From Moshood Karim
In an exclusive interview with Uptown Press NG, Imalingmhe John Yesufu, the Director-General of the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA), shed light on the reasons behind the cancellation of the 2024 Trade Fair.
According to Yesufu, the event was called off due to a combination of financial constraints and the challenging economic environment faced by business owners and entrepreneurs across the nation.
Yesufu explained that the lack of adequate funding from sponsors, many of whom were struggling due to the country’s economic challenges, played a major role in the decision.
“Our traditional sponsors, who support the trade fair, were unable to contribute due to the on-going economic difficulties. These sponsors are crucial, particularly for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that rely on such platforms,” he said.
He further attributed the cancellation to the fact that 2024 was a gubernatorial election year in Edo State, which shifted focus away from business events like the trade fair. Yesufu noted that the government’s attention was largely diverted towards the election, making it harder to secure the necessary collaboration and resources needed to successfully host the fair.
“The government’s involvement is critical for the success of the trade fair. Without the backing of the government, it becomes very difficult to organise an event of this scale,” he said.
Yesufu also mentioned that the transition period and election campaigns contributed to a lack of government focus on non-political activities such as trade exhibitions.
Yesufu was candid about the need for careful planning in hosting the trade fair, emphasising the risks associated with poor execution. He recalled a past event where a poorly managed fair left a negative legacy, which he said was something the chamber sought to avoid. “If the trade fair is not successful, it becomes a reference point for future events. We want to ensure that it is well-organised and brings value to all stakeholders,” he said.
Another significant challenge highlighted by Yesufu was the logistical difficulty in engaging rural communities and local governments, which host many small businesses and agricultural producers. He noted that while some local government areas in Edo have valuable resources such as minerals, getting them to participate in the trade fair was complicated by issues like transportation and limited resources.
Despite the setbacks, Yesufu expressed optimism for the future, revealing that BENCCIMA is already making preparations for the 2025 Trade Fair. He assured that sponsors had been contacted and plans were in place for a successful event next year.
“We are committed to organising the trade fair in 2025, and we are confident that it will be a great success,” he said. In addition to the trade fair, Yesufu also announced plans for a special award ceremony this year to recognise outstanding contributions to the business community.
In his appeal to Edo State Governor, Mr. Monday Okpebholo, Yesufu called for greater government support to develop the trade fair site. He emphasised the need for proper infrastructure, including exhibition stands, to make the event more accessible and affordable for participants.
“We need the government’s help to develop the trade fair site, provide proper facilities, and support our efforts to create a more effective platform for trade and investment in the State,” he concluded.
With these steps, BENCCIMA hopes to revitalise the trade fair in the coming years, fostering growth and development within Edo State’s business community.
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