Folahan Set To Host 500 Vendors, 50,000 Participants At Hybrid Agege Int’l Trade Fair

The Convener of 2021 Agege International Trade Fair, Mr. Omotileolawa Folahan, alongside others has announced readiness to host at least 500 vendors and 50,000 participants at the annual trade fair billed to hold at the Agege Stadium from July 13 till July 19.

He disclosed this in a media briefing on Thursday, April 29 in Lagos.

Folahan said the Agege International Trade Fair, which is a hybrid one in keeping with COVID-19 protocols is designed for physical and virtual shopping to prevent too many participants from converging daily.

Speaking at the briefing, Folahan stated that “The Agege International Trade fair is an innovative platform developed to help the average entrepreneur grow and to promote SMEs in the state. Our aim is to host over 500 vendors with 50,000 visitors daily, both online and physically.

“This year’s edition will be a physical and a virtual event, with participants from all around the world. Participants can order products from anywhere in the world with a 50 percent discount on delivery within Lagos.

“The fair will go a long way in boosting trade and commerce in the state as well as reduce unemployment in the state. We are also focused on how our vendors will make big sales and return for their investment, which is why we have made it affordable. Our stands sell for as low as N40,000 for the seven days, and vendors can also share stands to display their goods.”

In addition Mr Rotimi Sulaimon, the representative of the Agege Local Government Chairman, Alh Ganiyu Ogunjobi, commended the organisers of the fair as the council vowed support towards the success of the fair.

“We are fully behind this Trade fair, this event is ours. It is one of the biggest events in our council area. We must appreciate the roles SMEs play in our economy. We will be deceiving ourselves if we think the government is the sole driver of our economy. We assure our visitors that it is going to be a good outing for all participants,” Sulaimon said.

On his part, the Special Assistant to the Kano State Governor (Lagos Affair), Mr Anthony Oneya, who said the fair would be an opportunity for Kano and Lagos State to strengthen their bilateral trade agreement signed in 2018 also restated his commitment to the partnership for economic productivity.

According to him, “As far back as 1932 the first settlers of the Arewa people (of which most were from Kano) settled in Agege. They traded here when the rails passed through Agege. So it is an honour to be part of this Trade Fair. With the fair we hope we hope to drive trade between the people of Lagos and Kano,” Oneya stated.

Also present at the event were social media icons and brand ambassadors, Black Camaru and Emini Oba alongside Sunmbo Adeoye, who would be teaching a masterclass at the event.