By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The giant strides of Dangote Group in economic development of the country through massive investments in several sectors of the economy have been applauded.
This applause was given by President of the Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), Mrs Adesola Adebutu, at the 8th Gateway Trade Fair holding in Abeokuta Ogun State.
Mrs Adebutu said these strides should be emulated by Nigerians. She said the support given by the Dangote Group went a long way in making the staging of the fair a success.
She explained that the theme of the Fair, “Promoting Agricultural Value Chain through SMES for Nigeria Economic Recovery”, was chosen in line with Ogun state’s policy of Agricultural industrialization which is also in consonance with the national policy of repositioning agriculture as the viable alternative to oil.
Mrs Adebutu stated that OGUNCCIMA was planned to be a clear departure from the past such that this year’s will rekindle the interest of the old investors and introduce new ones in new opportunities for its investments in Ogun State.
In his opening address, the Ogun State Governor, Mr Ibikunle Amosu, thanked OGUNCCIMA for taking up the challenge to organize the fair despite paucity of funds and logistics challenges.
He said Nigeria was blessed with climate that can sustain agriculture all year round and that it’s heartening that the federal government is leading the way in diversification of the economy from oil based to agriculture whose value chain can create millions of employment.