The Social media Activist Egbara Emmanuel ,has urged Cross riverians to join the government in championing the campaign for patronage of Made-in-Nigeria goods in order to improve productivity in the non-oil sector, diversify the economy and create employment.
He said increased patronage of Made-in-Cross river goods like an indigenous brands of African Fabrics would also lessen the dependency on importation and lead to the strengthening of the Economy.
Egbara stated this in a lecture “Creativity for Sustainable Business and Empowerment ”, he delivered as part of activities marking the 49th birthday of his Excellency the Governor of Cross river state a party he held in Lagos in honour of the state Governor on Thursday .
Egbara stated that the preference for foreign goods over domestic ones was most cases product of a misplaced priority, stressing that the citizens must align themselves with government to tackle what he described as “defective rhetoric” against Made-in-Cross river goods and ensure a paradigm shift in that regard.
The Activist, however challenged local manufacturers and entrepreneurs to take the issue of quality assurance more seriously and continuously improve upon their products in order to give the citizens value for their money whenever they patronise local goods.
He pleaded with the Cross river state Government to endorse African Fabrics brand as a state brand for Carnival, beauty show and other cultural events
Noting that societal advancement and productivity had always depended on the entrepreneurial spirit of the citizens, Egbara challenged authorities in the state to practice home base patronage to drive entrepreneurial and productive spirits in the youths of cross river state.
He also called on employers of labour to establish systems hat accommodate on-the-job training programmes and internships to complement the efforts of Ayade's educational policies.This, according to the Activist would provide necessary skills acquisition and entrepreneurial trainings for the youths in addition to their certificates.
Egbara said “The rationale behind this call has been an integral focus of numerous government policies geared towards import substitution.
There is no doubt that increased patronage of Made-in-Cross river goods like the African Fabrics brand will lessen the dependency on importation, and lead to the strengthening of our indigenous Economy.
“Government’s travails will continue to be robust and all -inclusive in ensuring continuous productivity for sustainable entrepreneurship and employment on one hand. On the other hand, citizens must complement government’s efforts by embracing the requisite attitudinal change, whereby we all begin to look inwards and increase our patronage of Made-in-Cross river goods.
“The preference for foreign goods over domestic ones is many at times misplaced. As such, we must collectively tackle the prevalent defective rhetoric against Made-in-Cross river goods, and ensure a paradigm shift in this regard.
I believe Ayade's Government will continue to lead with policies to encourage this state priority, and support citizens’ led campaigns in this wise.
“As you may be aware, the Nigerian Senate for example, passed legislation in June 2016 to amend the National Public Procurement Act, to provide for a local content policy to assist local manufacturing. Similarly, the Federal Executive Council has carried out numerous executive actions to promote domestic patronage.
“Local manufacturers and entrepreneurs must also play their role by taking quality assurance seriously and continuously improving upon their products.
Cross riverians should not be cajoled to buy Made-in-cross river goods in order to build our economy and for the sake of state pride, but we should derive optimal value and customer satisfaction whenever we support our kinsmen by patronizing them.”
Speaking further, Egbara reinstated Ayade's commitment to assist the entrepreneurs overcome some of their challenges, including the issue of steady power supply, access to finance and supporting infrastructure, which he said were being tackled comprehensively with a view to creating enabling environment for productivity.
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