The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Hon. Jumoke Oduwole, stated that the only way to halt the importation of foreign goods is to promote, encourage, and support locally made products and services.
The Minister made this statement while officially opening a week-long exhibition of locally made products and services at the National Gallery of Art on IBB Avenue in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Organized by the Department of Commodities and Export within the Ministry, the exhibition aims to promote Made-in-Nigeria products and services as a means to reduce unnecessary imports into the country.
The Minister, who was represented by the Assistant Chief Commercial Officer in the Ministry, Mr. Rimamchika Kafiya, assured attendees that the Ministry is dedicated to promoting Nigerian-in-made products and services.
He said that Akwa Ibom State was selected for the exhibition because of some unique products and services exhibited in previous events, adding that the tour will continue in other states of the Federation.
“The Federal Executive Council has accepted and approved that we go around the country and carry out the campaign to Nigerians to promote and patronise made-in-Nigeria Products and services,” he stated.
He however advised exhibitors to improve on their products to meet the requirements SON and NAFDAC to be easily accepted in the national and international markets.
In his remarks, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Elder Ubong Inyang who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Stephen Effiong urged Akwa Ibom citizens to patronise local products in order to help boost the economy of the state.
He assured that the state government will continue to support local entrepreneurs to make exploit the state economy.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative, Mr Howard Usen thanked the Federal Ministry for hosting the exhibition campaign in Akwa Ibom State.
He said the exhibition whose office is partnering with the ministry was designed to support Akwa Ibom locally made products.
Usen thanked Governor Umo Eno for his leadership style which has led to the support and promotion of local entrepreneurs and described him as business-friendly Governor.
With the theme: “Buy Made-in-Nigeria Products and Services for Patriotism, industrialisation and job” the weeklong exhibition attracted local entrepreneurs across the state, even as many exportable locally made products were discovered.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then