The Leather Industry Has Massive Potentials To Improve Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange Earnings, Ekwunife Says

KINGSLEY UBANI

The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Uche Ekwunife PhD, has described the leather industry as an important industry in national economic development. She said that the industry, if fully harnessed, has the potential to create wealth and also be a leading foreign exchange earner for Nigeria.

Ekwunife said this during the launch of the National Leather and Leather Products Policy Implementation Plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria by the Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.

Ekwunife, who was one of the Special Guests at the event, commended the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and its Agency, the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) for piloting the actualization of the implementation plan. She said that the initiative of the federal government could not have come at a better time than now when Nigeria needs to begin to prepare herself for the post oil economy.

According to the Federal Lawmaker, it is high time the country appreciates the potentials of the leather industry in the development of the nation’s economy especially in the area of job and wealth creation, as well as increase in economic revenue. The Senator noted that other countries of the world such as Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, China and India have made great developmental strides through domestic and foreign trade in leather, and that Nigeria can do the same.

Speaking further, the Chairman Senate Committee on Science and Technology said that her Committee will work closely with the National Steering Committee on the Strategic Implementation Plan of the policy to ensure its full implementation which according to her will diversify the nation’s economy, when achieved.

The event also had in attendance, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of State, Science and Technology, Barr. Mohammed H. Abdullahi, Distinguished Senator Stella Oduah OON, and other distinguished guests