The Oyo state government through the ministry of Trade, Investment and Cooperatives in collaboration with the Oyo State Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OYCCIMA) have announced that 2024 edition of the International Trade Fair would begin on February 23.
The Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Cooperatives, Honourable Ademola Ojo gave the disclosure on Tuesday at a press conference held at EXPOYO, Samonda, Ibadan.
This was as the planning committee and other stakeholders commended Governor Seyi Makinde for restoring the International Trade Fair, which according to them, should hold annually as a key micro economic driver.
Ijaya as the Commissioner is fondly called, disclosed that the Oyo 2024 Trade Fair is set to captivate business enthusiasts and stakeholders alike as it prepares for a grand opening on February 23 which would last for about two weeks on a steady 24 hourly basis with maximum security and electricity.
“This 2024 Oyo International Trade Fair promises to be a nexus of commerce, innovation, and collaboration, with government and stakeholders joining forces to ensure its success.” The Commissioner said.
President, Oyo City Chambers of Commerce and Chairman of the Trade Fair Planning committee, Surveyor Niran Adewoyin told journalists that governor Seyi Makinde has helped the organizing committee accelerate preparation as necessary support and assurances have been given.
“We have made a lot of contacts with captains of industries, manufacturers, exporters, Micro, small, and Medium scale enterprises and like I said, we’ve been having very impressive responses. There are also lots of side attractions because know that events like this is even an avenue for business groups to grow.
“The Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has also given us all the assurances of a 24 hour security provision during the period, meanwhile, we’ve also put in place ahead of that date in terms of sanitary facility, electricity, and water because the Trade Fair would run on 24 hourly basis throughout that’s why there a lot of aide attractions.
“For instance, the International Brewery, Guinness, Nigerian Brewery, NBL are all coming. And we also want to showcase our rich culture and tradition and I can assure you that there would be ‘mukeke’ arena (local eatery) around wherein you also have band stand 24 hours.
“We have provisions for local food delicacies including ‘Amala, gbegiri, and ewedu’, so these are some of the things to expect and as you can see, we’re already working round the clock to improve on our infrastructures here.”
Other stakeholders, who spoke at the event commended Makinde for demonstrating the needed political will and commitment towards reviving the trade fair, which they said usually held annually in other states but has last held in Oyo state in 2009, assuring that no stone would be left unturned to ensure the success of the event.
Chief Alexander Wole Akinwande (National Vice Chairman of NACCIMA and President of OODUACCIMA), DJ Semite, top officials from the Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Cooperatives, as well as other members of the planning committee.
