Survival

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and National Orientation Agency (NOA) have agreed to extend ‘Export4Survival’ campaign to 36 states of the country.

A statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by Mr Ndubueze Okeke, Head, Corporate Communications NEPC, quoted the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Dr Ezra Yakusak as saying this when he visited the NOA in Abuja.

Yakusak added that the partnership was part of strategic collaborations to promote the export of made-in-Nigerian products.

The NEPC boss also said that it would increase foreign exchange earnings for the country.

Yakusak explained that the visit was critical in seeking strategic collaboration with relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) towards rejuvenating Nigeria’s fragile economy in the wake of dwindling revenue from crude oil.

He described the Export4Survival campaign as a patriotic call on Nigerians to realise the urgency of engaging in non-oil export trade.

Yakusak said that non-oil export remained a viable means of economic growth, poverty alleviation, industrial development and a boost of foreign exchange earnings.

“We must export our goods and services or perish. That is the only way the country could create jobs, create wealth and ensure a sustainable economy that guarantees prosperity for all Nigerians,” he said.

On his part, the Director-General of NOA, Dr Garba Abari, commended NEPC for initiating the Export4Survival campaign as part of strategic initiative to increase awareness on opportunities in the non-oil sector.

Abari said that the campaign would highlight benefits of exporting Nigerian goods and services to the overall growth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

With 813 offices in the Nigeria, Abari said that the NOA was strategically positioned to help the NEPC drive the campaign to 36 states and 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

“Export4Survival is indeed strategic in finding a solution to the nation’s fragile economy.

“It is the only way to regain the value of the Naira as it will create wealth and job opportunities for all Nigerians,” Abari said.

NEPC on Aug. 23, announced that Nigeria exported over 4. 146 million metric tonnes of non-oil products, worth $2.593 billion from January to June 2022.

The figure represents 62.37 per cent increase as against $1.59 billion for the first half year in 2021 and 2020 which stood at $981.442 million, respectively.