The Kwara State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) has expressed determination to sustain the annual trade fair despite the cold attitudes of the state government, its agencies and the 16 local governments to participate in the trade exhibitions.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim Sani, gave the assurance during the closing ceremony of the 12th Kwara Trade Fair 2025, themed “Empowering Local Entrepreneurs for Global Competitiveness”.
KWACCIMA alleged that the state government withdrew its support for the organisation and participation in the fair despite its initial interest to participate in order “to frustrate its success”.
He lamented that this year’s edition, like the 11th edition held in December 2024, was not without serious challenges.
“These challenges were caused by the withdrawal of support and collaboration by the Kwara State Government, non-participation of its agencies, and the absence of all the 16 local government councils.
“This experience drastically reduced the influx of visitors and negatively impacted expected patronage,” Sani said.
He described the state government’s attitude as a deliberate and well-orchestrated plan to undermine the annual fair.Sani said that the absence of the state government and its agencies, alongside the non-participation of all the 16 local government councils, adversely affected the success of the trade fair, leading to low visitor turnout that eventually reduced patronage for exhibitors.
The KWACCIMA chairman also commended the participation of federal agencies like the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), as well as the support of security agencies, private sector partners, trade associations and service providers.
While acknowledging the challenges, Sani said the Chamber would not relent in its commitment to sustaining the trade fair, adding that future editions would rely more on private sector collaboration.
“We will work towards surpassing these hurdles and organise better, stronger and more befitting private sector–driven trade fairs in subsequent editions,” he said.
KWACCIMA alleged that the state government withdrew its support for the organisation and participation in the fair despite its initial interest to participate in order “to frustrate its success”.
“We will work towards surpassing these hurdles and organise better, stronger and more befitting private sector–driven trade fairs in subsequent editions,” he said.
