The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called on Nigerians to prioritize locally made goods and services as a means to stimulate economic growth and support local industries.
The monarch made this statement on Friday while unveiling the Ojaja mini city, located in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.
Speaking to journalists, Oba Ogunwusi emphasized that local industries could thrive if Nigerians opted for locally produced goods over imported ones.
“We need to buy in Nigeria, which we need to produce in Nigeria, including our housing needs,” he said. The monarch further stated that relying heavily on imports is detrimental to the nation’s economy and undermines local manufacturing capabilities.
“We won’t continue to cry over spilled milk. We know that we have housing deficits in the country, but we need to make do with what we have to get results,” Ogunwusi continued.
He expressed concern that by depending on imported goods, Nigerians were inadvertently supporting other countries’ economies while neglecting their own.
Highlighting the significance of the Ojaja mini city project, Oba Ogunwusi revealed that all materials used in constructing the mini city were sourced locally, showcasing the potential of Nigerian-made products.
“Our project here is a city on its own. It is 100,000 square metres, and we are trying to showcase what is possible in Nigeria,” he stated.
The Ooni emphasized that at least 90% of the materials used in the Ojaja mini city were locally sourced, challenging the misconception that Nigerian-made products are of inferior quality.
“A lot of people probably think we do things that are of inferior quality. A lot of good things can happen in our country, and if we believe in ourselves, like this typical project, we can continue to reduce our housing deficit gradually,” he added.
The Ojaja mini city, which serves as a model for local production, includes state-of-the-art facilities such as a five-star hotel, a game center, a children’s park, a shopping mall, a motor park, schools, and residential estates.
Through this project, the Ooni aims to demonstrate the viability of local manufacturing and the importance of supporting homegrown industries.
