169 new companies join LCCI

One hundred and sixty-nine new firms have joined the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) as they crave for visibility, networking, advocacy and growth.

The 128-year-old LCCI has over the years served as a strong advocacy group for businesses, not only in Lagos but across the country.

This puts the total number of businesses that have joined the chamber in 2016 to 243, given that 74 companies were admitted into the chamber earlier in the year.

“This is the highest number of new members admitted in a single induction in recent history of the Lagos Chamber,” said Nike Akande, president, LCCI, during the induction of 169 new members in Lagos.

“This is a tribute to the rising profile of the chamber in recent times,” Akande said.

LCCI articulates the opinion of the business community on commerce, industry, mines, agriculture and the economy as a whole and offers numerous services to its members, especially in trade promotion, business information, business development, arbitration and mediation services, she said.

“As businessmen and women, we have obligations which transcend profit- making. We should pay adequate attention to the integrity of our business transactions and practices,” the LCCI president told the new inductees.

She said the chamber has gone a long way in building its present image and credibility through the vision, selfless services and integrity of illustrious founding fathers and their worthy successors, stressing that it behoves on the inheritors to keep the flag flying.

Also speaking, Toki Mabogunje, vice president and chairperson of the membership and welfare committee of the chamber, said there are many things to gain from being a member of the chamber, including access to business information, credibility and trust for international business, global business opportunities and partnerships, as well as interface with relevant organs of government.

Mabogunje said LCCI is constantly re-engineering its systems and processes to serve businesses better, adding that the chamber has a number of activities such as the international trade fair, exhibitions, monthly meetings, among others.

Some of the newly admitted companies include Okanume & Sons Limited, Obalola Trading Company, Inland Containers, Oriental Energy and FCG Services Limited, among others.

“No person can belong to more than one group. Belong to the sectoral group that involves your business. We need money to run the chamber, so pay your dues. We need people that can suggest new and innovative ways. We are looking for new ideas,” Mabogunje added