By Merit Ibe
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has proposed that government should designate a special day on the national calendar as “Proudly Nigeria Day”.
President of the MAN, Franchise Meshioye, stated this yesterday at the opening of the association’s Three-Day Made in Nigeria Exhibition, where he noted that on the special day, individuals, government ministries, departments and agencies would be encouraged to dress in Made-in-Nigeria outfits and prioritise the purchase of products that are locally made.
Meshioye applauded government’s commitment to curbing trade practices that have turned Nigeria into a dumping ground for imported products.
He however said it was 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 government.
This he said should also be cascaded to sub-nationals, including states and local governments.
The MAN boss explained that the Proudly Nigeria Day, initiative 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 utilisation, job creation and manufacturing contribution to gross domestic product.”
In his address, UNIDO Regional Director for West and Central African regions, Mr. Jean Bakole, said due to the prevailing economic situation in the world, particularly in the African region, the time is apt for all Nigerians to start patronising goods and services produced locally in Nigeria to encourage local manufactures to support the economy growth.
Bakole pointed out that Nigeria is a leading economy in Africa and that it is expected to make steady progress through accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
“In order to achieve this and promote economic growth and sustainable development, 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.
“ 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.
The government of Nigeria is showing greater interest and providing more support for local production to encourage the growth of local industries. The intervention of the Federal Government in developing local industries will result in a boom in the growth of local businesses. Thus, local production of various goods is beginning to gain grounds and the materials produced locally can compete favourably with the imported ones. Nigerians are increasingly using products branded made-in-Nigeria. This development will no doubt attract several benefits to the country including an increase in its GDP, generation of employment opportunities and reduction in the cost of production. “Therefore, government should sustain the tempo through appropriate policies, provision of basic infrastructure (energy, roads, etc) and other key incentives as well as effective continued support to MAN and its members.”