By Ifeyinwa Ogwo :
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has promised to support fashion designers in the state.
He said the move is to attract more youths into the fashion industry.
“We will find a way to encourage you for creating job opportunities through your fashion business.”
He said this at the Anambra Fashion Expo 2022, first edition, held at the International Convention Centre, Awka.
The governor thanked the organizers, models, and the state cultural troupe for their performances noting that Anambra has great potentials that needed to be sold to the world.
“Government did not contribute a dime to this project and it came out well. I promise that next year’s event will have government support to accommodate a lot of activities that will draw people from different parts of the world to Anambra.
“The new Anambra is about creativity and hard work. We are going to promote the creative industry to promote made in Anambra products for if it is not made in Anambra, it does not exist,” he said.
He advised parents to support, encourage and allow their children to learn whatever trade they have passion for, noting that his daughter started her fashion desire at the age of twelve even after going through the university for her degree and masters’ programmes, she still chooses fashion designing.
“Those days, our parents choose the life that we live but this present generation chooses the kind of life they want to live.”
Gov. Soludo commended the former governor of the state for his efforts in the construction of the International Convention Center, noting that more work would be done to make it a commercial centre.
He also hinted that more roads would be flagged off for construction in the ongoing road construction.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji thanked the Governor, state executive members, and everyone for gracing the occasion and also the daughter of the governor, Adaora Soludo for organizing the show.
“Ada has opened up this opportunity by saying that it is possible for us to be proud of what we are doing and it also shows that we have talents and potential in Anambra State.
“Our state cultural troupe is also one of the cardinal vehicles the governor graciously empowered to showcase our rich cultural heritage.”
He noted that the ministry would continue to organize events back to back to project the good work of the solution government.
In her part, the brain behind the Anambra Fashion Expo 2022, Ms. Adaora Soludo noted that the idea was to encourage fashion designers in the state to be proud of their profession.
“It has always been my dream to organise this programme for the fashion designers, to create awareness of our profession and attract more youth to the business.
” We hope to make this programme a yearly affair and also promote Akwete fabric to the world,” she said.
The programme featured a master class, discussion class, fashion run-up, and displays of different fashion accessories.
Present at the event were Senator Uche Ekwunife, Anambra Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim and his wife, and other dignitaries.
