By Emmanuel Antswen

Gov. Hyacinth Alia has urged investors to patronise products made in Benue to boost the local economy.

Alia made this appeal at the two-day ‘Made in Benue Products Exhibition 2025’ in Makurdi.

He called on the Federal Government, corporate bodies, and public-spirited individuals to support and encourage Benue innovators.

“Investing in local enterprises is not only an investment in economic prosperity but also a commitment to empowering communities, reducing unemployment, and fostering self-reliance.

“Let us promote what is made in Benue, patronise our own, and help build industries that will sustain our economy for generations to come,” the governor said.

He said industrialisation was the third agenda in his administration’s blueprint, adding that he was committed to repositioning Benue as an economic powerhouse.

However, Alia regretted inheriting a state filled with moribund industries, where once-thriving factories and businesses had succumbed to years of neglect, policy inconsistencies, and infrastructural decay.

His ultimate goal, he said, was not merely revamping existing structures but laying the foundation for sustainable industrial growth that would stand the test of time.

In collaboration with the World Bank, his administration introduced the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) initiative. This has provided direct support to over 5,000 SMEs across the state.

“Today’s exhibition is not just an event. It is a powerful statement about the potential and creativity of our people.

“It is an opportunity to showcase the talents and innovations of Benue people and bring their products to public attention,” he said.

The governor said that the exhibition provided encouragement to producers and exposed them to sponsors, investors, and larger markets.

“One remarkable aspect of this event is that most of the exhibited items have been produced using local raw materials.

“This underscores the enormous potential we have in harnessing our resources to build a sustainable industrial base,” he said.

He stated that with the right support, Benue entrepreneurs could compete favourably in national and international markets.

Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting local innovation and industrialisation through access to funding and incentives for MSMEs to expand and improve product quality.

Earlier, Benita Shuluwa, Director General, Bureau of Entrepreneurship & Wealth Creation, said innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship were the bedrock of economic growth, technological advancement, and industrial expansion.

Shuluwa said that Benue, as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” had distinct characteristics that made it ideal for industrialisation.

“The immense potential for industrialisation and wealth creation in Benue State spans various sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy, technology, manufacturing, solid minerals, culture, and tourism,” she said.

She emphasised that synergy between invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship was crucial to harnessing the state’s unique industrial potential.

“Developing new technologies, machinery, and production techniques, such as agricultural mechanisation, renewable energy solutions, and mineral processing, will drive enhanced industrialisation,” she added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

By Nana Musa/ Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) have signed a 175 million dollars Programme for Country Partnership (PCP).

While signing the agreement on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, said that the programme was to accelerate Nigeria’s industrial development and economic transformation.

According to Bagudu, the initiative aligns with the government’s Agenda 2050, the National Development Plan, and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“Through this partnership, we aim to enhance Nigeria’s industrial capacity, drive technological innovation, and promote sustainable growth.

“The total budget earmarked for the PCP 2024-2028 amounts to 174.585 million dollars with a clear funding strategy.

“The government of Nigeria has committed a counterpart contribution of 14.3 per cent amounting to 24.965 million dollars while UNIDO will mobilise the remaining 85.7 per cent, totalling 149.19 million dollars,” he said.

Bagudu said that while Nigeria’s absorptive investment capacity ran into hundreds of billions of dollars, the PCP would catalyse private sector participation and broaden access to capital.

“Of course, the absorptive capacity of our economy is in hundreds of billions of dollars. But nevertheless, this cooperation will help catalyse our ability to absorb that investment and broaden the areas.

“This is particularly for the private sector that is well represented here, to take advantage of this and broaden access to capital internationally.

“The financial framework demonstrates government’s dedication to driving industrialisation while leveraging on international partnership to maximise impact,” he said.

According to the minister, the programme will strengthen industrial growth, create jobs and drive economic transformation.

He said that it would also support the President and Federal Government’s bold economic reforms, which had repositioned Nigeria as a competitive economy.

He highlighted key economic reforms undertaken by the government, including the removal of oil subsidies, introduction of rule-based foreign exchange system, and inauguration of a consumer credit programme.

“For a country of over 200 million people, consumer credit is essential to driving demand for locally manufactured goods.

“This will ensure that manufacturers, both small and big, can focus on efficiency rather than market absorption challenges,” he said.

Bagudu also emphasised Nigeria’s energy transition efforts, noting that the country is prioritising Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as cost-effective alternatives to petrol and diesel.

“We are committed to reducing industrial production costs through cheaper and more reliable energy sources.

“Our transition to CNG and LNG will make Nigeria’s manufacturing sector more competitive,” he stated.

The President of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Francis Meshioye, said that PCP was a tool for implementation of the industrial component of the country’s national development plan.

According to Meshioye, over 1000 staff of manufacturing companies are experts operating within industrial zones and benefiting from the capacity-building component of the project.

He said that the organised private sector and manufactures would support by giving the needed resources to allow proper domestication of the methodologies.

“I will like to assure you of our readiness to respond positively and support you in the implementation of the key pillars of the programme,” he said.

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Kadiri Abdulrahman