Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the Federal Government to forbid the importation of adire from China and to revitalize the country’s textile sector as part of attempts to resuscitate the local manufacturing of adire.
He claimed that the initiatives would safeguard local adire production at a time when locally supplied raw materials, like clothing, are becoming scarce.
This was said by Obasanjo when he opened the pre-conference meeting for the 2024 Canada Trade Mission, which was held on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The organization behind the event was Solteque Nigeria Limited.
In an attempt to boost domestic adire production, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has pushed the Federal Government to outlaw adire imports from China and to resurrect the country’s textile sectors.
At a time when locally supplied raw resources, like clothing, are becoming scarce, he claimed the initiatives would safeguard local adire production.
In Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday, Obasanjo made this declaration while opening the pre-conference session for the 2024 Canada Trade Mission. Solteque Nigeria Limited was in charge of organizing the event.
The former president urged for the creation of a professional training institute where individuals would learn how to create adire and receive certification, even as he bemoaned the bastardization of the adire market by Chinese imports.
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“I want to thank the traditional rulers who came to this event; you have demonstrated that you are true cultural guardians,” he remarked. Some claim that if China doesn’t want to bastardize our terrible goods, we won’t value what we have. I would want to thank Ogun State administration for Oja Itoku’s initiative to open a direct market. It is good, but in the absence of direct vendors in the market, it is not good enough.
“There is not much that the government needs to do for us. Reviving the textile sector is the first thing the government must do for us. Please do that for us, let’s beg them to. The second is a structured training facility where individuals can acquire the skills necessary to manufacture adire and obtain certification upon completion of their studies.
Let’s implore the authorities to take all necessary precautions to safeguard our domestic adire production, preventing the Chinese from getting a hold of it and using it against us. Chinese adire should not only be prohibited from entering Nigeria, but also the importation of any other goods that our country produces.
“I want to strongly advise you not to rely solely on the Adire Sellers Association. Instead, let’s work together with advocates of Adire and other interested parties to form the “Adire Association,” which will have chapters and its headquarters in Abeokuta. I’m willing to dedicate my time to serving as the association’s patron.”
Speakers at the event, such as Chief Olawale Olaleye, the promoter of the 2024 Canada Trade Mission, Babatunde Adeyemo, the Chief Executive Officer of Pelican Valley, and Mrs. Oluwatosin Oloko, the Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Ministry of Culture & Tourism, focused on utilizing local talent and artisans for the global market in advance of the 2024 trade mission.
Pelican CEO Adeyemo stated in his talk that the potential in the real estate market can attract investment from Nigerians in the diaspora and increase the country’s foreign exchange.
“I want to show you the opportunity in real estate investment,” Adeyemo stated. This is a chance to meet someone who has successfully invested in real estate and wishes to share their knowledge and motivation with others. God granted me the opportunity to start a real estate firm with little money.
“This event is being organized by one of our clients. Our friendship with him is what drew him back to Nigeria. He was persuaded to return home after purchasing the land and constructing his home on our estate.Nearly 100 people have purchased land from us from his camp in Manitoba.
“First and foremost, let me connect this program to real estate, as we intend to export it.” We don’t know if real estate is one of the topics that can be explored. People can also take use of and utilize real estate to bring more development to Ogun State and Nigeria in general.
“For example, in Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, we were able to directly attract about 1,000 Nigerians in the diaspora; one of them is the convener of this event, who is bringing wonderful development.” Consider what other Nigerians in exile could do to help Ogun State and Nigeria in general.
“I started this business 13 years ago with just N2 million, but to God’s glory, our investment is quickly becoming a household name today.” If you want to begin investing in real estate, you must do so with honesty. Pelican Valley gets its name from its integrity. Before releasing products, we always obtain official approval and install all necessary amenities on our site or estate.
“Nigerians in diaspora became acquainted with me through the internet, and when they purchased land from us, they saw integrity in us.” We have sold land to many Nigerians in the diaspora despite never having been there.
Nigerians in the diaspora have helped me obtain a 10-year Canadian visa, as well as a visiting visa to the United Kingdom, and they have invited me to other countries. In our real estate business, we have been honest, transparent, and conscientious.”
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