Okikirir Oghenevawereho is a corp member serving in the state who decided to go into textile business. In this interview with The Scope reporter, Grace Yusuf, the young corp member spoke about her determination to make it in textile works despite the sorry state of the textile industry in Nigeria.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Okikiri Ruth Oghenevawarehro. I am an indigene of Delta state and a graduate from the Federal University Akure. I studied industrial designs and love art and craft. Currently I am a youth corps member serving in the state.
What inspired or rather motivated you to study industrial design?
Well, it is because I find the act of making designs very interesting, I love to create beautiful art works, make product designs as well as being creative with everything I see around me. I sometimes use stones, beads, sand, paper to create products like baskets, flower vases. In short my love for creativity endeared me to the world of industrial designs.
Do you see the possibility of making an impact in the textile industry considering its sorry state at the moment?
Yes! This is because after my serve year, I intend to open a training centre where I will train youths and young entrepreneurs on how to create high quality designs which when produce on textile will give Nigerian fabrics an upgraded standard that will be appreciated both within and outside the country. By so doing, many young citizens of this country would be ready to make an impact once the textile industry becomes functional. This effort will help create jobs for the unemployed in the society.
What in your opinion is responsible for the sorry state of Nigeria's textile industry?
It all boils down to lack of maintenance on the part of government and on the part of the citizens, lack of appreciating made in Nigeria product. The people prefer to patronize products produced in other countries. if only we will learn to appreciate made in Nigerian products like the Ghanaians do with their “Kente” and other product, the government would have been motivated to ensure maintenance of the industries because it would generate revenue for the country.
What should government do to resuscitate the textile industry?
Government should ban importation of textile materials as well as other product and promote quality improvement on made in Nigeria goods to enable it compete with product produce in other countries when exported. It should also revamp the textile industries and other companies by proper funding to enable these companies bounce back to its functional state and back to the business of not only producing made in Nigeria products but this time around product with high quality.
What is your advice to Nigerians?
Nigerian must have an attitudinal change towards home made products. They must begin to appreciate and patronize them as well as encourage others to like them.
Thank you for your time.
You are welcome.
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