NACC seeks U.S embassy’s support for visa facilitation for SMEs

THE Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) has urged the American Embassy in Nigeria to do everything possible to facilitate the visa processing for members of the bilateral chamber especially when it involves business trips for national growth and development.

The bilateral chamber also called for adoption of a value-driven national orientation with emphasis on non-oil diversification to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the economy.

The National President of the Chamber, Otunba Toyin Akomolafe, made the appeal today in Lagos in a report to commemorate the Chamber’s 60th anniversary.

The 60th anniversary public lecture, which held virtually, had the theme: “The role of the private sector in 60 years of Nigerian-American partnership.’’

Akomolafe said visa facilitation for members of NACC is imperative given the enormous benefits inherent in the natural resources of both countries, which when harnessed, will be mutually beneficial to the two parties.

“Given the wobbling economy all over the world occasioned by the global pandemic, it’s expedient for embassies especially the American Embassy in Nigeria to fastrack VISAs and other protocol involved for trade experts going to America for the sole purpose of doing business, making research and other development projects for the benefits of both countries.”

Akomolafe noted that easier facilitation of visas by the US Embassy for Chamber members and other support mechanisms for growth by the US Commercial Service particularly for the SMEs is compatible with the spirit of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

AGOA is a legislation approved to help and significantly enhance market access to the U.S for qualifying sub-Saharan African countries.

The NACC President noted that this will go a long way to ameliorate the plights of the people particularly in food security that would be engendered by smooth trading.

He maintained that the Chamber has had its fair share of the “good, bad and ugly” brought about by the pandemic, therefore the government must frantically direct its energy towards cutting high cost of governance and putting a stop to what he described as “policy summersault”

Akomolafe also advised the government to consult professionals where neccssary as other world powers are doing to proffer viable and feasible solutions to the glaring challenges staring Nigeria in the face.

“We all affected by the global pandemic, nevertheless, NACC has been consistent in the drive and commitment to our mandate in line with the vision of our founding fathers.

“We implore every stakeholder to conscientiously keep the chamber’s flag flying no matter the vicissitudes of the operating environment,” he added.

He lauded efforts of all NACC past presidents who dedicated themselves to keeping the flag flying irrespective of the vicissitudes of the operating environment.

“The Chamber has had its fair share of successes and challenges over the years.

“However, what has been consistent is the drive and commitment to our mandate in line with the vision of our founding fathers.

“Whatever we are doing today is partly a tribute to the memories of these great men and women who literally ‘saw tomorrow’ when they sat down to conceive the idea of the formation of this great Chamber,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Chairman, Juli Pharmacy Plc., noted that Nigeria could become a noble nation in the nearest future through capacity building, leadership reorientation and attitudinal changes.

Adelusi-Adeluyi stressed that now, more than ever, is the time for identifying and nurturing the right crop of leaders to steer the nation to full potential.

“The challenges of Nigeria which borders on infrastructure decay, insecurity, corruption and the Covid-19 pandemic are there, but not as bad as it is being projected.

“Yes, there are complaints everywhere, the blame game everywhere, political puppets and puppeteers, toxic environment, and yes, the nation is at a tipping edge.

“But the right-thinking people must not join the convoy of criticisms, as businesses will not improve based on that.

He said, “It is the duty of the private sector to change the current realities beguiling the nation and the NACC must take advantage of its position and be part of the solution to the nation’s problems by selling hope to the people.”

Adelusi-Adeluyi, also a past president of the Chamber, urged it to establish a strong Board system, consolidate it and build a secretariat to achieve the aims of the Chamber and impact the nation.

“There must be team work for synergistic results, capacity building, and more efforts by the NACC to ensure that SMEs know and benefit from AGOA.

“The NACC must also strengthen its networking abilities to enhance its net worth so as to become a strong movement with stronger, long lasting impacts,’’ he said.