WorldStage Newsonline– The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says its collaboration with Le Look House of Shoes and Bags will boost foreign exchange earnings and grow the country’s economy.
The Executive Director of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni said this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the company on Thursday in Abuja.
According to her, the partnership will also create jobs, alleviate poverty and reduce unemployment among the teaming youths and women in the country.
“So I see a very good collaboration between the Le Look and NEPC for the interest of the youth, women, special needs people, and for Nigeria.
“I see this collaboration leading to job creation which is one of the anchor points of President Bola Tinubu agenda, poverty alleviation, and it will lead to exports.
“It also aligns with our mandate and desire to see the volume and value of non-oil export increase. So I think this is good, I am very happy and excited,” she said.
She expressed the commitment of the council to support the company in boosting exportation of its products for the benefit of the country.
Taking a tour of the company’s facility, Ayeni expressed delight at the quality of products and the facility.
” I can see a lot of creativity, innovativeness, and I am so impressed with the quality of things.
“The quality is what you can see anywhere. And I think I am really impressed. Before I came here, I knew she was good, but I did not know she was this good.
“And it is very interesting when I see a lot of different things. From toilet roll, to the backpack for children, to cup, hat and shoes.
“So I think this is something that we must leverage on to impact our youth.
Take them off the streets and our women, she said.
Inspecting Rashidat Isah product, a physically challenged trainee, Ayeni said she was very impressed by her determination and doggedness.
She expressed the desire of the council to make Isah the council’s ambassador to motivate other physically challenged persons.
On her part, Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, the Chief Executive Officer of Le Look, said the company had initially focused on training women facing gender-based violence, in partnership with the United Nations (UN) for sponsorship.
She said the company would expand its training to include university graduates and other individuals passionate about acquiring new skills.
Ezenwa commended efforts of NEPC, adding that the council was instrumental to the giant strides achieved by the company.
“The present administration has taken a giant step with this partnership and we will try all possible to make Nigeria a hub of bags in West Africa.
“It will interest you to know that on July 16th, we will receive the African Free Trade Agreement certificate of origin as the first company in Nigeria to be nominated.
” So that we can trade all across Africa where you have 1.3 billion people and that market is huge,” she said.
According to Ezenwa, Le Look is going to be driving the aggressive market with its partners in Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.
“And we are going to be competing with their craftsmen as well.
“So I’m proud to say that whereas many Nigerians are shying away from carrying made in Nigerian products, we are very proud to say that we are one of the pioneers.
“Today, it’s a different ball game. Everybody is carrying an Ankara, Adire, Ashoke bag or even an Akwete. And it will also interest you to know that the value chain we have created is huge.
“From the woman doing an Adire tie-dye to the one doing batik, and to the woman selling the bags. We have empowered many women and that makes me happy,” Ezenwa said.
Some of the trainees at the facility expressed their joy at the opportunity given to them by the company to learn and earn a living.
Mr Steven Nuhu, a graduate , who started as an assistant during the construction of the building and now a trainee, thanked Ezenwa for allowing him to train and better himself.
“I can now sew bags like this one you are seeing on my table and that is something I never thought was possible.
Miss Blessing Clement said: ”I was jobless until I got the opportunity to train here, now I have learnt and I am being paid and I will use this training to better myself.”
The trainees were made up of graduates, non graduates, retirees, physically challenged among others.
