Science Expo: Nigerians urged to support locally made products

Participants at the Science and Technology Exposition on Monday have called on Nigerians to support Made-in-Nigeria products to accelerate national development.

The participants made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the just opened Science and Technology Expo in Abuja.

The expo is tagged: “Fast Tracking Sustainable Development of Nigeria Through and Science and Technology’’.

The expo, which has government agencies, tertiary institutions entrepreneurs, exhibitors, investors, among other stakeholders in attendance is scheduled end on March 9.

Mr Joseph Ikhimealo, representing Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Coalition for Made in Nigeria Goods said promoting locally made goods was not a sole responsibility of the government.

“When we are talking about pushing for the use of local products, we know it is the role of the government, but they cannot do it without the citizens.

“If the government is doing their part and the citizens are not supporting, we will remain where we are.

“The citizens and individuals must support the government and patronise locally made goods for us to prosper.”

He said that CSOs were assisting the government to promote locally made goods at the grass root level.

Mr Kester Chimobi, an exhibitor criticised the lack of creativity in the conducting the expo annually, adding that it had contributed to citizens’ lack of interest toward patronising locally made goods.

Chimobi called on the government to enhance the process of the expo to encourage trendy innovations and more participation.

Mrs Habiba Aminu, an entrepreneur said that citizens were not abreast with the follow up on previous expos.

“Government should put in place measures to follow up on exhibitors, schools and institutions that won prizes in previous expos and ensure continuity, enhancement on their innovations,’’ she said.

Similarly, George Simon, a participant from Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT) said if the expo was not improving on previous expos, there was no need to hold another.

He, however, called on investors, stakeholders to promote Nigerian products by encouraging quality processing and packaging for commercialisation.

Earlier, Mr Ekanem Udoh, the Director, Science Innovations, Ministry of Science and Technology, in his opening remarks urged the citizenry to embrace science and technology as a way of life.

Udoh said the expo would create the platform to dialogue for the development of local products and help launch the country’s raw materials for global competitiveness.

He said there would be an assessment team to assess exhibitions at the expo and prizes would be awarded to outstanding participants.