You may want to also research the fact that Nigeria had her highest GDP growth during the Nigerian Civil War, when our Igbo brethren temporarily left Nigeria. Do not take my word for it. Google it. Who was responsible for that growth? Ghosts? The reason may not be unconnected to the fact that trading does not generate the quantum of economic activity that manufacturing does.We love our Igbo brothers and sisters. We also value their prowess as traders. However, you may find that you have better relations with other Nigerians if you do not use language such as ‘useless’ and other such demeaning words on your fellow countrymen and women
By Reno Omokri
Without mincing words, Lagos and Ogun are the manufacturing hub of Nigeria, and please Google it: Ikeja Local Government Area alone consumes more electricity than Anambra and Imo states combined.
Yes, we do appreciate our Igbo brothers and sisters. However, I am not sure it is factual to call the Lagos manufacturing sector “useless.”
While it is true that we need Igbo traders, available facts show that most Igbo traders prefer to sell imported items. Alaba, Ladipo, Onitsha, and Aba markets are heavily import dependent.
However, the manufacturers in the Southwest often gave a direct-to-consumer model. For example, Oando, Globacom, Forte Oil, Guinness Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries Limited, Nigerian Bottling Company, West African Portland Cement Company, Nestle Nigeria, Flower Mills of Nigeria, Unilever PLC, and Seven-Up Bottling Company, which are either wholly or partially owned by persons of Southwest origin, are not dependent on traders, be they Igbo or otherwise.
To a large extent, their consumers go to them. And by manufacturing necessities rather than luxuries, there is always a ready market for their goods and services.
This may explain why though Ondo state has the same population as Enugu state, but Ondo’s internal GDP is more than double that of Enugu. Ondo has the same GDP as Anambra, although Anambra has a larger population. How do you explain that? Ondo did not have a seaport for years. They just got approval for one in 2023, which is not yet operational. So, their economy is not import dependent. It is built on agriculture and manufacturing.
You may want to also research the fact that Nigeria had her highest GDP growth during the Nigerian Civil War, when our Igbo brethren temporarily left Nigeria. Do not take my word for it. Google it. Who was responsible for that growth? Ghosts?
The reason may not be unconnected to the fact that trading does not generate the quantum of economic activity that manufacturing does.
We love our Igbo brothers and sisters. We also value their prowess as traders. However, you may find that you have better relations with other Nigerians if you do not use language such as ‘useless’ and other such demeaning words on your fellow countrymen and women.
