As part of its desire to move the association forward, the Ondo State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ONDOCCIMA, on Tuesday, held it’s inaugural executive meeting in Akure, the state capital.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by ONDOCCIMA spokesperson, Hon Adeboro Onibalusi, the meeting, which held at the popular Solton Hotel, Ijapo Estate, Akure, witnessed hugely robust discussions by the recently inaugurated executive members.
In his address to the executives, the president, Otunba Olumide Araoyinbo, congratulated them and prayed for God’s guidance as they embark on the the journey to steer the ship of the association.
He reminded the executives of the task ahead and pleaded for their unalloyed support, which he said will ensure that the association meets the yearning of other members and the generality of the people.
“We must join hands and work to grow ONDOCCIMA. But to grow, we cannot continue to dole out pieces of fish to businesses around us. We must, as frontline business men and women in our rights, begin to teach our people, young and old how to cast their nets to get bountiful harvests on their investments,” Araoyinbo said.
He reiterated his promise to meet the expectations of all the members by ensuring that the resources of the chamber are used to move it to greater heights.
He went on to thank the members for the confidence reposed in him as president and called for brilliant ideas. 
He added: “I stand before you on this special day to seek your sincere support and collaboration in this onerous task of moving the association to the next level. Nobody can grow in isolation. It is same big organisations. For us as members of ONDOCCIMA, the time has come for a purposeful-driven agendas that will ensure the success of our organisation and leave our imprints on the sands of time.
“As president, I cannot claim to know it all. Your support, suggenstions and ideas are needed at all times. Let me also assure you that my doors are open and my ears are ready to listen to ideas from our wise men and women.”
The president also informed the executives that the association will come up with a position paper which will look at ways of collaborations and partnership with government and private bodies. The aim, he said is the economic development of Ondo State.

“I  want to use this opportunity to call on the government and those responsible for formualtion of policies to help put in place policies and structures that will encourage business men, women, farmers and traders to grow their businesses.”

Other programmes listed include the identification of all moribund industries in the state, with a view of seeking ways to rescusitate them; the establishment of cattage industries to create employment opportunities for the youths, create a data base of all business organisations in the state and to identify all stakeholders. The stakeholders listed are SMEDAN, MAN, NASSI, NEPC and NESRA among several others. 
While frowning at the high cost of foodstuffs and the attendant effect on the rising cost of living, ONDOCCIMA, advised government to immediately intervene by releasing it’s grain reserve and make them available to Nigerians at subsidized rate.