A combined personalities including Exco members, BoT members, Police Chiefs and others during the cutting of 18th year anniversary cake of Association of Progressive traders (APT), Lagos International trade fair complex. Photo: Business Hilights
…As President Announces Zincing of All Plazas
Massive worship songs and praises took over the entire atmosphere on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Association of Progressive Traders (APT), Lagos International Trade Fair complex as the business association held their 18th anniversary prayers and thanksgiving.
The occasion seen as celebration of 18 years of success kicked off with worship songs and praise singing powered by the All Christian Market fellowship (AMCF), APT Chapter with a guest minister, Pastor Samuel Chike.
He concluded his thunderous ministration with the re-anointing of the market upon massive liberation declarations for the growth, stability and progress of the APT.
There were business presentations from partnering financial institutions including WEMA bank and Fidelity Bank, who took out time to market their business promotion products to members with mouth-watering benefits.
WEMA Bank official, Mr. henry Anokwuru explained that his bank has set aside about N40bn for SMEs to access as soft business loans, but the application should be through the APT leadership for adequate security and guarantee for the facility access by members.
WEMA Bank added that the facility can be accessed up to N20m even without a collateral but that will be after a careful study of the applicant’s cash flow and business intelligence in partnership with APT Executives.
In their presentation, Fidelity Bank gave out goodies and cash prices worn by their loyalists as a way of promoting their businesses and encouraging saving culture in business development for growth.
He used the opportunity to market all the bank’s business products available for access by both old and potential new account holders in the market.
In his remarks as President, Chief Eric Ifeanyi Ilechukwu, who doubles as the chairman of stakeholders of Lagos International trade Fair complex revealed that “In the last six years of my administration, there has never been any kind of leadership scandal of abuse of power, rather APT has been growing from strength to strength.
“Our government is not witch-haunting anyone and we use human face in all we do as a government in APT. besides, my administration has delivered all our electoral promises and we are still doing more for the progress of our market.
“I want to announce to you all that effective tomorrow, being the 19th of February, we will start re-zincing all the buildings in APT to end cases of water sipping from the decking and spoiling goods. After zincing, we will repaint all building to make here more beautiful for doing business.
Chief Ilechukwu also revealed that the APT Clinic will be parking into its permanent site soon even as the Executives will be getting into their offices in our new secretariat very-very soon.
Continuing, Chief Ilechukwu hinted of more interlocking of the premises and announced the total banning of any form of displaying of goods around the APT Roundabout and major roads around the Tajj and Fidelity Banks.
He noted that security situation has tremendously improved in APT and will continue to improve in partnership with Police.
He reminded members to always pay their utility bills as and when due to enable the government deliver on teething financial projects.
According to him, expansion is ongoing and very soon, more shops will be available for members to get them to improve their businesses.
The high point of the celebration was the cutting of the APT 18th year anniversary cake which every major group in the market took their turn in taking pictures.
