By Christopher Tom, Uyo
Nigerians have been advised to patonise made in Nigeria goods and services in order to boost and raise the economy of the country.
This advice was giving by the Akwa Ibom State Director of the National Oreintation Agency (NOA), Pastor Eno Uyoh during the April general meeting of the Heads of Federal Establishment in Akwa Ibom State held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capiltal last week.
He noted, Nigeria is blessed with human and material resouces which according to him, if optimally harnessed can make a lasting economic sustainabilty.
The monthly gathering featured sensitisation campaign on Patronise made in Nigeria products and services, celebraton of the birthday of the Genaral Manager of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Channel 12, Uyo, Mrs Nkechinyere Iheme.
The NOA Director who is also the Chairman of Association of Heads of Federal Establishment, Akwa Ibom State opined that a nation like Nigeria cannot truly develop when its economic is at the mercy of foreing products and services, and urged members to carry on effective campaigns so that Nigerain citizens will patronise Nigerian products and services.
Uyoh further maintained that the campaign became neccessary following the negative effects of patronage of foreign goods on Nigerain economy and Nigerians at large, adding that there are many industries and commercial enterprises producing consumable goods and house-hold products.
He stated,” there are many industries and commercial enterprises producing consumable goods and house-hold products . However, not many Nigerians patronise such products.The preference for foreign goods is based on claim that such products are of superior quality and a ” status symbol”
He continues, ” although, this may not be absolutely wrong, what is worrisome and economically dangerous is to abandon the patronageof demostic product and depend solely on consumption of foreign products”.
The Chairman also maintained that in a bid to curb the urgly trend, the federal government has made efforts to discourage Nigerains from the frenzy of patronising foreign products and services to the detriment of indigenous products, believing that such effot will diversify the country’ s economy as well as creating employment and generating wealth.
High point of the meeting was, cutting of birthday cake of the General Manager of NTA,Uyo, Mrs Iheme.
Mrs Iheme while appreciating God for adding another year to her life also thanked staff of NTA, Uyo and members of Heads of Federal Establishment in Akwa Ibom State for celebrating her birthday.
