FG pledges continuous promotion of local entrepreneurs
The Federal Government says it will continue to promote ingenuity and industry of indigenous entrepreneurs for economic growth.
Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, said this in Abuja on Tuesday at the opening of Exhibition of Made in Nigeria Products and Cultural Display.
The exhibition is organised by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Nigeria @ 60, in collaboration with Business Visa and Trainings Co. Ltd to mark Nigeria 60th anniversary.
The nation turned 60 years on Oct. 1, 2020.
Considering the significance of the age in our journey to nationhood, President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the celebration should be made a year-long event to end in September.
Adebayo stated that consequently, an Inter-Ministerial Ownership Sub-Committee of the Nigeria @ 60 celebration outlined activities aimed at promoting local content and rich cultural heritage, among others.
He said the exhibition was focused on drawing attention to attributes that Nigeria was endowed with that needed to be harnessed for the common good of all.
The minister noted that the products being displayed were 100 per cent Made in Nigeria by the Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) depicting the ingenuity and industry of indigenous entrepreneurs.
“You are aware of the determination of the present administration to build resilience in the nation’s economy and diversify the entire source of revenue so that we can become less dependent on only one product- oil.
“The slogan ‘let us grow what we eat and eat what we grow’ by President Muhammadu Buhari sums up this national resolve.
“It is with a view to strengthening our economic base that deliberate effort has been made by this administration to encourage the growth of MSMEs.
“It is therefore not surprising, that in celebrating 60 years of our nationhood, the fruits of the labour of our people to create products and services deserve to be celebrated and encouraged.
“The Exhibition of Made-in-Nigeria Products will therefore further reveal the tremendous potential that abounds in our quest for self-sufficiency and self-reliance,” he said.
He noted that the tourism sector still remained largely unexploited; hence the celebration would showcase the nation’s rich cultural heritage to the world for Nigeria to become a destination of choice for tourism.
The following activities were drawn up to mark the celebration: Exhibition of Made in Nigeria Products, Live Performance of Cultural Troupes from the six geopolitical zone of the country, Essay Competition, Photo Gallery of the journey so far, Exhibition of Nigerian Cuisines and Special Nigeria @ 60 Awards to notable Nigerians.
It was reported that various indigenous MSMEs on organic products, natural sweetener, food and spices, textiles manufacturing, among others displayed their products.
Speaking with our correspondent, Mr Jamil Shehu, Chief Executive Officer of Al’time Organic Products (Tea, Spices and Dry Fruits) expressed hope for high patronage and to be identified by investors through the exhibition.
Shehu however decried some challenges facing his business as multiple taxation and inability to meet up with demands due to lack of mass production necessitated by lack of capital.
Another exhibitor, Mrs Nweke Ruth of Multiple Health Tips Ltd., producers of herbal tea, 100 per cent sourced from local farmers with value addition, also called for more enabling environment and certification to boost patronage.
