Nigerian and African youth have been urged to embrace the creative industry, which is playing a vital role in job creation, revenue generation, and economic growth.
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The call was made at the recently concluded 2024 African Fashion Vogue, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
In a virtual address at the event, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, emphasized the significance of fashion and the broader creative industry in increasing national revenue and generating job opportunities for the country’s growing youth population.
She further commended the organisers of the event saying “I must commend Firdausi Muhammad for coming up with such a brilliant idea of organising this African Fashion Festival Vogue and I urge other stakeholders to emulate this gesture”.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Nigeria Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that the creative industry is a crucial sector that should be promoted in Nigeria today to engage the youth productively and steer them away from criminal activities.
ACP Adejobi noted that there is a limit to the number of people who can be employed in white-collar jobs. He therefore encouraged the youth to broaden their horizons by harnessing their talents to enhance their employability.
“We want to appeal to the youths in Nigeria that this is an avenue for us to pitch in, in order to build the creative industries so that we can use our talents, and use our capabilities to make ends meet”.
He praised Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in promoting skills that contribute to strengthening the nation’s economy.
“We don’t want a situation where our culture, our moral values and our traditional values, heritage will be fading away”. Our culture, fashion, tradition, is our identity; we must not lose our identity”. He added
ACP Adejobi also urged all relevant stakeholders to actively support the development of a stronger creative industry in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukayode, represented by Aisha Mohammed, Head of the Enlistment and Re-orientation Department, stated that fashion can serve as a creative and legitimate alternative to economic crimes, providing individuals with a means to express themselves and earn an honest living.
“It is imperative for Nigerian youths to embrace fashion designing and entrepreneurship as an alternative to cybercrime and to keep themselves busy in a legit way rather than getting involved in cybercrimes and other act of crimes and in the process help in the development of Nigeria’s economy and their self growth”. He said.
The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, Major General Sohail Ahmad Khan, stated that Nigeria and Pakistan have significant potential for collaboration in the creative industry, which would benefit both nations.
The Organiser of the event, Hajiya Firdausi Muhammad said Africa has the potential to become a global fashion power house but can only be achieved through shared knowledge, resources and inspiration.
She therefore emphasized the importance of collaboration, ethics and sustainable industry practice.
“Our industry must be built on a foundation of strong morals and ethics, fostering a sustainable and equitable environment for all. Together, we can create a platform that empowers African designers, artisans and models, propelling our fashion industry to unprecedented heights.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Women and Youth inclusion in governance, Dr Mariya Yakubu Abdullahi said the event is going to inspire the younger generation looking up to the already established designers.
“The government is already doing great through the Bank of Industry BOI by giving grants and loans as well reviving businesses, and supporting starters to grow their businesses”.
A politician and business man Musa Ndakpayi said being the first noticeable thing in every individual, the impact of fashion in building the economy has gone beyond one’s imagination as it brings in billions of naira into the sector due to its involvement by both gender.
“This fashion festival that we just organise now is a way of enlightening especially the younger generations to appreciate what they have in their homes appealing to them just how beautiful their attires can be styled”
He said the designers have their own little challenges in their areas of businesses and called on the government to intervene in the best possible ways.
One of the designers at the event, Khadija Ibrahim Giade revealed that the festival has also exposed her brand to the ambassadors from different parts of the world
“I used the Ankara brocade fabric to showcase the African style, the embroidery and creativity in Africa and it will go a long way in showcasing our dressing, our culture and it has beauty in it, and so it will go far. For my brand, I feel it is a visibility for the world to know who we are, who “HALIBSA” is”.
She called on the Nigerian government to take a more active role in the fashion industry by providing greater support, particularly in the areas of training and start-up kits for newcomers.
The African Fashion Festival Vogue gathered designers, who showcased their brands, along with ambassadors from various countries and heads of different Nigerian agencies, all offering their support in the best way possible.
Oluchi Okwuego
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