How To Make Nigerians Patronise Locally-Made Goods — Oba Of Benin

• The Oba of Benin stresses the importance of competitiveness in quality and pricing for made-in-Nigeria products to encourage patronage
• Oba Ewuare II urges government agencies to combat the proliferation of counterfeit goods, particularly fake pharmaceutical products imported by unscrupulous merchants

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has emphasized the need for made-in-Nigeria products to be competitive in quality and pricing to encourage patronage by Nigerians. During a courtesy visit by the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otumba Francis Meshioye, and other executive members, he made this assertion to seek the monarch’s support in advocating for locally-made goods.

Expressing concern over the proliferation of counterfeit goods, particularly pharmaceutical products imported by unscrupulous merchants, the monarch urged relevant government agencies to address the menace of fake drugs effectively.

Oba Ewuare II highlighted the importance of diversifying Nigeria’s economy by reducing crude oil export revenue dependency. He urged governments to implement strategies to enhance productivity and promote made-in-Nigeria goods.

While acknowledging the significance of advocacy to promote local content, the Oba stressed that the competitiveness of Nigerian products in terms of quality and pricing is paramount to gaining consumer acceptance. He affirmed that if made-in-Nigeria goods meet international standards and are priced competitively, Nigerians would readily patronize them.

In his remarks, the MAN president appealed to the Oba to lend his support to the association’s advocacy efforts for made-in-Nigeria goods. Recognizing the Oba’s influential role as the custodian of Nigerian culture and tradition, Meshioye emphasized the importance of boosting local content for sustainable economic growth.

The visit to the Oba of Benin’s palace underscores the collaborative efforts between traditional institutions and business associations in advancing initiatives to promote indigenous industries and enhance economic development.