Abians in the United States of America have keyed into the promotion of made-in-Nigeria products, by ordering an initial 1,000 pairs of school shoes and sandals from the Aba finished leather cluster, to be distributed free to pupils in Abia public schools.
The Aba finished leather sector, said to be the biggest in West Africa, with about 70,000 people directly engaged in the manufacture of shoes, belts and bags and a production capacity of about 1 million pairs of shoes per week, currently produces for local and international markets, although unofficially.
Aba made shoes and other finished leather products are popular in Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and other West and East African countries.
The development is also in line with the state government’s policy to make public schools in the rural areas attractive and ensure that pupils in such schools appear decent like their mates in private schools.
Chinenye Nwogu, senior special adviser to Abia State Governor on Job Creation and Youth Development, who revealed this in an interaction with BusinessDay in Aba, explained that Abians in Diaspora are excited with the State Government’s plan to improve educational system in the State and have keyed into it.
“As I speak to you now, Abians in America are donating funds to produce school sandals for Abia pupils. It is a huge project that has received endorsement from all the Abia State community associations in America.”
He explained that the programme apart from promoting made-in Aba products, would also increase the productivity of the Aba business community, increase the economy of the city and State and provide job opportunities for youths.
He also revealed that the State Government has entered into agreement with the benefiting artisans to engage more apprentices to improve their skills and take them off the street.
According to him, one of the things that we have decided to do, is to show the world that Abia residents have confidence and trust in made in Aba products.
He explained that the Governor lunched a pilot project of producing sandals and shoes for Abia school pupils and invited interested individuals and groups to key into the charity project for the poor and indigent pupils in the rural areas, who do not have the opportunity of wearing sandals to school.
“We want Abia pupils, from poor homes to have the experience of wearing sandals to school, however those shoes must be made in Aba, so that we can show the world that Aba-made shoes are durable.
He appealed to well-spirited Abian’s to key into the project. “We have spoken to Abians at the National Assembly; we have also taken this campaign to our people in the State House of Assembly and Abians in businesses to support this project.
“ If we are able to kit all Abia pupils in the rural areas with this made-in Aba school sandals, it will go a long way to convince the world that these products are durable and that we can use them and that is one of the best ways to promote Made-in Aba products.
“Remember also that these children will never forget this experience of receiving free school sandals from their State Government and persons who are charitable in nature and that will go a long way in building their charitable spirit,” he stated.
Abia State has over 300,000 pupils in public schools.
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