The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday described Nnewi, Anambra State as the industrial hope of the country.
He stated this during a tour of companies and factories in Nnewi.
Osinbajo, who described the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Chicason group, Dr. Chika Okafor, as one of leading industrialists in Africa, assured the people that the Federal Government would address the issue of power and forex to mitigate the harshness the industrialists pass through.
He said the Federal Government was passionate about supporting local manufacturers to excel.
He added that the Federal Government had adopted a policy of buying locally manufactured goods as a measure to encourage local manufacturers.
“I’m inspired, I’m impressed with what is happening here at Chicason Group, especially the number of people employed by its companies, and President Muhammadu Buhari is more inspired,” Osinbajo stated
At Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Osinbajo said the Federal Executive Council had approved the purchase of specialised vehicles for the Federal Road Safety Commission from the Nnewi-based auto firm.
The Vice-President expressed delight at the volume of productivity in Nnewi, which he described as the industrial heartland of Nigeria.
Osinbajo said, “I have heard and seen many of the Innoson motors in Abuja as well as many other goods produced in companies like Chikason, Tummy Tummy and other business concerns in Nnewi.”
Speaking, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, described Osinbajo as a man of his words.
The governor said he had earlier discussed the problems of Anambra manufacturers with the VP in Abuja and he promised to visit the state for that purpose.
“Today, the Vice-President is here with us and I assure you that the problems you would raise here today, he would address them,” Obiano said. – Punch.
