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.SOURCE: VANGUARD