ABEOKUTA– The convener of the eagerly awaited vendors exhibition in Ogun state, ‘My Grand Event, Ebunlomo Taiyese has stated that the event will boost the internally generated revenue of the state, while creating employment opportunities for the teeming youths.
She said the event was conceived out of the curiosity to bring value to event vendors in Ogun state as well as build small scale enterprises in order to compete favourably with their counterparts in Lagos, Oyo state and across Nigeria.
The event which is slated for the 27th and 28th, August 2022 is aimed at showcasing array of vendors in the event industry in the State, as well as serve as a veritable platform for attendees to interact and network and do business.
Speaking with newsmen, Taiyese said the theme of the 4th edition, ‘The Rebirth’ will also feature an exhibition of products and services by hundreds of vendor from across the State scheduled.
She disclosed that this year’s edition would be a two-day exhibition, adding that participants stands the chance of getting more than they expect within the two days.
“As players in the informal sector, we believe the informal sector is essential for economic growth. It is a key provider of jobs and income in emerging economies. But the crisis caused by the pandemic has had a significant impact on these economies.
“The informal sector does act as a safety net for the formal economy, thus allowing the unemployed and unemployable to find work or start their own businesses, boosting income and alleviating poverty.
“The informal economy has witnessed a massive expansion in the last two decades in Ogun state, and by extension Nigeria and the root causes of these include elements relating to the economic context in the country, decreasing levels of market regulation, weak policy frameworks, and socio-demographic drivers such as population growth, urbanization, rise in unemployment, widening inequality between the rich and poor, low-level education, including poverty.
“Through My Grand Event as a rallying point for all vendors, Ogun state has what it takes to have an efficient small scale enterprise, despite the state of the nation’s economy. My Grand Event is well positioned to bridge the gap towards increasing the state’s income base.
“To achieve an efficient informal sector where vendors in Ogun state can thrive, there is a need for government to embark on series of measures, interventions, and support, such as grants, soft loans with less interests to encourage the formalization of our businesses to sustain economic growth and development.
“Certainly, Ogun state will again boost its internally generated revenue and witness growth of local businesses with over 100 vendors operating their businesses in Ogun”, she added
