Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, has described the exit from Nigeria of the largest syringe manufacturer in Africa, Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing (JSM), located in Awa, Onna Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom State, as yet another painful development in Nigeria.
Obi, who expressed this view yesterday in his X handle, lamented that the sad development where multinational companies continue to exit the country should worry every concerned Nigerian.
This is as the former Anambra State governor has also described Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele’s blockbuster movie, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ as a reflection of the challenges facing the less-privileged Nigerians.
On the issue of the exit of the syringe manufacturer, Obi said: “This ugly development contrasts the government’s claim that the regime is attracting investors.
“I had earlier joined other Nigerians in lamenting the exit of some multinationals like GlaxoSmithKline (GSK); Procter and Gamble (P&G); Equinor ASA, and many others, and indeed many local businesses who have shut down over the same reason of not perceiving any prospect for the country as a business environment that would be anchored on productivity,” he said.
He further pointed out that the dire economic implications of such exits on the nation’s economy are grave.
“Aside from the resulting job losses, its cost effects on the products they produce, worsening poverty index, capital flight, and loss of human assets, I am particularly concerned about the negative impacts of such exits on our health sector.
“The combined effect of the exit of GSK, a giant pharmaceutical company, and now Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing whose operations directly impacted on our loss of human assets, I am particularly concerned about the negative impacts of such exits on our health sector” he said.
On the harsh implications of this development, Obi explained: “We all look forward to and will focus on moving the nation from consumption to production, and from unproductivity to productivity. This will attract foreign and local investors, create jobs, and foster productivity and prosperity in the nation.”
‘A Tribe Called Judah’ Reflects Challenges of Less-privileged Nigerians, Says Obi
In another development, Obi has described Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele’s blockbuster movie, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ as a reflection of the challenges facing less-privileged Nigerians.
Obi made this assertion yesterday in a statement via his verified X handle.
‘A Tribe Called Judah’ broke the record within three weeks of its release in cinemas to become the first Nollywood film to gross N1 billion.
Reacting to this development, Obi noted that the movie reflected “some of the complex challenges faced by many less-privileged families in Nigeria, in their struggles for survival.”
He stated: “It is heartwarming to learn that ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ a movie by Nigerian Movie Producer, @funkeakindele, has achieved a record-breaking earning of N1 billion, in just three weeks of its release,” adding that the feat was a “historic moment in our Nigerian movie industry.”
According to Obi, Nollywood has remained one of Nigeria’s “biggest exports” in the past 10 years – which is affirmed by the works of the talented actress and movie producer.
He commended Akindele for having two of her previous movies – ‘Battle on Buka Street’ and ‘Omo Ghetto,’ sitting as the “second and third highest-grossing films at the Nigerian box office, respectively.”
He said: “Nollywood remains one of the biggest exports of our country in the last decade and shows the inherent potential in our people which Akindele has copiously brought out in all her works.
“I congratulate Funke Akindele for achieving this feat which is a bold testament to her passion, hard work, and dedication in the movie industry. It skillfully tells a story that appeals to its audience in a comic and entertaining delivery,” he added.
The LP presidential candidate urged Nollywood to “continue to tell stories that will inspire hard work, integrity, and productivity among Nigerians.
“This, I believe, will play a significant role in positioning our minds for the productivity-driven nation we are trying to build – The New Nigeria!” he added.
