Gom Mirian
Former Bayelsa Lawmaker, Ben Murray Bruce, has advised the President Bola Tinubu-led government to consider legitimizing the activities of Nigerians producing counterfeit products.
In a video released on his official social media X account, Bruce emphasised the potential benefits of supporting these individuals and their skills rather than stigmatizing them.
He argued that “In a nation where research and development for the military-industrial complex is severely limited, it is short-sighted to imprison counterfeiters of various products, such as food beverages, electronics and fashion brands.
“Rather than stigmatize them wouldn’t it be more beneficial to legitimize their skills and expertise?
“After all, if we can allocate funds to train former Boko Haram members, why not invest in helping these individuals establish their patents and businesses by providing grants to register their companies and set up legitimate factories, this way we will empower them to manufacture authentic, locally made pharmaceutical, food beverages, electronic and fashion brands under the made in Nigeria label,” Bruce wrote.
