Forward Africa equips Aba shoemakers, others with advocacy skills

Forward Africa, a non- governmental organization with support from Ford Foundation, has concluded a two-day practical advocacy skills training for executive members of Leather Products Manufacturers Association of Abia State (LEPMAAS), an association of shoe, belt, bag and trunk box makers.

The practical advocacy skills training was to enable LEPMAAS carry out advocacy to their partners, miniseries, departments and other relevant agencies of government that work with them, Kenneth Amogu, programmes director, Forward Africa said.

He explained that the advocacy skill training was part of the capacity building programme, designed to develop the capacity of young people in LEPMAAS, to enable them improve on their businesses.

He also stated that LEPMAAS executives in February, 2019, benefited from a leadership skills training at Oluaka Institute, Owerri, Imo State, noting that their contribution in that meeting was articulated into a document (advocacy kit) to enable them speak about their issues and challenges faced by the sector.

“We know that they contribute immensely to the gross domestic product of Nigeria, as key stakeholders in the finished leather products sector, and these problems have been there for a long time, but we believe that it is necessary for them to begin to speak out about these issues.

“They should let government and their partners know about these problems and begin to also see how they can partner them, to address some of these issues.

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Some of the issues that have militated against the growth of the finished leather industry include, electricity, illiteracy; lack of raw material and working capital.

According to Amogu, the operators are the ones that are supposed to carry out these advocacies, because it is believed that “he who wears the shoe, knows where it pinches”. They are the ones in the industry, so they are the ones that can talk about the issues that bother them, better.

He commended the group for participating in the various training programmes and promised that Forward Africa and its partners, would continue to support them to improve on their skills and compete favorably in the local and international markets.

“The response that we are getting from them is encouraging. The turnout has always been encouraging. For instance, we targeted 30 participants for this training, but had 28 in attendance, which was encouraging.

“They have come to understand that they need to do a lot of changes in the industry to grow their businesses and that for us is key”.

Okechukwu Williams, president , LEPMAAS, said “The capacity building programme from Forward Africa has greatly impacted positively on our businesses.

“Our production capacity has improved, as well as our market share, which has gone up from 22 percent to 25 percent.

Prisca Egbom, woman leader, LEPMAAS, said, “I learnt the meaning of advocacy, the work plan for advocacy and the means and factors that I will use to carry out advocacy to actualise our aim.

“The workshop helped me to know how to conduct myself, while communicating with Government officials and other partners on our needs”.

She thanked Forward Africa for its support to LEPMAAS, stressing that the capacity building programme, would enhance their skills and grow their businesses.