The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has emerged the overall best participant at the just-concluded 39th Kaduna International Trade Fair, which held in Kaduna from Feb. 23 to March 4.
A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the NNPC Spokesman, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, said the corporation, which returned to the fair after a two-year absence, beat Dangote Industries and the Nigerian Ports Authority to second and third positions respectively.
Ughamadu said that Gov. Nasir El Rufai presented awards to outstanding participants at the closing of the fair.
El-Rufai commended NNPC and other participants at the fair for the quality products showcased.
He also commended participants for the innovation and grandeur they brought to bear on the event.
The Theme of the Fair was: “Promoting Industry, Commerce and Agriculture for International Competitiveness.”
The statement also quoted NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, as reiterating the corporation’s commitment to the economic diversification programme of the Federal Government.
He said it was imperative to intensify and support the Federal Government’s economic diversification programme to free the economy from the “vagaries of oil price volatility, which during a period of glut could spell doom for the nation.”
Baru noted that a renewed focus on commerce, industry and agriculture would have a greater impact on the standard of living of Nigerians.
“These sectors can engage more people in productive activities compared to oil and gas which despite its significance, accounts for only 12.7 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),’’ Baru said. (NAN)
