The Coordinator of Nigerian Handmade and
Local Fabrics Makers Association, Mrs Yetunde Aiyela, has said that
locally designed bags, shoes and other fashion items from local fabrics,
create more than one million new jobs in Nigeria annually.
Aiyela said in Lagos on Thursday that
the recent high demand for locally designed products,had added new value
to the products and enhanced profits for those in the business.
According to her, the inward search by
local manufacturing concerns in domestic creativity, has also expanded
value added opportunities, especially among women and youths.
“Handcraft making with local fabrics for
bags, shoes and other accessories, is presently creating more than one
million jobs for youths, widows and retirees, across the country.
“We have been going round to gather
those who are into the business, to form small cooperative groups, so
that we can attract more eligibility.
“You will be surprised how Nigerians
have come to fall in love with fashion items like shoes, slippers, bags,
wrist bangles, and even pillows, made with local fabrics like ‘Ankara’
and ‘Adire’.
“We have been making considerable
progress because you can find one fashion item made with a local fabric
in almost every home,” she said.
The coordinator said that the only
challenge being faced was the lack of single platform to enhance and
protect their interest of those engaged in the business.
She therefore called on government to support them by increasing awareness for people to patronize more homemade products.
She also urged government to use the
prevailing environment and demand for Nigerian handcrafts as a platform
to revive the nation’s textile sector.
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