The 36th Enugu International Trade Fair with the theme, “Developing Nigeria Industrial Sector/SMEs for Economic Advancement and Global Recognition”, held from April 4 to 14, 2025 at the Enugu International Trade Fair Complex, GRA, Enugu. NESH Foundation was in attendance to witness the Opening Ceremony, and also have an on the ground assessment of Business Confidence in South East Nigeria, as the Enugu International Trade Fair is the premier trade fair in South East Nigeria organized annually by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA).

The Trade Fair was declared open by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai. The President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), who was represented by the President, South East Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), Chief Humphrey Ngonadi, commended the Enugu State Governor for his consistent efforts in improving Enugu State business environment, and also in the same manner, the Chief Host and President, ECCIMA, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo, commended the Dr. Peter Mbah Administration for significant improvement in Ease of Doing Business in Enugu State.

From our observation, it appears that with the significant improvement in Security in most parts of the South East in recent times occasioned by the checkmating of nefarious activities of the very violent criminal gangs ( locally referred to as Unknown Gun Men ) who were terrorizing the citizens under the guise of being Biafran freedom fighters enforcing sit at home orders on Mondays in the South East by the State Governments most especially Abia, Anambra, and Enugu, has improved the general business confidence in the South East in comparison to two years ago. This is exemplified by three events, two of which took place in Enugu State and Anambra State yesterday, while the third is taking place in Enugu State today, namely:

(i) Oji River Economic and Development Summit which held at Oji River Local Government Secretariat

(ii) The Traditional Wedding of Kenechukwu Obiejesi & Ugochukwu Okonkwo which took place at Acropolis Event Center, Okija, Anambra State

(iii) Nsukka Economic and Development Forum organized by the Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, holding today at Princess Alexandria Auditorium, UNN, Enugu State.

Some people might be wondering, what has a traditional wedding ceremony at Okija have to do with Business Confidence in the South East. The fact is that this event which witnessed the attendance of many business leaders from different parts of Nigeria would not have taken place at Okija two years ago because of the terrorist activities of the “Unknown Gun Men. The husband of a NESH 100 Honoree from South West Nigeria who attended the wedding with his wife informed NESH Foundation that the Ceremony had a Carnival like atmosphere similar to the “Face of Okija” Celebration which used to be a major event in the South East social calendar during the annual Christmas holidays season before the advent of the “Unknown Gun Men”. The high recorded attendance signifies a vote of confidence by the business community on the improvement of security of lives and property in the South East which will encourage investment in the region. However it is not yet uhuru. This improvement in security needs to be sustained and supported by a robust and integrated South East States Security architecture. (Contributed by NESH Foundation)

• PHOTO: Emeka Ugwu-Oju, Founder, NESH Foundation greeting Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai, Deputy Governor of Enugu State at the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair Opening Ceremony