L-R, Director Corporate Communications, MAN, Mr Ambrose Oruche, DG, MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, President MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, Mr John Obekpa of RMRDC and the Managing director, Leoht Africa, Ms Bunmi Aliu at the media briefing
This year’s (2023) edition of the Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo (NME) and the Nigerian Raw Materials Expo (NIRAM), will afford manufacturers in the country to meet producers of necessary industrial machines for retooling in order to increase efficiency and products quality.
The President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye stated this on Monday during the media briefing preceding the event taking place from the 21st to the 23rd of November 2023 at the Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos by 9am.
He said the event is jointly organized by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment & the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The MAN President said the theme for this year is: “Future Manufacturing: Building a Sustainable Roadmap to the Industrialization of Nigeria.”
“The event offers the manufacturers the opportunities for retooling in order to improve efficiency and products quality.
“It is also an avenue for journalists to see how manufacturers and the producers of machines used for production could collaborate and improve the economy in terms of deploying modern technology to drive efficiency and production of good products,” he said.
Otunba Meshioye noted that “the theme holds particular significance in the current context, highlighting the need for stakeholders to engage in in-depth discussions on the importance of forward-thinking, environmentally responsible, and industry-supportive strategies in manufacturing.”
He added that “this underscores manufacturing’s pivotal role as a catalyst for economic and social development within the region.”
While he explained that the NME & NIRAM Expo recognized as the preeminent and all-encompassing event covering every facet of the manufacturing value chain, is geared towards tackling pivotal issues in line with the theme, ‘Future Manufacturing: Building a Sustainable Roadmap to the Industrialization of Nigeria,’ MAN boss added that this year, the focus centres squarely on discussions and solutions that would drive the manufacturing industry towards a prosperous and sustainable future.
He said, “We’ll explore innovative strategies, cutting-edge technologies, and sustainable practices that can contribute to the growth of the entire African manufacturing ecosystem.
“In the ever-evolving landscape where disruptive technologies and trends, including Blockchain, Internet of Things, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Green Energy, and Augmented Reality, are set to shape the future, we must harness these innovations to foster self-sufficiency.
“It’s equally essential not to lose sight of the importance of harnessing locally sourced raw materials and availing oneself of critical support services such as financing and logistics.”
Otunba Meshioye added that it’s crucial to emphasise to large, medium, and small manufacturing organisations the immense opportunity presented by this year’s expo to explore novel production processes that enhance output, reduce expenses, elevate product quality, and diversify into new product lines.
He said further, “Consistent with our tradition, the NME will be co-located with the Manufacturing Partnership for African Development (mPAD) conference, a strategic forum uniting thought leaders in the manufacturing sector, policymakers, and government regulatory agencies to address existing challenges and generate innovative ideas for industry growth and development.”
MAN President said revealed that renowned political economy and management expert, Prof. Pat Utomi, will lead this session along with distinguished manufacturers confirmed as discussants at the event.
Concurrently, he explained that the Raw Material Research & Development Council (RMRDC) will offer masterclasses featuring the latest research findings delivered by carefully selected experts.
He added, “Another significant event is the Women in Manufacturing session, affording accomplished women in the field the opportunity to share their experiences with aspiring female manufacturers who may be considering entry into the sector. ”
On his part, the Director-General/CEO, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Hussaini Doko Ibrahim said the council
was established to expedite Nigeria’s industrial development through optimal utilisation of its natural endowments (agro and mineral raw materials) as inputs for manufacturing.
He noted that the objective of the Council “is to develop local raw materials and coordinate research efforts in relation to raw materials acquisition, exploitation, conservation and development.”
He said the collaboration of the RMRDC with MAN “is strategic as the roles complement each other,” which underscores “our partnership in co-hosting these yearly expositions to maximise the benefits to our common stakeholders, who continually aim to reduce the cost of manufacturing amid the rising cost of raw materials and process equipment.”
Prof. Ibrahim who was represented at the event by Mr. John Obekpa of the Business Innovation Centre, RMRDC, said the council has assiduously worked over the years with stakeholders to increase manufacturers’ access to both basic and secondary raw materials.
“The primary production of several strategic agricultural raw materials like cotton, sorghum, tomatoes, cocoa, sheet trees, oil palms, soya beans, cane sugar, cashew, fruits and sesame have been boosted by providing specific farmers with improved seeds or seedlings as the case might be.
“Also, establishing over forty pilot plants at the recently inaugurated Raw Materials and Development Council’s Technology and Innovation Complex, Obasanjo Space Centre, Airport Road, Abuja, is a testimony to our unwavering commitment to ensuring competitiveness in raw materials and products development.”
He said some of these innovations and products would be on display at the exhibition.
Others present at the event were the DG, MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director Corporate Communications, MAN, Mr Ambrose Oruche, Managing director, Leoht Africa, Ms Bunmi Aliu and Public Relations Manager, MAN, Mrs Omotayo Okewunmi.
