Nigerian Exporters Demand Reinstatement Of ED, NEPC

By Mathew Ayoola

Nigerian Exporters have called on the Federal Government to reinstate the Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Dr. Ezra Yakusak considering the fact that he has worked tirelessly to put Nigerian exporters on the world map.

They made the call while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.

One of them, Rosemary Akwashiki who said the Nigerian Export Promotion Council through the ED, Ezra Yakusak has brought Nigerian products on the world map, described his disengagement as untimely.

“Dr Yakusak is not just a Chief Executive but a patriotic Nigerian who always held us by the hand, worked with the women in exports on the right steps to take to export our products and we are appealing to the government to please look at the plight of Nigerian exporters and return the ED considering the fact that his tenure is not close to finishing and I believe that good work speaks and Dr. Yakusak has done well in exports”, She stated.

On her part, the Chief Executive Officer of Lelooks Bags, Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa said she is not comfortable with the appointment even though the government have the right to do what they feel is best, but with the removal of the Executive Director of NEPC it is not a welcomed development.

“This kind of appointment does not give room for stability in government, it does not even give room for stakeholders to understand what is happening because Dr. Ezra is really doing well why remove him? he has not even spent two years, yet he has done much and achieved much for the Government. Just when he is settling down, please the government should reconsider and bring him back” Mrs Ezenwa pointed out.

Also speaking, another Exporter, Koko-mere expressed concern over the situation noting that his removal would be a set back for the export of the nation’s Non-oil products.

“This is where the Government gets it wrong, when Government is making policies especially on delicate sectors like export, exporters should be carried along and Dr. Ezra should be returned please because he has done so much and is doing more” the Exporter explained.

Dr Ezra Yakusak took over as Executive Director/CEO of NEPC on 27th November, 2021 and in two years under his leadership rhe non-oil export sector’s performance had the highest revenue turnover of $4.8 billion, the highest since the establishment of NEPC in 1977.

Edited By Grace Namiji