Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, has announced plans to launch a comprehensive statewide campaign in the coming weeks to aggressively promote made-in-Aba products, with special emphasis on Aba’s renowned fashion industry and lifestyle accessories.
Governor Otti made the declaration on Wednesday, April 29, at the Enyimba International Stadium during the graduation ceremony of 4,000 trainees from Cohorts 3 and 4 of the Fashion Future Program (FFP), an initiative of Ethnocentrique Limited and the MasterCard Foundation in collaboration with the Abia State Government.
As part of his administration’s broader economic transformation agenda, Governor Otti also directed the immediate deployment of all resources necessary to ensure that the ENASCO production facility operates at full capacity.
According to the Governor, the forthcoming campaign is designed to spotlight the innovation, creativity, and economic potential of Abia’s indigenous entrepreneurs while positioning locally manufactured products as competitive alternatives to foreign goods.
“This campaign will highlight the creative changes of our local entrepreneurs and the extensive economic benefits of their offerings over foreign competition.
“I’ve also directed that funds be allocated to develop and equip the production hubs around the State, especially in Aba.
“You can also be sure that the fashion industry will be a prime beneficiary, because we are mindful of our comparative advantage in this regard,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor described the successful graduation of the 4,000 beneficiaries as a major milestone in Abia’s economic empowerment strategy, emphasising that the Fashion Future Program has become a model for practical talent development, enterprise creation, and sustainable youth empowerment.
“The successful graduation of our sons and daughters from the Fashion Future Program, FFT, delivered by Ethnocentrique Limited with support from MasterCard Foundation and the state government, is a landmark achievement.
“This initiative has proven to be a masterclass in talent incubation, business development and enterprise exposure. I am impressed with the structure, organisation and the hands-on delivery model.
“The most interesting thing for us is that FFT represents a preferred empowerment outlook, which targets the holistic development of the human faculties, expanding the capacity of the individuals to imagine, create and bring forth new ideas,” Gov. Otti stated.
The governor further noted that Aba’s selection as the programme’s operational hub reflects the strategic vision of the organisers to harness the city’s long-established industrial and fashion heritage while preparing young designers for global relevance.
While congratulating the graduates, he said: “It is indeed fulfilling that the project is looking beyond talent development, but on the entire value chain, from craft to the marketplace, boardroom to policy spaces, connecting dreamers, platforms and financiers.”
The Governor also charged government officials managing the programme to remain committed to supporting beneficiaries beyond graduation, stressing that long-term mentorship and strategic guidance would be critical to their sustained success.
In a further expansion plan, Governor Otti disclosed that discussions would soon commence with Ethnocentrique Limited and the MasterCard Foundation on scaling the initiative from the current 4,000 participants to approximately 8,000 beneficiaries.
“This is one of the ways to engage our youth. This is one of the ways to ensure that unemployment is reduced, the poverty level is reduced, the gross domestic product is increased, and in the long run, the internally generated revenue of the government is increased.
“Thank you (Mrs Ejibe) for igniting us back in the minds of our young people, for giving them the platform to carry their dream forward.
“May we also use this opportunity to convey our gratitude to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for providing the technical guidance for the FFP through its skills qualification framework,” Gov. Otti stated.
Also speaking, MasterCard Foundation Country Director, Rosy Fynn, praised Governor Otti’s administration for its commitment to economic inclusion and sustainable development, while reaffirming the value of the partnership between Mastercard Foundation and Ethnocentrique Limited.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Ethnocentrique Limited, Mrs Irunna Ejibe, explained that this year’s programme, themed “Ahia 360,” was designed not only to equip participants with practical production skills but also to identify export-ready talent capable of elevating Aba and Abia State’s global industrial reputation.
“This initiative is not only to teach our young people how to produce locally made products, but to discover talents that would produce and ensure that their products are exported, and Aba and Abia State are recognised all over the globe,” she said.
Mrs. Ejibe commended Governor Otti for creating an enabling environment for the programme and acknowledged the MasterCard Foundation’s critical support. She also praised the graduates, describing them as key drivers of Aba’s future economy rather than mere beneficiaries of the programme.
Importantly, she highlighted the programme’s inclusiveness, noting that Persons Living with Disabilities, including deaf and non-verbal participants, were among those successfully trained and empowered for economic independence.
The colourful ceremony attracted numerous dignitaries and featured parades, fashion exhibitions, and product showcases by beneficiaries, underscoring Aba’s growing reputation as Africa’s creative and manufacturing powerhouse.
