The Chairman of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN), Gabriel Kuma, has called for stronger collaboration between government, industry and the media to promote economic development as the association marks its 20th anniversary.

‎The chairman made the call in a welcome address at CICAN’s 20th Anniversary Conference, themed “Celebrating Two Decades of Impact, Shaping the Future of Commerce and Industry.”

‎He expressed gratitude to government officials, industry leaders, development partners, representatives of the organised private sector and media professionals for attending the event, describing their presence as a demonstration of the importance of journalism to national development.

‎According to him, the anniversary represents more than two decades of existence, as it celebrates courage, perseverance, professional commitment and journalism’s role in shaping public discourse, influencing policy and supporting economic growth.

‎The chairman recalled that CICAN was registered in June 2006, describing its beginnings as modest but driven by a vision to unite journalists covering commerce, industry, investment and related economic activities.

He said the association had grown despite challenges, including limited resources, professional demands and an often difficult operating environment, adding that its development required collective determination and commitment from members.

The chairman noted that reporting commerce and industry goes beyond publishing figures, announcing policy decisions or reproducing official statements, stressing the need for journalists to understand the relationship between economic policies and their effects on citizens.

He said effective economic reporting requires an understanding of how investment translates into employment, how industrial production contributes to national prosperity and how government decisions affect businesses and livelihoods.

‎The CICAN chairman also described the association as a platform for journalists to deepen their knowledge, collaborate professionally and strengthen their contribution to discussions on Nigeria’s economic development.

‎He reaffirmed the importance of sustained cooperation among government, industry and the media, expressing hope that the anniversary would strengthen shared commitment to building a more productive and prosperous Nigerian economy.