Saturday the 7th of December marked another milestone in the history of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry as the chamber appointed its third female president in its 131 years of existence.
An investiture dinner was held at the Eko hotels and Suites in honour of the new president of the chamber Mrs Toki Mabogunje.
Toki who is to fill the role of president for the next two years expressed her gratitude, describing it as an honor and a challenge.
The new president during her acceptance speech pledged to continue to dedicate herself to the service of the LCCI, to ensure that the Chamber retains its foremost position as a leading private sector advocacy organization in Nigeria and the flagship of the Chamber of Commerce movement in the country.
She promised effectiveness, performance and sustainability as her watchwords as they adapt to the demands of the 21st-century business environment and the 4th industrial revolution.
Toki’s speech read in part
“I pledge to continue to dedicate myself to the service of the LCCI, to ensure that the Chamber retains its foremost position as a leading private sector advocacy organization in Nigeria and the flagship of the Chamber of Commerce movement in the country. We belong to the exclusive club of organizations in Nigeria that are over 100 years old and ours is a legacy brand.
As I receive the mantle of leadership of the Chamber, I do not take this responsibility lightly. Effectiveness, performance and sustainability will be my watch words as we adapt to the demands of the 21st century business environment and the 4th industrial revolution.
She spoke on her journey so far, Toki said “Life is a journey that will ultimately lead us to our destination, our purpose in life. My journey at the LCCI began with the decision to establish a business development consulting firm. It is said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Sometimes you are lucky to have a cheerleader and motivator for that first step.
Barely 6 years into my membership of the LCCI, Past President Dr. Herbert Ademola Ajayi approached me, seeking to infuse the Council with younger active members. He co-opted me to Council and this introduced me quite early to the governance of our great Chamber.
Following the successful implementation of a number of innovative programmes which I designed, Past President Otunba Femi Deru, proposed my nomination as a Vice-President in the Executive Committee in 2011. This put me on track to succeeding today as President of the LCCI and I must reiterate, the 3rd woman in 131 years and the youngest woman ever.
Having painted the picture of the journey to this day, what then does the future portend? It is my view that the private sector is pivotal to the transformation of the Nigerian economy.
We need the private sector to create wealth from which the government can generate revenue; we need the private sector to generate employment to minimize the problem of unemployment, poverty and insecurity in our society; we need a virile private sector which will make our country a respected member of the comity of nations.
This year at the World Chamber Congress, the impact of the 4th industrial revolution was explored at great length. Why should this be of concern to the Chamber of Commerce? The 4th Industrial Revolution represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work and relate to one another.
It is a new chapter in human development, enabled by extraordinary technological advances commensurate with those of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd industrial revolutions. These advances are merging the physical, digital.
In closing, she thanked her family, Council and members of the LCCI among others.