National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria has appealed to governments at all levels, corporate organisations, schools, individuals and all well-meaning Nigerians to patronize the Kwara garment factory and other textile industries in country towards creating mass decent jobs and helping to alleviate poverty.
The Union made the appeal in a statement by its President, Peters Godonu and General Secretary, Ali Baba on behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) the generality of its members
It explained that patronage of locally made textiles and garment would help in the recovery of the Nigeria’s textile and garment industry and attract more investment in the sector.
The textile stakeholders maintained that the Nigeria Customs Service must also intensify the effort to combat smuggling and dumping of sub-standard garments from China and other Asian countries into Nigeria which has crippled local industries.
The Union therefore applauded Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for the establishment and successful opening of the Multi-million Naira Kwara Garment Factory located in the ancient city of Ilorin, Kwara State.
According to the statement, as a stakeholder in the cotton, textile and garment industry in Nigeria, the union is excited that the Kwara State Governor has proudly returned Kwara State to the league of textile/garment producing states in Nigeria with the successful establishment of the garment factory.
The Union is also enthusiastic that the factory reportedly produced the official jerseys and other sporting wears for Kwara State’s contingents to the ongoing National Youths Games, holding in Asaba, Delta State.
It said the future of Nigeria lies in manufacturing as value to the abundant raw materials and creation of sustainable jobs while the advantages of industrialization include, creation of sustainable mass decent jobs, lessening of dependency on imports, thus saving scarce foreign exchange and enhancing government revenue through company taxes.
The Union pointed out that the cotton, textile and garment industry in particular is the key driver of sustainable jobs and development for most national economies of developing nations like Nigeria.
