SNF third edition holds in Lagos, minister says it will boost Nigeria’s economy

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, has said that the Simply Nigerian Fair (SNF) will boost the Nigerian economy and a lot of Nigerians will be empowered to make money and invest in their businesses.

She said this yesterday at the third edition of SNF held at the Garden Fusion Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The Fair, declared open by a Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw and Abubakar, was filled to capacity as vendors and consumers had a busy day buying and selling Made-in-Nigeria products.

Abubakar said the SNF was an exciting experience and the entrepreneurs did a great thing, as all the brands were amazing.

“Imagine if we have this kind of fair going on in every state in Nigeria, it will boost the Nigerian economy and a lot of Nigerians will be empowered to make money and invest in their businesses.

“They won’t have to borrow and the Nigerian products will boost because there will be greater demands for them and money will go round in diversification,” she said.

The SNF Founder, Temi Shenjobi, told newsmen that the SNF vision is to help entrepreneurs who don’t have shop space or floor space to exhibit their products and show people what they do.

“This third edition turned out great as expected but my vision for SNF is for growth so that more entrepreneurs can be involved,” she said.

She stated that the fair would be a bi-yearly event to make Nigerians key into the Made-in-Nigeria products, which will in turn boost the Nigerian economy.

Also, Henshaw, who stated that the event, the second to be officially opened by her, was awesome, especially at a time when people are looking inward trying to make sure that the Nigerian brand is seen and visible, said: “People need to believe more in the Nigerian brand. If you are talking about quality, when you patronise the entrepreneurs, you tell them the defects and they will improve on quality.

“When they make more money, they are going to spend more money to improve on quality. So, the SNF ideology is absolutely excellent.”

Meanwhile, a vendor and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ‘Insolitus’ brand, specialising on Bespoke gifts and Ankaramania gift items made from Ankara materials, Barbra Lawrence, said: “SNF is a beautiful opportunity for upcoming entrepreneurs to let everyone know what they do.”