Lagos will welcome a host of political and business heavyweights on April 12, as the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) marks its 65th anniversary and inaugurates Alhaji Sheriff Balogun as its 20th president.
According to a statement by Victor Ojelabi, Chairman, Publicity Sub Committee, NACC 65th Anniversary Celebration Committee, the milestone event, themed “The Power of Co-Operation: 65 Years of Optimising Nigerian-American Economic Relations,” will unfold at the Lagos Continental Hotel on Victoria Island.
Vice President Kashim Shettima will headline the gala as the special guest of honour, joined by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who will serve as chief host. The celebration will spotlight NACC’s legacy in fostering Nigeria-U.S. trade ties, unveil plans for a new multi-storey headquarters, and induct 52 new members.
The celebration will also feature the unveiling of the proposed NACC multi-storey headquarters building and the induction of 52 new members into the Chamber.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State will serve as the chief host of the day and will also be honoured alongside other notable personalities, including Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Senator Barau Jibrin, Governor Uba Sani, Governor Dauda Lawal, Governor Umo Eno, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Hon. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and Dr. John Momoh, among others.
Distinguished individuals and brands will be recognised for their contributions to the Nigerian-American business community. Among the awardees are His Excellency Americo D’Oliveira Dos Ramos, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Aare Afe Babalola, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Prince Arthur Eze, and Chief Pius Akinyelure.
The Chamber will also honour, posthumously, the late Ambassador Walter Carrington, former United States Ambassador to Nigeria; the late Mr. Richard Kramer, founder and CEO of African Capital Alliance Limited; and the late Mr. Sylvester Turner, the 62nd Mayor of Houston, Texas.
The event’s special guest of honour is His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with His Royal Highness Malam Dr. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau as the royal father of the day. The occasion will be shared by Mr. Samaila Zubairu, President of the Africa Finance Corporation.
Also to be recognised are outstanding Nigerian and American companies, alongside former presidents of the Chamber, whose work has advanced economic growth and bilateral trade relations.
Corporate supporters of the gala include Mainstream Energy Solutions, Zenith Carex, FastCredit, The CocaCola Company, Flour Mills Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC, PWC, Turkish Airline, Lagos Continental Hotel, EightMedical, FortuneGlobal and Zenith Bank.
Media partners include Channels TV, BusinessDay, Studio24, TheCable, Naija Times, Lagos Post, and Freelanews.
The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce has, for over six decades, served as a premier platform for business development, networking, and strategic trade cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
The 20th presidential inauguration gala will serve as both a celebration of legacy and a launchpad for a new era of visionary leadership and economic collaboration.