President of Mandilas International trade Centre (MITC), Lagos International Trade Fair complex, owned by Mandilas United Traders Association, Chief Anthony Okeke has explained that the centre remains the most well structured and oragnised trade centre in Nigeria.
In an interview in his office, he traced the origin of the market to Lagos Island, saying “At the time when we were having problems with the miscreants over there, we decided to relocate so this present place which we acquired and by the grace of God, built it over some few years. “Precisely on march 2015, we relocated to this place. Those who had foresight relocated, in fact most of the importers did not relocate with us, so we had a huge problem in our hands then on how to make the market to move.
“By God’s grace, because we had good leaders right from time, most of us are graduates who are trained in business management, and we were able to bring the market to what it is now, you can see it for yourself.
“We deal on fashion and accessories, entirely fashion, we deal on hand bags, casual, jean, skirts, corporate wears, wrist watches, curtains, textile materials, belts, travelling bags and the likes. We have corporate bodies here, people like Mobison. S
“Mandilas international trade centre is a fashion hub, this is the only place you can get fashion and accessories at an affordable rate.
Chief Okeke averred that “Mandilas is the fastest growing market so far in Lagos state,” and revealed that “In 2007 or so, we got an award from the state command that we are the highest or best organised market so far. And during the rebranding of Kenyan airways, we played a very important role then because we were the ambassadors of Kenyan airways. If you go to our hall now, you will see branded chairs which were given to us by Kenyan airways. We travelled to Kenya to drive Kenyan airways to what it is today.
On market development projects, Mandilas president disclosed that “So far, we have done so many projects here, like if you go there you will see bore hole and further observe that the market remains clean and condusive to do business at all times with good security system.
“Now, we have organised health week to make sure that during festive periods, where we have more stress that most of our members go through the test to know their health status.
“Very soon, precisely early October, we would organise the second phase of the health week. We give free drugs, we test Malaria, sugar level, and high blood pressure, and you do your test when you are found with any illness. We give you first aid drugs before you are recommended to a hospital.
“The beauty of the free health services programme is that it is open to anybody who accesses the market, because if any customer has any issue of health here, it affects us too, so it is open for a week and we call it health week. So if you come in October you will benefit from it.
Chief Okeke noted that the heath week is a Corporate Social Responsibility scheme of his administration because it is all expenses paid by the management”.
On the ongoing closure of borders by the Federal Government since August 21st, he disclosed that the closure affects every other business activities in Nigeria.
According to him, “We are appealing to the government to always weigh options before actions are taken for the interest of local industries that export through land borders. If you go round the entire trade Fair Complex, you will that several loaded trucks liter everywhere because the border is closed.
On market security, MITC boss averred that “Without fear or favour, this is the highest or best secures market in Nigerian so far. Because since 2014, you can go to the police station and ask them, we have not had any incident of shop tampering, robbery or anything.
“Most people forget their bags outside their shops and when they come back in the morning, they get even the comb not to talk of the phone that is inside their bag.
Chief Okeke further added that whereas he advises members of MITC to always maintain the best customer service for which they are noted for, he assured old and prospective customers of fine experience while shopping at the nation’s fastest growing fashion hub, the Mandilas centre in Lagos trade fair complex.
