The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) on Wednesday said  Made-in-Nigeria goods could stand the chance of national and international competitiveness with improved quality and price.

Dr Hussaini Ibrahim, the Director-General said this during the first roundtable for journalists on National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Product Development in the country.

The roundtable was organised by the Strategy Implementation Task Unit (SITU) of the council aimed at positioning the country’s raw materials for economic growth and advanced industrialisation.

Ibrahim, who was represented by Mr Chuks Ngaha, the Deputy Director, Public Affairs Unit, said that improving the quality of Made-in-Nigeria goods would develop the economy.

“For our Made-in-Nigeria goods to be competitive both nationally and internationally, the raw materials have to be competitive in quality and price.

“This is a task that must be emphasised if the economy must grow,” he said.

He recalled that the strategy document was a collaborative effort from different media organisations and was approved in May by the Federal Executive Council for implementation.

The D-G said that the implementation of the national strategy had started with an advocacy which engaged stakeholders across board in the country.

He said that the project would be achievable with collaborations, necessitated keeping the media abreast on the success of the strategy implementation and would avail them opportunity to make inputs.

Mr Abayomi Oguntunde, the Director, Bio-Resources Technology Department, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology said that the strategy would enable the media promote raw materials in the country.

Oguntunde observed that it would enable a policy framework of government to empower business communities through creating the enabling environment for Made-in-Nigeria goods to thrive.

“Your role and responsibilities are enormous, especially on publicity of the competitiveness strategy as a platform to refocus our business activities and resources.

“This will ensure the utilisation of Nigerian Research and Development Institutions’ commercialisable of scientific breakthroughs.

“With this strategy in place, there will be a deliberate policy of government towards empowerment of the business community through incentives, conducive business environment in upgrading logistics and infrastructure,” he said.

Oguntade said that it was necessary that the media kept prompting stakeholders on the need to develop research and development institutions in the country for better locally made products.

He said that efforts were being put in place to commence commercialisation of Research and Development breakthroughs from various institutions.

The director said that collaborative efforts would make for greater scientific and technological height.

Mr Chukwudi Ekezie, a Director with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that media practitioners were agents of public relations and were expected to possess communication expertise.

According to Ekezie, it is important stakeholders provide journalists with the information they need to promote the country, especially on indigenous raw materials.

He decried that some news sources treated journalists with contempt, hence failed to provide information they needed for their reports.

“Practitioners are no mere technicians who shape and transmit messages from their organisation. They are professionals who shape the relationships organisations have with their constituencies.

“There should be mutual trust among all parties as it will not serve public interest for journalists to be treated with contempt.

“Journalists must respect the privacy of individuals and institutions and dwell on matters that serve public good. The guiding rules of practice should be respected,” he said.

Ekezie said that journalists, scientists, industrialists and relevant stakeholders involved in promoting the National Strategy on Raw Materials Competitiveness must form a community toward achieving set goals.