The association made up of traders from 58 markets in Lagos agreed to this at the All-Markets Conference 2023 held on July 14 at the Festival Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association has urged the Igbo people living in Lagos to bin the narrative that Lagos is a no man’s land.
The association made up of traders from 58 markets in Lagos agreed to this at the All-Markets Conference 2023 held on July 14 at the Festival Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
The traders gathered at the conference themed “Catalyzing Partnership with Traders through Innovation, Technology, Analytical and Sustainability” to brainstorm on ways to improve trade and commerce in Lagos.
Keynote speakers at the event were the Chairman of United Nigeria Airline Ltd, Prof Obiora Okonkwo, and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Of Industry, Trade And Investment. Guest speakers were the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Director General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Executive Secretary of the Shippers Council, Director General of SMEDAN, and Director General of NAFDAC.
A communique issued by the association and signed by its President, Chinedu Ukatu, and General Secretary, Anthony Okeke, urged the Igbo that “while they live in Lagos and do business and make a living, they should not in any way suggest that Lagos is a no man’s land. The conference agreed that it is erroneous and insulting to think so.”
It further said, “The conference also expressed sadness at the occasional diatribe between the Yoruba and Igbo in Lagos State as is currently the case.”
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The conference also lamented the tag given to traders as informal sector and the fact that the government does not make concessions for traders.
The traders commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for not neglecting them, noting that that informed the widespread support among traders for the governor during the 2023 governorship election.
The association hailed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo who made efforts to see better relationships and understanding between the Igbo in Lagos and their Yoruba hosts.
The conference made several recommendations. Among them are that the government should address multiple taxations by agencies at the ports and at various markets, and that traders should embrace technology in their day-to-day operations.
