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President of the Balogun Business Association, International Centre for Commerce (BBA/ICC), Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Oscar Odogwu, has said that despite the challenges of court cases instituted against the association both in Lagos and Abuja, petitions filed against it in almost all police formations across the country, visits to the complex by NAFDAC officials, and invitations by the DSS, the association is moving positively on the path of peace, progress, and prosperity.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Sun, he said that his administration, against all odds, would not lose focus until the glory of the trading association as first among equals is restored.
According to him, despite the distractions, the past two years in office have marked a period of significant progress and transformation for the complex, achieved with limited resources. He added that together, they have worked tirelessly to improve the environment to ensure a safer, more transparent, and more efficient trading community for all members and visitors.
He also spoke on other issues concerning the complex.
You have been in office as the President of BBA/ICC for two years. What can you say are your achievements in office?
I want to start by saying that my administration inherited an empty purse when we came on board about two years ago. Because of the activities of the defunct caretaker committee led by Chief Anselm Dunu, Chief Anthony Obih, and others, the association’s bank accounts were empty. In any case, there was no account for the association at the time.
We came in through the instrumentality of the court, having won the election, but were not allowed to govern due to the activities of the caretaker committee. This meant starting from scratch. However, we were fortunate to have an experienced and able leader in the person of Chief Okey Ezibe, Chairman of the association’s Board of Trustees. He guided us, having walked the same path before as a foremost leader of the association.
We also had the support of most traders, so we began raising funds through donations—both financial and material—such as solar lights, utility bill support, corporate social responsibility contributions from companies operating within the complex, and other forms of internally generated revenue.
As we raised funds, we spent them prudently to meet obligations such as electricity bills, security, LAWMA fees, ground rent to the Trade Fair Management Board, litigation costs, secretariat maintenance, stakeholders’ contributions, seminars, condolences, official visitations by Police/DSS/NAFDAC, staff salaries and Christmas bonuses, rallies, and inherited debts, including sweepers’ and LAWMA charges.
There was no love lost in the association when you came on board. How were you able to restore peace in the complex?
One major area we focused on was peace, because without peace, development is impossible. Given the tension, disorderliness and instability caused by the defunct caretaker committee, restoring peace was critical. Once we assumed leadership through the court, we worked deliberately to restore order, stability, and confidence through an open-door policy.
There was confusion, falsehood, and malicious rumours, but through transparency, humility, and accountability, members were able to separate fact from fiction. This helped restore peace and stability. We also strengthened collaboration among the Board of Trustees, Founding Fathers, Builders, Cluster Executives Forum, stakeholders, members, and partners, ensuring a unified and focused approach. Today, BBA/ICC speaks with one voice.
Another major focus was sanitation. Cleanliness is next to godliness, and a clean environment is good business. To avoid issues that have shut down other markets, we constituted an Environmental Committee headed by Sir Emma Azike. The committee ensures regular clearing of gutters and drainages, drainage upgrades, and routine refuse evacuation by LAWMA officials.
How is the issue of electricity in the complex?
We treated electricity as an urgent matter by settling outstanding bills owed to EKEDC by previous administrations. This restored regular power supply, reduced generator pollution, and eased business operations. Members can attest to the steady power supply and constant maintenance since we assumed office.
What has your administration done in infrastructure?
We believe strongly in a beautiful environment and solid infrastructure. Through corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnerships, we modernised the Main Gate, Sokoto Gate, Abia Gate, Ebonyi Gate, and Rivers Gate. We also erected dwarf perimeter fences around parks and gardens to enhance security and provide advertising opportunities for members.
What other achievements can you highlight?
Despite lean resources, we achieved a lot. We partnered with telecom companies to install fibre optic cables and booster antennas for affordable and effective data and voice services. We installed high-quality solar lights and engaged a professional security company, drastically reducing burglary and pilfering.
We also partnered with Wavelength Integrated Power Service Limited to install solar lights across clusters, conducted free and credible cluster elections, re-roofed and repainted the secretariat, established a functional clinic managed by a reputable hospital, and opened a BBA/ICC daycare/nursery school.
What about refuse management and fire outbreaks?
We procured a fire truck and a compactor truck through internally generated revenue. These support immediate fire response and efficient refuse disposal, reducing daily LAWMA costs.
What plans do you have before leaving office?
We plan to upgrade the security office into a multi-storey building with modern facilities. We are also discussing branding 500 carts for security and advertising purposes to further beautify the complex.
What is your message to members?
The journey has not been easy, but the support of our Board of Trustees, Founding Fathers, stakeholders, and members has been invaluable. Our commitment remains unwavering.
We will continue to pursue member-friendly policies, capacity building, stronger partnerships, infrastructure development, fair trade practices, youth empowerment, and inclusive governance. Together, we will build a complex of prosperity, unity, and progress.
