The Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN), Abuja Chapter, has secured the commitment of former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, to deliver the keynote address at its forthcoming 20th anniversary celebration.
Chairman of CICAN, Gabriel Kuma, disclosed this following a courtesy visit by members of the anniversary planning committee to the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), where Prof. Adesugba currently serves as First Deputy President.
According to Kuma, the visit was aimed at formally inviting the former NEPZA boss to the event and briefing him on the significant role assigned to him by the association during the anniversary programme.
“We visited Prof. Adesugba to formally invite him to our 20th anniversary celebration and to inform him of the key role the association has generously assigned to him.
He expressed honour that CICAN considered him worthy of the responsibility, even years after leaving office as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPZA,” Kuma said.
Kuma noted that Prof. Adesugba expressed gratitude to CICAN members for their support during his tenure at NEPZA and assured the delegation of his readiness to deliver the keynote address.
“He appreciated the role CICAN members played in supporting him during his time at NEPZA and assured us that he would deliver the keynote address as requested,” he added.
Beyond accepting the invitation, Prof. Adesugba also pledged to mobilise support for the anniversary through his position at ACCI.
According to Kuma, the ACCI First Deputy President promised to approach corporate organisations for sponsorship support, particularly in the form of products and services that could contribute to the success of the event.
“He assured us that he would leverage his office to seek corporate support from companies that may not necessarily provide cash donations but could support the event with products and other resources,” Kuma said.
The CICAN chairman further disclosed that Prof. Adesugba pledged personal support for the celebration and indicated that the President of ACCI would also provide assistance within the chamber’s capacity.
Kuma described the engagement as a significant step in strengthening the relationship between CICAN and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noting that the association looks forward to deeper collaboration, especially as Prof. Adesugba is expected to assume the presidency of ACCI later in the year.
“We intend to continue nurturing this relationship for the benefit of CICAN and the advancement of commerce and industry journalism,” he said.
