‘Path to sustainable development ‘

For any country to become an exporting nation, it has to patronise locally made goods to boost local production and economic growth, says President, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mrs Nike Akande.

Akande spoke during the 18th yearly Mike Okonkwo Lecture and National Essay Competition, tagged, Made in Nigeria Products: The Vehicle For sustainable Development, organised by Mike Okonkwo Educational and Youth Initiative (MOEYI).

She added that a dedicated attention need to be paid to manufacturing industries, Agriculture, Agro allied industries, solid minerals, ICT, Entertainment, Tourism and many other areas in the non-oil sector.

She noted that Nigeria needs to diversify its economy so that they won’t have to rely on one commodity to survive as a country, and enhance its ability to feed, clothe, provide infrastructure, and create the right environment for jobs creation through technology for the benefit of the youths.

She said: “Government needs to pay attention to these strategies and policies that will lead to economic growth and development, which include the provision of security across the country, enhancing the regulatory and institutional environment, and provision of adequate infrastructure such as power, rail, road, airport, ICT and others.

She equally urged government to facilitate the creation of a productive agricultural sector, provision of incentives to the manufacturing and industrial sector, and granting access to credit for small medium enterprise business in Nigeria. “Nigeria needs to move from import dependence to self sufficiency in local production and become an export led economy in goods and services,” she added.

The high point of the competition was the presentation of prizes to the winners of the 14th edition of the National Essay for Secondary Schools across the nation, which received a total of 796 entries.

The winning essay, entitled: Made in Nigeria the Vehicle for Sustainable Development, was awarded to Alexandra Nwigwe of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, who emerged as the overall winner of 2017 competition, while Jesuountan Mercy of Corona Secondary School came second, and Akingbade Gbenga of Emerald High School came third.