All is now set for the 2024 National conference of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) slated to take place at Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, 2nd floor, Radisson Blu Hotel, 38 – 40, Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, on Thursday 21st, November 2024, by 10:00AM.

The theme of the conference is “Navigating Fiscal and Monetary Policy Challenges As Threats To $1 Trillion GDP Target By 2030”.

The event will play host to two states governors – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and his counterpart, the Executive Governor of Gombe State, His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, and other top government functionaries as well as captains of industries.

While the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, will lead government functionaries like the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji to the conference, the President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture ( NACCIMA), Otunba Dele Oye Kelvin Esq, will be on ground to receive attendees from the manufacturing and organised private sectors including the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otunba Francis Meshioye, among others at the occasion.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bullion Go-Neat Global Limited and a chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ogun State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, and other important dignitaries have signified their intentions to grace this year’s CICAN conference and awards ceremony in Lagos.

The Director-General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir is expected to be the keynote speaker: “Manufacturing: $1trillion GDP target by 2030: Realities & Possibilities.”

According to a press statement jointly signed by CICAN’s National Chairman, Mr. Charles Okonji and the Event’s Chairperson, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan and made available to journalists in Lagos today, this year’s workshop is expected to be a power-packed action standard event, expected to attract large turnout of Very Important Personalities (VIPs), key stakeholders in the Organized Private Sector (OPS), including Director-Generals of LCCI, NACCIMA, NECA, Director-Generals of some parasatals under the ministry of Industry, Trade and investment, Past President of NACCIMA, tax experts, captains of industries, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of many private firms, top blue-chip manufacturing firms, renowned trailblazers in the country’s business community and other dignitaries.

The statement stated that there will be a cultural heritage display in action to entertain guests and dignitaries at the event

Special guests expected to grace the event include, the CEO, Mallinson & Partners, Mr. Afarm Mallinson Ukatu, the Chairman, NIDO Russia, Mr. Uwem Sampson Edimo, the CEO, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, and a host of others.

The statement stated there will be representatives of SON, UBA, NQC, BoI, Moniepoint, Capacious Farms Limited, CAC and others in attendance.

Already indicated interest in the manufacturing to participate in the CICAN 2024 Workshop are; the Coleman Wire and Cables, Dufil Prima Foods Limited, makers of Indomie Noodles, Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), Rite Foods Limited, Unilever Nigeria Limited, Origin Tech Group, Dangote Industries Group (DIL), Tascon Plastic Industry, TGI among others.

The statement added that the association will also confer it’s prestigious crystal excellence award on some captains of industry who are loyal partners with CICAN for always supporting her event activities.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu, the statement stated, will be conferred with the Best Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) & Infrastructure Governor in Nigeria For The Year 2024, while Executive Governor of Gombe State, His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, will be awarded the Overall Best State Governor In Ease Of Doing Business In Nigeria For The Year 2024.

Origin Tech Group will be honoured as Best Performing Agro-Allied Company In Nigeria For The Year 2024 for spearheading the Greener Hope Agriculture Mechanization Productivity Programme (GHAPP). 

Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Chairman, FIRS; Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo of Bullion Go-Neat Global Limited, amongst others will be receiving the CICAN prestigious crystal excellence awards for their invaluable contribution to CICAN activities.

This year’s CICAN workshop and award ceremony will be anchored by Alhaji Abiola Ismail of MiTV and Mrs. Funmi Adeoye of FRCN as Master of Ceremony (MC).