Gov Okowa urges Deltans to patronise made in Nigeria products.

...As issele-uku leather works factory commences mass production

The Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has urged Deltans to help grow the nation’s economy and encourage local entrepreneurs by patronizing made in Nigeria products.

The governor made the call while responding to questions at the ongoing town hall meetings to mark his 2nd year anniversary as the 4th democratically elected governor of Delta State at Oniocha South Local Government Area in Delta North Senatorial District.

He said there is no way Nigeria will be self-reliance if citizens do not patronize locally made products, adding that buying of foreign made goods and products drains the nation’s foreign reserves and stagnates the survival of local manufacturers.

 

Gov Okowa inspecting facilities at the Issele-Uku leather factory

Executive Assistant on Communication to Gov Okowa quoted him as saying that “I think much more progress and economic prosperity will be achieved if we change our ostentatious life style by way of patronizing foreign products, goods and services. We part with huge financial resources for not appreciating the products made in Nigeria and by extension products made in Delta State.

“A good example is the products currently put out by Issele-Uku Leather Works Factory in Aniocha South.  I visited the factory to see things for myself and what they are doing there right now is simply fantastic. The leather works, shoes and bags produced there are simply unique and classy and it is very important that we all key into the new vision of patronizing products made in Nigeria and Delta.

"Whatever foreign made products we patronize translates to foreign earnings to foreign manufacturers and their countries while we lose huge foreign exchange which for a long time ruined our foreign earnings. We must be determined to stop this trend and make Nigeria great again.”

The Issele-Uku Leather works factory was established in 2015 by the past administration and expanded by the Okowa administration to absorb more youths and other categories of Deltans to acquire skills and other vocational capabilities so as to enhance wealth creation for the vast majority of Deltans.

The leather factory is a joint venture with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and today Gov Okowa expanded the project to become the biggest Leather and Footwear Factory in Sub-Sahara Africa situated at the Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Centre, Issele-Uku, Delta North Senatorial District in the State.

 

Gov Okowa admiring some products produced at the Issele-uku leather factory 

Gov Okowa said the factory is also involved in the production of Ethnic Clothing (Akwa-Ocha} weaving, a common fabric design peculiar to the people of Anioma Nation, adding that plans are in top gear to increase the Akwa-Ocha colours to other varieties instead of the present popular white designs.