Post Covid-19, Textile industry calls on FG for survival fund, commends PMB for appointment of Issa Aremu

….Stakeholder commends Dr Okonjo-Iweala for consistent wear of Nigerian fabrics

By allcitynews.ng 

The Director-General of Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), Mr Hamma Kwajaffa has appealed to Federal Government for survival fund after coronations pandemic.

Kwajaffa who made this known while speaking with allcitynews.ng also appealed to Nigerians to collaborate with efforts by  federal government to restore the industry into jobs-creating industry.

He commending President Muhammadu Buhari and Central Bank of Nigeria for their efforts so far to revive  the industry, however charged Nigerians to abide with President Muhammadu Buhari Executive Order 003, on patronage of locally made textiles.

On his own part, Comrade John Adaji,  President, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria  (NUTGWN), lamented against the current  state of the sector, noting that the sector which could boast of direct 650,000 workforce is now battling to stay afloat.

“Regrettably, the industry has been in steep decline due to lack of electricity, smuggling and lack of patronage. Less than 25 textile factories are operating today at below 20 percent of their production capacities. The direct workforce in Nigeria’s textile industry stands at less than 20,000. 

However, the current administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari has commendably raised the prospects of reviving the industry as part of the overall policy of the administration to diversify the economy and create mass decent employment.

Likewise, a Doctor of Ministry student in LIFE Theological Seminary, Ikorodu, Mr Innocent Ogbonna, commended Dr Okonjo-Iweala for being a true Nigerian and her patriotism by always wear of Nigerian textile materials.

Ogbonna, a successful businessman, stressed that “Nigerians, especially women should emulate Dr Okonjo-Iweala.
I am proud of her belief in promoting Nigerian products. In spite of her new role as World Trade DG, she wore Nigerian fabric even on her first day in that office. If all public office holders are doing the same, then our textile industry will rise up again.”

He however chsrged FG for sustainable electricity to help the industry compete favourably with imported textiles.

According to Ogbonna, FG should set up textile clusters in all the 774 local governments to create more jobs.

Similarly, on his part, Christopher Adetunji, a Doctor of Ministry student, Baptist Seminary, called on government to as a matter of policy provide steady electricity to enable the sector regain it’s position of job creation.

Adetunji, who also a lecturer in one of the high schools in Oyo State, said ” As United Nigeria Textile plc is a leading textile manufacturer situated at Lagos.

Cambodia is a leading textile industry in Africa, Nigeria can also be a leading country in Africa if we focus our attention to textile material production,more importantly because we have a ready market, perhaps, the largest market in Africa.

“Despite our love for textile, the business is not booming like in the 70s. No doubt, the sector need to be revived, FG need to do is to encourage and partner with private company to liberate the sector so that it can boost our local earning capacity.

In the same vein,, a textiles dealer in Idumota market, Lagos Island, Mrs Ojelebi Owoeyo, described locally made materials as endurable and affordable when compared with the tough conditions being faced by the manufacturermanufacturers to produce the materials.

According to her, she is speaking from example as she always wear same materials for her customers to see. “Nigerian textiles are durable when washed, their colour do not get washed away easily.”

In a related development, the DG, NTMA commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of one of its own, Comrade Issa Aremu, as the substantive Director General of the Michael Imodu National Institute of Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin.

The Association, in a statement Wednesday by its Director General, Alhaji Hamma Kwajaffa, described the appointment as a worthy development putting a round peg in a round hole.

Alhaji Kwajaffa said with Aremu being at the saddle of leadership, where capacity building for human resources are developed, will accelarate Nigeria’s speed to dreamed land.

He said, as an accomplished labour leader, writer and author with longstanding struggles for decent labour in Nigeria and beyond, the NTMA DG said Aremu’s experience as Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), General Secretary of National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Vice President of the Industrial Global Union (IGU) and General Secretary of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy & Strategy Studies, places him in better stead to lead the prestigious labour institution in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision to create 100 million jobs by year 2030.

“While we commend the Federal Government for making this well deserved appointment, we are also using this opportunity to challenge Comrade Aremu to take up all Heads of Service across 36 states of the Federation on a marathon exercise that can inculcate a labour friendly relationship between, particularly, government and its employees. He should do this as his first major assignment.