FG encourages Nigerians to patronize locally produced goods and services

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, has encouraged Nigerians to patronize locally produced goods and services, saying it is the only way to boost the economy, diversify it and conserve millions of dollars on importation of foreign goods and services into the Country.
Enelamah further disclosed that patronizing locally produced goods will create massive employment to the Nigerian Youth, empower local entrepreneurs among other benefits.
The Minister who was represented by the Director, Human Resources Department in the Ministry, Alhaji Dauda Haruna Muhammad, at Flag-off and Sensitisation Campaign for patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Products and Services for the South-East Zone, taking place in Aba, Abia State, commended the spirit of State Governments in emulating the Federal Government.
Enelamah charged Nigerians to key into spirit of using locally produced products as a step in achieving the present Administration’s initiatives of Ease of Doing Business and Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
Earlier in his welcome address, the Abia State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya ,said that the choice of Aba (Abia State) as venue for this forum flag off Campaign for patronage of made –in- Nigeria products for the South East Zone may not have come as a surprise considering the unique position of Aba as one of the most outstanding centres of commercial activities and a hub of locally produced and fabricated products in Nigeria.
Chief Ogbonnaya stated that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment must be commended for this initiative.
“There cannot be a better time to mount the campaign for the patronage of made in Nigeria products than now that emphasis is shifting towards diversification of our national economy from over dependence on oil and imported goods.
He added that there is no better way to fix our national economy than to start to appreciate and encourage patronage of our locally made goods.
In his good will message, the Enugu State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Sam Ogbu- Nwobodo stated that this campaign is quiet apt and Germaine at this time as it will promote the made-in-Nigeria goods and services as well as encourage Nigerians to buy and utilize goods and services that are made in Nigeria.
“This will obviously increase the Nation’s Industrial Productivity, increase import substitution with the reduction in the importation of goods and services that we can produce. In other words, this will create a lofty situation where we use what we produce and produce what we use’’ he said.
Nwobodo disclosed that government’s efforts should be intensified towards the provision of steady power and energy supply, support for Medium and Small Enterprises (MSEs), Security, world class transportation infrastructure, tax incentives and general improvement in the enabling business environments.
Speaking further he said “already Made-in-Nigeria goods such as refined made in Aba shoes, garment products and Nollywood movies to mention but a few, are creating waves in international markets’’.
It would be recalled that similar Sensitisation Campaign for patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Products and Services were launched in Abuja, Kanoand Lagos.