- Director, Research and Advocacy Division, the Manufactures’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Oluwasegun Osidipe (left), Cross River & Akwa Ibom Branch Chairman, Dr. Inalegwu Adoga, MAN President, Francis Meshioye, Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, and Assistant Director, Corporate Services Division, Dr. Segun Alabi, during the association’s pre-52nd Annual General Meeting Press Conference in Lagos…Monday
By Anthony Nwachukwu
The inhibiting cost of doing business in Nigeria notwithstanding, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said it is determined to have in place a thriving manufacturing sector.
Addressing the media in Lagos Monday ahead of the association’s 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), billed for October 22nd to 24th, MAN President, Francis Meshioye, said the association will pursue achieving this by tackling the constraints that make local products uncompetitive, in order to stem the continued downward trend.
According to him, “the high and rising cost environment continues to shrink profitability and, in many cases threaten the existence of many operators in this critical sector of the economy.
“More worrisome is the fact that the sector that should propel job creation, productivity and economic growth is enmeshed in a series of challenges that constantly limit its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.”
Therefore, he stressed the urgency of addressing “the binding constraints that make our local products uncompetitive, otherwise the economy may continue on the downward trend with no certainty on when it will rebound.”
These include continually presenting the government with policy inputs and options, and “partnering the government with a view to co-creating innovative solution that will free the Nigerian economy from its lackluster performance and place it on the path of productivity, sustainable growth and development.”
MAN regretted that manufacturers’ businesses have been heavily impacted by the macro-economic and policy environment since the last AGM.
He added that as an advocacy group representing over 2,500 manufacturing industries, who operate in 10 sectors and 70 sub-sectors, the association has consistently engaged with government on how to navigate the rather tough economic environment.
Meanwhile, he disclosed that the forthcoming 52nd AGM, billed for October 22nd to 24th at the Oriental Hotels, Lagos, presents a veritable platform for deepening the association’s advocacy mandate, and another opportunity to engage with members, critical stakeholders and partners, to examine MAN’s performance in the past year and chart a new path forward.
The opening Ceremony of the three-day Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition is at 10am on Tuesday, October 22nd and is billed to gather industry players, government officials, marketers, as well as consumers to experience a new exposure to quality locally produced items and ultimately attract patronage of locally manufactured goods.
To declare the exhibition open is the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Olusegun Omotola. Over 10,000 visitors are expected to visit the stands and patronise the manufacturers, over 100 of whom will be exhibiting their products.
The exhibition continues on Wednesday at the Grand Ball Room, while the members-only 52nd AGM Private Session holds simultaneously, among others.
Finally, the 4th edition of the Adeola Odutola Lecture/Presidential Luncheon holds Thursday at 11am, with Mr. Samaila Zubairu as guest speaker and President Bola Tinubu as guest of honour, while products exhibition continues at the exhibition ground.
