Muhammadu Munir-Jaafaru, chairman, board of trustees, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, has expressed concern over the desolate state of the Kaduna Trade Fair Complex.

Mr Munir-Jaafaru, who is also the patron of the chamber, spoke on Saturday in Kaduna, at the investiture of its new president and the inauguration of its new council.

“The complex needs a lot of rehabilitation. I am not happy as it now looks desolate and does not speak well of the chamber.

“It should be given an urgent facelift to make it more befitting and restore its lost glory,” Mr Munir-Jaafaru, who is equally the Madakin Zazzau, said.

The BOT chairman also advised that the complex be put to an all-year-round usage instead of only for the annual trade fair.

“There should be routine activities to make it busier, which in the long run will bolster the socio-economic development of the state and the country in general,” he added.

Mr Munir-Jaafaru further urged the new leadership of the chamber to live by their affirmation, saying, “we should keep to our promises and God is our witness.”

He commended the peaceful election as well as the successful conduct of the 2023 annual general meeting of November 25.

The new president of the chamber, Ishaya Idi, promised to advance the collective cause of the chamber.

He said, “We have accepted to serve the chamber to the best of our ability.

“I would like to, therefore, remind our members that to serve will require us to avail our individual time, treasure and talent.”

The state commissioner for business, innovation and technology, Patience Fakai, promised to partner with the new leadership to boost socio-economic activities in the state.

Represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Yusuf Auchan, Ms Fakai said, “I have no doubt that the new president will lead the chamber to greatness.”

The oath of office was administered to the new leaders by a legal practitioner, Edoh Baba-Abicheh.

(NAN)