Kogi Moves to Stage Mega Trade Fair, Mobilises Ministries for Ododo’s Economic Agenda
…. Fair to showcase state’s untapped agricultural, mineral and cultural wealth, attract investors
By Taiye Bayode
Kogi State is stepping up efforts to stage a Mega Trade Fair aimed at unlocking its vast economic potential, showcasing indigenous products and attracting local, national and international investors.
The initiative, which aligns with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s economic agenda, took a major step forward with a stakeholders’ planning meeting convened by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry at the State Secretariat, Lokoja.
The meeting brought together the Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KOCCIMA) and representatives of the Ministries of Education, Culture and Tourism, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Innovation, Science and Technology to coordinate preparations for the expanded fair.
The proposed event is expected to attract participation from Lagos State, other states of the federation and the international community.
Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu, said lessons from previous trade fairs would guide efforts to deliver a bigger, more impactful event.
He commended the private sector’s readiness to drive the initiative, stressing that government would strengthen and complement the momentum.
Shuaibu cited a previous engagement with a prospective investor in the aviation sector as evidence of the investment opportunities a well-packaged trade fair could unlock.
He proposed a committee of Permanent Secretaries from participating ministries to centrally coordinate preparations and directed that each ministry’s responsibilities be clearly defined.
Earlier, KOCCIMA Vice President, Hon. Akoh Jacobs, pledged the Chamber’s full support, describing the fair as a timely opportunity to harness Kogi’s agricultural, solid mineral and riverine resources.
He urged organisers to align the event with the governor’s economic agenda and position it as a platform for promoting locally made products to wider markets.
Jacobs cited locally manufactured ceramics and ties as examples of products with commercial potential, arguing that Kogi businesses could achieve greater national reach with the right exposure.
He stressed that commercial activities could generate employment and improve household incomes, calling for stronger collaboration between government, businesses and other stakeholders to translate the initiative into tangible economic benefits.
The participating ministries also pledged support for the proposed fair.
Representing the Commissioner for Education, Permanent Secretary Alabi Albert said the ministry would mobilise students from secondary and tertiary institutions and encourage community-based technical colleges to participate.
Director of Tourism Development, Tanko Inuwa, representing the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, pledged to showcase Kogi’s cultural heritage, indigenous artists and craft producers, recalling the state’s history of hosting trade fairs that attracted visitors from neighbouring states.
Yusuf Augustine, representing the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said he would present the initiative at the ministry’s next Joint Allocation Committee meeting and work with council chairmen and agricultural officers across the 21 local government areas to mobilise producers.
He proposed dedicated pavilions for each local government to display its economic strengths.
Similarly, Assistant Director of Administration in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Saliu Abdulkareem, disclosed that the ministry had an equipped innovation and ICT training centre nearing commissioning.
He said the ministry would showcase innovations through a dedicated pavilion, while its digital skills and e-commerce training initiatives could help young people participate in emerging business opportunities.
In her closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Hajia Sualihat Musa Amana, commended stakeholders for their contributions and expressed confidence that the planned Mega Trade Fair would surpass previous editions in scale and impact.
She said preparations would proceed to the next phase, building on the collaborative commitment demonstrated by the ministry, KOCCIMA and its sister ministries.
