SecureID limited, at the weekend, commissioned a Sim card manufacturing line to be exported to 19 African countries.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, said SecureID is an intercession of three things that are vital towards the country: Entrepreneurship, manufacturing and the whole technology and telecoms space.
“It is not often that you get a company that can somehow have all these in one. First you have to appreciate them for the leadership and drive, for the vision that Kofo has and her foreign partners.”
“As a country and as a government, we try to support them and pursue their dreams and having had the opportunity of visiting this company, I can truly testify that it is a world class. It is simply something to be celebrated and appreciated. What it shows is that this thing can be done if we provide the right support” he said.
He disclosed that as a government, they will continue to provide support so as to produce more products here in Nigeria and add value. In terms of jobs, import substitution, the whole value added process chain. “Export is very important, our supply is limited and once you increase the supply, the foreign exchange will be increased. The company is currently serving 18 countries in Africa and if you then take this to the next level, in terms of technology. This is something we have to show, it is not just enough to manufacture, it is also good that we have examples of role models who are doing things in the technology space” he said.
The Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, said the sim card commissioning is another means of diversifying the economy since its a symbolic way of ensuring that local capacity and local products are being given there position.
He lamented that Nigerians has always had the obsession for foreign products and services, adding that, he is proud today, local initiative is transforming into by the grace of God, a continental benefit for the whole of Africa.
“Nigeria is the leading market and most robust. We also know that it is only in Nigeria that we have more than a million subscribers to telecom, at least on the African continent. Nigeria must also take the leadership of the African continent and possibly in East Europe and Asia”
“On my part as the minister of communication, i feel fulfilled that in my time, this company is coming out to do what will make Nigeria proud. I want to assure you that the Nigerian government will continue to support all the initiatives as have been highlighted. I thank the BoI for supporting genuine initiatives and as assuring you that what ever I can do to assist, aside finance, I will do it” he said.
The Managing Director, Bank of Industry, BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, said with this new line, Nigeria can now export Sim cards to other African countries and can generate foreign exchange.
He noted that the sim card commissioning will create more jobs which means more workers will also pay more tax which will be beneficial to Lagos state government and that the company will also pay more tax to the federal government.
“When we decide to support a project, it is not only financial ability but we also look at the strategic and potential value of the project. I dare say that SecureID stands out, they are one of our best customers and it also shows that you can access BoI facility provided that you are a genuine entrepreneur. You can access it if you are genuine, serious and you mean business, we will hold your hands and ensure that you achieve your objectives” he said.
