From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has warned against promotion of foreign commodities which he said is killing the local items.
He stated this at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State while kick-starting activities for the celebration of his 8th year on the throne, on Thursday.
Ooni cautioned against over-dependence on the dollar while Nigerian producers are suffering, saying there is a need to encourage our manufacturers by patronizing them.
He said, “I’m using my 8th coronation anniversary to appeal to our leaders to stop promoting foreign commodities. We are the ones killing ourselves in this country. Let us continue to encourage our own. They are not perfect let us continue to support them.
“We are appealing to our leaders. Let us continue to encourage people to manufacture and encourage everybody to use our own,” Ooni said.
The monarch posited that if efforts can be made to ensure that 60-70 percent of our products are manufactured locally, there would be a drastic reduction in the number of unemployment.
He called on the national assembly to make a law, mandating that members put on locally-made dresses and use locally-made chairs in their chambers.
“The legislators should promulgate a law that nobody should come to the chamber with anything lower than 70 percent in their body and what you are seated upon. If we extend it to the food we it, this country will be better,” Ooni said.