FG restates support for local entrepreneurs

The federal government says it will continue to promote the ingenuity and industry of Indigenous entrepreneurs for economic growth.

Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, said on Tuesday in Abuja during the opening of the Nigeria-made products and cultural exhibition.

The exhibition is organized by the Interdepartmental Committee on Nigeria @ 60, in collaboration with Business Visa and Trainings Co. Ltd to mark Nigeria‘s 60th anniversary.

The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) recalls that the nation turned 60 on October 1, 2020.

Given the importance of age in our journey to citizenship, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the celebration to be a one-year event that ends in September.

Adebayo said, therefore, an inter-ministerial Nigeria @ 60 celebration property subcommittee described activities to promote local content and rich cultural heritage, among others.

He said the exhibition was intended to draw attention to the attributes that Nigeria is endowed with that should be harnessed for the common good of all.

The Minister noted that the products on display were 100 per cent made in Nigeria by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)exemplifying the ingenuity and industry of indigenous entrepreneurs.

“You are aware of the determination of the current administration to strengthen the resilience of the national economy and to diversify the entire source of income so that we can become less dependent on a single commodity, oil.

“The slogan ‘cultivate what we eat and eat what we grow’ of President Muhammadu Buhari sums up this national will.

“It is with a view to strengthening our economic base that deliberate efforts have been made by this administration to encourage the growth of MSMEs.

“So it’s no surprise that in celebrating 60 years of our nationality, the fruits of our people’s labour to create products and services deserve to be celebrated and encouraged.

“Exhibiting products made in Nigeria will therefore further reveal the enormous potential that abounds in our quest for self-reliance and self-reliance,” he said.

He noted that the tourism sector still remains largely untapped; therefore, the celebration would present our rich cultural heritage to the world for Nigeria to become a premier destination for tourism.

The following activities have been developed to mark the celebration: an exhibition of products made in Nigeria, live performance of cultural troupes from the six geopolitical zones of the country, essay competition, photo gallery from the trip so far, an exhibition of Nigerian cuisines and special Nigeria @ 60 Awards to notable Nigerians.

The Nigeria News Agency (NAN) reports that various indigenous MSMEs on organic products, natural sweeteners, food and spices, textile manufacturing, among others, showcased their products.

Speaking to NAN, Mr Jamil Shehu, CEO of Al‘time Organic Products (tea, spices and dried fruits) expressed the hope of high patronage and being identified by investors through the exhibition.

Shehu, however, denounced some challenges his business faces, such as multiple taxations and the inability to meet demands due to the lack of mass production necessitated by the lack of capital.

Another exhibitor, Ms Nweke Ruth of Multiple Health Tips Ltd., producers of herbal teas, 100% sourced from local farmers with added value, also called for a more supportive environment and certification to boost patronage. (NOPE)

(NAN)