Umeji, new ASPMDA President assumes office amidst fanfare, assures peace
The newly elected President of Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA), Lagos International Trade Fair complex, Brother James Umeji (aka, Jimbest), Thursday assumed office after he took oath of office for the first four-year tenure.
Business Hilights recalls that ASPMDA is the largest auto spare parts market in Sub-Saharan Africa and hosts over 10,000 business operators including banks and other service providers.
In his acceptance speech shortly after being sworn in by a team of lawyers, Umeji thanked God for a successful general election in the complex and the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babjide Sanwo-Olu for his intervention which ushered an interim government headed by former President, Chief Tony Ughagwu who conducted the election.
He assured to run “A new ASPMDA leadership anchored on true democratic process,” and announced that “Everything being equal, with the windfall (from ASPMDA Hall 2), my government would run the affairs of the association with the money without demanding any extra fee or taxation from lockup shops and offices during our tenure of first four years”.
Continuing, Umeji averred that “Any member of ASPMDA who has good idea to offer from any quarter will be happily accepted, adding that “Under my leadership, the manifestos of ASPMDA Unity Party (AUM) would be followed and nobody would be denied his or her rights as the unity of ASPMDA would be prioritised above political leanings.”
Earlier in an interview, former two-time ASMPDA President, who was appointed by the State Governor to conduct election within 45 days, Chief Ughagwu told journalist that his inspiration to achieve the successful election came from God and his conscience. Majority of traders who spoke to newsmen on the new government described it as God-sent to rescue ASPMDA and prayed for its success.
Also speaking, a senior investor and stakeholder in Lagos Trade Fair complex, Mr Ike Magnus explained that the election was clearly an act of God to put thing right in the complex and charged the new president to look beyond ethnic and party affiliations in returning ASPMDA to its lost glory.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion included Eze-Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Solomon Aguene, leaders of other trading plazas in the complex and Acting chief executive officer of the Trade fair management Board, Mr. Francis Dajilalk.
All former Presidents of ASPMDA were present including the Chairman of Board of Trustees, Chief DC Offorkansi.
