By Aliyu Dangida
The Nigeria-Kenya Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NIKCCIMA) Today Thursday held its historic Maiden Business Forum and Formal Launch at the Chelsea Hotel, Central Business Area, Abuja, with a call to deepen bilateral trade ties between Nigeria and Kenya.
The well-attended event brought together captains of industry, representatives of NASSI, MAN, NACCIMA, members of the diplomatic corps and the business community. The highpoint of the event was the official unveiling of Dr. Badamasi Burji as the Appointed National Chairman of NIKCCIMA.
Dr. Burji, who is also the Chairman of NASSI FCT Chapter and Group Managing Director of First Class Refreshments Ltd, in his inaugural address, thanked the Board for the confidence reposed in him.
“Thank you to the Board for finding me worthy to be Chairman of this noble Chamber. I do not take your trust in me for granted. I believe that the Nigeria and Kenya relationship, which dates back to years, can be advanced to empower citizens of both countries and boost the economic development of our nations,” he said.
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The new National Chairman said the Chamber under his leadership would create employment opportunities, accelerate business growth for SMEs and large corporations, and develop a seamless channel for trade to thrive between both countries.
He outlined the mission of the Chamber as creating a practical trade bridge between West Africa and East Africa, ensuring Nigerian products have free access to the Kenyan market and Kenyan products have access to the Nigerian market.
“Insha Allah, our discussion will be fruitful and provide a roadmap for the achievement of our objectives. I promise you purposeful leadership, transparency and results,” he assured.
Dr. Burji expressed profound gratitude to the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, and His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, who graced the occasion through their representatives.
The appointment of Dr. Burji received wide endorsement from stakeholders at the forum.
The Global President of NIKCCIMA, Arc. Robert M. Achanya, set the tone when he described the new Chairman as a rare asset, declaring, “Badamasi is a gold fish to the NIKCCIMA.”
The Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Isaac Keen Parashina, who graced the occasion, lauded the choice, saying, “Dr. Burji is a good choice for the role as all say well about him.”
His mentor, business mogul *Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Rabiu, described him as a master strategist who delivers results. “Burji is a master strategist, if he can’t do it, he knows who to bring to get results,” Rabiu said.
Addition, a Director of the Chamber, Mr. Abdullahi Usman, called him a symbol of hope for Nigeria-Kenya trade relations.
In an emotion-laden tribute, the CEO of Le Look Nigeria Limited, Chief Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, who has travelled with Dr. Burji to over 40 countries, said his capacity is limitless.
“With Burji, the sky is only the limit. Burji is the right choice, without Burji things are not going better. We have travelled with him in over 40 countries, I know who he is,” she said.
Dr. Burji in his closing remarks thanked the Kenyan Ambassador, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, and the Emir of Kano for honouring the invitation.
The Maiden Forum is expected to kick-start a new era of structured trade and investment cooperation between Nigeria and Kenya, aimed at driving industrialization and prosperity across Africa.
He ended his speech with a resounding declaration: “Long Live Nigeria! Long Live Kenya! Long Live Africa! Long Live NIKCCIMA”
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