Funlayo Adebo Enterprises (FAE), one of Nigeria’s largest paper and envelope producers, has launched new brands of envelopes and matching letterheads.
The envelopes and letterheads are produced with security-centered watermark and are available in six different surfaces, including the laid surface, the laid extra ivory surface and the luxury grey surface. There are also the elite, the premium and the extra brands which come in brilliant white. Part of the newly launched product was the tamper-proof envelopes made with security watermark and tear-proof products.
Addressing guests at the product launch, Layo Bakare-Okeowo, CEO of FAE Limited, said that having been present in the paper industry for 38 years, there was a need to disrupt the market with a more improved product with more quality. She added that the envelope was a trailblazer in Africa’s paper industry and produced to suit clients’ tastes in quality, security, and color.
She stated that the industry was faced with various challenges which the government could solve by creating an enabling environment, adding that poor infrastructure and weakness of the naira were challenges that must be addressed.
“I would like to sensitise government at all levels to institutionalise the made-in-Nigeria project by patronising Nigerian manufacturers and also creating the enabling environment for their businesses to thrive,” he said.
“This they can do by reviewing the Nigerian tax regime and investing in the power sector to improve power generation, transmission, and distribution to oil the growth engine of the economy.”
In his goodwill message, Mansur Ahmed, president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), expressed his delight at the gigantic steps Okeowo took in the manufacturing space and charged other manufacturers to take a cue from it.
He said that paper makers have only explored two percent of the industry, saying that there were 98 percent unexplored opportunities available to manufacturers in the space.
“Manufacturing is beyond the creation of goods and services. Therefore, every manufacturer must continue to up their game regardless of the circumstances, as well as seek ways through which the things produced have so much quality that will satisfy the consumers.”
He stressed the need to increase the capacity of the manufacturing sector and ensure that a strong economy is created, adding that beyond the Executive Order 3, which speaks of patronage, there should be more advocacy regarding the made-in -Nigeria products
Nike Akande, immediate past president of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) commended Okeowo for achieving feats in the manufacturing industry, saying that industrialisation was the key to development, employment generation and economic growth.
She advised that Nigerian manufacturers to courageous in the face of various challenges they face.
“We should support the manufacturers so they can compete in the global market and be relevant to economic growth and development,” Akande said.
Babatunde Ruwase, president of the LCCI, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commended Okeowo and FAE for their efforts in improving the manufacturing industry and the economy at large.
Gbemi Faminu
