GOODWILL MESSAGE BY HAJIYA SARATU IYA ALIYU, NATIONAL
PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN ASSOCIATION OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, MINES AND AGRICULTURE (NACCIMA) DURING THE 2019 AFRICAN GEMS AND JEWELRY EXHIBITION AND SEMINAR (AGJES) AT THE CONVENTION CENTRE, OF THE ABUJA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND INDUSTRY (ACCI), 8TH – 9TH AUGUST 2019
PROTOCOL
On behalf of the Council, Executive and entire members of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), I welcome you all to the Opening Ceremony of the 3rd Edition of the African Gems and Jewelry Exhibition and Seminar 2019, (AGJES) under the theme “Mines to Market: Retailing; Africa to the World”
I commend the organizers of this Exhibition designed to showcase our endowment and potentials in a significant area of our mining sector, gemstones which we can serve as a solid a base for exquisite jewelries. I also thank the collaborators and the sponsors of this year’s edition; Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the Gemstones Miners and Marketers Association of Nigeria (GMMAN), the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC). And welcome in particular the participation of Gemological Institute of America (GIA) at this event.
The determination by Government to reposition the Nigerian Mining Sector led to the adoption in 2016 of The Road Map for the growth and Development of the Nigerian Mining Industry . designed for shared mining prosperity. Adoption of that Road Map by government was part of the strategy to diversify the source and improve the contributions of mining to our GDP. It was also put in place to harness the potentials of the vast mining potentials of our country with focus on 7 priority minerals.Gemstones is one of our endowment I am therefore glad at this exhibition to demonstrate what we have in this area and that we can compete globally. Through this event the organizers are showcasing exquisite jewelers manufactured from Nigerian Gemstones. They have helped to show that Nigeria is truly a force to be reckoned with in producing jewelry designs from Gemstones. This is demonstrated by the presence of both local and international exhibitors and at todays event.
As we all know, it is widely recognized that the Nigeria Mining Sector has faced neglect for many decades. However, in the last few years, through the 2016 Mining RoadMap Growth and Development of the Mining sector, the industry is now receiving the necessary attention in the quest to diversify the nation’s economy and harness the huge mineral deposits across the States of the Federation.
Our commitment to development of the mining sector led us to embark on a Mining investment Roadshow in cooperation with Nigeria’s High Commission in Australia in 2018 to advertise the potentials of the Nigerian Mining Sector and invite foreign Investors to invest in the Nigerian Mining sector especially in partnership with the Nigerain private sector and Chambers members We shall continue along this part. And that is why we are here today to lend support to this exhibition. And I want to take this opportunity to call on Chambers especially from Mining states to pay more attention to the opportunity in the mining sector and borrow a leaf from this exhibition to enable members harness the potentials of the vast mineral deposit in their jurisdiction. Once again our sincere congratulation to the Abuja Chambers and the organizers.
NACCIMA therefore sees this exhibition and seminar on gemstones as a practical demonstration and evidence of our potentials in this area. We hope it will help to attract the much needed domestic and foreign investment to the sector.
As you are aware, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) is the premier umbrella body for all city, state, regional, bilateral and multilateral Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria. The Association works to ensure enabling business environment through policy advocacy and promotes the growth and competitiveness of Nigerian businesses through the proper and prompt dissemination of information. We will continue to partner with organizers of events such as this African Gems and Jewelry Exhibition and Seminar to ensure the promotion of activities in this sector.
Once again, I welcome all distinguished guests, participants and exhibitors to the AGJES 2019. I implore us all to take full advantage of the abundant opportunities which the exhibition offers and wish you all fruitful deliberations and enriching network opportunities.
Thank you and God bless.
HAJIYA SARATU IYA ALIYU
National President- NACCIMA.
President – FEWACCI
