By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
The need for governments at all levels to promote and patronize made in Nigeria products has been stressed as the only way to reduce the dollarization of the Nigerian currency.
This call was made by the leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR who led members of Institute on a facility visit to Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Nnewi, as part of the events to mark the second edition of HRM Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe Lecture Series.
Conducting members of the NIPR round the production line of Innoson Motors, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma explained that the company has the capacity to produce any number of vehicles ordered by any government or individuals but their greatest challenge was poor debt servicing by some government agencies which could jeopardize their production.
Chief Chukwuma appealed to all Nigerians to work hard to make the country a better place while calling on the younger generation to make effective use of their youth.
Responding, the President and Chairman of Council, NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed happiness with what he saw at the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company and announced that henceforth, NIPR will partner Innoson Motors to promote the image and reputation of the company which he said is manufacturing vehicles in Nigeria for Nigerians.
“We have been celebrating Dangote Refinery in the last two months: but before Dangote, there has been Innoson”.
“I feel very proud to be a Nigerian because Nigeria is the best country on earth”, Dr. Neliaku opined.
He appealed to government agencies owing Innoson Motors to pay him promptly to enable the company deliver its goods and maintain the workers who are mostly youths.
Also speaking, the Vice President, NIPR, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura observed that seeing is believing, as he saw a vehicle manufacturing plant in Nigeria.
While noting that facility visits helps to drive marketing better, Prof. Dandaura described the efforts of Innoson Motors as the greatest display of patriotism in Nigeria, adding that the company deserves all the encouragement to forge ahead.
On his part, the House of Representative Committee on Police Institutions, Hon. Aliyu Wakili Boya promised to move a motion for the House of Reps to patronize Innoson Motors while the former Commissioner for Information, Adamawa State, Dr. Ahmed Sajoh, who is also the Chairman, Anti-corruption and consumer protection committee, NIPR observed that increased patronage will boost the sustainability of the company.
Award of Diamond Prize for Excellence was later presented to Chief Innocent Chukwuma by the National leadership of NIPR, while the State chapter, led by Prof. Angela Nwammuo also honoured him with an award in recognition of his contributions in Entrepreneurship and service to humanity which he was to receive during the chapter’s Annual General Meeting, AGM, held in March, 2024.
