By Miracle Ogunde

The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has called on Nigerians to develop the country’s export market and attract foreigners in order to tackle current economic challenges.

Governor Makinde made the call at the official opening of Oyo State International Trade Fair, tagged EXPOYO 2024, held at the international trade fair complex, Samonda Ibadan.

The governor said to that it is now time to look at opportunities, because opportunities are always lurking in the corner when there are challenges

The governor declared that all hands must be on deck to repair the economy rather than trade blames.

He said that one of the ways to achieve such repair is for the country to shift its focus to export orientation instead of import substitution.

Makinde also lamented that things are not going the way it should be in the country, saying this is not the time to give up on the country.

“This is a very tough period for us as a country. Economically, things are not going the way we want but this is not the time to give up.

“It is the time to look at opportunities, because opportunities are always lurking in the corner when there are challenges.

“For us in Oyo State, we are not giving up. I can see notable industrialists here. It is about time we changed our orientation. People will talk about what we produce in Nigeria and showcase the economic potential of Oyo State.

“We are not interested only in things that we will consume locally in Oyo State. Import substitution means you are looking at only your own market. export orientation means we want to produce here and sell to the world and earn the necessary foreign exchange.”

Governor Makinde, who said that his administration is committed to changing the Nigerians orientation on export substitution, promised that the trade fair will henceforth be an annual event with presence of foreigners at the next edition.

Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Ademola Ojo pledged that the Ministry in collaboration with Oyo State Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OYCCIMA) would ensure that the Permanent Trade Fair Complex is maximally utilized.

In his remarks, the President of Oyo State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agricultural Dr. Daniel Gbadero, lauded Governor Makinde for his economic transformation agenda for the state and the support given to OYCCIMA to organize the 2024 EXPOYO Trade Fair.

He therefore, called on Nigerians to do the needful in ensuring that basic products, including foods, medicine, Motorized gadgets among others are produced within the country.