Ooni Tasks Nigerian Leaders on Patronising Local Products

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Adeyeye has admonished Nigerian leaders to encourage production and patronage of local products with relevant laws and policies

The Monarch stated this after receiving two vehicles and two motorcycles from Innoson Motors to support the monarch on his 8th coronation anniversary at his palace in Ile-Ife.

He also enjoined Nigerian governors and members of the National Assembly to promulgate policies and laws that would galvanise local production and purchase that would in turn boost the nation’s economy and also provide job opportunities for youths.

Adeyeye called on political leaders to do away with promoting foreign commodities, adding that Nigerian lawmakers should make it mandatory for anyone having any business with the parliament to wear and make use of indigenous products. 

The monarch charged President Bola Tinubu, governors and federal lawmakers to include locally made and assembled vehicles in their fleet.

According to him, “The earlier we know 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 ways to boost our economy. Now that we have a company that produces vehicles, our governors should ensure the establishment of companies that deal with manufacturing of components of vehicles such as car keys, windscreen and mirror, among others.

He remarked, “Why are we always benchmarking our economy on Dollar? I want to appeal to our leaders enough of promoting foreign commodities. Enough of benchmarking everything with Dollar. Let us encourage local production and 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 prioritised.

“I will include Innoson vehicles in my own fleet and let our leaders support so that we can address youth unemployment. Our leaders should not sign any contract if they don’t have local touch.

“The National Assembly should promulgate a law that everybody coming to NASS should have indigenous production. Start grading yourself. If you are wearing 10 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. The National Assembly should start making laws that are impactful. We pray we don’t have a backlash of frustrated youths in this country.”