Abuja – The Federal Government on Monday urged
Nigerians to patronise `Made-in-Nigeria products’
to strengthen the economy and aid national
development.
Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and
National Planning, made the appeal at the
inauguration of the Joint Planning Committee (JPC)
for the 22nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES22) in
Abuja.
Udoma said that the Federal Government and the
National Economic Summit Group decided on the
theme, “ Made in Nigeria’’ for the NES22 in order to
ensure this.
He said, “ the summit would be used to galvanise
support from stakeholders on the need to commit
to the structural and fiscal challenges required to
strengthen the Nigerian economy.
“ It starts with changing our orientation in
consumption pattern by shifting our mindset and
preference for anything imported and foreign
made to patronising made in Nigeria products.
“ This year’s summit is the perfect opportunity to
engage in a national discussion on how to make
made in Nigeria Products better.
“ It is our expectation that the NES22 will serve as
strong platform to sharpen the focus of the
conversation and extract tangible commitments
and outcomes from the summiteers.”
The minister said that in as much as Nigerians were
encouraged to patronise locally made products,
manufacturers should also endeavour in
technologies required to upscale quality for our
products.
He said the key thrust for the NES22 was to facilitate
stakeholders’ discussion and agreement on the
practical issues, opportunities, policies and
regulations needed to enhance our local products.
“It should also work out the strategy to achieve
self-sufficiency and value-addition capacities in
several products in manufacturing and services in
the shortest possible time,” the minister said.
Udoma said the committee would work under the
joint coordination of the public sector represented
by Dr Tunde Lawal of the ministry and the private
sector represented by Dr Biodun Adedipe of the
NESG.
He said that other members of the committee would
be drawn from various sectors of the economy,
including the State Governors’ Forum.
Udoma therefore urged the committee to take
appropriate steps that would further deepen public
and private sector participation at the summit to
ensure achievement of the expected goals.
Mr Asue Ighodalo, Vice Chairman, Board of
Directors of NESG, commended Udoma and the
Minister of State, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, for their
commitment to the NES.
He said, “ the summit has become a credible
platform for interrogating and understanding our
national economic policy direction and economic
growth strategies with the view to addressing the
challenges.”
Ighodalo expressed optimism that the NES 22
would yield more positive outcomes.
He said, “ following the NES21 where tough choice
on achieving competitiveness, inclusive growth and
sustainability were examined, we agreed that
NES22 will be themed Made-in-Nigeria”.
“ This is in bid to build on these tough choices in
consideration of the global commodity price shock
that our nation has not recovered from.
“ It is important to note that we are not under any
illusions as to the inherent challenges of achieving `
Made-in-Nigeria’.
“ We are of the firm belief that there is no better
time than now to have a coherent conversation on
how to take Nigeria beyond oil reach, intelligent,
economically and socially impactful decisions”, he
said.
Ighadalo said that all that was required was due
ownership at the highest levels of the public and
private sectors and clear commitment of all actors
and stakeholders to the endeavour.
Want To Promote Your Song?