Kachikwu now chairman of LCCI SME group

The Small and Medium Enterprise Group (SMEG) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has elected John Kachikwu to steer the ship of the group and take charge of its affairs for the next two years. This followed the expiration of the term of office of the previous executives of the group.

A highly resourceful entrepreneur, John Tudy Kachikwu is the managing director/CEO of Jon Tudy Interbiz Nigeria Limited. He attended St. Joseph Primary School, Onicha Ugbo; and had his tertiary education at Federal Technical College Yaba, where he obtained City and Guilds Certification in Building Technology. He also has a B.A (Hons.) in Philosophy from the University of Lagos.

He has contributed immensely to the reversal of importation of agricultural products and has assisted in local content drive and sustainability.

The new LCCI SMEG chairman believes that SMEs have a big role to play in reviving the increasingly plummeting state of the Nigerian economy. He points out factors such as: unfavourable loan interest rate, unrealistic collateral requirements, onerous application procedure for loans, insufficient loan size and maturity date, poor infrastructure, multiple taxation and charges, amongst others, as issues that should be mitigated, if the diversification goal of the government is to be achieved.

Muda Yusuf, director-general, LCCI, said, “We are very pleased as John Kachikwu has assumed the role of chairman, LCCI Small and Medium Enterprise Group. His election will ensure and enhance the chamber’s role as a leading advocate of best business policy and practice, with the view of promoting and protecting SMEs, which in turn will impact positively on the economy.”