Patronise Locally-Produced Goods, Services, CBN Urges Nigerians

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has encouraged the citizens to patronise made in Nigeria products and services to boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr. Osita Nwasinobi, made the call yesterday at a sensitisation campaign themed, ‘Promoting Financial Stability and Economic Development’ held simultaneously in Bayelsa and Rivers states.

Participants at the forum were drawn from manufacturing, trading, farming, financial, artisan, National Youth Service Corps and student- groups.

According to Nwasinobi, the nation’s economy had in the last 15 years experienced some challenges which included recession twice, drop in the production level of crude oil, oil theft, terrorism and insecurity which had all impacted negatively on the economy.

Represented by the Head of Internal Communications, Mr. Samuel Okogbue, he stated that the developments had in turn affected the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which has implications for the value of Naira, resulting in foreign exchange challenges.

While highlighting some of the efforts of the CBN in managing and growing the economy through regulation of financial institutions, loan schemes to farmers, introduction of electronic Naira wallet, he urged Nigerians to refrain from the penchant of patronising foreign goods and services.

Nwasinobi said: “The essence of our coming here is not to only tell you what CBN is doing, we also want to appreciate, think with you about our economy, whether you are producing garri, whether you are selling in the shop, working with the government or in the factory so we can be conscious of what we are doing and what we can do.