and over 500 exhibitors across the country were expected at the general consumer fair billed to last four days.
“The fair will close with a gala night and an interactive session that will afford experts, business owners and other stakeholders the opportunity to discuss ways to position Ota as the mainstream of commercial activity in Ogun State and as well network in a relax atmosphere” Mr Ogundele assured.
Ota Trade Exhibition is an annual fair that will have multinationals, local manufacturers and SMEs among others showcase their services and products to the whole world at large.
It will also be an avenue for companies within and outside Ogun State to have a first-hand feel of their consumers and intimate them with their product and services.
Dipo Olowookere 
Adedapo Adesanya