A former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Lai Olurode, has called on the government to end the pampering of political elites with imported items at the expense of local producers.
Olurode, who spoke in Iwo in Osun State, on Saturday after receiving a meritorious award from Iwo Compatible Fellows, lamented the dearth of industries in the country, saying that it could hamper Nigeria’s development.
The retired university don recalled a particular policy introduced by the government that grew cottage industries, noting that the policy provided state protection for local nascent industrial efforts against importation.
He said development would be impossible without production, noting that countries like Russia and America protected their industries to save local jobs and grow the economy.
He further said, “There is no doubt, that small-scale entrepreneurs are the major employers of labour. We need policies that will support their sustainability, growth, and development.
“There was once an industrial policy that grew cottage industries as well as major industries in all regions of Nigeria. This policy once provided state protection to local nascent industrial efforts against cheap importation and dumping.
“Unbridled importation can only signal economic slavery for third world countries. Nigeria has the population and it has the potential to capture the market in the West Africa sub-region. The state and local authorities should support local entrepreneurs with grants.
“There is too much pandering to and pampering of political elites who are mainly consumers rather than being producers. it is high time we focus on empowering our local entrepreneurs.”
Olurode, however, expressed confidence in the ability of President Bola Tinubu, who he described as an investor, with the wherewithal to breathe life into the country’s once active and robust industrial path in different locations.
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