Adejola Adeyemi Crown
The Abeokuta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABEOCCIMA) on Thursday celebrated its 50th anniversary, inaugurated newly elected executives and renewed calls for businesses to embrace Artificial Intelligence as a catalyst for competitiveness, innovation and sustainable growth.
The event, held at the Event Centre, Continental Suites, Presidential Boulevard, Ibara, Abeokuta, attracted government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs, captains of industry and stakeholders from across Ogun State and beyond.
The Golden Jubilee celebration coincided with the Chamber’s 50th Annual General Meeting and featured a lecture titled, “Smart Business: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Competitive Advantage,” delivered by business strategist and Partner at Verraki-Andersen Consulting, Mr. Olatunde Olajide.
Speaking during the lecture, Olajide described Artificial Intelligence as a practical business tool that has moved beyond theory to become a major driver of productivity, efficiency and competitiveness.
According to him, organisations that embrace AI are better positioned to make faster and smarter decisions through the analysis of large volumes of data.
“AI helps organisations analyse large volumes of data quickly, enabling leaders to make informed decisions with confidence. Businesses need timely and accurate information to remain competitive in a rapidly growing marketplace,” he said.
Olajide noted that AI was also transforming customer engagement by helping businesses understand consumer behaviour and preferences through data analysis.
“AI helps companies understand customer preferences and behaviours. This allows businesses to serve customers in ways that meet their specific needs and expectations, thereby improving customer satisfaction and loyalty,” he stated.
He further explained that AI-powered digital platforms were simplifying operations across customer service, marketing, inventory management and financial planning, while the increasing accessibility of internet services and computing power was accelerating AI adoption among small and medium enterprises.
The business expert, however, stressed the importance of data collection and ethical considerations in the deployment of AI.
“The most important thing is to have data. While data may not always be perfect, businesses must begin collecting, organising and utilising relevant information to support AI-driven insights and decision-making,” he said.
He added that businesses must ensure the responsible use of AI through transparency, fairness, accountability and trust.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of ABEOCCIMA, Mr. Timothy Erigbemi Shorunke, described the Chamber’s Golden Jubilee as a celebration of fifty years of enterprise, resilience, partnership and service to economic development.
Shorunke paid tribute to the Chamber’s founders, former presidents, council members and stakeholders for sustaining the institution over the decades.
“Today’s Golden Jubilee AGM is not only a celebration of the past but also an inflection point for the future. The world of business is being reshaped by data, connectivity and intelligent systems,” he said.
He noted that competitive advantage was no longer defined solely by capital and production capacity but increasingly by the quality of business insights and speed of decision-making.
“It is therefore fitting that our 50th AGM Lecture is themed, ‘Smart Business: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Competitive Advantage.’ The imperative for our members is clear, to become smart businesses,” Shorunke stated.
The Chamber president urged businesses to focus on capability, competitiveness and confidence by investing in digital skills, cybersecurity, innovation and ethical governance.
Ogun Government Urges Businesses To Embrace Innovation
Representing the Ogun State Government, the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Sofela Emmanuel Adebola, congratulated the Chamber on reaching the 50-year milestone and described the anniversary as evidence of visionary leadership and institutional resilience.
“Fifty years in the life of any institution is no small achievement. It is a testament to visionary leadership, institutional stability, shared commitment and the enduring spirit of collaboration among members,” Adebola said.
The commissioner noted that Artificial Intelligence was rapidly transforming industries globally and warned that businesses that fail to embrace innovation risk becoming irrelevant in an increasingly digital economy.
“Artificial Intelligence is improving productivity, enhancing customer experience, driving data-based decision making, reducing operational costs, strengthening market intelligence and opening new frontiers for entrepreneurship and investment opportunities,” he said.
Adebola reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun to creating an enabling environment for businesses through industrialisation, innovation, digital transformation and infrastructure development.
He also charged the newly inaugurated executives to build on the legacies of their predecessors by promoting innovation, inclusiveness, strategic partnerships and business advocacy.
NACCIMA Says AI Adoption Is Now A Strategic Imperative
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, by Mr. Sola Obadimu, NACCIMA congratulated ABEOCCIMA on attaining the Golden Jubilee milestone and commended its contributions to private sector development over the past five decades.
The association described ABEOCCIMA as a credible voice for the business community and said the theme of the AGM was particularly relevant at a time when digital technology and Artificial Intelligence were reshaping business operations globally.
According to NACCIMA, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises account for more than 39 million businesses in Nigeria, contribute about 50 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and provide over 84 per cent of employment opportunities.
“Embracing AI is no longer a matter of choice. It is becoming a strategic imperative for improving productivity, enhancing customer experience, reducing operational costs, driving innovation and expanding access to local, regional and international markets,” the association stated.
NACCIMA urged businesses and chambers of commerce to invest in digital infrastructure, skills development and innovation ecosystems to unlock the benefits of emerging technologies.
ABEOCCIMA Remains Pillar Of Private Enterprise, Say OGUNCCIMA
Also speaking, the Acting President of Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Elder Olatunji Adeniyi, described ABEOCCIMA’s 50-year journey as a reflection of sacrifice, vision and commitment to economic development.
He said the Chamber had remained a strong pillar for organised private enterprise and economic advancement in Ogun State.
The event climaxed with the formal inauguration of the newly elected Executive Committee and Council of ABEOCCIMA led by its new President, Mr. Ibrahim Bada.
Based on the file 1004748685.jpg, here is the extracted text from the “Executive Committee” table, formatted with the officer’s name appearing before their position:
Other executive members include: Engr. Lekan Jiboku (1st Deputy President), Mrs. Fausat Jaiyeola Akinbo (2nd Deputy President), Mr. Solomon Enilolobo (Vice President), Engr. Oluyomi Olutoye (Vice President), Alh. Waheed Raji (Vice President), Alh. Aderemi Ogunyemi (Vice President), Surveyor Kayode Ekundayo (Vice President), Mr. Opeyemi Alaran (Vice President), Asiwaju Dapo Wahab (Treasurer), Alhaji Nureni Odunmbaku (Deputy Treasurer), Mr. Gbolahan Olude (Financial Secretary) and Mr. Timothy Shorunke (Ex-Officio/IPP)
Bada Seeks Members’ Support To Strengthen Chamber
In his acceptance speech, Bada expressed appreciation to members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to build on the achievements of previous administrations.
He called on members, stakeholders and fellow executives to work together in advancing the objectives of the Chamber and strengthening its role as a platform for enterprise development and economic growth.
“I cannot achieve the goals we have set for ourselves without the collective support of members and the Executive Committee. Together, we will strengthen the Chamber, promote enterprise development and create more opportunities for businesses across Ogun State,” Bada said.
The Golden Jubilee celebration also featured goodwill messages from business leaders, former presidents of the Chamber, representatives of government agencies, financial institutions and members of the organised private sector, who commended ABEOCCIMA for its contributions to economic growth and enterprise development over the last five decades.
The celebration was rounded off with the cutting of the Golden Jubilee anniversary cake by the newly inaugurated executives, past presidents of the Chamber, government representatives and other distinguished guests, symbolising fifty years of resilience, growth, partnership and service to commerce, industry, mines and agriculture.
