Businessmen partner vice president on Made-in-Nigeria Festival

Buoyed by the need stimulate economic growth, the businessmen intend to use the partnership with VP Yemi Osinbajos office to stimulate a self-sustaining Nigerian economy.

Foremost Nigerian entrepreneurs and industrialists have teamed up with the office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), to take concrete steps that will help grow a truly Made-In-Nigeria economy.The list includes: Aliko Dangote, Founder and CEO, Dangote Group; Stella Okoli, Founder, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Prince Adesegun Oniru, Founder Made In Nigeria (MaIN) Group and immediate-past Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development; Ronald Chagoury, Founder and CEO, Chagoury Group and Jim Ovia, Founder, Zenith Bank.The Vice President is billed to lead a panel of speakers at the Made-in-Nigeria (MaIN) Summit – a major component of the maiden edition of Made-in-Nigeria (MaIN) Festival, holding at Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos from September 23rd – October 1st, 2016.

With the rapid decline in the price of crude oil, soaring inflation and the global shocks occasioned by a combination of factors including the United Kingdom’s vote to exit the European Union, no doubt, Nigeria, the MaIN Group notes, is facing its greatest economic challenge since the turn of the century.These factors, it pointed out, underscore the need to diversify the economy, foster innovation and creativity and promote a buy-Nigeria culture.

“The Made In Nigeria Festival is an attempt to force productivity and promote what we consider to be the true Nigerian spirit of ingenuity and enterprise,” stated Prince Adesegun Oniru recently.He added: “We can no longer rely on our one sole commodity [Crude Oil] to support our economy. We need to evolve new innovative ways of increasing productivity and finding new markets, especially domestic markets.

We’re by no means advocating a closed economy, but we feel that our economy will continue to suffer unless we consciously begin to break the boundaries that deprive us the benefits of investing in our own country.”With the theme: ‘Innovate. Connect. Power The Future,’ MaIN Festival seeks to enhance innovation and productivity while improving domestic and foreign investments.

Entrepreneurs, especially small scale businesses would be empowered to reach new markets and potential investors during the festival, while international Trade Missions would also explore opportunities that are available in Africa’s largest economy.The Festival comprises a 3-day Summit, an exhibition, a technology exposition and a daily showcase of Nigeria’s finest foods and flavours, movies, fashion, music and art.

Over 5,000 Nigerians have already signed up to be part of this year’s festival.The grand finale of the festival is a special celebration of Nigeria’s independence comprising a phenomenal showcase of music artistry that would also take place at Eko Atlantic City.The Made In Nigeria Festival is being organized by the MaIN Group, a collaboration of private sector organisations.

Board of Advisors of the initiative include: Prince Adesegun Oniru, Mr. Aliko Dangote, Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Okoli, Mr. Ronald Chagoury, Mr. Jim Ovia and Senator Oluremi Tinubu.