MINISTER CALLS FOR PATRONAGE OF LOCALLY MANUFACTURED GOODS

The Hon. Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief Achike Udenwa has launched a market campaign to enhance the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products within the North-West zone, while assuring local manufacturers of the benefits and maximum support government has put in place to extend to them this year.

The Minister, also inspected the mini exhibition of made in Nigeria manufactured goods displayed by manufacturers and service providers in Kano, as part of this campaign.

On the entourage of Hon. Minister was the Director-General of the ITF, Associate Professor Longmas S. Wapmuk and Head, Public Relations and Publicity Unit, Sir Joseph Ari along with management of ISTC and Kano Area Office.

On his visit to Kano, the Hon. Minister was received by the Executive Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, represented by his deputy Engr. Tijjani Muhammed Gwarzo, who said the campaign is a welcome development, considering the critical role Kano occupies in the entire commercial platform of the Nation. He added that it is only through patronage of our locally manufactured goods that the Nation’s economy will grow and hence job opportunities will be created.

Engr. Gwarzo promised to sensitize the people of Kano on the relevance of patronizing locally manufactured goods while advising manufacturers to produce the best quality goods and discourage inferior products.

Chief Udenwa, who later paid a courtesy call to the Emir of Kano, Alh. Dr. Ado Bayero, solicited the support of the Royal Father in attaining the objective of his ministry in encouraging local manufacturers and patronage of the goods produced therefrom. He added that patronizing indigenous goods will reduce the act of smuggling thus, creating more job opportunities for our teaming unemployed.

In his response, the Emir of Kano, Alh Dr. Ado Bayero pledged to support what he described as a good response to the nation’s ailing manufacturing sector. He however, decried the problems affecting industries in Kano which include; inadequate power and water supply which are basic industrial needs without which no company or industry could survive. He pleaded with the Minister to use his good office to see to the improvement of these services.

The industries visited by the Minister and his entourage include; Lee Group Company Kano, Gongoni Company Kano, African Textile Manufacturers Ltd Kano, Angel Spinning and Dyeing Ltd Kano, Mamuda Industries Kano, Kano Trade Fair Complex and Kano Free Trade Zone.