If you ever doubt the creativity of Nigerian youths, then take a trip to Aba. From the crowded stalls in Ariara to the shopping center at Azikiwe road, the enterprising spirit of hardworking youths is in full display.
From tailors to shoemakers and bag makers, Aba tells a compelling story of creativity, innovation and resourcefulness. Nigeria is never short of talent and creativity, our blessing goes beyond the oil that flows in the creeks of the Delta, our true blessing lies in our human capital.
As out economy continues to take a beating from the tumbling oil price, we would do well do look inwards. World Bank statistics says that Nigeria spends a whopping $2.2bn in illegal importation of cloths through our borders. Now, why would any nation enrich other people and ignore her own local manufacturers?
Imagine what $2.2bn will do for us if that money stays in our shores. Imagine the pressure that will be eased off our foreign reserve if the FOREX that goes into cloth importation is no longer there. Imagine the jobs that will be created if we no longer import cloths, bags and shoes, making more people to go into the business.
Some 350,000 people were working in 175 textile mills in the 80’s, today the industry cannot even boast of 50,000 staff. While waiting of government to make the right policies that will reactivate these death industries, we too must kill our appetite for foreign goods. By patronizing our locally made fabrics and cloths, we’re helping to create jobs and boosting our economy.
Buy made in Aba shoes, wear made in Aba cloths, use made in Nigeria bags. Some may complain about the quality of these products, but some made in Aba products have more quality that the substandard products we ship in from China. Made in Taiwan did not gain acceptability immediately, today their products dot every market the world over.
Made in Aba, made to last!
About TRENDY
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