“This event, designed to last the next five days, is aimed at show-casing what we are capable of producing with our own local materials and expertise.

“At the same time, we also want to remind ourselves of the beauty and strength in our diversity exemplified by the cultural troupes from various parts of Nigeria. These displays would re-emphasize the commonality that runs through the country and should always serve as a rallying point for us all, rather than the present discordance being contrived to detract us from the path of development.

“It is Africa’s largest economy and twenty fifth globally with a GDP of $410 billion we need to harness all our potentials and convert them to reality in order to not only move the nation up in economic advancement but most importantly to provide jobs for our ever growing population.

“Like most developing countries of the world, Nigeria’s period of sustained economic growth has been dependent on a raw material export oriented economy and no meaningful industrial development can take place if we do not convert our raw materials to finished products to gain higher values. Such is a sustainable pathway for economic growth to any nation.”

He said that the manufacturing sector remains a key determinant of economic development and its interphase with the needs of the country determines the extent of our industrial growth.

He, however, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari led administration for its efforts towards encouraging the production and consumption of locally manufactured goods through diverse governmental policies.

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic diversification strategy would rely heavily on the extent to which we harness our local resources to create globally competitive products. It is for this reason that the current administration has put in place a good number of policies and programmes that would encourage local manufacturers and give them confidence in producing for a global market.

“Local production is being boosted by encouraging local entrepreneurs to take advantage of the various policies geared towards diversifying the economy. Some of these include Executive Order 001 on Ease of Doing Business, review of the Companies and Allied Matters Act as well as enactment of a Finance Act,” he said.

He also said that the “Federal Government of Nigeria has placed a ban on granting foreign exchange for the importation of some foreign products, which can be produced locally. The Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) is also granting single – digit interest rate loans to firms operating in the Agriculture and Manufacturing Sectors.

“Support for local content in Public Procurement by the Federal Government, captured in Executive Order 003, grants preference to local manufacturers in the procurement of goods and services by Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government.

“Similarly, granting a Margin of Preference to domestic contractors through Executive Order 005 will equally promote local content in our science, engineering and technology initiatives,” he said.

Under its made-in-Nigeria campaign, he added that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is harnessing science, technology and innovation to drive national competitiveness, productivity and economic activities in all sectors

“The recent development of more than twelve indigenous mobile cell phones by the Model Skills Centre of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments is a testimony to the strides we are making.

“Nigerians now proudly use products branded “Made–in–Nigeria”. This development will no doubt attract several benefits to the country including increase in its Gross Domestic Product, generation of employment opportunities and reduction in cost of production.

“Our economic diversification strategy would rely heavily on the extent to which we create globally competitive products. Therefore, we have to take the issue of standards seriously and I implore all our standards regulatory agencies to provide all the necessary guidance to local producers to ensure they meet global standards,” he said.

Mustapha insisted that most of the products the country imports are available locally and encourage Nigerians to patronize Made–in–Nigeria products.

“In the present times when some of us have conveniently pretended to forget that the things that bind us are greater than those that separate us, the display of cultural dances across the six geo – political zones will help to showcase our rich cultural heritage as a nation, which we need to preserve.

“The neglect of our cultural heritage have contributed in some measure to our loss of values and ethics that are hallmarks of all parts of Nigeria. I am sure that the live performance by local artistes, which will feature dance troupes indigenous to each geo – political zone of the country, would help in re-awakening our bond to underscore the need for us to move away from the current undesirable stereotyping and declining love for one another and the country.

“Finally, it is important to say that this exhibition is a profound display of the government’s commitment to encourage Public-Private Sector partnership in the development of our country. I, therefore, want to commend the efforts of Messrs. Business Visa and Training Company Limited who collaborated with the Sub – Committee in making the event a reality.

“As I encourage you to undertake a tour of the exhibition stands and patronize the Made – in – Nigeria products on display, I look forward to a significant growth in more local products being utilized by Nigerians.”