NOA Urges Nigerians To Patronise Made-In-Nigeria Goods

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to patronizing made-in-Nigeria goods and services for the economic growth and development of the country.

The Osun state Director Mrs Yomi Olasinde made the call during a sensitisation programme tagged “Patronize Made-in-Nigeria Products and Services” organized by Osun Directorate of NOA, held in Osogbo, on Friday.

She said the economy of any nation grows rapidly when locally made goods and services are promoted through patronage by the citizens and its export.

“The citizens should understand that, the problems of Nigeria’s economy are over-dependence on importations of goods which weakens the currency, creates unemployment and consistently reduces the Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” she stated.

Olasinde added that by patronizing Nigerian products the nation becomes self-reliant in producing and utilizing goods produced by itself.

“This will create wealth and reduce poverty and it is high time we change our orientation and psyche as a nation from an addicted desire for foreign products and services to valuing our locally made goods in order to boost and develop our economy.

Urging participants to continue to sensitise members of their family on the need to always patronise locally made products, Osun NOA Director lamented that many Nigerians have an entrenched negative attitude of proffering foreign imported products to home-made- ones, the development which she said it calls for grave concern to every patriotic Nigerians.

She said patronage of locally made products was in the national interest, adding that such patronage would help to create jobs and reduce unemployment.

Olasinde said that lack of patronage of local products could also force enterprises to close down their business.

“If at the end of the day they cannot sell, they will go bankrupt and lay off staff. But if they produced and are able to sell, they will grow, there will be employment and the economy will grow”

According to her, the federal government have made it mandatory for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronize made-in-Nigeria product without compromising

She added that the executive order was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 for planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian contents in contacts, science engineering and technology.

Speaking, a representative of Standard Organization of Nigeria, Engr Olawuyi Samuel advised Nigerians to patronise made-in-Nigeria products that met standards to encourage local producers and create jobs.

Samuel said “Standard is very important and I am happy that Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has set up a lot of standard certification facilities to ensure that all products are SON Certified,” he said.

However, Mr Gboyega Olowoporoku of the Osun state Ministry of Agriculture Food and Security charged Nigerians to embrace farming as a key impetus to drive Nigerian economy and panacea to current security ravaging the country.