By
Taiye Bayode
Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration has continued to place industrial growth, trade expansion and investment promotion at the heart of Kogi State’s development agenda, a commitment reaffirmed once again as the state joined other sub-nationals at the 17th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI), held over five days in Enugu State.
The Kogi Commissioner for Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu, led a delegation of the Ministry, including the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Musa-Amana Sualihat, Director PRS, Mr Ibrahim Adejo, Director Industry, Mrs. Titilayo Florence Akerejola & HDPO, Mr Oluwatimilehin A. Joash, where Kogi State was among the states represented at the Council.
The five-day event, held in Enugu, under the theme, “Enhancing Competitiveness in Industry, Trade and Investment for Inclusive Growth and Global Market Integration,” brought together Commissioners of Commerce and Industry and other key officials from across the country, to enable practical dialogue, evaluate progress made on the resolutions of the last Council, and generate actionable recommendations to support industrial growth, trade expansion and investment promotion nationwide.
In her remarks, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR, appreciated members for their presence and charged the Council to individually and collectively make good use of the opportunity provided to expand the trade and industrial base of their respective states through programmes and policies that would benefit the people.
Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising industrial activities in the country, Dr Oduwole noted that the President had helped provide large-scale jobs for citizens at various levels, and is always on the drive to do more.
On his part, the Kogi State Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu, reiterated the commitment of His Excellency, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, to providing an enabling environment for industry, trade and investment activities to thrive in the State, reminding the Council of the industrial potential of Kogi State and pledging the State’s readiness to partnering with the Federal Government to upscale industry, trade and investment programmes across the country.
Further presenting the Ministry’s Memorandum, titled: “Digital Transformation and Innovation in Industry and Trade : Advancing Kogi State’s Digital Economy for Inclusive Growth”, the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Musa-Amana Sualihat further explained the achievements of Kogi, reiterating to the Council the need for inclusion of Kogi State’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the National Digital Trade and E-Commerce Facilitation Platform, while also soughting for Federal Government support for the expansion of broadband infrastructure to underserved Local Government Areas in Kogi State, in line with Resolution 16 of the 16th Council, among several other requests on behalf of the State.
Keynote speakers at the event identified industrial competitiveness and productivity, trade facilitation and market access strategy, digital transformation and innovation in industry and trade, regional and global market integration opportunities, as well as public-private partnership, as some of the pathways to achieving full-scale inclusive growth and market integration in the country.
Dignitaries at the event included the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR; the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh; the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu; and Council Members comprising 36 Commissioners of Commerce and Industry from across the Federation.
The Kogi State delegation expressed optimism that its participation at the Council would further strengthen the State’s partnership with the Federal Government and other stakeholders in advancing industrial growth, trade expansion and investment opportunities for the people of Kogi State.
