LASG PARTNERS FASHION SCHOOL ON GARMENT PRODUCTION

IKEJA, Nigeria – The Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment in collaboration with Betti-O School of Fashion, an affiliate of ‘Ruff n Tumble’ has organised a six-month intensive training, tagged: “Sustainability Enterprise Development Programme” on Fashion Designing and Garmenting for unemployed youths in the State.

The Commissioner for the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Pharmacist (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, who disclosed this today at the opening ceremony for trainees on fashion design and garments at GRA, Ikeja, added that the State government has concluded plans to establish a Garment Production Hub where garment making companies will site their factories for exportation.

She said “This training programme will provide a platform for those for those who have a passion for fashion and intend to make it a career. It is an opportunity for the participants to be employers of Labour rather than relying on paid employment”. Explaining the workings of the proposed Garment Production Hub, Akinbile-Yussuf said that infrastructure needed for the take-off of the initiative would be provided by the government with a view to creating employment, reducing the cost of production and engendering competitive international pricing.

She said that the training would promote the rich Nigerian textile culture and tradition with special attention on the traditional outfits and attires of each of the regions in the country.

“When we talk about fashion, the first thing that comes to our mind is clothes but fashion is not limited to clothes, it revolves around everything that is in vogue and as such for you to be relevant as a fashion designer, you have to go through the historical fashion of the world to gather knowledge about what kind of fashion had been in existence and how you can creatively recreate new designs”, the Commissioner stated.

The Founder of ‘Ruff N Rumble’, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi in her remarks at the event said that the financial commitment of the State government to the training of these promising youths shows that the government was truly desirous of the financial independence for the future leaders of the country. She added that Governor Ambode realised that for the youth to take up tomorrow which they are being prepared for, they must be adequately prepared and equipped for the task.

Ogunlesi gave the assurance that the Foundation was prepared to join hands with the State government to consciously ignite the passion and mindset of possibilities in the participants such that upon completion of the six-month training period, they would be able to confidently design clothes of different styles and for occasions.

The Director of Entrepreneurship in the Ministry, Mrs. Taiwo Abiose said that the Ministry will continue to monitor the performance of the beneficiaries of the training and also empower them through loans and provision of start-up equipment. She particularly commendable the State government for paying the tuition fees and approval of allowances for participants at the training programme, stressing that “with all these in place, one is assured of the full concentration and commitment of these students”.

Abiose, therefore, advised the beneficiaries to be open-minded, embrace growth mindset and ask questions from their facilitators where and when necessary. The Sustainable Development training entails classroom training, practical training, entrepreneurship and leadership seminars, visual merchandising and displays training, training on setting up and building a structure for first-time garment entrepreneurs.