250 graduates establish toothpick factory in Ondo

Peter Dada

Some youths have established a factory for the production of toothpicks and pencils in Akure, the Ondo State capital, under the sponsorship of the National Directorate of Employment.

The factory, where over 250 graduates are currently working, is said to be the first of its kind in Africa.The idea of local toothpicks production in Nigeria was said to have been conceived by a young graduate who convinced the management of the NDE that the product could be produced with bamboo stems.At the inauguration of the factory in Akure, the Acting Director-General of the NDE, Mr. Kunle Obayan, said the NDE’s sponsorship of the project was part of the agency’s effort towards complementing the micro-economic policies of the Federal Government, aimed at stimulating local production of goods.

He explained that some young graduates approached the agency early this year with the proposal to set up the factory to produce toothpicks, adding that the agency accepted the proposal because it was perceived to be a viable project.

He said, “It is on record that millions of dollars are being spent on the importation of toothpicks and pencils. The Central Bank of Nigeria no longer provides foreign exchange for the importation of toothpicks; therefore, the viability of this project is not in doubt.”

Obayan called on other young graduates with good ideas to bring their proposals to the NDE.

“We are ready to sponsor any good proposal so that our youths will be empowered and unemployment will reduce in this country,” he said.

He explained further that the agency would support the factory from the production point to the marketing of the products to enable the business to survive.

The initiator of the project, Mr. Samuel Babatunde, expressed his gratitude to the NDE for the support given to him and his colleagues to execute the project.

He urged that Federal Government to tackle the problem of power for the business to survive.

He said, “We came to the NDE with the idea of starting a toothpick manufacturing factory. Another set of colleagues also came up with the idea of starting a waste paper, pencil manufacturing factory. The NDE did not shun us, but rather, they encouraged us.

“They provided the funds and moral support and today, we are witnessing history being made here in Akure, Ondo State. Today, the first toothpick manufacturing factory in Africa is being inaugurated.”

Cc mynd44

http://punchng.com/250-graduates-establish-toothpick-factory-ondo/

Proudly Ondo.

Good

HungerBAD:
Proudly Ondo.

If not South west, then it can't be any other place

HungerBAD:
Proudly Ondo.

I was thinking you are an Igbo man o. @ Post, that's a brilliant move. I believe more youths are coming up with something bigger in 2017. Nigeria will be great again

Toothpick ? Well, at least they are starting with something

Good news from the afonjas.

JEMIMAWISDOM:
I was thinking you are an Igbo man o. @ Post, that's a brilliant move. I believe more youths are coming up with something bigger in 2017. Nigeria will be great again

You would have said Nigeria would be great instead of adding "Again" because it has never been .

Nice

That's cool.

This is nice. There needs to be a law that all governnent parastatals and offices must buy Made in Nigeria.

Lmao

Great achievement.
Now, stop the importation of toothpick and pencil to encourage more of these.

Nice move.

Kudos to them

graduate achieving toothpick factory.... na carpenter dem b... congrats sha... at least e go cheap from #50-#20



when u hear 250 graduate establish toothpick factory in united state

Amplitron:
This is nice. There needs to be a law that all governnent parastatals and offices must buy Made in Nigeria.

I would suggest instead of law/force, you provide tax/loan incentives. Allow economics to work.

klassykute:
graduate achieving toothpick factory.... na carpenter dem b

you wan make them join yahoo yahoo for cyber cafe??

Kudos to these great minds. Imagine Nigeria importing product as small as toothpick and pencil, and we are crying of unemployment in the country. More of this should be encourage and we will get there soonest. Good move!

Agunechemba1:
You would have said Nigeria would be geat instead of adding "Again" because it has never been .

Nigeria was great in the 70s

Who will buy it? How many people are eating meat in this recession
well, lailasticlala will need it after eating those snakes

250 of them? For tooth pick? So if them one open car factory them go reach hundred thousand be that.

at last nigerians are regaining their senses, thank God for Buhari.

iluvpomo:
you wan make them join yahoo yahoo for cyber cafe??

bro na graduate dem b nahhh.. i dey watch nta e tv d oda day see small kids dey invent tinz... 250 graduate comort from skool cm say dem wan dey carve small wood lmao...

Hmmm

Akshow:
250 of them? For tooth pick? So if them one open car factory them go reach hundred thousand be that.

if one wan open car factory boss na all graduate nd undergraduate go come o

thats great....

klassykute:
bro na graduate dem b nahhh.. i dey watch nta e tv d oda day see small kids dey invent tinz... 250 graduate comort from skool cm say dem wan dey carve small wood lmao...

oga small by small, make dem learn business, production etc.

South West, the best side. No bragging, no boasting, no chest-beating. Silently making things happen.

If you're in doubt, ask why other regions can't stay away from the west.

The West, simply the Best.

Nawa o

seunlayi:
Who will buy it? How many people are eating meat in this recession
well, lailasticlala will need it after eating those snakes

my dear small small before you kill me with laughter.

Nice one. At least we are becoming productive and creative to ourselves.