OWERRI – The Owerri Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture on Thursday announced plans to organise the maiden Information and Communication Technology (ICT) fair this year.
Its President, Mr Kevin Mbawuike, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri that the fair would provide opportunities for the young graduates of tertiary institutions in the state to boost their chances of making a living from the ICT sector.
“Our vision is to attract ICT firms from within and outside Nigeria to Owerri to open windows for the young graduates to explore numerous opportunities in the ICT sector.
“In Nigeria today, people have seen that the ICT sector has the capacity to engage thousands of people and if we can do more that will help to address the problem of unemployment,’’ Mbawuike said.
He said although no date had been fixed for the fair, the group might settle for either November or December, noting: “We will like to fix the event during the dry season to avoid the rains.’’
The chamber president explained that with more than five tertiary institutions in Owerri and environs, the fair would have multiplier effects on the economy.
Mbawuike said the chambers ruled out the popular general goods fair in its plans due to the nuisance associated with such fairs.
“In the past, we have observed that some of the partners will after agreeing for seven days as duration for such fair extend the days to favour their personal interests,’’ he said.
Mbawuike said the leadership of the chambers was discussing with the state government on ways to establish a permanent trade fair complex in Owerri, saying the project was long over-due. (NAN)
