Fashion
Prof. Adeniran Lateef, Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Students’ Mentorship, Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja says Nigerian fashion is gaining global attention.i
Lateef made the assertion during the inauguration of a six-month fashion design and garment-making training programme in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The training is being conducted by Everest Heights Ltd., an accredited skills training centre, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.
The programme is organised under the World Bank-backed Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IDEAS-Tvet).
Lateef urged the trainees to embrace innovation in fashion design, saying creativity and value addition could increase their earnings and expand market opportunities.
He said the tailoring business was experiencing steady growth globally, with increasing demand for Nigerian garments in international markets.
According to him, fashion design goes beyond tailoring because it adds value to clothing, while Nigeria’s garment export trade is growing into a multi-billion-naira industry.
He urged the trainees to take the programme seriously, noting that entrepreneurship skills would help them develop sustainable businesses and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
The Co-Founder of Everest Heights Ltd., Dr Olubukola Dosunmu, said the IDEAS-TVEТ programme is designed to equip young, unemployed and disadvantaged Nigerians with skills for self-reliance.
She said Everest Heights, an accredited skills training centre, was approved after inspection and was currently training its first cohort of 50 beneficiaries recruited through grassroots mobilisation.
According to her, the six-month training is workable when beneficiaries remain committed, attend classes regularly and devote the required time to practical and entrepreneurship training.
Dosunmu said the programme also included mentorship and internship components, while plans were underway to provide incentives, including tailoring machines, through partnerships with service providers.
She said the centre had engaged stakeholders, including the Gwagwalada Area Council and University of Abuja’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, to support beneficiaries and explore grants.
Dosunmu urged the beneficiaries to take the opportunity seriously, shun entitlement mentality and think beyond the training, noting that government provides free training and N30,000 monthly transport stipends.
Hajiya Yinka Mohammed, wife of the Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, said her office would leverage the IDEAS-TVEТ programme to empower more women, particularly vulnerable groups.
Mohammed said her office had previously implemented interventions aimed at improving women’s welfare, describing participation in the IDEAS programme as an additional opportunity for beneficiaries.
She urged youths and women to embrace available opportunities, saying the programme would provide participants with skills and financial support to begin building sustainable livelihoods.(NAN)
