L-R: Council member, MAN, Dr Michael Adebayo; Chairman Knsomal group of companies, Igwe Oranu Chidume  and Chairman, Infrastructural Committee  of MAN, Usman Ibrahim, at the opening ceremony of the exhibition held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos

By BLESSING OKEZIE, Lagos

The president of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Engineer Masu Ahmed, has advised Nigerian manufacturers to acquire the right technology that will enable them turn raw materials generated in the country into finished goods for local consumption, instead of the current trend of exporting such locally generated raw materials abroad and import  them back for use as finished products.

Ahmed, who stated this at the opening ceremony of  made in Nigeria Exhibition held in Lagos, said the much talked about backward integration would work when Nigerian manufacturers learn to turn locally generated raw materials into finished goods.

He noted that Nigerian farmers for instance, produce tons of cocoa powder but export same to European and American manufacturers who turn them into chocolate and export back to Nigeria for buying.

He said Nigerians can use such raw materials to manufacture the same finished products their overseas counterparts manufacture and shift to them thereby curbing importation of such finished goods into the country.

He said usage of only made in Nigeria products has become imperative in the country in order to expand Nigeria’s production base, creat more employment, create more value and make Nigeria richer.

He said no country grows by depending on importation therefore Nigerians must learn to appreciate home made goods.

Also speaking, Executive Director, Zamfara Textile and a council member of MAN, Senator Waheed Jubrin,  said the three day exhibition which kicked off today(Monday) at the Oriental Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos, is a symbol of the need for Nigerians to use made in Nigeria goods.

He also said it spells the need for Nigerians to stop importing substandard products made by Nigerian neighbors and be proud of using their home country quality made goods.

“It is a mistake to think that goods made in Nigeria are of substandard quality.It is true that in some instances, our product prices are higher but you know though we all use the same chemical raw material, our labour is more expensive, more experienced in most cases and our power is a major problem.

Here in Nigeria, 70% of power used is privately generated by the manufacturers but over  there, there is regular supply of power”,Jubrin stated.

He said instability in government policy is another problem as he urged  government to be stable in policy pronouncement.

“Government should have consistent policy.stable policy will make things normal.”

Over 100 exhibitors showcased their various made in Nigeria products at their various stands at the exhibition hall.

Some of them spotted out by Optimumtimes include: Perfection Motor co  ltd, PZ industries, with its premier cool soap, PZ cushions 120 among other  brands,King’s vegetable oil,Nichemtex Limited, Chelco industries limited Kaduna, Nasco foods Ltd.

Others are Vita Foam Nigeria plc,West African Ceramics Ltd,Purechem Industries Ltd, Shell Nig gas.

The exhibition, which will last for three days is part of activities lined up by MAN for its  47th Annual General Meeting.