FG, we need a day for Made-in-Nigeria wears-MAN

By allcitynews.ng

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) want a Made-in-Nigeria Day to be created by National Assembly.

The Made-in-Nigeria Day will be a day whereby all Nigerians will wear made-in-Nigeria and use locally made products.

Just as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has expressed worry over the rush for imported products and creating jobs for others, growing and developing economies of other nations.

The President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye who made the call during the opening ceremony at the ongoing three days exhibition claimed that “As you are all aware, this event marks the beginning of the activities lined up for the 51st Annual General Meeting of our Association. It is indeed a significant one for us.

“We have consistently organized this exhibition for the past five years with the primary purpose of showcasing the strength of manufacturing in Nigeria and canvassing for the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products. The MANEXPO2023 aligns with one of MAN’s core objectives, which is to actively encourage the widespread patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products by consumers both within and outside the country.”

Pointing out the essence of the exhibition, he said “In encouraging the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria product, we acknowledge the contribution of some government policies aimed at improving local content development and patronage, including Executive Orders 003 and 005.”

In addition the MAN helmsman expressed the expectation of the Real sector on FG in actualisation of the promised address of the economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration saying “While it is reassuring to note the government’s avowed commitment to curbing trade practices that has turned Nigeria into a dumping ground for imported products, it is important that government takes immediate action to ensure the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of adherence to government initiatives aimed at promoting the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products among all ministries, departments and agencies of govt.
This should also be cascaded to sub-nationals, including states and local governments.

“We envision and anticipate a future in Nigeria where the government will designate a special day on the national calendar as “Proudly Nigeria Day”. On this special day, all individuals and government ministries, departments and agencies would be encouraged to dress in Made-in-Nigeria outfits and prioritize the purchase of products that are locally made.

“Such initiatives would serve as catalysts to boost both the production and consumption of Made-in-Nigeria goods, a crucial milestone in the path towards a virile and competitive manufacturing sector. I am convinced that massive support for the growth of domestic production through the patronage of locally made goods will greatly improve capacity utilization, job creation and manufacturing contribution to gross domestic product.”

Moreover the MAN leader said “The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria remains focused and committed to its advocacy for a conducive business environment and specific targeted policies that will support the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products. Indeed, MAN’s commitment to promoting local content development remains a strategic cornerstone for revitalizing our struggling economy.

Also noted that Nigeria is not only creating more jobs for other countries but also growing and developing other countries economies at the detriment of building the nation’s economy through patronage of homemade products.

The Regional Director for West and Central African regions, Mr. Jean Bakole made this known when he opened the 2023 Exhibition organised by MAN in Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday, 17 October 2023 at Oriental Hotel.

He reiterated the move of MAN members to embrace more competitive products that can withstand and be admired when it comes to international markets, Bankole advised them be commited to the promotion of high quality and competitive Made-in-Nigeria products.

“I therefore urge all your members to continue to innovate and upgrade their manufacturing processes and product standards to foster increased competitiveness. This is particularly crucial in light of the potential advantages that the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement presents for the manufacturing sector.

“UNIDO is a specialised UN Agency with a broad mandate in promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development. In Nigeria, UNIDO, through the Country Programme is promoting the formulation of appropriate industrial policies, development of MSMEs and startups by providing technical support to them to produce standard and high-quality products locally.

Moreover, the UNIDO leader within ECOWAS lamented against the rush for imported products which have been giving rooms for creation of more jobs, growing and developing the eonomies of other countries at the detriment of the nation’s economy.

“It is a well-known fact that the economy of any nation grows rapidly when locally made goods are promoted through patronage, first by its people then through export. Over-dependence on importation of goods weakens the currency, creates unemployment, and consistently reduces the GDP. On the other hand, local production will promote gainful employment for Nigerians and will reduce the dependence on the consumption of foreign products and reduce poverty.

“In UNIDO, we show greater interest and provide more support for local production in order to encourage the growth of local industries. Therefore, I implore MAN and all standards regulatory agencies to provide all the necessary guidance to local producers to ensure their products meet local, regional and global quality and necessary standards. This will encourage greater consumption of locally produced goods and reduce over-dependence on imported goods, especially those which have local substitutes.”

According to him, there is need to support local manufacturers/MSME and Start-ups who are involved in producing made-in-Nigeria goods. Over the years, Nigeria has been growing other countries’ economies through over-dependence on imported goods, especially those which have local substitutes. Yet, Nigeria can easily experience a breakthrough in the quest for local content development and a stable, strong and advanced economy if Nigerians would encourage the production and patronise made-in-Nigeria products.

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