The Chief Executive Officer of Idealab Agency, Mr Emmanuel Aondoakaa, has called for patronage of locally made goods and services to address high inflation rates, hunger, unemployment, and loss of jobs in the country.
Aondoakaa, addressing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, urged the National Assembly to prioritise patronage of local content during its oversight functions as well as in all assembly projects.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idealab Agency, an organisation licensed by the Federal Government, aims to aid access to intervention funds and loans for smallholder farmers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Aondoakaa said the agency solicited partnership with the National Assembly and other stakeholders to create opportunities for all Nigerian businesses.
“The agency looks forward to robust partnerships for the purpose of disbursement of grants, aid, scholarships, market access, employment placements, and loan programmes facilitations.”
Aondoakaa said the Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, had put up intervention programmes and licensed Idealab Agency to aid mitigate economic challenges and create a more prosperous future for all Nigerians.
“Idealab Agency makes a passionate appeal for the National Assembly to patronise made-in-Nigeria products and services to create and sustain employment in the country.
“This partnership solicitation has become necessary because of the current realities in the economy where many Nigerians are facing severe difficulties,” he said.
Aondoakaa explained that the Federal Government’s Talent Export Initiative gave ordinary Nigerians the opportunity to be trained in high-level digital skills to tap into the global economy.
He said under the initiative, Nigerians working remotely for international brands could earn up to ₦10 million monthly or might decide to travel abroad through direct employment with the World Bank Group and other partner nations and multinationals.
He said that by acquiring special skill set through Idealab Agency, Nigerian small businesses could access 100 per cent funding and sponsorships.
“The presidency targets lifting 50 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2027 with the implementation of these intervention programmes.
“Idealab Agency is calling on the National Assembly and all stakeholders to embrace these programmes on its platform through mobilisation and awareness creation to enlist more beneficiaries from their federal constituencies.
“This is to enable more Nigerians access the opportunities as grants and scholarships to solve the problems of poverty and create wealth in the country,” he said.(NAN)
