The 2021 Board Retreat took place on Thursday 30 September 2021 on a virtual note,
with participants joining in online. The Retreat was conceived to chart a course for the
Chamber over the years (short, mid & long-term), in going forward. According to the
Chamber’s National President who is the Convener/Chief Host of the Retreat, Dame
Adebola Williams, the Retreat was designed as an instrument that is expected to help
the Chamber crystallise its course and operational path with the aim of moving the
Chamber forward, very quickly, towards its desired objectives and goals.
The Retreat had in attendance 32 participants comprising Board Members, Committee
& Sectoral Group Chairmen, Chamber Executives, etc. The event also featured three
Guest Speakers amongst whom were:
- Mrs Sharon Constancon, Chair, South Africa Chamber of Commerce, UK
- Dr Yemi Cardoso, Chairman of the Board, Citibank Nigeria. and
- Prof. Osagie Imosogie, Founder/CEO PIPV Capital
Mrs Sharon Constancon, in her presentation, spoke on the crucial imperatives for
optimum performance by the Chamber. Her presentation highlighted the following:
- The need for good governance, which is foundational.
- The need to deliver Trade-Related Events and Networking.
- Providing support and relevance to Members
- Create an advocacy forum to address Members challenges
Dr Yemi Cardoso spoke on different approaches to advocating to push the interests of
members generally, particularly, in dealing with the public sector. He stressed on the
need to influence decisions within the Political, Economy or Social Institutions through
The campaign, Public speaking, Publishing and Research. The presentation covered the
following:
- The need to collaborate with other advocacy groups.
- A laser focus on issues affecting Members and transparency communicating
those needs to both Government and Membership. - The need to build a strong relationship
- An organizational structure according to Sector to ensure peculiar issues affecting
membership sectors are concentrated on.
Prof. Imosogie spoke on the issue of the fast-growing population with the majority under
14 years and the need to manage the population by preparing for them ahead through
the creation of jobs, infrastructure, food and energy.
The focus areas highlighted were as follows:
- Agriculture which contributes 25% of GDP
- Healthcare
- Technology
- EnergyPharmaceutical
In conclusion, he emphasized the need to dialogue with the Government to reduce the
cost of financing, create enabling environment for businesses, clearly articulate
Government policies to support the SMEs and the need for investment in Nigeria by
Nigerians.
In the end, participants went into group breakout sessions with each group coming out
with key recommendations aimed at adding value to the Chamber, in going forward.
