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By Merit Ibe
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has scheduled to hold its 52nd annual general meeting which centres on assessing the performance of the sector in the past year and charting a new path to tread going forward.
President of the association, Francis Meshioye, who made the disclosure in a conference yesterday, noted that the event, which will feature the Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition, will kick off from 22 to 24 October in Lagos.
According to him, the event themed: “The Imperatives of an Intentional Development of the Nigerian Manufacturing Sector,” will feature President and chief executive officer of the Africa Finance Corporation, Mr. Samaila Zubairu, who will speak to the theme at the 4th Odutola Annual Lecture as guest speaker.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the special guest of honour on the occasion will be joined by other ministers, heads of government departments and agencies, the diplomatic corps, colleagues in the organized private sector and other stakeholders’ to make the programme a huge success.
Also, the CEO of the government procurement agency and the Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement. Mr. Olusegun Omotola, will declare the exhibition open, where more than 100 exhibitors will be showcasing their products with more than 10,000 visitors expected.
Meshioye noted that Zubairu has been a champion of African value creation, job growth and industrialization, directing billions into transformative infrastructure over the past three decades.
The MAN boss outlined the activities for the 3-day event to include: Opening ceremony of the Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition scheduled for 10am on 22nd October.
“On the 23rd, the AGM Private Session will be held simultaneously with the exhibition and a value addition presentation by KPMG on embracing sustainable finance; as well as an awareness session on the GEF-UNIDO & IEE RECP project.
“The 4th edition of the Adeola Odutola Lecture/Presidential Luncheon is scheduled for the third and final day, October 24, 2024 at 11am.”
He noted that the choice of the theme for this year speaks volume about the direction and resolve of the association to birth a thriving manufacturing sector, adding that the high and rising cost environment continues to shrink profitability and in many cases threaten the existence of many operators in the critical sector of the economy.
“More worrisome is the fact that the sector that should propel job creation, productivity and economic growth is enmeshed with a series of challenges that constantly limit its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.’
He emphasised the need to urgently address the binding constraints that make the local products uncompetitive, otherwise, the economy may continue the downward trend with no certainty on when it will rebound.
“As critical stakeholders in the Nigerian economy, we shall continue to play our role of presenting the government with policy inputs and options. We shall continue to partner with governments with a view to co-creating innovative solution that will free the Nigerian economy from its lackluster performance and place it on the path of productivity, sustainable growth and development.”
