Makurdi: Gov. Hyacinth Alia has urged investors to patronise products made in Benue to boost the local economy. Alia made this appeal at the two-day 'Made in Benue Products Exhibition 2025' in Makurdi.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the governor called on the Federal Government, corporate bodies, and public-spirited individuals to support and encourage Benue innovators. He emphasised that investing in local enterprises is not only an investment in economic prosperity but also a commitment to empowering communities, reducing unemployment, and fostering self-reliance. "Let us promote what is made in Benue, patronise our own, and help build industries that will sustain our economy for generations to come," Alia said.
He noted that industrialisation was the third agenda in his administration's blueprint and expressed his commitment to repositioning Benue as an economic powerhouse. Alia lamented inheriting a state filled with moribund industries, where once-thriving factories and businesses had succumbed to years of neglect, policy inconsistencies, and infrastructural decay. His ultimate goal, he stated, was not merely revamping existing structures but laying the foundation for sustainable industrial growth.
In collaboration with the World Bank, Alia's administration introduced the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) initiative, which has provided direct support to over 5,000 SMEs across the state. "Today's exhibition is not just an event. It is a powerful statement about the potential and creativity of our people," he remarked, highlighting the exhibition as an opportunity to showcase the talents and innovations of Benue people.
The governor noted that the exhibition encouraged producers and exposed them to sponsors, investors, and larger markets. "One remarkable aspect of this event is that most of the exhibited items have been produced using local raw materials," Alia added, underscoring the potential in harnessing local resources for a sustainable industrial base. He asserted that with the right support, Benue entrepreneurs could compete favourably in national and international markets.
Alia reaffirmed his administration's commitment to supporting local innovation and industrialisation through access to funding and incentives for MSMEs to expand and improve product quality. Earlier, Benita Shuluwa, Director General of the Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, stated that innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship were the bedrock of economic growth and industrial expansion.
Shuluwa highlighted that Benue, as the 'Food Basket of the Nation,' had unique characteristics ideal for industrialisation. "The immense potential for industrialisation and wealth creation in Benue State spans various sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy, technology, manufacturing, solid minerals, culture, and tourism," she said. She emphasised that synergy between invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship was crucial to harnessing the state's industrial potential, adding that developing new technologies and production techniques would drive enhanced industrialisation.