2nd U.S. - Nigeria Non-Oil Trade Show Held In Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia - Monday November 15, 2010

By Frederick Nnoma-Addison

The American Nigerian International Chamber of Commerce (ANICC) has sucessfully hosted its second U.S. - Nigeria non-oil export trade show in Atlanta, U.S.A. The three day fair (November 11-13) held at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta-Ravinia attracted approximately two hundred people from government, private and investment communities in both the United States and Nigeria. It was sponsored by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and supported by the Nigerian Consular General in Atlanta.

Speaking during the opening session Mr. Chudi N. Okafor - Honorable Consul General of the Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta applauded the American Nigerian International Chamber of Commerce for organizing what he described as a "timely initiative" in view of Nigeria's vision 2020 - A national agenda to be one of the leading economies in the world by the year 2020. He also called upon the American business community to take advantage of the abundant opportunities availabe in the non-oil sector of the country.















Mr. Chudi N. Okafor - Hon. Consul General

















Mr. David I. Adulugba, Esq.


Mr. David I. Adulugba, Esq. Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council who led a delegation used the occassion to reassure American investors about the dividends of doing business in Nigeria and urged them to make Nigeria their preferred destination.

..."They have come in with only their hand bags and have gone with their millions... I can assure you of that, be they in the oil, non-oil or commodities industry. They have all gone home smiling and wanting to come back..."






























Participants
















Ms. Emelia Orubele, President & CEO (ANICC)


Ms. Emelia Orubele, President & CEO of the American Nigerian International Chamber of Commerce (ANICC) thanked the event sponsor, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Nigerian Consulate General, Atlanta and all the participants for making the event a reality and a success.

Founded in 1993 ANICC is an independent non profit organization of professionals with business ties and interests in Nigeria. The organization facilitates business between the United States and Nigeria.

















Dr. Eugene Flecther (ANICC Board Chairman)

In response to a question about American's doing buisness in Nigeria vis-a-vis media reports about Nigeria not being a suitable place to do business, ANICC's Board Chairman Dr. Eugene Fletcher explained that ANICC makes it a point to provide healthy and holistic information about Nigeria which gives potential investors the opportunity to asses the country's business climate for themselves.

"...The subject of whether a country is safe to transact business in is all relative. In fact you can compare the crime rates etc. in a Nigerian city with say New York, Atlanta or LA and you will sometimes find those in Nigeria to be a third less...There are several success stories out of Nigeria and no American should have any inhibitions about doing business in Nigeria..."
















Mr. Anthony Ogbe, Consul Trade & Commerce


During his presentation Mr. Anthony Ogbe, Consul for Trade and Commerce at the Consulate General, Atlanta stressed that the non-oil emphasis of this business forum was in agreement with Nigeria's vision to diversify the country's resource base.

"...We have come to the realization that oil alone will not be the country's only sustainable revenue... there are so many others resources that are yet to be tapped... I am very pleased about this forum because at the end of the day business people from Nigeria and the United States would have interacted and would have identified areas of common cooperation..."

The Trade Forum concluded with a Gala Awards Dinner on Saturday. A total of six Nigerian states participated. They are Lagos, Benue, Cross River, Ondo, Plateau and Bayelsa. Participants and organizers were both pleased with the outcome and the relationships that were formed. ANICC executives and their partnering organizations are already looking into the future for next year's conference.


PHOTO Report















Mr. Titus Olowokere (ANICC Vice President)















ANICC President & Vice During A Session






















Ambassador Oscar J. Webb (right) with Conference Participant















Representative of Lagos State















Mrs. Remi Duyile - Represantative of the Governor of Ondo State















Mr. Emmanuel Artse - Special Advisor to Benue State Governor on Agric & Food Security















Exihibits from Dajo Pottery, Ltd.














Mr. Levi O'Bem Yakubu - Dajo Pottery (in cloth) With Nigerian Government Officials







































































Cashew Nuts from Nigeria - ABOD Success Investment Ltd.





















Ariella Shea Butter Products



































Awards Gala Entertainment










































Miriam Dimande of Kevin & Khaemille Fashions




























Kevin of Kevin & Khaemille Fashions in 24kt gold "Royal Collar"

















Important Contact Information:

Nigerian Export Promotion Council - http://www.nepc.gov.ng/

American Nigerian International Chamber of Commerce - http://www.amicc.net/

Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta - http://nigeria-consulate-atl.org/site/

Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, DC - http://www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/