By Thompson Yamput
Prof. Hussaini Ibrahim, former Director-General, Raw Materials Research Development Council (RMRDC), has called on the Federal Government to speedily establish Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Council to help revive Nigeria’s textile industries.
Ibrahim made the call on Tuesday at the 11th International Conference and 14th Annual General Meeting of the Textile Researchers Association of Nigeria (TRAN) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The Ex-RMRDC boss expressed joy that a bill for the establishment of the textile development council is currently in progress in both chambers of the National Assembly
The seasoned administrator, who spoke through Prof. A. Giwa of the Department of Textile and Polymer Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, also stressed that the Nigerian textile and garment industry can regain its lost glory through innovation in both processing and marketing.
Mallam Auwalu Umar, Head, Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the ABU Vice-Chancellor, in a statement, said that the 4-Day Conference was organised by the university in conjunction with the Textile Researchers Association of Nigeria (TRAN).
Umar said that the conference with the theme, ‘Empowering Tradition, Enriching the Future: Reviving Nigeria’s Textile and Allied Industries for Economic Renaissance’, was also in collaboration with Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) and RMRDC.
He said that the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabiru Bala, who declared the conference opened, emphasized the importance of the textile industry as food to man.
“The textile industry is very important as food because it protects the dignity of a human while protecting from the vagaries of nature”, he said.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ahmed Doko Ibrahim, the VC tasked the conference participants to give a “diagnosis of what went wrong as Nigeria was producing its clothing needs years ago, and proffer leeway of how to tackle the problems”.
Prof. Bala disclosed that researchers and industry experts will provide not only the clothing needs of the country but also employment opportunities to citizens.
He also prayed that the outcome of the conference will provide policy direction for Nigerian textile industries to be back on track.
In his opening address, the National President Textile Researchers Association of Nigeria (TRAN), Prof. Gwari Williams Bako, decried the “soaring prices of transport and essential goods, particularly food, clothing and shelter that trigger public unease.
“This necessitated the gathering of intellectuals to brainstorm on how advances in textile science, engineering, design and arts can be deployed to promote the endangered Nigerian Traditional textiles like Adire, Asoke and Ankara”, Prof. Gwari said.
Gwari discussed with pride a competition for students of higher institutions tagged “Textile Compete” to develop their skills for personal growth and contribution to economic growth.
The lead paper titled “Conversion of Waste to Wealth in Textile and Allied Industries” was presented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Bayero University Kano, Prof. M. Sani Gumel.
Prof. Gumel called for the development of National Textile Waste Management Policy to raise public awareness and investment/ development of technological capacity to improve textile waste recycling systems.
Another lead paper was presented by Her Highness, Olori Aderonke Ademuluyi Ogunwusi, wife of Ooni of Ife.
She spoke on “Skills Development and Empowerment in Textiles”, and called for heavy investment in the technical know-how of textile manufacturing which will reduce heavy dependence on importation of textile materials.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. A. Danladi, called on government at all levels to revive the Nigerian textile industry as a matter of urgency to deal with unemployment facing the teeming youth.
The Head of Department, Textile and Polymer Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University and Conference Organising Chairman, Prof. M. M. Bukhari, appreciated the organising partners and all participants and wished them safe back to their various destinations.
According to Umar, high point of the event was the presentation of awards and cheques to winners of “Textile Compete 2.0” with the first and 3rd positions were all ABU students, Arome Fidelis Bakwo and Wakala Bilkisu.
