We are embarking on ``Buy Nigeria Campaign’’ – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, has said that the ministry will soon
embark on “Buy Nigeria Campaign’’ to raise
awareness on local contents.
The minister made the disclosure when the
management of Omatek Ventures Plc demonstrated
its locally made Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs
and fluorescent in his office.
The company also demonstrated its locally
assembled computers, solar panels and components
for generating power into homes and offices.
Mohammed said that the campaign would help to
sensitise the public to the benefits of patronising
Nigerian products.
The minister underscored the need for Nigerians to
develop the habit of conserving power, stressing
that “when you reduce power consumption, you
create energy.’’
He said most homes and offices had the negative
habit of leaving their lighting points to be glowing
and even their fans and air conditioning units on
when they did not need them.
The minister said that such homes wasted energy
and stood the risk of suffering fire outbreaks.
Mohammed said the country might have to legislate
and enforce the use of LED lighting products which
use less energy and last longer than other types of
lighting systems.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Omatek, Mrs
Florence Seriki, explained that LED bulbs and
fluorescent tubes save energy, were brighter than
other products, do not get hot and last for minimum
of five years.
According to her, while a conventional bulb
consumes 66.9W, an LED bulb with brighter light
consumes just 7.3W.
Seriki said the company had a local manufacturing
plant for LED products and assembly plants for
computers and solar power panel and accessories.
She said the solar power panels and accessories
were of different capacity for generating electricity
for homes, offices and factories.
Seriki said the company had a consumer scheme,
particularly for civil servants and workers in
private offices, for seamless payments through their
monthly salaries.
Meanwhile, the minister has said that government
will encourage the private sector to invest in the
creative industry to make it more productive.
He made the statement when he received a
delegation from Arewa Creative Industry led by its
chairperson, Hajia Halima Idris.
Mohammed said government was particularly
interested and passionate about the sector because
“it is easily accessible to the poor and the rural
populace.’’
He said the ministry was collaborating with Tony
Elumelu Foundation to train and mentor talented
youths on how to turn their creative talents to
business.
The minister said the youth would be given seed
money to start businesses.

On her part, Idris said the Arewa Creative Industry
was put together to mobilise and empower
underprivileged children, youths, women and
people with disabilities but talented.
She said the group also helped in discovering
talents, skill acquisition and training for the youth.