Raymond Dokpesi Centre urges patronage of local goods

The Raymond Dokpesi Centre for Media Development has urged Nigerians to invest in the economy by patronising local goods and services. The centre also advised youths to embrace agriculture as a remedy to economic recession.

These issues will be the focus of a march scheduled for October 29, from Kollington bus stop, Alagbado motor park to Daar Communications premises. The Director of the centre, Dr. Christopher Ebuetse said at the seventh annual press briefing that: “Nigeria is in a critical position presently. The recession is largely because we run a mono economy that depends so much on oil, leaving other critical sectors.

“Other countries of the world that don’t have oil, they are doing so well. This is because they are into manufacturing and productions that encourage their citizens to build their economy.

“We should find means of getting out of recession. Nigerians are proud to talk about getting different items from foreign countries. Nobody wants to talk about buying from our country. We must encourage local manufacturers, else we cannot be appreciated internationally.”

Explaining the relevance of the walk, Dr. Ebuetse said: “It is to encourage local manufacturers to produce and we want to sensitise people to shun imported goods. Most people feel that these imported products are more superior and have more quality, but then we need to understand and value what we have.

“If we can patronise our Adire and Ankara wears, then our economy will be better.”He added that their activities as a non-governmental organisation is in line with the ideals of Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, the founder of Daar Communications who started private broadcasting in Nigeria.

“We also seek to implore the authorities to declare October 25 as a ‘Day of Private Broadcasting in Nigeria’ because if Dokpesi did not make a success of it, people will not venture into private broadcasting. This day will help all practitioners articulate issues,” he said.