- FirstBank Promotes Made-in-Nigeria Goods
First Bank of Nigeria Limited, through one of its sustainability initiatives, the FirstBank Sustainability Centre, in partnership with the Lagos Business School is hosting the 2017 SME Conference. The aim of the initiative is to drive creativity, innovation and productivity among local manufacturers in Nigeria.
Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) are pivotal to the development of any nation’s economy, and it is imperative for public and private enterprises to nurture this sector to stimulate the production and patronage of local goods and services. This would certainly be the catalyst required to revive the economy as it would build a sustainable local business sector, generate income within the economy, create employment, and progressively move Nigeria from an import-based economy to an export-based economy.
The SME Conference with the theme, “Made-in-Nigeria: Driving Productivity & Competitiveness,” according to a statement by the Bank, would explore the role of SMEs in ensuring the sustainable economic growth of the nation, especially at a time when the Nigerian government is looking to diversify its income stream. The event would hold on April 28, 2017, in Lagos.
The Chairman, Board of Directors, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, would be the keynote speaker at the event. The conference would bring together various stakeholders in a forum for policy influencing conversations and advocacy whilst inspiring action on ‘Made in Nigeria’ products and services.
Some of the panelists at the event include Gbenga Shobo – Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited; Peter Bamkole – Director, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC); Tara Fela-Durotoye – Founder/CEO, House of Tara; Bosun Tijani – CEO, CCHub and Oluwaseun Onigbinde, Founder BudgiT, among others.