Patronise made-in-Nigeria goods to boosteconomy ─ Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State says Nigerians must learn to patronise made-in- Nigeria goods, rather than imported goods, to boost the economy. The governor spoke during the inauguration of the 2014 Eko Expo Trade Fair at the Lekki Free Zone in the Lekki area of the state. Fashola, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, said, “There are many goods and products that the average Nigerian uses daily ─ from cars to tissue papers. It is sad that most of these goods are being imported from other countries.” He lamented that people thought goods made in Nigeria were substandard or that foreign goods were better than the ones made in the country. He urged entrepreneurs in the country to be globally competitive to promote and sustain Nigerian products and services. He added that businessmen must change the nation’s current business models for the better. “At this stage of our development, we need not delude ourselves with the misconception that Nigerians will patronise made-in-Nigeria goods out of patriotic sentiments as against product quality considerations. “Imagine what would happen if 160 million Nigerians consistently buy made-in-Nigeria goods; the multiplier effects on economic growth and development will be quite far reaching. Not only will the manufacturing and sale of such create employment for Nigerians, it will also boost internally-generated revenue and prevent capital flight. “We need to develop a proper business culture and that will only be done if we build business models that are of world standard,” Fashola said. According to him, the model will be flawed if it fails to pay attention to some of the key factors that make businesses successful, such as innovation, stocktaking and long term planning.” He said Nigerian traders must focus on building brands that would add value to the economy and outlive them.