It was pump and pageantry as the entire FESTAC Town in Lagos stood still for the largest auto trading centre across the continent, the Auto Spare Parts & Machinery Dealers’ Association (ASPMDA) for the celebration of first 100 days in office of the new President, Hon. Ngozi Emechebe in a Thanksgiving and massive reception yesterday, Sunday, July 2, 2023.
With the Church Service at the Lagos Regional Headquarters 12, FESTAC of the Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM), along 7th Avenue, the presiding Pastor, Mr. I.E. Irabor took his lead texts from Palms 100 Vs. 4. Palms 136 Vs. 1 and 1 Tes. 5Vs. 18.
According to him, Thanksgiving remains the best way to appreciate God’s doings in our life and businesses.
He made it clear that “Thanksgiving is a basic requirement in worship of God. Thanksgiving brings us closer to God and Thanksgiving serves as food for God.
“God never leaves anyone that gives him thanks, rather he blesses him or her with long life and prosperity.
Pastor Irabor noted that “Thanksgiving is key that seamlessly unlocks hard situations.
From the Church Service activities shifted to Canary Event Centre also in FESTAC Town, where invited guests are entertained with goodwill messages, refreshments, a mini-lecture by Chief Anayo Nwosu, a banker with Keystone Bank who spoke on the meaning recent policies of the federal government.
In his mini-lecture, Chief Nwosu called on ASPMDA members to embrace digital technologies, saying trends in global businesses are now shifting from brick walls to digital activities.
He explained critical issues on the economy including the implications of fuel subsidy removal which included inflation, high operating costs of businesses, reduced purchasing power and spiral effects on other issues.
He also gave clear insights on the meaning of the recent reopening of land borders and foreign exchange unification by the current administration.
Whereas some trading moguls like the founder of BBA, Chief Okey Ezeibe, Ezeigbo of Amuwo-Odofin and others graced the church service, personalities like Engr. Joe Igbokwe, President of APT and Stakeholders Chairman, Chief Eric Ilechukwu, President of Mandilas International trade Centre, Chief Dr. Anthony Okeke and top officials of other trading plazas at the complex were at the reception.
Barring his thoughts on the thanksgiving, the Stakeholders Chairman, Chief Ilechukwu charged ASPMDA to continue to maintain their leadership role in the progress of the entire trade fair complex having been the first to land at the trade fair in 1996.
Earlier in an interview, a business mogul, Chief Daniel Edokwe, CEO of Christ Daniel Eagles Dynamics Limited thanked God for using the person of the current ASPMDA President, Hon. Emechebe to begin to change negative narratives in the plaza.
Explaining the reasons behind the thanksgiving, ASPMDA President told media executives at the event that “It is the best thing to do to always give thanks to God from time to time. ASPMDA under my watch has moved with speed in terms of service delivery, better outlook and provision of ease of doing business. So, the best way to appreciate the support from God almighty is thanksgiving and that is what we are doing today.
He further assured ASPMDA members that his government will continue to deliver on his reform promises to make sure businesses grow with ease in the plaza.
Business Hilights reports that majority of past presidents of ASPMDA including the BoT Chairman, Chief Dr. DC Offorkansi, Chief Jossy Egwuatu, Chief Johnson Offortube, Chief Sunnex Ohanazoeze, Sir Sunny Igboanuzue, Chief Ages Okeke and other senior stakeholders including Chief Nonso Okafor, Hon. Anthony Oforma and others.
