Fabric Production: Delta presents starter-packs to 90 youths ~ Truth Reporters

The poverty alleviation programme of Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, today received a boost with the graduation of 90 Deltans who were trained in the production of native attire popularly known as 'Akwa-Ocha/Akwa-Oma.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the programme tagged the Delta Fabric (Akwa-Ocha/Akwa-Oma) on Thursday at the Accelerate Delta Innovation Factory, Issele-Uku, the Commissioner for Youths Development, Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyenga disclosed that the training exposed participants to the entire processes involved in the production of the Delta native fabric popularly called 'Akwa-Ocha'.

Comrade Egwunyenga said that the vision of Governor Okowa was to raise the next generation of Delta youths that would sustain creativity in the production of 'Akwa-Ocha' and to expand opportunities for them to excel in the vast textile industry.

He disclosed that he was delighted and confident that the training had provided a very useful platform to the beneficiaries to gain "not just hands-on-skill but completely new insights that would strengthen their resolve to succeed in the textile industry."

Egwunyenga who presented starter-packs to the beneficiaries, urged them to make the best use of the training and the starter packs received.

The Commissioner reminded the beneficiaries that their knowledge, passion and enthusiasm in the pursuit of their dreams as well as making the Delta Fabric global should be endless, adding that the start-up packs given to them by the state government were not for sale.

He enjoined them to be creative, resourceful and innovative because that was the sure bet in the new normal while expressing appreciation to Governor Okowa for his immense support which, according him, has brought the laudable initiative to fruition.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu said that the training and provision of starter packs was part of deliberate measures to diversify the state's economy in the Delta Beyond oil drive.

Mr Aniagwu said that clothing being a necessity, was one of the ways to create jobs for the unemployed youths in the state.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. Chika Ossai charged beneficiaries of the training programme to allow thier skills to distinguish them in the fashion and design as well as the textile industry.

Mr Ossai lauded Governor Okowa for his youths friendly policies and programmes, even as he called on youths in the state to leverage on the wealth creation and employment generation programmes of the state government to empower themselves economically.

Also speaking, the Chief Economic Adviser to the governor, Dr. Kingsley Emu and other Special Advisers including Mrs. Mary Iyasere and Chief Emuobor Gbagi told the 90 beneficiaries of the programme not to sell their starter packs, pointing out that they should see them (starter packs) as assets that would leapfrog them into entrepreneurs.

Other speakers at the event said that the beneficiaries were lucky to have been enlisted into the programme, just as they reminded them of the need to spur government to do more in the industry by making judicious utilisation of the opportunity the training provided them.

Earlier in a lecture, the training consultant for the programme, Mrs. Oreva Okowa enjoined the beneficiaries to put the knowledge acquired to maximal use, noting that fashion and design industry needed high level of creative ingenuity.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Nancy Nelly who responded on behalf of others, thanked Governor Okowa for the training and provision of starter packs, even as she pledged they would leverage on the opportunity provided by the state government to be economically independent.

Special Adviser to the governor on Entrepreneurship- Mary Iyasere, Executive Assisstant on Youth Monitoring and Mentorship- Edward Mekunye, Executive Secretary Technical and Vocational Board- Engr. Smart Ikem, Special Adviser on Youth Development- Chief Emuobor Gbagi, Representative of the Chief Job Creation Officer and other top government functionaries witnessed the ceremony.