MAN@50: GAC Motor-Sponsored Event Climax with Award/Dinner

 

The Guangzhou Automobile Company (GAC Motor) dazzled in making the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) mark its 50th anniversary with 3-day celebration and deliberations around the future of industrialization as the event climaxed with awards and dinner.

GAC Motor reiterated its commitment to driving innovation within the country’s manufacturing sector by demonstrating how the GAC GN8 car is symbolic to the future of industrialization in Nigeria.

The Chairman of GAC Motor, Chief Diana Chen, reassured of her interest in supporting MAN’s agenda for driving innovation in the Nation’s Manufacturing sector. “We are happy to do this partnership because we know how important Manufacturing is in the country,” she said.

Chief Chen harped on the GAC and MAN collaboration, stressing that GAC’s vision and its activities so far hinges on driving industrialization in Africa, predominantly through the Nigeria-China bilateral agreement.

Accordingly, she said “The partnership in Nigeria is not only a matter of business relationship; it is also for China’s commitment to driving regional developmental growth.”

The avenue was agog with an avalanche of video displays of congratulatory greetings from key stakeholders to kick start the anniversary dinner.

Another important highlight of the evening is the speech of the current Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke on the theme “Global Trade: Resetting for Global Competitiveness.”

Okonjo-Iweala harped on the impact of trade in driving industrialization, adding that “For Manufacturers, Trade is also important on the import side; there’s a new and better way to import as well as competitive logistics and other services springing up.”

DG WTO elucidated on why trade plays a key role in uniting countries, driving global economic reforms, and exposing businesses to more markets.

According to her, Africa would be wealthier if its countries traded amongst themselves rather than with other continents.

“When African countries trade with each other, the goods they exchange have more value-added than the goods they send to the rest of the world,” she emphasized.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, represented by Engr Magaji Da’u Aliyu, in his goodwill message stated that the place of manufacturing in the development and economic roles of nations is clear and indisputable.

Gbajabiamila applauded the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria for their efforts at driving industrialization in the country through a wide range of initiatives.

“As we gather here today, I am pleased to celebrate with you as we count back the years. We celebrate with our founding fathers, current president and past presidents for the sacrifices they have made to our nation; and also look forward to our bright future on this occasion,” the Reps Speaker said.

President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Ide John C. Udeagbala, represented by his deputy, Engr Jani Ibrahim also acknowledged MAN’s achievements over the years despite the challenges in the sector.

Udeagbala lauded the organization’s efforts starting from the founding fathers for their vision, steadfastness, commitment and resilience especially in an environment where manufacturing is really tough.

Awards were given to outstanding individuals who include Aliko Dangote, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo and many other dignitaries for their well-known achievements that contributed to the development of the organization over the years.

Other high point of the night saw the winners of the MAN Essay and MAN Logo Design competitions, which is  a creative and intellectual contest for university students to discuss the Nation’s Manufacturing sector as well as channels for the industry’s growth and impact being rewarded with cash prizes of N500, 000 and N200, 000 respectively.

The Director-General of MAN, Engr Segun Ajayi-Kadir expressed his appreciation on behalf of the president and members of MAN to all the guests and stakeholders at their efforts in making the 50th anniversary celebration a huge success.

Ajayi-Kadir assured guests and other stakeholders of the commitment of the organization in promotion economic development in Nigeria and across the continent, adding that “MAN of the future is here!”