The Ekiti state government has promised more support for the fashion creative industry towards enhancing the state’s economic development and growth.
The commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Mrs Omotayo Adeola who spoke during the 2024 Ekiti Fashion Exhibition and Awards in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital explained that the industry is key in the empowerment of youths in the state.
At the event, students and youths in the state’s fashion industry showcased their creative expertise and exploits by displaying their works for the public.
The commissioner explained that the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji is committed to the empowerment of the youths towards achieving the shared prosperity agenda for the state.
Adeola, who noted that the fashion creative industry has a lot of potential for economic prosperity for the youths, commended the organizers for the event which she said would help in exposing fashion designers from the state to the world.
According to her, “I am glad that we are here this year; this is the eighth edition and I was here last year and I love what I saw. We need to promote and encourage the youths in the creative industry, because that is the goldmine in Nigeria.
“What we can do is to work with them because the organizers are doing well, and as a government we will be ready to support them. What they need most is access to the market, they should be exposed to the outside world on what they can do and for people to patronise them.
“The government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji has been trying to reach out to the youths to have the reorientation that hard work, consistency and perseverance pays. There is nothing as good as having a vocation and following it through, get rich syndrome does not take one far and I will urge the youths to collaborate with us to develop the creative industry and take Ekiti to a higher level.”
Speaking, a popular fashion designer and one of the awardees at the event, Alabi Rukayat said that the award would further encourage her to continue to shape the nation’s fashion industry with her creative works.
Represented by Emmanuel Omolayo, Alabi said that the exhibition was designed to serve as a motivation for youths and undergraduates on the need to take advantage of the opportunities in the fashion industry for economic empowerment.
She said that participants in the state’s fashion industry have been adjudged to be leading in the sector, calling on the state governments to support the efforts of the youths in a bid to enhance the socio-economic development of Ekiti.
On her part, the convener of the event, Owajoba Oluwasayo said the exhibition which commenced in 2017 was designed to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Ekiti and provide a platform for emerging and established designers in the state.
She said, “Fashion is a universal language , a way of telling stories and a bridge that connects us to our roots while allowing us to dream of the future. Through events like this,we affirm that Ekiti is not only a land of honour but also a land of endless creativity and innovation.
“Tonight, we also take time to honour individuals and brands whose contributions have significantly impacted the fashion industry; these awards are not just tokens of recognition , they are testament to the heights that creativity , perseverance and commitment can take us.”
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