Abimbola Abatta
The 45 newly inducted members of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) have been urged to imbibe integrity in their business transactions and practices.
They were equally enjoined to uphold the core principles of high ethical standards, global best practices, and responsible corporate citizenships.
LCCI’s President and Chairman of Council, Asiwaju (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole, CON and Vice President & Chairman, Membership & Welfare Committee of LCCI, Sir Ladi Smith, gave the charge, in their separate addresses, on Thursday at the induction ceremony of new members held in Lagos State.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that for over thirteen decades, LCCI has remained the leading voice of the private sector in West Africa through its sustained public policy advocacy, stakeholders’ engagement and trade promotion activities.
While welcoming the new members, the President stated that the chamber has dedicated resources and energy to consistently promote and protect private enterprise development, commercial and industry activities to foster global competitiveness of the Nigeria economy.
In his words, “The goal of the Lagos Chamber is encapsulated in our mission which is, “To promote and protect the interest of its members and the business community at large through public policy advocacy, creation and facilitation of commercial and industrial opportunities, provision of business development service and observance of highest standard of business ethics.
“I make bold to inform you that the LCCI is the only chamber of commerce in Nigeria that is appointed to the General Council of World Chambers Federation (WCF) to reaffirm the Lagos Chamber’s relevance in the international chamber movement.
“In the quest to continue to play leadership roles in the chamber’s movement in West Africa, the LCCI in year 2020 bagged International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 certificate, thereby becoming the first Chamber of Commerce in West Africa sub-region to be ISO certified and the second in the Continent of Africa.”
Charging the new members, Olawale-Cole said, “As we formally induct your company into the Lagos Chamber’s family today, I wish to emphasise the commitment of the Lagos Chamber to the cherished tradition of high ethical standards, innovation, continuous improvement, integrity, and good corporate governance in business practice.
“As business owners and managers, though your primary obligation is to maximise profit, I charge you to pay adequate attention to the integrity of your business transactions and practices, environment, climate actions and social sustainability. I, therefore, enjoin you all to be committed to the core principles of high ethical standards, global best practices, and responsible corporate citizenships. Indeed, the chamber has a code of business ethics to which all members are to subscribe.”
Also speaking, the Vice President, who congratulated the newly inducted members, urged them to be focused, pro-active, inclining, persevering and committed.
Smith said the members stand to benefit from the chamber on multiple levels, some of which include access to useful & accurate business information; intervention with relevant organs of government (where necessary); credibility and trust in international business circles towards consummating collaborative partnerships and joint ventures for mutual benefit.
Some of the other benefits include advocacy on issues that directly & indirectly impact upon their businesses; opportunity for brand visibility to gain real traction and enhancement through sector specific exhibitions, trade shows & trade fairs both locally and internationally; global business opportunities and partnerships through participation in both outbound and inbound trade missions; access to robust Chamber business advisory services; access to discounted but high-quality training and business development services; provision of business documentation services; and business networking opportunities both locally and internationally, among others.
He, however, urged them to place a high premium on their membership status so as to be positioned to appropriate the benefits the chamber confers.
“We also expect, in the spirit of reciprocity, that as your organisations join our chamber today (Thursday), they will contribute their own quotas to the development, growth and expansion of the frontiers currently embraced by our great institution.
“That your organisations will always do business with integrity and at the highest ethical standards; that your organisations will pay Chamber subscriptions and Sectoral Group levies as and when they fall due; that your organisations will attend meetings and events to become active participants in the wide range of Chamber activities and particularly those most relevant to your businesses.”
Maintaining that all members must not fail the founding fathers of the chamber, Smith said “We must make our bright lights shine beyond the borders of our nation and around the world. We must all join hands together to take LCCI to even greater heights.”