Nigeria’s non-oil export value chain is pegged at N3. 8 trillion, an economic recovery effort tied round the mandate of Dr. Ezra Yakusak.
Yakusak is the chief executive, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), an institution responsible for the promotion of Nigeria’s vast non-oil sector. Unassuming and proactive in harnessing human and materials resources, this uncommon Nigerian who spent his years at the Export House brings a new vista in the strategic intervention and interpretation to breaking the N3.8 trillion revenue programmed for this yet to be fully exploited economy chain.
Since his appointment, Yakusak, whom many observers and industry players have described as the unseen powerhouse of NEPC, due his patriotic initiatives and interventions in affairs the council, having served the nation as ‘Youth Corper’ 1991, and through the years brought far-reaching policy overview and changes, which transformed the organisation, is the driver of our nation’s focal effort in the industry.
No doubt, his experience as a lawyer, strategic management specialist and administrator counts on the strength of his game plan for Nigeria’s non-export businesses and endowment. This Kaduna State-born trailblazer in analytical communication and sensitization enthroned over the rebranding of NEPC’s activities under the “Export4Survival” campaign.
Yakusak’s message is simple, focused and evangelical. All hands on deck, all agencies of government with economic window capturing non-export products and services, re-engineered for the good of nation and people.
“It is a call for Nigerians to realise the urgency of engaging in non-oil trade as a viable means of economic growth, poverty alleviation, industrial development and boosting of our foreign earnings,” Yakusak is wont to tell us.
Interestingly, the battle to wade through the forest of ignorance of this all-important call to re-examine the nation’s preparedness to reform and redefine non-oil export earnings forms the fulcrum of the Export4Survival initiative, which Yakusak hopes to break the poor awareness of opportunities in the sector and benefits in the export of made-in-Nigeria goods and services.
As an author, strategic communication and education life-giver, no doubt this Export4Survival agenda must be deliberately driven by a media community well trained and retrained to harness, interpret and provide superior arguments for Nigeria’s non-oil export products in the global marketplace.
Deserving and hardly in contention, Nigeria’s banquet of non-oil export products, from agriculture, arts and crafts, culinary expressions, apparel and fashion, music, culture and startups in technology and manufacturing ranks top ladder in the world market, yet, brand finishing and products packaging need NEPC’s seed growth support, and trademark.
It is on this note we believe Yakusak should factor the yoke-breaking anointing oil on the slow pace of the business, power and support an aggressive media campaign, educating investors, producers and promoters of non-oil export value chain to full realisation of the N3.8 trillion benchmark for the sector.
Yes, the Export4Survival campaign has taken firm root outside our clime, with NEPC in headline participation in global trade shows, however, the home front, local chambers of commerce, local trade show facilitators, government agencies and private sector specialists in non-oil export promotion festivals and local governments must also be part of this call to the Promised Land of Nigeria’s non-oil export economy.
We commend the Export4Survival agenda of Yakusak and call for more robust engagement with verifiable stakeholders across board and praying in no distant future NEPC, under Yakusak, will gain us the revenue benchmark expected from this new non-oil wealth.