WELCOME ADDRESS AT THE ‘FLAG-OFF OF THE BUSINESS STAKEHOLDERS ADVOCACY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT’ ON THE 19^TH NOVEMBER, 2020 AT THE OBAFEMI AWOLOWO HALL, NICON LUXURY HOTEL, ABUJA

Presented by Mr. Chimene Samuel Paul, Executive Director / Chief Host, Nigeria Market

PROTOCOLS

Let me, on behalf of the BOT, Staff and Members of AIDE and the Nigeria Market, welcome you all to this Significant   Event. Significant because today will mark the start of a deep-rooted but positive shift in direction,for the Economy of our dear country – Nigeria. The Event of today is going to start a discourse that won’t end here, dissecting our current challenges and creating a Roadmap for Economic recovery and growth.

Allow me this time to appreciate the Honourable Ministers and Director – Generals here present and/or ably represented, for honoring our invitation that was sent out barely two (2) weeks ago. The responses we got were encouraging, and gave us the confidence that Government is ready to look at other options for Economic growth. The Private Sector players (Chief Executives and their representatives), representatives of National Associations, the International Community and Civil Society Organizations here present are key Stakeholders in Economic matters and we thank you for attaching importance to this Event by availing your presence.

I also want to thank our friends in the Media. You are a critical arm of this movement and we encourage you to amplify the Event of today and the chain of activities that will shape the Advocacy engagements in the next 12 months. This Media is critical for Nation – building and development. Thank you for coming.

Last on my list to appreciate is the Covid – 19 Pandemic. I know many of you will be perplexed on why I should say such, when the Pandemic brought with it, Death, Economic ruins and Mass Job losses. These concerns are understandable. But from another point of view, the Pandemic has taught us a long list of lessons that if we give considerable attention to, will help us create sustainable and long-term Economic blueprints. The Pandemic has shown us ‘Worse – Case’ scenario. Its time to reflect, build momentum and forge ahead, but this time, more intelligently.

The devastating effect of the Covid – 19 Pandemic on local businesses informed the formation of the Nigeria Market. The Nigeria Market is an Online advocacy platform that spotlights and promotes Made-in-Nigeria products, encouraging consumer – acceptability and patronage of locally-manufactured Nigerian brands and products; which also birthed the creation of this Business Stakeholders Advocacy Engagement Project. This project we are flagging-off today has two (2) components to it.

1. To spearhead the sensitization and dialogue among key stakeholders (including Government, Manufacturers, Middlemen and Consumers), on revamping the Nigerian Economy by promoting the Market-dominance of Locally-manufactured Nigerian goods.

Nigeria is the highest importer of essential and non-essential goods in Africa. The country also couples as the World’s Headquarter of poverty. Now, some of these products being imported are also produced in Nigeria. Imagine the Economic benefits if we create a system as stakeholders that encourages market-dominance and patronage of locally-manufactured products. Jobs will be created, more taxes will be paid, Government will have more funds to executive its mandate and the Economy will do better. This is achievable and that is one of the reasons for this Stakeholders engagement, to rub minds and make things happen.

1. To offer spotlight and promotions for local manufacturers, thereby, expanding their customer-base by bringing their products closer to consumers.

As part of the project, strategic measures have been put in place to draw attention to locally-manufactured Nigerian products and bring them close to consumers; thereby, expanding their customer – base, their profit – margins, possibility of expansion, which will reflect in the creation of more jobs and more taxes to Government and general Economic growth. Some of these measures are:

1. Our Media crew will visit 250 Manufacturers across sectors in the 6 Geo-political zones of the country, to create 15 minutes promotional documentaries on their products that will be aired on one (1) Major Television station, one (1) Radio station and across all our Online Media Channels.
2. We will Trend the Hash-tag #BuyNaija2GrowNaija on Social Media, to mobilize Nigerians and make the campaign a norm for Nigerians to give preference to locally-manufactured products. We all know and have seen the power of Social Media. The campaign will also extend into street walks and campaigns to raise awareness, in major commercial cities.
3. During major Public Holidays (Christmas, New Year and both Sallahs), we will Organize Trade Fairs in strategic centers across the country so that people can come and buy locally-manufactured goods and discounted prices, network and connect.

Our Organization is committed to the Growth of Nigeria’s Economy. We call on the Government, as the policy makers, to enact Policies that will strengthen and give strategic market-advantages to Local products. These are the secrets of Nations that are economic power-houses. The Government must also be available to listen, to adjust and embrace ideas that will aid growth and development. For one, I am happy things are changing; at least some of its MDAs are here today. That is a step in the right direction. Partnership and supports for initiatives like this should be on a regular.

The Private Sector players also must be ambitious and equally empathic. If you’re ambitious, you will think expansion to meet growing demands. You will pay taxes so you do not have contentions with Government. If you are empathic, you will not take undue advantage of consumers. These are the ways things work now.

The execution of our Field Engagements begins at the end of this month, and we encourage Manufacturers to be receptive of our team as we make collaborative efforts to grow the Nation, its people and its economy.

So Help Us God.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.