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“It must be stated that government officials and industry leaders patronizing locally made products have far-reaching effects stretching beyond the economy to the society at large. With consistent and loyal patronage of local-made products, indigenous industries are kept running with sales matching their production levels. It also addresses the bane of unemployment as high economic turnovers from soaring patronage mean job security and possible expansion of production that require more hands to manage the emerging work demands. There is also the pull of foreign investment once it is observed that the government and business magnates in the country are dedicated to purchasing local-made products as an act of solidarity and support for the local economy to better standard of living for all and sundry in the country. These foreign investors would continue to stay away from coming to us because they know we would always come to them. But when we pull the plugs on such economical-sucking pattern, they feel our void, and then get precipitated to look for us, and in our country, they find us and in our country they invest.”
Time and again, government officials have always made the incriminating mistake of overlooking locally made products for foreign ones. Yet, they promise heaven and earth at every electoral season to boost the economy of their states, only to get the people’s mandate and become a Judas.
In the past week, Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah became the latest culprit to defiantly turn his back against the local economy, opting to rather do business with the foreign guys even if it means enriching an already stable economy for a shrinkling one he is responsible to nurse over.
The governor did not only jet out of Nigeria but went all the way to a far-flung continent to purchase a fleet of vehicles from South Korean automobile company, Hyundai for his new team of police, Distress Rapid Squad (DRS).
The governor was lambasted for shunning Nigeria-made Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Co. Ltd, and going all the way to South Korea in Asia to bring in the vehicles, which would also come with high import duties, which means more and avoidable expenditure for the state’s ‘shrivelled’ resources.
The same Innoson Motors, it is important to note, has its headquarters domiciled in Nnewi, Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, with its main showroom; tyre and plastic factories based in Enugu, close to the State Government House. Yet you wonder endlessly at what rationale must have informed the governor to go through all the troubles and wobbles to enrich foreigners to the detriment of the people he owes a responsibilty to enrich.
It’s a shame actually that while we yelp, squeal and sob about our dwindling economy, our leaders who should be seen putting all pegs in their right openings are destructive to the very thing that brings us hardship, and burrow the scourge of poverty in the land. Not in an inch did Mbah cover himself in glory with his inimical action that is enough to spark insurrection and as evident, torrent of grievances against his administration. And to think that his predecessors never toed the path he has toed is worrisome as both Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi patronised Innoson Motors during their tenure as governors.
For its inauguration parade, the government of Gombe state in northern Nigeria patronised Innoson Vehicle in its efforts to support local manufacturers. Governor Inuwa Yahaya requested Innoson Motors to manufacture a parade vehicle for his inauguration ceremony, and according to Cornel Osigwe, the Head of Corporate Communications at Innoson Vehicle, the governor made the request on Friday, May 26, 2023, and the vehicle was delivered before the inauguration day. This is to speak to whatever professional misgivings Mbah must have had against the indigenous brand that compelled him to ditch it for a South-Korean product. It is also on record that in Abia state, the new governor, Alex Otti rode in a parade car specially ordered from Innoson, going ahead to make it the official vehicle brand for himself and all government officials in the state.
It must be stated that government officials and industry leaders patronizing locally made products have far-reaching effects stretching beyond the economy to the society at large. With consistent and loyal patronage of local-made products, indigenous industries are kept running with sales matching their production levels. It also addresses the bane of unemployment as high economic turnovers from soaring patronage mean job security and possible expansion of production that require more hands to manage the emerging work demands. There is also the pull of foreign investment once it is observed that the government and business magnates in the country are dedicated to purchasing local-made products as an act of solidarity and support for the local economy to better standard of living for all and sundry in the country. These foreign investors would continue to stay away from coming to us because they know we would always come to them. But when we pull the plugs on such economical-sucking pattern, they feel our void, and then get precipitated to look for us, and in our country, they find us and in our country they invest.
There is also the debacle of the brain drain in the health sector with the country losing health practitioners on a daily basis to other countries all because of the adverse working condition prevalent in the health sector sponsored by the lousy attitude paid to it by the government. Much to this execrable attitude is the propensity of government officials to abandon our health facilities in preference to foreign ones, thereby keep enriching the health sectors abroad while ours is left to the poor masses who can barely afford the mediocre health service on offer. It is advocated that if our government officials and business leaders can start patronizing our hospitals and come to see first-hand the inadequacies that characterize the health faciliities, they will start placing premium on it for adequate funding that will significantly boost and revamp the health sector thereby cutting down on the exodus of our best doctors and nurses being poached by alluring countries who are getting it right with their health system.
We also get to curtail the influx of rural-urban migration with many locals having compelling reasons to stay back in their local communities since local industries are encouraged and supported for commercial vitality that promotes economic well-being. This also extends to the almost unstoppable JAPA trend, toning down the rate at which Nigerians get to flee the country in search of better economic fortunes.
It’s practically no rocket science to make a country work. It takes a leader with the right willpower and determination, one who honestly cares about peace, unity and progress within his sphere of influence to achieve this. Take for granted such a leader must be seen supportive of the enterprising efforts of his own people, steering the local economy towards growth which in turn inspires entrepreneurial ideas into reality on the given of acceptability from one’s compatriots.
Every thing falls and rises on the hinges of leadership. Mbah, other state governors and federal government officials who unashamedly deprive their own people to provide for outsiders should be aware that nothing is more devastating and divisive than a leader who abandons the leaking roof in his house to fix another’s.
Acts 20:28; Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
You could learn more about ‘responsible leadership’ whose actions influences responsible followership from my book and courses on the subject.
To place an order for the book or enroll for the course, contact +2347065828892.
Professor. Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution Coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.
He is an advocate of Peace Leadership and Child Protection.
He has served and interacted at the top level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.
A professor of Peace Advocacy and Conflict Resolution, Dr. O.E Bassey is a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently the Director of ICOF Institute of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa.
With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa. Currently, he is the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute of Peace Leadership.
Presently, he is spearheading a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders”, a campaign that is billed to run from 2022-2023 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.
For peace and security tips, consultations and trainings, reach him via:
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WhatsApp: +2347065828892
Mail: EmmanuelBassey@gmail.com
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