The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Enelamah Okechukwu has stated that the Federal Government is working assiduously and on close cooperation with the Private Sector, Local and International Institutions, the Donor Agencies ,the United Nation Agencies and in particular United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Nigeria to forge new partnership on Nigerian Industrialization.
The Minister disclosed this at his opening address to mark the commemoration of this Year’s African Industrialization Day (AID), in Abuja.
Dr. Okechukwu further revealed that Africa is in dire need of industrialization as most countries in the continent thrive on production and export of primary commodities.
The Minister stated that Africa and its Member States need to transit from slogans to actually industrialize by promoting manufacturing production in the Continent.
He also reiterated that this year’s theme “Promoting Regional Value Chains in Africa: A pathway for accelerating Africa’s structural transformation, industrialization and pharmaceutical production’’ is in line with Federal Government’s programmes and strategies on Industrial Development in Nigeria as encapsulated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan(ERGP) and Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP).
Dr. Enealamah stated that his Ministry in collaboration with development partners will be giving out Quality Awards to deserving entrepreneurs and enterprises with a view to promoting quality and standard in manufacturing production in Nigeria.
The Minster commended Development Partners, stating that the significance of 20th November as Africa Industrialization Day (AID) is probably more real today than in 1989 when the United Nations General Assembly declared the date, saying, this is in line with Nigeria’s Economic Diversification efforts.
Earlier the Representative of United Nations Secretary General and Regional Director, Jean Bakole stated that this year’s Africa Industrialization Day focuses on promoting regional value chains and this underscores how industrial development in local pharmaceutical production contributes to healthy lives and well-being.
Bakole disclosed that the development of a competitive and sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Africa can help promote better health and well-being and sustainable economic growth, emphasizing that availability of high quality and affordable medicines can alleviate serious public health issues, while the local production, export and distribution across regions benefit the creation of jobs and income.
On African Industrialization Day, “I reaffirm the strong commitment of the United Nations, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in particular, to strongly promote Africa’s industrial development as a key driver for realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development “he said.
In his good will message, the Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Amb. Zhon Pingjian stated that China will continue to be a reliable partner of Africa in its pursuits of industrialization. We are working closely with Africa in implementing the outcomes of FOCAC Beijing Summit in a timely and comprehensive manner.
Amb. Pingjian also stated that China will step up support in the development of industries as well as special economic zones industrial parks in Africa and carrying out technology transfer. ”we stand ready to share China’s experience on industrialization with Africa, moreover, we are glad to see Made- in- China products enjoy wide popularity in Africa, also we would be delighted to see more Made-in-Africa- for-China products becoming popular in China as well”.
It would be recalled that 20th November of each year is declared as Africa Industrialization Day (AID), by United Nations General Assembly in 1989.
Ibrahim Haruna
DD Press/Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, FMITI
