Benue First Business Exhibition Showcases Resilience, Creativity
By Armstrong Tseaa, Makurdi
The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia has declared that Benue State’s First Exhibition held Wednesday was a strong testimony about the potentialities and creativity of Benue People.
The inaugural exhibition christened “Made in Benue Products Exhibition” was held at IBB Square, marking a considerable breakthrough in the state’s journey towards economic rejuvenation and industrial advancement.
Speaking further, Governor Alia adds, “This exhibition brings their productions to public glare, bringing reassurance to the manufacturers and unmasking them to sponsors, investors, and larger markets.”
“I recognised the challenges inherited from years of negligence and infrastructural decay, but affirmed the responsibility to resuscitate moribund industries and foster new ones,” he remarked.
He declared that the transcendent goal of his administration is not purely revamping existing networks but laying the foundation for sustainable industrial growth.
Pointing out the successes of initiatives like the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), which has spearheaded the establishment of mini-industries, the Governor showcased how local resources are being utilised to generate jobs and minimise dependency on external markets.
The exhibition further displayed products crafted primarily from local raw materials, embodying the potential for Benue to build a self-satisfactory industrial base.
He said that given the right support, our people can compete enthusiastically in any market, both nationally and internationally.
Gov. Alia further called on the Federal Government and corporate bodies to invest in local enterprises to empower communities and foster self-reliance.
As the exhibition produced a varied bundle of innovations, it remained as a testimonial to the resilience and creativity of the Benue people, reinforcing the message that economic prosperity can be achieved through local dexterity and mutual effort.
The Governor encouraged all participants to pick up a keen enthusiasm in the advertised products, emphasising the importance of reinforcing local industries for the continuous economic future of Benue State.
The Minister for Industry and Trade, Mrs Jumoke Oluwale, urged Benue Manufacturers to leverage their Food Basket status to produce more agribusiness based products and machineries.
On the sidelines, DAILYLIGHT reporter sought the views of many participants who applauded the state government for reviving a good business culture.
A tax expert, Stephanie Kpakpa Tsekeh, opined that the exhibition displayed local products crafted primarily from indigenous raw material, exemplifying the material and non-material potentials of Benue to build a self-satisfactory industrial base.
Tsekeh stressed that the fallouts of the exhibition shall include more revenue generation, increased efficiency, local content enhancement and serve as a platform for networking, partnerships between the state actors, manufacturers, regulatory authorities and consumers.
