REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Abia state government in collaboration with International based Organizations have trained four thousand youths including people with special needs in garment making and other skills to improve on their livelihoods.
Speaking during a graduation ceremony at the Enyimba Stadium Aba, Governor Alex Otti said the state government is proposing to launch an integrated campaign to promote Made-in-Aba products to meet global standards.
He said the local products would focus on fashion and lifestyle goods and described it as part of State government’s strategy to expand opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Governor Otti who tagged the training as Fashion Future Programme, FFP, said the government is making arrangements to train more 8000 youths in 2027 and called on investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities in Aba.
While stressing that inclusive growth depends on collective participation and continuous skills development, Governor Otti urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunities provided by the programme and extend their knowledge to others.
Earlier, one of the state government partners, Mrs. Irunna Ejibe-Isichei, described the Fashion Future Programme as a transformative platform driving Aba’s emergence as a production hub for Africa and global markets.
In separate interviews, some beneficiaries with special needs Miss Tochi Chidi, Miss Precious Nnamdi and Amarachi Emmanuel all described the programme as a rare opportunity and thanked the organisers for giving them future.
