Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha on Tuesday called on Nigerians to embrace ‘Made-In-Nigeria’ products.
Gatekeeprs News reports that the SGF said this at the opening ceremony of the exhibition of ‘Made-In-Nigeria’ products and cultural display held at Eagle Square, Abuja.
He said the embrace of own-made products will attract benefits for the country such as increase to GDP growth, more employment opportunities, etc.
“Nigerians now proudly use products branded ‘Made-in-Nigeria.’ This development will no doubt attract several benefits to the country including an increase in its Gross Domestic Product, generation of employment opportunities and reduction in the cost of production.
“This ‘Made-In-Nigeria’ exhibition will help in propagating a new and positive narrative that Nigeria is ready to harness her own resources to become a global player in commerce,” he said.
Mustapha says that the recent development of more than twelve indigenous mobile cell phones by the Model Skills Centre of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments is a testimony to the strides the country is making in promoting Made-In-Nigeria products.
The SGF noted The intervention of the Federal Government of Nigeria in developing local industries has resulted in a boom in the growth of local businesses.
“Local production of hitherto imported products is beginning to gain grounds that I make bold to say that the materials produced locally can compare favourably with the imported ones,” Mustapha added.
The SGF said the manufacturing sector remains a key determinant of economic development and its interphase with the needs of the country determines the extent of our industrial growth.
“Manufacturing is part of the economic sector in Nigeria that contributes approximately 10 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product each year. The production activity centres on the production of Household goods, Consumer products, Agriculture, Mining, Cement, building materials Chemicals and so on,” the lawyer stated.
He said it is instructive to note that three sectors namely food & beverages, cement, and textile amount to 77% of the manufacturing output generating value in the country.
“The manufacturing sector in Nigeria has been performing well in recent years as compared to the past. The Government is beginning to show greater interest and provide more support for local production in order to encourage the growth of local industries,” noted the SGF.
According to him, the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in local production is being boosted by encouraging local entrepreneurs to take advantage of the various policies geared towards diversifying the economy.
Some of these include Executive Order 001 on Ease of Doing Business, review of the Companies and Allied Matters Act as well as the enactment of a Finance Act.
