Breaking the Cycle: Why Nigerian Leaders Must Lead by Example in Supporting Locally-Made Products
~~ Ahman Makams
As a Nigerian, it baffles me at times that our leaders always talk about patronage of made in Nigeria products, yet they continue to import goods that we can produce ourselves. It seems as though they do not want ordinary Nigerians to compete with them in the market, which is why they preach the importance of supporting locally-made products while importing what they themselves need.
One notable example is the Innoson automobile company, which Charles Soludo, a Nigerian state governor, became the first to use as his official vehicle. If other governors, ministers, and even the presidency were to follow suit, what harm would it cause?
This is a time when Nigerians need to take matters into their own hands and strive for self-sufficiency. The government, led by President Tinubu, should promote locally-made products to reduce reliance on imports and boost productivity.
Look at India, a country known for its productivity and innovation. We import Tata cars and Keke from them, yet we have numerous indigenous companies and individuals eager to contribute to our own nation's development.
We also need to consider the role of government agencies such as the Raw Material Research, National Orientation Agency, and Standard Organisation in improving the nation. These agencies have the potential to elevate Nigeria to greater heights by creating more awareness, if the government is ready to put more resources into science and technology also commerce, investment and industry.
Innoson Automobile should serve as a model to be replicated nationwide, training young talents and fostering innovation. This approach can tackle unemployment, poverty, and insecurity in our communities. We have other indigenous companies of such.
It is imperative for our President to utilize our resources for the betterment of our nation. Why should we go abroad to buy what we can produce ourselves? The same goes for the issue of healthcare- why do Nigerians seek medical attention overseas when Nigerian doctors are capable of providing care here? Perhaps it is a matter of not wanting to share facilities with their fellow citizens.
We must set aside discrimination, ethnic biases, and tribalism for the progress of our nation. We should not refuse to patronize products from certain regions based on ethnicity. As Nigerians, we must come together to make our country great.
Comments
Post a Comment