Abuja - Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has expressed the hope that the NEPAD-Africa Trade Fair of Indigenous Products will soon generate more interest.
Ahmed, who was speaking at the closing ceremony of the fair in Abuja, said it would generate interest among international investors in small enterprises and tourism and “turn Africa into a destination of choice’’.
Reports say that the fair, which began on October 25, focused on encouraging the development of local products.
Ahmed said the fair was an important tool towards realising the objectives of fully acceding to the principles of NEPAD.
“Nigeria acceded to the NEPAD principles and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) because of our conviction that the NEPAD objectives are noble and consistent with our desire for an accelerated socio-economic growth for the benefit of Africans.
“This led us to finding it expedient to engage in activities and programmes, such as this fair, that can advance the well-being of our people,’’ he said.
The SGF noted that the main focus of the fair, which is to encourage the development of local products with at least 40 per cent local raw material content, was very appropriate.
“This is because trade and commerce, especially in indigenous products, has always been a catalyst for productivity and facilitating economic empowerment of the African peoples.
“Thus, in addition to deriving maximum benefits from the raw materials used in bringing about the products, it offers an opportunity for those at the fair to see, perhaps buy and possibly use the products of our own creativity,’’ he said.
Ahmed said the potency of small and medium enterprises as a veritable force in socio-economic transformation was also evident during the fair as most of the products displayed were from such enterprises.
He said the fact that the fair attracted hundreds of visitors showed that Nigerians and all those who participated in it by displaying their products saw the benefits it offered.
“This more than justifies the intention of the planners to make it a biennial event, on a rotational basis, among member-states of the African Union (AU).
“This is a practical demonstration of one of the principles of NEPAD in practice. I, therefore, call on African leaders to strive and sustain this noble idea because it is relevant to our quest for socio-economic progress,’’ Ahmed added.
Some of the participants at the fair, who spoke to newsmen, while noting that it was eventful, however pointed out that more could be done to improve on it.
Mrs Tolu Adeyo, Manager, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), said the fair was quite eventful.
“A lot of people came in to ask questions about investments in the state and that has been the state’s focus, to draw investors into the state.
“Being the first fair to be organised by NEPAD, there were some hiccups, but I believe the organisers would have seen where there is need for improvement and I believe by the next one there will be a lot of improvement,’’ she said.
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