Governor
Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has stressed that the solid mineral sector needs a dynamic overhauling , this go beyond selling of raw materials into the development of value chains to get added earnings and redouble Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This was disclosed on Monday, by the Governor at the opening ceremony at the Nigeria Gemstones Conference held at the University of Ibadan Conference Hall, Ibadan , Oyo State Capital.
Rev. Bunmi Jenyo described the conference as a “laudable effort which will serve as a wake up call to managers of the economy ,policy makers across board”.
He added “the sector is a multi billion dollar industry that has not received the right attention, despite the push to diversify our national economy. It is therefore a welcome development that we are gathered here to deliberate on this sub- sector”.
“We have a challenge to develop process capacity to add high value to our solid minerals.
Specifically, gemstones present a high value opportunity for willing and enterprising Stakeholders to operate”.
Rev. Jenyo who commended the organizers of the conference also said ;“we can however not achieved much unless we engage the private sector more productively’
The organized private sector remains the most viable vehicle to drive the value addition and expansion of our processing capacity”.
National Daily Newspaper gathered that the organizers, Gemstones Miners And Marketers Association of Nigeria (GMMAN)’ are of the opinion that the conference is an opportunity for individuals and organizations in the gemstones industry, They have to come together and discuss the latest trends, challenges and innovations in the field.
The event attracted Miners, dealers, leading experts, researchers, policymakers and business leaders from all over the nation, to share knowledge and insights.