By Uche Onyeali
Federal government has disclosed plans to revamp textile industries to leverage its potential on job creation.
The move was consolidated at a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors of Lagos and Imo States, Jide Sanwo-Olu and Hope Uzodinma respectively, as well as stakeholders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.
AljazirahNigeria reports that the meeting was aimed at drawing ideas on how best to go about revamping the moribund textile industries.
Speaking after the meeting, Governor Uzodinma stressed the importance of those in the helm of affairs to do everything within their power to stimulate the economy, hence the buy-in of governors to the project.
“Like the United Nations Cotton Manufacturing, the entire production chain of cotton is up to 10 sides and the whole idea is to leverage on this opportunity to revamp the industries in Nigeria, which many are now moribond, particularly in the cotton and textile sector.
“This is an opportunity that is creating a new partnership for us to cross pollinate ideas with experts, bring new skills, new ideas and innovations into revamping the industries in Nigeria, and that will create jobs and engage our young men and women that are currently roaming the streets.
“So for me, I am very excited to be part of this conversation that will revamp the economy of the country. It is a new partnership that we will leverage on.
“Before this time, you will agree with me, in Lagos State, Isolo area to be precise, there were many textile industries. Kaduna was famous as a centre for cotton production and textile mills. In the north, the land was very fertile for growing cotton and then processing it. So I think we need to stimulate the economy. We need to create more jobs, we need to redefine Nigeria. We need to engage our young men and women and then align properly with the new digital age for production and economic stimulation,” he said.
On his part, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to patronise made-in- Nigeria textiles because of the impact it would have on the economy.
He said the textile industries have the potential of engaging over 15 to 20 million Nigerians.
“If we are growing cotton, are we ready to patronise the ones we are producing locally? Because that is one issue the textile manufacturers raised, that when they manufacture fabrics many persons prefer the ones from Italy?
“So I think the explanation has been made. Part of the things that you see with our garment manufacturer, is actually polyester, not cotton. And polyester happens to be cheaper than cotton. You know, cotton is a higher grade to sew as against using polyester.
“So really, we need to look at the entire value chain. There are so many things that we can track in this country and that is why we say to ourselves, let us produce what we use. Let us use what we produce.
“Let’s go back to our garment, cotton edges. The statistics shows that it was employing directly and indirectly, almost 15 to 18 million Nigerians, in that entire value chain. If you can bring back that, even if it is five million in the next one to two years, it will take us further away from poverty.
“We have seen the institute, which is, like they said, like the United Nations, equivalent of the cotton industry in the world, coming here to support, to help us. Mr Vice President has given us a marching order and a commitment, which I think is a great news that everybody must take away from here and he has given them a roadmap for us to go and work with them,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
