Ministers Commends Academy Press, Says N2b Investment Shows Confidence in Economy

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has commended the Lagos-based printer, Academy Press Plc, for showing confidence in the country’s economy through its investment of N2billion for acquiring modern equipment within one year.

Mohammed stated this in Lagos while commissioning some of the equipment. He expressed delight that the company has continued to grow in leaps and bounds since it commenced production 51 years ago.

“I am happy to learn that, unlike some other local organisations, you have sustained your operations for over 50 years. You have not only sustained operations, you have grown with time to a world class printer that is comparable to what is available anywhere else in the world, acquiring and maintaining the best of equipment, boasting of highly-skilled personnel, up-to-date with modern technology and ensuring that Nigerians get nothing but the best as far as print production is concerned.

‘’It is also gladdening to learn that you have localised staff and management and you have a structured training system to develop skills for your own use as well as for the use of the industry.”

Mohammed said the government would continue to create the enabling environment for local industries to thrive and compete
favourably with their foreign counterparts in order to stimulate the nation’s economy through job creation and conservation of foreign exchange.

“On our own part in the current administration, we will continue to formulate policies that will enhance and strengthen these ideals. We will encourage the industry to develop its own support raw materials such as bond, craft paper and newsprint as well as ink and other chemicals. We will provide the enabling environment for this and other industries to thrive. It is imperative that government agencies patronise our local industries, and for us to read our own Nigerian-authored books, printed by our own printers. All documents, including security materials, must be printed locally to save jobs and
scarce foreign exchange.

Source: <Nigeria Today>