To address the nation’s current economic issues, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has urged Nigerians to expand the export market and draw in international investors.
At the State International Trade Fair’s official opening (EXPOYO 2024), which took place at the International Trade Fair Complex on Sango-UI Road in Ibadan, he made the announcement.
“Showcasing the Economic Potentials of Oyo State through Agriculture, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises” is the fair’s theme.
The governor listed the difficulties the country’s economy is facing, such as growing inflation and a declining value of the dollar, and he urged swift action to resolve these problems.
In order to revive the economy and stop future decline, he urged the federal government to enact changes.
According to Makinde, the dire status of the economy has shocked Nigeria, and many people are afraid that things could be worse than they think.
He called for a commitment to “thinking outside the box” and making difficult decisions to move the country forward, while the governor also highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He said: “This is a tough period for us as a country. Economically, things are not going fine, but this is not the time to give up. This is the time for us to look at opportunities, because anytime there are challenges, opportunities also abound.”
“For us in Oyo State, we will not give up. It’s time for us as a country to change our orientation. We are not interested only in things that we will consume locally in Oyo State, export of our essential needs are needed.
We need to build our export orientation.”“What we produce here and sell to the world and earn necessary foreign exchange so that naira and dollar will be at per.”
“We must develop our export market, we must attract foreigners and in the years to come, this exhibition will become truly international.”
In addition to pledging that the Trade Fair will now take place annually, Governor Makinde stated that his administration is dedicated to altering Nigeria’s perspective on export substitution.
To guarantee that the full potential of the Trade Fair is realized, the State Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investments & Cooperatives, Mr. Ademola Ojo, made a commitment on behalf of his Ministry to collaborate closely with the State Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OYCCIMA).
Otunba Dele Oye, President of the National Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, guaranteed the State Government the necessary backing at the federal level.
In his speech, Dr. Daniel Gbadero, the president of the Oyo State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, praised Governor Makinde for helping OYCCIMA organize the 2024 EXPOYO Trade Fair as part of his agenda for economic change.
He urged Nigerians to grab the initiative and make sure that necessities like food, medication, and electronic devices are available.
