The Chamber played host to the newly appointed Consul-General to Atlanta, Georgia, United States, Her Excellency, Ambassador Amina Maria Smaila yesterday, 10th February 2021. She first had a preliminary meeting at the Secretariat with the DG, Mr Sola Obadimu and Mr Lekan Egunjobi, Director of Programmes & Membership after which the National President, Otunba Toyin Akomolafe hosted her to another meeting at his residence also in the company of the Director-General, Sola Obadimu.
The President thanked the Ambassador for her visit prior to flying to Atlanta (ahead of her scheduled resumption of duty in the first week of March) which, according to him, demonstrated the importance of the strategic role the Chamber is playing in fostering positive bilateral relations between Nigeria & the United States. He informed her of the existence of the recently inaugurated NACC Chapter in Atlanta that has demonstrated serious vibrancy within a short period of time. He pledged the support of the Chamber to the newly appointed Ambassador and stated the Chamber’s readiness to collaborate with the Atlanta Consulate on activities and programmes.
The obviously elated Ambassador thanked the National President for kindly receiving her and disclosed that funds were available (with the support of the US Government) to help Nigerian companies in the areas of health and security but which is now being expanded to include activities & projects within the agro-allied sector (under AGOA) as well as support for SMEs and women empowerment projects.
Earlier, the DG had briefed her on the recent activities of the Chamber inclusive of the Credit Union initiative as promoted by the Chamber’s Government & International Liaison Committee, as well as the Chamber’s AGOA Committee’s initiative to offer training to members in the areas of Access to Finance and Export Standards. These were in addition to other Chamber’s training programmes as piloted by the Chamber’s Programmes Committee.
