By CHIDI MATTHEW NWACHUKWU

Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the 2023 presidential election, has voiced out his dissatisfaction with the absence of multinational companies and organisations at the Kaduna International Trade Fair.

Obi, who was in Kaduna recently, to witness the trade fair, expressed concern that the Kaduna Trade Fair, which used to host the largest business heavyweights across the world, did not have many of them in attendance this year.

The Labour Party stalwart attributed the anomaly to the decline in Nigeria’s economy, and regretted that Nigeria’s economy, which was once vibrant, has now become a shadow of itself.

“From my interactions, I observed an economy in decline. The trade fair itself was a shadow of its former self – once vibrant, now nearly deserted, with multinational companies conspicuously absent.”

Obi, who has attended the Kaduna Trade Fair severally, expressed concern that Nigeria’s economy is struggling and needed quick revamping.

“As a trader and a keen observer of economic activities, I can confidently say that our economy is struggling. Having attended the trade fair several times over two decades ago, I noticed the glaring absence of major corporations that once actively participated,” stated the astute business man.

In stressing his dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s failure to be more productive than consumptive, Obi stated that Nigeria must place priority on returning to policies that prioritize that strengthen our economic backbone.”

“As a country, we must return to policies that prioritize production over consumption, strengthening the backbone of our economy—our small businesses, industries, and entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs,” stated Obi.

Recommending sure ways of achieving tangible results, Obi listed some countries that Nigeria can take a cue from, in making real economic progress:

“We must learn from nations like Indonesia, Bangladesh, and India, which have successfully implemented economic models that empower local businesses, enhance manufacturing, and created sustainable jobs. Nigeria has the potential to reclaim its status as a major commercial hub in Africa, but this requires prudent leadership, strategic economic planning, and the political will to support business-friendly policies.” Said Obi.