NOA asks Nigerians to help economy, patronise local goods, services

NFrom Michael Egbejule, Benin City ATIONAL Orientation Agency ( NOA), yesterday, called for increased patronage of locally- made products and services to strengthen the economy.

Acting state Director of the agency in Edo State, Mr. Austin Odile, who spoke with journalists in Benin City, said Nigerians must jettison the preference for foreign goods and embrace home made products for sustainable economic growth.

Odile further stated that the Agency had been engaging various sectors and stakeholders at all levels since 2016, through advocacy, interactive fora and media campaign with a view to sensitise Nigerians to change their attitude towards locally made goods, thereby enabling the revival of local industries, creation of employment and restoration of National pride.

He said the agency’s Director General, Mr. Garba Abari, recently directed all state directorates and the FCT to intensify campaigns to sensitising Nigerians to the negative effects of preferring foreign goods over locally- made ones, a situation which has forced manufacturers to resort to deceptive branding of their products.

He said: “It is the expectation of the National Orientation Agency that this round of campaign against preference for foreign products and services would help strengthen the dwindling Gross Domestic Product of the country.”