Experts Seek Increased Campaign on Made-in-Nigeria Goods

By Raheem Akingbolu

Experts in business management and top players in the manufacturing sector of the economy have urged consumers to contribute their quotas to the growth of the nation’s economy by patronising locally made goods.

In separate interviews with THISDAY, the President of the National Institute of Marketing Of Nigeria, Mr. Tony Agenmonmen and the Managing Director of the Rite Foods Limited, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa identified lack of confidence in the locally produced goods and services as major challenge mitigating against the growth of the economy.

Agenmonmen, who retired few years ago as Senior Strategy Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Tony Agenmonmen, after working for 32 years, said his experience in the sector had helped him to understand that the nation’s economy would be stronger and reliable if Nigerians are patriotic enough to patronize locally made goods.

“To build a strong economy for Nigeria, all stakeholders; government, manufacturers and consumers all have roles to play.

“Government is expected to create an enabling environment for businesses to grow, manufacturers are expected to meet global best standards by producing quality products while consumers are also expected to respond positively by patronising the goods.

“If all the stakeholders play their roles as expected, it will have a multiplied effect on the economy by keeping the local factory moving, thereby boosting the economy. We shouldn’t forget in a hurry too that there will be employment opportunities for youths who are able and willing to work,” he stated.

The NIMN President who linked the success in the entertainment industry to the patronage enjoyed by the industry by Nigerians, pointed out that other sectors of the economy could also become the new oil if consumers appreciate and patronise local products and services.

Managing Director of the Rite Foods Limited, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, while speaking on the same development during a session at the company’s factory in Ijebu-Ode, said his experience in the sausage and drinks segment of the market showed him that Nigerians are patriotic consumers who are willing to buy made-in-Nigeria goods if the promoters of such goods are keen about offering qualities.

According to him, one of the easiest ways to boost the economy is through patronage of made in Nigeria goods.

“If there is affinity between the local brands and Nigerian consumers, the relationship will boost employment generation in the country, as the multiplier effect of patronising local products is the demand of labour.
“Besides, buying made in Nigeria goods help conserve the nation’s foreign reserve and strengthen the naira against the dollar, thereby making the country financially healthy and self-dependent.

“In all, one incontrovertible fact is that buying made in Nigeria goods helps to add value to the Nigerian economy. My experience travelling around the West African countries showed that if Nigerians would put in Nigeria the amount of efforts we were doing in these West African countries, the success will be great because there are some states in Nigeria that are bigger than these countries,” he stated,

Speaking further, Adegunwa said Nigerians needed to understand that they were extremely blessed but needed to take hold of their own economy and stop leaving the whole space for the multinationals.

“One thing that is common most of the time that I have meetings with foreign businessmen is that they keep talking about the opportunities in Nigeria but when I talk with Nigerians it is always complaints. Yet, we are all in the same country. So, it is all about mindset. How we see things will change everything?”

While calling on Nigerians to always strive to invest their money in the country, the managing director stated that if Nigerians allowed the opportunity to improve the economy to elude them, it would be disastrous because nobody is going to do it.

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