Declare three working days of National Dressing, MAN urges FG

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government to declare three days of national dressing out of the five working days of the week.
MAN President, Dr Frank Jacobs, made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a National Press Launch of the Campaign for Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products.
Jacobs, who was represented by Mr Olu Odum-Emesalu, the Chairman of Interior Woodwork Limited, said that the policy would bring about cultural re-orientation and compel Nigerians to buy locally made fabrics.
He argued that local attires are more fashionable and more convenient to wear than foreign suits.
The MAN President commended the Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration for keying into the project of buy made in Nigeria goods.
“This has been the long time desire of the MAN and we are delighted that this time around, it has gone beyond lips service,’’ he said.
He requested the government to go beyond the launch of the campaign by putting in place enforceable policies that would encourage government establishments to make it their priority.
The Artistic Director of National Theatre and National Troupe, Tar Ukoh, in a message said for the campaign to be successful, government officials must lead by examples.
“Most of the times, the elite is the problem because if we want people to dress Nigeria, the leaders must dress Nigeria.
“The former President of Ghana, Late Dr Kwame Nkrumah taught us this; he was from the smallest ethnic group of that country but he adopted the Ghanaian Kente cloth.
Kente at that time became the national symbol of not only Ghana but Africa.
“Kente became so popular that every black in the world, in Europe and America were happy to wear the dress to look African,’’ he said.
Ukoh, who is known to always dress in traditional wrapper and large beret made of “Ange’’ cloth of Tiv tribe and “Achi’’ cloth of Idoma tribe both of Benue, said he was always treated as a King from Africa anytime he travelled out of the country.
“When they see me with this peculiar dress, they give me special attention, recognition and respect as an African King,’’ he said.
Mr Hussaini Moriki, the Chairman of House Committee on Industry, Trade and Investment said there was urgent need to revive the textile sector of the nation’s economy to bring its lost glories.
In line with this, he said a Bill for an Act to establish the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Agency sponsored by him was pending before the National Assembly.
He said when it is passed, the Agency to be established would galvanise all government intervention and policies to promote the sector and make it viable.
Moriki assured that the National Assembly would support the programmes, events and campaigns for patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products.
Ace actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, also stressed the importance of promoting made in Nigeria products for the nation to become economically viable.
Okonkwo identified political stability, economic viability and a strong military base as the three indices of a super power nation.
“With entrenchment of democracy, we are increasingly becoming politically stable; what is holding us is economic viability which can be made possible by encouraging local production,’’ he said.