Melaye: Apologies to Oshiomhole, but Nigerian men should patronise made-in-Nigeria women

Dino Melaye, a senator representing Kogi west, has urged the menfolk to “patronise” Nigerian women and to stop paying dowry in pounds and dollars.

The lawmaker, who was making his contribution to the debate on a motion regarding the need for the patronisation of made-in-Nigeria goods presented by Eyinnaya Abaribe, a senator from Abia south, asked the senate to work at making legislations to encourage the consumption of local goods.

“I want to celebrate the made-in-Nigeria senator for bringing this motion. In considering the made-in-Nigeria goods, we must look at enabling factors that will necessitate the made in Nigeria goods,” he said.

“It’s beyond having one made-in-Nigeria attire and you have over 70 Tom Fords and Louis Vuittons in your wardrobe. We must reduce the allocation for made-in-Nigeria goods and services to the basics.

“What are those factors militating against the production of these goods? We must tackle them. We must also begin to look at our legislation then we will begin to talk about made-in-Nigeria goods.

“We will also move in order to encourage the made-in-Nigeria products in Nigeria, begin to talk about made-in-Nigeria women. Apologies to my uncle, the governor of Edo state, we must as a people stop paying dowry in dollars and pounds.  It is time for my colleagues here to become born again.”

The senate resolved to urge the federal government to initiate and implement first option policy on the purchase of locally-manufactured products for any government procurement in all arms of government and every public funded organisation.

It also resolved to amend the Procurement Act to ensure as a matter of law, agencies of government and government funded institutions adopt made-in-Nigeria goods first option policy where consideration is first given to local industry before any other.