The newly accepted member organisations of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have been entrusted with becoming creative and adopting new methods to meet their evolving demands and expectations following the COVID-19 epidemic.
The counsel was given by Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, President of the LCCI, on Wednesday in Lagos during the induction ceremony for 57 newly admitted member organizations.
According to Olawale-Cole, the guidance was required to assist organizations and institutions in navigating the difficulties of the global economic crisis that came along with the COVID-19 epidemic.
He asserted that as economic activity picked up steam all around the world, it was crucial for firms to look for and grab the opportunities presented by the global recovery.
In order to promote the growth of the business community, Olawale-Cole claimed that the crisis had forced the chamber to rethink operations, reorganize processes, and expand the scope of services and policy advocacy projects.
“The challenges created by COVID-19 portend new opportunities that we must never allow to waste away.
“This involves the diagnoses of actions taken, data, trends and insights on lessons learned from the pandemic, and then using the outcomes to prioritise strategic measures to enhance the business operation and build strategic resilience for the future,” he said.
The LCCI President gave the inductees a challenge to continue the cherished tradition of the Chamber’s high ethical standards, innovation, continual improvement, integrity, and sound corporate governance in business practice.
“As business owners and managers, though your primary obligation is to maximise profit, I charge you to pay adequate attention to the integrity of your business transactions and practices, environment, climate actions and social sustainability.
“I, therefore, enjoin you all to be committed to the core principles of high ethical standards, global best practices, and responsible corporate citizenships.
“Indeed, it is therefore expedient for us to position our organisations to benefit optimally from the specially designed initiatives and programmes of the Chamber.
“I am confident that with your active participation in the activities of the Chamber, your businesses will derive tremendous benefits,” he said.
The inductees were admonished by Mr. Ladi Smith, Chairman of the Membership and Welfare Committee, to place a high value on their membership status in order to position themselves properly and benefit their organizations.
He asserts that the LCCI might have a large positive impact on member organizations on a number of levels, including access to valuable and reliable business data necessary for business planning and strategy.
Smith listed further advantages like access to advocacy, consulting services, brand visibility, reputation and trust in global business circles, the Chamber’s action when appropriate, and others.
“The membership will have a major and good impact upon the business endeavours of your enterprises to drive growth, profitability, sustainability, and the creation of new jobs for Nigerians and others provided it is treated with the seriousness that it deserves.
“We also anticipate that your organizations will give their fair share to the growth and expansion of the frontiers currently being embraced by our great institution, in the spirit of reciprocity.
He pleaded with the organizations to conduct themselves with honesty and the greatest ethical standards, pay their dues, and show up to meetings and activities.
Dangote Fertilizer Ltd., Zenith Bank Plc, Bonds Foods Ltd., August Secrets, NLPC PFA Ltd., and other businesses are among those that have been inducted.
