Law Firms, Others Join International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria
No fewer than eight Nigerian Law firms, were among the new members that recently joined the International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICCN).
The law firms, which include Legal Icon Chambers, The City Law Associates, Rose O. Ojiako-Nwosu & Co, Nnenna Ejekam & Associates, Africa Law Practice, Ozioma Izuora & Co, Sola Ajijola & Co, Ali Zubairu & Associates, were introduced and formally welcomed by Chairman of ICC Nigeria, Mr. Babatunde Savage and other Board Members, at the Annual General Meeting held last Thursday at the Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Other new members from last AGM into the Chamber are, Palmadex Global Integrated Services Ltd, Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority, Multichoice Nigeria and Suntrust Bank Nig. Ltd.
This year’s ICCN AGM, which was the 20th in the series, was witnessed by members of the Diplomatic Corps, notable business leaders and captains of Industry, in both private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The ICCN traditional Post AGM was delivered by Victor Ajieroh, PhD, Senior Program Officer, Nutrition, Nigeria, Gates Foundation on “The Future of Food Systems”.
Declaring the AGM open, the host and ICCN Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Savage said “this AGM is very special, as it marks one of the Regional programmes for the 100th Anniversary of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the 20th Anniversary of the re-organisation of ICC Nigeria”.
“I am glad to inform you that, the choice of the theme for this year’s post AGM, wisely tagged, “The Future of Food Systems”, is not only remarkably apt and carefully chosen, but also timely. The Post AGM talk theme, could not have been more relevant for this time and season.
“Food Security is very germane to our situation, as a country and people. This is particularly so, because it forms a core plank upon which the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the current government is anchored. The Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS), a transformational initiative by this administration, is really delivering on its set objectives and goals, but that is for the moment, what about the future? I shall leave the treatment of this to our Guest Speaker, who is set to do justice to the subject-matter by way of exploring the trajectory, analyse the challenges, as well as prescribe ways out, while peeking into the future as well”, ICCN Chairman added.
Guest Speaker of the Post AGM Talk, Victor Ajieroh, said the world is fast changing and increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
Ajieroh listed bleak, uncertain and blight, as three major perspectives to the future of food systems, adding that food systems primarily produce food, comprise a broad set of components from production to consumption, and are influenced by social, political, demographic and
other drivers.
According to Ajieroh, the Global and Local Food Systems are changing rapidly, and that estimates suggest that, the expected 51% increase in food associated greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 would be reduced to a 7% increase, if WHO guideline diets were adopted.
He noted that, businesses impact significantly and can play a key role in reshaping the Food Systems.
The Guest Speaker however, suggested ways to improve Food System Governance in Nigeria, as “Better clarifying roles and responsibilities among food systems actors with a clear accountability framework”.
“The business and policy making communities can work better, to foster regular dialogues and unite in the best interest of the underserved.
“Demand for more proactive and responsible policy making processes, and outcomes.
“Government can promote more coordinated, supportive and effective regulatory systems.
“Trade associations and related mechanisms can be strengthened, to level up to objectives
“Business can embrace elevated responsibilities, towards self regulation.
“We can deploy better data and evidence, to drive improved and transparent governance.”
Other highlights of the AGM, were the appraisal of other major activities and achievements of the Chamber in the year ended, as well as latest developments around the world, as regard trade, commerce and investment.
ICC is the largest, most representative business organisation in the world. Its global network comprises over 6.5 million companies. And its members include many of the world’s largest companies, SMEs, business associations, and local chambers of commerce in more than 130 countries.