Ooni Advocates Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Products to Boost Economy

The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, CFR, has urged citizens to embrace the use of Made-in-Nigeria products as a way to end inflation, reduce unemployment and boost the nation's economy.

Ooni Ogunwusi made the appeal on Thursday in Ile-Ife while addressing journalists at his 8th coronation anniversary held at the Ile Oodua, the palace.

The Ooni described as worrisome the incessant attribution of surging inflation in the country to the increasing foreign exchange rates due to the nation's dependence on imported products.

The natural head of the entire Oodua race worldwide declared that he dedicated his 8th Coronation Anniversary to celebrating initiatives production, brands and everything indigenous.

He urged the country’s leaders to set the pace by embracing locally made products and brands while also urging government at all levels to focus on developing the manufacturing potentials of the country.

"I am appealing to our leaders. It is high time we stopped benchmarking everything on dollar. Let us continue to encourage people to manufacture and embrace our own products. This will start from our leaders to lead by example embracing what is our own in everything they use and consume. 

"I have dedicated my Eight Years Coronation Anniversary to celebrate everything that is indigenous and portrays our pride as a nation from human to material resources including brands and companies like Innoson Motors for example, that is making the country proud in the automobile industry. I have always encouraged them with my patronage and I will continue to do so.", Ooni stated.

On his eight years on the throne of his ancestors, the Ooni described the journey as fulfilling with records of grandbreaking achievements, adding that his coming to the stool of Oduduwa is to serve his people and that he is just getting started.

Highlights of the ocassion included the handing over of vehicles and motorcycles to the Ooni's worth millions of naira to Ooni's NGO, the Hopes Alive Initiative by Innoson Vehicles as a contribution to support the annual end of the year staff appreciation and awards ceremony initiative by Olori Temitope Ogunwusi who doubles as the Deputy Convener.

Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Adeyeye Akande Ogunwusi Ojaja II ascended the throne as the 51st Ooni on 7th December, 2015.