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The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has tasked Nigerian governors, politicians and political leaders to encourage local production and ensure that relevant laws and policies capable of encouraging local industries are in place.
The monarch stated on Thursday after receiving two vehicles and two motorcycles donations from Innoson Motors to commemorate his 8th coronation ceremony at his palace in Ile-Ife, the Osun State capital.
The revered monarch urged Nigerian governors and members of the National Assembly to promulgate policies and laws aimed at galvanising local production which would in turn boost the nation’s economy and also provide job opportunities for the nation’s teeming youths.
Ooni Ogunwusi frowned at the rate of patronage of foreign products far above domestic products, calling on political leaders to desist from promoting foreign commodities.
His Imperial Majesty added that Nigerian lawmakers should make it mandatory for anyone doing business in the country to patronize indigenous goods.
He called on President Bola Tinubu, governors and federal lawmakers to give a boost to local production and manufacturing of automobiles through relevant policies and enabling environment.
The Ooni said that, “The earlier we know that we cannot continue to kill our own, the better for us in this country.
” I took it upon myself to support and rally support for Innoson Motors and other local products because this is part of the ways to boost our economy.
“Now that we have a company that produces vehicles, our governors should ensure establishment of companies that deal with manufacturing of components of vehicles such as car keys, windscreens, mirrors, among others.”
The royal father decried Nigeria’s over dependence on foreign goods as the bane of the nation’s economy, saying “Why are we always benchmarking our economy on dollar? I want to appeal to our leaders that enough of promoting foreign commodities. Enough of benchmarking everything with dollar.
” Let us encourage local production of goods and consumption of local products.
” How many of what they (leaders) eat and wear are manufactured in Nigeria? Indigenous products from human, materials and human capital development should be prioritized.
“I will include Innoson vehicles in my own fleet and let our leaders also give necessary support so that we can address youth unemployment.
“Our leaders should not sign any contract if they don’t have local contents.
“National Assembly should promulgate a law that everybody coming to NASS should be interested in indigenous production. Start grading yourself. If you are wearing ten things, seven must be made in Nigeria. Let it be our policy.
” If we do that everything will be better. Let our leaders stop deceiving us in this country. National Assembly should start making laws that are impactful. We pray we don’t have a backlash from frustrated youths in this country.”
