Artisans and technicians in different parts of the country, under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT), have called for local product patronages to boost the Nigerian economy, especially small and medium-scale businesses at the grassroots level.
The National Coordinator of ASNAT, Adeshina Akinyemi, spoke about the demands of the artisans and technicians at a press conference to unveil the Nigerian Artisans and Technicians Exhibitions and Fair (NATEF, Abuja 2024), holding on Monday, September 30 to Wednesday, October 2, at the Velodrome of Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
Akinyemi appealed to all state governors in Nigeria for support through partnership by sponsoring at least 100 artisans and technicians from their various states to NATEF, Abuja 2024, for participation and showcasing their states heritages and cultural diversity through exhibitions and displays of skills, services, products, crafts and talents.
He also appealed to the National Assembly through the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, to urge and persuade members of the Upper and Lower chambers of the National Assembly to sponsor at least 50 and 30 artisans and technicians, respectively, from their various senatorial districts and federal constituencies, to NATEF, Abuja 2024.
Akinyemi said ASNAT is open to partnership and sponsorship for individuals, corporate organisations, international agencies, governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and agencies that are willing to work with artisans and technicians on the forthcoming exhibition and trade fair, noting that support from the public and private sectors will foster economic growth within different communities and help to sustain local jobs.
He said: “The event, tagged ‘Nigerian Artisans and Technicians Exhibitions and Fair (NATEF, Abuja 2024),’ is an exhibition and fair prosed as a veritable artisanry platform for promoting skills development, craftsmanship, national unity, and mutual acceptance. NATEF, Abuja 2024, is programmed to facilitate higher value-added processing and local production activities in Nigeria, which will stimulate economic growth and promote the development of local artisans and technicians.
“Beyond supporting the economy, NATEF will open doors of opportunities for us, local artisans and technicians, to showcase various locally made and unique products that cannot be found elsewhere (in the world) to promote our diversity as a multicultural entity and preserve our cultural traditions.
“Our vision is to turn this event into a yearly tourism event that will attract and bring people from all over the world to Abuja and Nigeria to see and gain first-hand insight and connect with our local artisans and technicians through their displayed and exhibited products. NATEF will serve as a hub for establishing valuable contact between our local artisans and technicians and international visitors.
“The outmatch of NATEF, Abuja 2024, on the sponsored delegates will be indelible as they will experience firsthand networking opportunities that will raise awareness for their personalities with adequate promotions for their products and services.”
Stressing the need to support local artisans and technicians in Nigeria, Akinyemi said, “Once upon a time here, in our country, supporting local businesses and products then wasn’t a choice; it was a way of life, and we were thriving and our economy was flourishing. Then, something we can’t just explain or understand happened, and 1 dollar became N1,500 because now, most of the things we buy to eat and use come from the ‘land far away.’
“The main reason NATEF came at this time is to help adjust things and reset our memories back to those good old days when we were in love and content with our local products and services. Then we lived in prosperity and abundance. So, if all stakeholders accept to do the right thing by giving all necessary attention and support to our local artisans and technicians by buying and using our local products and services, that would be the greatest empowerment for Nigerian artisans and technicians. But, maybe, somehow, Nigeria and Nigerians have forgotten that we exist or that maybe those unique and precious local products they knew in those days are no longer in existence.
“The simple law of advertisement is that ‘nobody knows what you are doing or selling except you proclaim it’. This is the reason we are reaching out now, so Nigerians will know we still exist and those good products they used to know are still existing. Nigerian artisans and technicians need attention. We need acceptance. We need patronage from every Nigerian, from the government at all levels, from private and corporate organisations, and from international communities and agencies.”
Akinyemi, during the press conference, commended the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Afiz Ogun, for supporting Nigerian artisans and technicians through the Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) programmmes and many other initiatives and projects fashioned out to up their skills and update their knowledge to better their trades and lives.
Also speaking at the press conference, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists (NASHCO), Mrs. Angela Akanle, said NATEF is the best thing that ever happened to Nigerian artisans and Technicians. “We, as Hairdressers and Cosmetologists will mobilise our members massively to partake and participate in the event. We, Nigerian Artisans had been neglected for so long, now, it is time to showcase ourselves and works for proper attention and recognition,” she said.
In his address, the National Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Tailors (NUT), Comrade Shola Oyeshola, appealed to all states Governors to assist and support local artisans to attend and participate in this event.
He said: “This is the greatest opportunity we have to draw attention to ourselves and promote local contents and products. It has never happened before. Before, it was always some government agencies and NGOs that normally organises kangaroo exhibitions for us, without nothing concrete to gain from it. But NATEF is an exhibition of us by us and for us. But, because of the circumstances of time, I appeal to all states governors to sponsor us from their states to NATEF. This will go a long to ameliorate the present situations.”
The National President of Nigerian Association of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Practitioners (NARAP), Ahmed Ibrahim, while speaking during the press conference also appealed to all artisans and technicians in Nigeria to prepare well to participate in NATEF, saying “this is the only way we can showcase our skills and products.”
