Kwara State Government has lauded the efforts and achievements of the Institute of Leather Science and Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, towards the development of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMSE) in the State and Nigeria at large.
L-R: The Deputy Director, lndustry, lbrahim Yusuf Oladimeji; Deputy Director; Commerce, Alhaji Sani Ibrahim; Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Mr. Tunde Thompson Amos; Honourable Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun; Regional Manager, Institute of Leather Science and Technology, Mr. Ogili Andrew; and Manager, Offa Centre, Mr. Adesiyun Adelekan during the familiarization visit to the Ministry
The Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, who gave the commendation during a courtesy call on her by the management of the Institute,
reaffirmed the state government’s determination to partner with the Institute.
Damilola disclosed the efforts of the present administration in restructuring the state from its civil servants posture to an industrial hub by attracting foreign investors to tap from the natural resources the state is endowed with.
While highlighting the State’s potential, she revealed the capital projects the State government has embarked on, such as the Dada Clay Cluster Centre, Garment Factory project, Sugar Factory, Film Studios project, and Information, Technology and Communication Hub, among others, calling on the Institute to continue to support the MSMSE.
The Commissioner welcomed the Institute’s proposal, advising that it collaborates with the State Government in boosting the economy of the state.
Earlier, the Director General, Prof. Muhammad Yakubu represented by the Regional Manager, Kaduna, Mr. Andrew Ogili, thanked the Kwara State Government for creating an enabling environment, appreciating the laudable ongoing projects in the state.
The Director General stated that the visit was aimed at seeking the support and collaboration of the State Government to enable the Institute establish TANNERY/Common Facilities Centre to support the youths and women in the state.
Prof. Yakubu added that the establishment of the centre would generate employment opportunities to the vulnerable groups, women and youths in the state.
In addition, the centre Manager, Offa, Mr. Adesiyun Adelekan highlighted that the Institute was established in 1964 and was recently guided by the Nigerian Institute of Science and Technology Act in 2023, disclosing that the Institute is the only tertiary institution in Nigeria that is engaged in training manpower in leather technology.
Mr. Adelekan claimed that leather technology has been a major earner of foreign exchange for Nigeria after oil and has a potential to improve the country’s Gross Domestic Product, adding that the sector can create hundreds of thousands of jobs in Nigeria, across the value chain, thereby reducing unemployment rate in the country.
The Manager explained that the Institute has rolled out activities that would of immense benefits to the people in the state, revealing that a training programme would be organised in September, 2024 in the State.