By Albert Akota
The federal government Wednesday, expressed its readiness to collaborate with World Fashion Organisation (WFO) to create wealth while empowering women and youth economically, using the fashion industry.
The two bodies are planning to establish a garment manufacturing plant in Nigeria in addition to the proposed World Fashion University.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Agency, Chief Edem Duke expressed confidence that the partnership would go a long way to address youth unemployment in view of the enormous potentials in the country’s fashion industry.
Duke, who was speaking when he played host to the delegation of the World Fashion Organisation (WFO) led by its President, Paco De Jaimes, in Abuja said, “For too long, we have been depending on mono product, which is oil; we have come to the realization that oil has produced wealth, but failed to employ people.
“The fashion value chain which you have proposed today will find a fertile ground in Nigeria. The innate creativity and talent in the Nigeria fashion industry are inexplicable,” he said.
The Minister however made it clear that government would focus on professionalism, competence and putting right policy in place, to ensure that exploring fashion potentials in the country would not negatively affect the culture of the Nigerian people.
Earlier, the President of WFO, Paco De Jaimes, said the aim of the World Fashion Week was to show case the country as leader of African fashion in the continent, adding that, it would contribute to education and economic empowerment for the people.
