ABASSA elect new set of leaders
Members of the Amalgamated Bags and Shoes Sellers Assocaition (ABASSA) in Lagos, has elected a new set of leaders to pilot the affairs of the association for the next four years. The election which held recently at the association’s secretariat located at Moyosore Aboderin Shopping Mall, Bolade Oshodi, Lagos, saw nine persons emerge as the new executives.
Witnessed by by many journalists, the election was conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner as all eligible voters were allowed to cast their votes.
Orjiakor Wilfred who emerged president of the association spoke toThe Daily Times on the specialty of the association as well as his goal and vision in the next four years.
“ABASSA is an association that is into the production and sales of made in Nigeria bags and shoes. We believe in utilising and promoting resources found around us. I also thank God for making a day like this possible. That I have been elected once again to oversee the affairs of the association shows the confidence the members have in me.
“This is my second tenure in office and I hope to complete what I have started. We are currently building over 500 blocks of shops in Oshodi to be mainly occupied by our members. I do hope to complete it in the next four years and also promote our business to international markets so as to compete favourably with goods from other parts of the world.”
On the current economic policy of the government and how it is affecting local businesses, Wilfred said.
“We are in support of Nigerians buying made in Nigeria goods. However, we need government’s support to upgrade our business. We have seen them give support to farmers in the country and I think if they can extend such support to us, we will do better.
“We sometimes import some of our goods from China because we do not have the machines needed to produce such goods. So I am calling on the government to come to our aid, help us get machines and other facilities that would make the production of quality bags and shoes easier.”
Commenting on the unemployment crisis in the country, the president had this to say: “This business is one that has the potential to employ many graduates in the country. Currently we have a number of graduates who are into this business and they are doing well. And this is what I am still talking about. If government sees this industry as a viable one and support it, I tell you many other unemployed graduates will also see the opportunities therein.”
Other members of the executives elected include Ukah Kyrian (vice president), Ndukwu Augunus (Secretary), Ogbonna Christopher (financial secretary), Celestine Oleka (treasurer), Tochukwu Nwosu emerged the assistant secretary, while Godwin Okoye won the post of the asst financial secretary. Kelechi Sunday was also elected got the public relations officer and Chidi Ebubechukwu emerged as the Task Force Chairman.
