Business
2025 Gateway Trade Fair: OGUNCCIMA Applauds DIL’s Partnership
The Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industries Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) has commended the roles played by the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) in driving the economic growth and economic sustainability of the state.
President of the Chamber, Lion Niyi Oshiyemi gave the commendation in Abeokuta while addressing the press to herald the 14th Gateway International Trade Fair holding at the Moshood Abiola Trade Fair Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The OGUNCCIMA boss described the Dangote Group as a long-standing partner and Africa’s most formidable business conglomerate saying the interest of the company in the Gateway Trade Fair has validated the Fair as a hub for commerce, innovation and economic exchange.
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He pointed out that the contributions of the Group to the state and the nation’s economy was remarkable and that the Company has been the backbone of the trade fair over the years pointing Dangote has proven beyond reasonable doubt that its is a socially responsible business organization.
Said he, “Your remarkable contributions to this fair and to the Nigerian economy at large are highly commendable. In the same vein, your presence here today reaffirms the significance of the Gateway International Trade Fair as a hub for commerce, innovation and economic exchange”.
Oshiyemi also thanked the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his administration’s unwavering support and commitment to the business community in the state adding that the state has emerged an economic powerhouse attracting investments because the state government has fostered conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
The OGUNCCIMA President said this year’s trade fair was organized in collaboration with the Ogun State Government, adding that it has continue to serve as a premier platform for business networking, innovation and investment promotion in the state and beyond.
The Chamber’s boss added that for over a decade the trade fair has remained a key driver of economic transformation, fostering collaborations among local and international businesses, investors, policy makers and consumers.
This year’s edition themed, “Promoting Businesses through Partnership” according to him, underscores the vital role of strategic alliances in expanding business opportunities, strengthening industries and boosting economic growth’, he said.
“Beyond business engagements, he added, the fair also serves as a melting pot of cultures, ideas and innovations. As we navigate the ever-evolving global economy, it is imperative that we embrace partnerships, technology and sustainable business practices to remain competitive and relevant’, Oshiyemi emphasized.
On its part, the Dangote Group tasked the OGUNCCIMA not relent in its efforts at ensuring the Trade Fair succeeds and achieve its objectives.
The Group Chief, Branding & Communication, DIL, Anthony Chiejina, represented by Francis Awowole-Browne, at the event, disclosed that the Group was ready for the Fair saying all its business units have been adequately mobilized to exhibit at the Fair.
He urged members of the public to come out and troop to the fair to take advantages of the various products from the Group stable that would be sold at reasonable prices with promotional gifts for those patronizing the exhibition stand of Dangote.
According to Chiejina various products from the Dangote businesses like, Sugar, Salt, Seasoning, Cement, Fertilizer, Rice and Sinotruck trucks etc are available at the Fair.
He also advised OGUNCCIMA to employ strategies that would help them garner exhibitors in view of the economic situation in the country which has negatively affected some of the participating companies.
Nokia has reported a net loss of €68 million for the first quarter of 2025, a sharp decline from the €438 million profit recorded during the same period last year.
The Finnish telecoms equipment maker attributed the downturn to global trade disruptions and recently imposed tariffs by the United States.
The company’s net sales dropped slightly to €4.4 billion, down by one percent year-on-year.
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Tariff-related challenges were highlighted by Nokia’s President and CEO, Justin Hotard, who acknowledged the broader economic pressures affecting the industry.
“We are not immune to the rapidly evolving global trade landscape,” Hotard stated. “However, based on early customer feedback, I believe our markets should prove to be relatively resilient.”
He also noted the potential short-term financial impact, saying, “Based on what we see today, we currently expect a EUR 20 to 30 million impact on our comparable operating profit in the second quarter from the current tariffs.”
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump introduced a 10 percent tariff on global imports, while pausing plans for steeper duties, including a proposed 20 percent levy on products from the European Union.
Despite the quarterly setback, Nokia expressed confidence in its growth prospects.
The company is looking to its Network Infrastructure, Cloud and Network Services, and Mobile Networks divisions to drive sales in the year ahead.
In a sign of continued momentum in the mobile segment, Nokia also announced on Thursday that it had extended its contract with T-Mobile US.
The company said it is continuing “to see positive signs of stabilization” in Mobile Networks.
The pull of market forces which moved the hands of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to N880 per litre in Lagos and N935 in Abuja appears to be a source of torture to independent markets.
Biztellers reports that the latest price review on Easter Monday saw NNPC retail outlets in Lagos drop from N925 to N880, while those in Abuja adjusted from N950 to N935.
The NNPC Ltd’s price reduction came barely a week after the Dangote Refinery lowered its ex-depot price from N865 to N835 per litre.
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In addition, the $20bn refinery also directed its partners like MRS, Heyden, and Ardova to sell a litre of petrol at the rate of N890 instead of N920 in Lagos, N900 in the South West, N910 in the South-South, and N920 in the North East.
Consumers can smile because with the reaction, the NNPC Ltd’s new price in Lagos is N10 lower than what the Dangote Refinery is selling at, which might lead to another reaction, as the price war between the two companies.
Though some NNPC Ltd’s retail outlets were observed selling at the old rate in Lagos, it was gathered that they were given the liberty to exhaust old stock before adjusting to the new prices.
Market sources are of the view that the current price war was ignited by the Federal Government’s implementation of the Naira-for-crude policy.
Gold soared to a record high of $3,500 an ounce on Tuesday, as mounting fears over a potential U.S. recession and escalating tensions between President Donald Trump and the Federal Reserve drove investors toward the traditional safe-haven asset.
The precious metal briefly touched an all-time high of $3,500.10 an ounce before retreating slightly to trade at $3,467.87.
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The rally marks the latest in a string of record-breaking gains for gold, fueled by a weakening U.S. dollar, sharp declines across global stock markets, and growing concerns over the health of the world economy.
Market sentiment took another hit this week after President Trump ramped up his trade war with China, slapping fresh tariffs on the world’s second-largest economy and intensifying fears of prolonged economic disruption.
Gold has surged more than 30 percent since the start of the year as investors seek refuge from mounting market volatility.
“The rally reflects ongoing recession fears in the U.S. economy and heightened political tensions, especially as President Donald Trump continues to attack Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell,” said Rania Gule, senior market analyst at trading group XS.com.
Concerns about the Fed’s independence were further stoked Monday, when Trump publicly lashed out at Powell on social media, branding him a “major loser” for not cutting interest rates — a move the president has repeatedly demanded.
The sharp criticism follows Trump’s recent suggestion that he might attempt to remove Powell from his post.
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