NEPC Proposes One State, One Product Scheme

The non-oil export sector
of the nation’s economy has the potentials to revive the country’s economy if adequately explored, through, a one state-one product (OSOP) process.
This assertion was made by the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, in an opening remark at a two-day integrated workshop on techniques of non-oil export project formulation and implementation for state committees recently in Kaduna.
The statement which was obtained by our correspondent at the zonal correspondent at the zonal office of the council in Port Harcourt last Friday said such feat could be achieved even as the country continues to witness the free fall of revenue from oil resources caused by the glut in global prices.
According to the NEPC boss, Nigeria had the potentials to be among the first top 10 net exporters of agricultural commodities given its abundant human and natural resources spread across the length and breath of the country.
Represented by the Director in the office of the CEO Mr. Olajide Ibrahim, he said that though Nigeria presently is the world’s largest producer of seven agricultural export commodities, the position does not reflect at the global trade stage.
Awolowo said the implication was that the country was deprived of requisite world market share from these products.
He added that the council in its avowed efforts to make the non-oil export sector a commanding contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would employ its capacity expertise and reach to promote the diversification of the economy in line with the government’s economic agenda.
Continuing, the statement said NEPC was currently advocating the development of the OSOP initiative geared at establish one non-export product per state as well as the FCT.
Over 70 participants comprising individuals in capacities that range from permanent secretaries of respective state’s ministries of trade and commerce, leaderships of organised private sectors and commodity bodies like All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), amongst others, attended the workshops.