By Alex Olise
In its effort to boost entrepreneurship and employment in the country, the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment held its 6th edition of fashion exhibition at the weekend.
The event fully supported by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry headed by the commissioner, Otunba Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke attracted no fewer than 30 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of fashion designing outfits in the state.
The 30 designers who showcased their products at the event were part of the 50 beneficiaries who were sponsored and empowered by the state government through the wealth creation and employment ministry in 2018.
Mrs. Arobieke in her earlier remark at the event, commended the visionary leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu for supporting and sustaining the programme.
She also advised the youth in the state to avail the opportunity and make a living for themselves instead of hoping for white collar jobs which are no longer available.
Supporting her at the event include all Permanent sSecretaries drawn from the various ministries and Directors from the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment .
In an interview with our Confiance News, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Boladele Dapo Thomas said the programme which is fully supported by the Lagos State government, is all about the informal sector and to create a change in the economy by making Nigerian youths self employed as obtained in most of the developed countries of the world. “It will create access to marke, she said.
She explained further that so far, over 66 association has been registered with the ministry to participate in the empowerment programme.
Speaking on the fashion show, she noted, that the show was organized to brand the designers who have benefited from the empowerment programme from the Lagos State government through the ministry.
In the same vein her husband Mr. Dapo Thomas who was present at the occasion to encourage their son Dapo Thomas junior who was part of the designers was full of joy and highly elated at what he saw.
For encouraging his son to be part of the vocational training, the ministry gave him an award at the event.
Mr. Dapo told Confiance News that the Federal Government and wealthy Nigerians should emulate the idea of empowering the youth in vocational trades which is the only way to create job and reduce crime in the country.
One of the designer Ayomide Olujide CEO Rotevoguebyayomide also noted that her designs is a household brand that caters for women afrocentric outfits that can stand in the western world.
According to Ayomide, her mission is to build up Fashion confidence in women.
Also another designer, Shittu Sessan Damilola, disclosed that he was encouraged to become a designer by the principal of his high school, today Shittu is the CEO Nases Fashion Design and holds a Higher National Diploma in Management.
Another guest at the event, Mrs Ikedashi, mother of Michael Ikedashi the lead creative director Mac89, who also cordinated the designers and models at the event, told Confiance News that she is glad to see young designers and her son being the lead creative director. She thanked the Lagos State Government for the support given to the young talents.
