By Lubem Gena, Abuja
The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Nigeria, His Excellency Ahamed Lebbe Sabrullah Khan has in principle endorsed the activities of the Gemological Institute of Nigeria (GIN) and also ready to work with it to develop the gemstone sector in Nigeria.
The High Commissioner dropped the hint on Friday, 8th November, 2019 when he paid a partnership building visit to the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) President, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode.
Prince Kayode while explaining the activities of the Chamber also commended the leading role Sri Lanka is playing in the sector informing the envoy that, in Nigeria too, the GIN is doing a lot to improve the lot of people in the sector.
“Our vision in Gemological Institute of Nigeria (GIN) and Gemstones Miners and Marketers Association of Nigeria (GMMAN) is to make Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) a hub of mineral exchange activities.
“Towards actualising this, we have registered the Mineral Exchange (MINEX) with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
“The whole essence is to create value for players in this sector by properly coordinating, training and facilitating their activities. We are putting the logistics together and in January 2020, we will fully take-off. Under this platform, we will bring buyers and sellers together and conduct business on the table.
“GIN and GMMAN will continue to work closely with you and businessmen on a win-win basis”, Prince Kayode stated.
In his address, the envoy said, he was visiting the Chamber to explore areas of partnership in view of the strategic importance it has on businessmen from his country.
He further explained that his country and Nigeria have excellent relations and want to partner with critical organisations like ACCI, GIN and GMMAN to scale up the cordiality and also compliment one another for the overall good of both countries.
Speaking further on gemstones and jewellery, Vice President in charge of Information Communication Technology (ICT) who doubles as Provost of BEST Centre, Prof. Adesugba explained that the chamber is also doing as much as it could to intervene in the mineral, especially the gemstones sector.
According to him, trainings, lapidary services amongst others are offered by the institute.
He said with the support of the ACCI President, there is now in existence the GIN, GMMAN and MINEX amongst other initiatives which are positively impacting on players in the sector.
Prof. Adesugba expressed delight over the High Commissioner’s promise to partner with GIN saying, both will tap from the comparative advantages of one another.
