Kwara govt partners leather institute to support MSMSE
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to partnering with the Institute of Leather Science and Technology in boosting the state’s economy while commending the Institute’s efforts and achievements in the development of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMSE) in Kwara State and the country at large.
Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, made this known in a recent visit by the Institute of Leather Science and Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, in her office.
She said the activities of the AbdulRazaq-led administration in restructuring the state from being a Civil Servants State to an Industrial Hub to attract foreign investors to tap from the natural resources the state is endowed with has been crucial in boosting the state’s economy.
While highlighting the potential, she explained that all the capital projects the state government embarked on, such as the Dada Clay Cluster Centre, Garment Factory project, Sugar Factory, Firm Studios project, Information, Technology and Communication Hub, among others, would help in reshaping the revenue generation, calling on the Institute to continue to support the MSMSE.
The Commissioner welcomed the Institute’s proposal, advising that it collaborates with the State Government in boosting the state’s economy.
Earlier, the Director General, Prof. Muhammad Yakubu, represented by the Regional Manager, Kaduna, Mr Andrew Ogili, thanked the Kwara State Government for creating an enabling environment and appreciating the laudable ongoing projects in the state.
The Director General stated that the visit sought the support and collaboration of the State government to enable the Institute to establish a TANNERY/Common Facilities Centre to support the youths, women, and residents in the state.
Prof. Yakubu added that establishing the centre will generate employment opportunities for the vulnerable groups, women and youths in the state.
In addition, the Centre Manager, Offa, Mr Adesiyun Adelekan, highlighted that the Institute was established in 1964 and was recently guided by the Nigerian Institute of Science and Technology Act in 2023, disclosing that the Institute is the only tertiary institution in Nigeria that is engaged in training manpower in leather technology.
Mr Adelekan claimed that leather technology had been a significant earner of foreign exchange for Nigeria after oil and has the potential to improve the country’s Gross Domestic Product, adding that the sector can create hundreds of thousands of jobs in Nigeria across the value chain, thereby reducing the unemployment rate in the country.
The Manager explained that the Institute has rolled out activities that will benefit the people in the state, revealing that a training programme will be organised in September 2024 at the Banquet Hall, Ilorin, Kwara State.
