The Ogun State government says it will leave no stone unturned to ensure the forthcoming 13th Gateway International Trade Fair which is billed to hold between April 19 and 29, 2024 at the M.K.O Abiola International Trade Fair Complex, Abeokuta succeeds and exceeds past achievements.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela made this known in Abeokuta during an operational meeting with the executives of the OGUNCCIMA in preparation for the Fair stating that work was on-going to ensure the event meets the needs of exhibitors and participants as well as the aspirations of the State.

Sofela who was also in company of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Oluyemisi Somorin-Dawodu and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola said the Trade Fair which is organized annually by the Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) in collaboration with the State government would be different from past editions adding that the event would be an improved avenue for businesses to showcase their products.

He charged members of the OGUNCCIMA to work with the State government and do things differently in actualizing targets for the Fair noting that doing so would be mutually beneficial for government and the Business Membership Organisations(BMOs).

“We want to have a Trade Fair different from what we have been having and the Governor is interested in the quality and expansiveness of the Trade Fair. It must be different from the norm. It must not only meet the aspiration of the OGUNCCIMA and exhibitors but the expectation of the State. We need to work together and if we can do this I have no doubt that the Trade Fair would be successful,” the Commissioner said.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Oluyemisi Somorin-Dawodu said the government was working on attracting participants and visitors to the Fair through increased exhibitors and product offerings, robust publicity, and a more effective transportation system which would ease movement of visitors to the Trade Fair Complex.

Somorin-Dawodu who also disclosed that the event would go beyond exhibition of wide variety of products added that the Trade Fair would take an improved dimension this year with the introduction of an entertainment village and raffle draw programme which would afford the people of the State the opportunity to win a grand prize of a two-bedroom bungalow.

“We decided that this year we want to make the Fair bigger and better. One of the things we have introduced this year is the raffle draw that will help to bring more people to the Trade Fair and there will be daily prizes. The main prize is a two-bedroom bungalow. And we have also introduced the Entertainment Village where we are going to be selling drinks, food, etc there will be good music and a live band”.

In his contribution, President, OGUNCCIMA, Engr. Mike Akingbade
who lauded the support of the Ogun State government towards the yearly improvement of the Trade Fair assured that the members of the Council would work with an open mind towards holding a more improved Trade Fair.