LCCI has a cause to be proud – Dr. Cole

BY EMEKA EJERE

President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI), Dr. Michael Oluwale Cole, CON, has clarified that contrary to impression in some quarters, the Chamber is not arrogant or proud in the negative sense, but proud of what it is and what it stands for.

Dr. Cole was speaking at the unveiling of the 135 Anniversary logo of LCCI, with the theme: `135 Years of Business Advocacy and Value Creation’, held in Lagos on Wednesday.

The logo unveiling, which attracted the presence of past presidents, honorary life vice presidents, officers, vice presidents, council members and former council members as well as members of the Chamber marked the beginning of the six-month event.

Dr. Cole paid glowing tribute to past presidents of the Chamber, who he said, worked so hard to lay the strong foundation of what the LCCI is today.

He said, “People say LCCI we’re very proud; we’re arrogant. We have a cause to be proud. We’re not proud as in pride, which is negative, we’re proud of who we are and what we stand for.

“In the last 135 years, several Nigerians and non Nigerians have been sworn in as presidents of this Chamber. We are celebrating today because of what these men of notable nobility who have steered the ship of our Chamber did.

“LCCI when we speak people listen, because we are apolitical. We’re not partisan. We speak the truth; we speak the truth to power. All we’re after is the best for Nigeria. That’s why we’re respected.

“Our forefathers who have gone and those who are here today have done so much to keep this principle on. And that’s the legacy that they passed over to us. And I wonder if we did not have these people in those years how today Nigeria will be. Our founding fathers had practical ideal idea of building and advancing a thriving economy that was controlled by the private sector through advocacy, trade promotion and business advisory.

“I am very proud to say that the Chamber, in the last 13 decades, has remained the leading voice of the organised private sector. We have regularly maintained consultations with policies and measures affecting business and the economy with our time-tested approaches.”

Also speaking, a former President of the Chamber and Chairman of Board of Directors, Chief J.A Odeyemi, MFR, described LCCI as the most respected advocacy group in Africa.

Chief Odeyemi noted that the celebration of 135 years was a big blessing for LCCI as it is happening at a time when Nigeria has a listening government that can align with advocacies of the Chamber.

Explaining the features of the logo, the Director General of LCCJ, Dr. Chinyere Almuna, pointed out that the peacock on the logo presents a posture of prosperity and success, saying that is who the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries is.

“I think it will be good for us to know a bit about our logo. If you look at the logo you see that our traditional peacock is within the anniversary crest (the golden crest)”, she said.

“Let’s take a look at our peacock. So in most cultures, the peacock symbolizes nobility, elegance, a bit of arrogance, but then it’s pride that has a meaning.

“So, the peacock with its wing spread shows confidence in itself, and that’s what the Chamber symbolizes.”

Established in 1888, the LCCI is a non-profit organization that promotes the interests of the business community in Lagos, providing a platform for businesses to express their opinions and concerns regarding legislative or other measures affecting trade, industry, commerce, and agriculture.

The first African/Nigerian president of the Chamber was Mr. P.J Thomas, who was president from 1923 to 1930.