News
Nigeria Spends $4bn On Textile Products Imports Annually — Labour
About 90 percent of textile products in Nigeria valued at over $4 billion are imported into the country annually, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) has stated.
This is even as the federal government reveals strategies aimed at reviving the moribund sector.
Immediate past President of NUTGTWN, John Adaji, who disclosed this at the opening session of the just concluded 13th National Delegates Conference of the union in Abuja, called on the Federal Government to initiate policies aimed at reviving the moribund industry.
“90 percent of textile products in Nigerian markets today are imported. The government should revive and invest in the textile industry in order to create 2 million jobs in the country and as well reduce over $4 billion import bill incurred on textile and apparels annually,” he stated.
READ ALSO: Nine Things To Know About Ship That Collapsed Baltimore Bridge
Adaji lamented the high production cost of textile materials in the country, which he attributed to poor infrastructure and high energy cost.
He further noted that the industry continues to experience low patronage, particularly from government agencies and parastatals in spite of the Federal government’s Executive Order 003 which mandates Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to spend more of their budgets on locally produced goods.
Referencing the South Africa’s clothing and textile sector which experienced a lull due to lack of local patronage and dumping of imported textile materials, he however noted that because of conscious efforts on the part of the South Africa government through “Buy South Africa” Campaign, the textile and clothing sector has been revived with many jobs created.
Meanwhile, also speaking at the conference, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Amb. Nura Rimi, expressed the desire of the government to revive the sector to its revenue generating status.
READ ALSO: Blackout: National Grid Recovers To 3,600MW After Collapse
Rimi said the government had initiated lots of reforms geared towards resuscitating the sector, particularly in policy development and implementation to impact on both the industry and the economy.
According to him, the sector in the past employed at least 450,000 Nigerians, in over 170 textile mills throughout the country.
He said that the ministry was currently finalizing the textile adjustment tax levy, and stressed that the prospects and challenges in the CTG sector need cross- cutting efforts and strategic action by both government agencies, including the private sector to achieve the desired result.
Rimi said some of the strategies put in place to ensure the sector’s revitalization include a grant of N100 billion for purchase of equipment, delivery of seeds to cotton producers, issuance of Import Duty Exemption Certificates to duty-free machinery and spare parts importers and Federal Government’s Executive Order 003, to boost local patronage and increase market access in the sector.
News
The New Masquerade’ Actress, Ovularia Is Dead
Veteran actress, Madam Elizabeth Evoeme, who starred as Ovularia in the 80s TV sitcom ‘The New Masquerade’, is dead.
Born on December 1, 1942, Ovularia’s demise was confirmed by a family member who stated that she died surrounded by loved ones.
According to the statement, the actress died in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The statement read, “Friends, fans, colleagues, the family of the legendary actress, Elizabeth Lizzy ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme, would like to notify the public, all those who loved her and her work in ‘The new Masquerade,’ of her passing.
READ ALSO: Porn Star Testifies Against Trump At Hush Money Trial
“Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme will be dearly missed and was extremely loved by her family and also by you, her fans.
“We thank you all for your support and for respecting our privacy at this time. God bless you all and may our dear Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme rest in perfect peace, now and always.”
However, details of her death were not revealed.
READ ALSO: ‘I’m Considering Having 4th Child’ – Mother Of Three Who Breastfeeds Husband , 3 Kids [PHOTOS]
Ovularia’s daughter, Justina Ngozi Evoeme, based in London, described her mother’s death as painful and shocking, stating, “I need to get my head around what has happened.”
Her death comes four and a half years after she was rumoured to have died on November 5, 2019.
The rumour was disputed by Chika Okpala, known for his portrayal of Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwaogbe, also known as 4.30 in the sitcom.
News
Father Of 12 Found Dead Inside Brothel In Bayelsa
A lifeless body of a man, said to be a father of 12 children has been found in a brothel at Tombia-Amossoma road axis of Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
According to the residents of the area, the deceased is a 40-year-old man from Delta, though his name was not known as at the time of filling the report.
The deceased was said to be suffering from partial stroke, before engaging in a sex rump that led to his unfortunate demise.
They said he was one of the customers of the commercial sex workers, who left home around 8 am on Tuesday to meet a prostitute, but was later found dead in the quarters.
It was gathered that the lifeless body was found naked in the apartment while all the commercial sex workers had deserted the said apartment.
At the time of visiting the scene, people living around the area were trying to get the identity of the deceased to contact the relative to evacuate the corpse for burial.
It was gathered that security operatives had previously raided the brothel and earmarked it as a red-light zone.
The Commander of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Bayelsa State, Mr Tolumobofa Akpoebibo Jonathan, told Nigerian Tribune at the scene that the deceased is a 40-year-old father of 12 from Delta state.
Police spokesperson in Bayelsa, ASP Musa Muhammed, told Nigerian Tribune that he was trying to reach out to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area to get accurate information about what happened while promising to get back on the cause of the incident.
Tribune online
News
BDC Operators Arrested As Naira Sells 1,416/$
The New Masquerade’ Actress, Ovularia Is Dead
Father Of 12 Found Dead Inside Brothel In Bayelsa
FULL LIST: CBN Publishes List Of Licensed Deposit Money Banks
-
Headline4 days agoPHOTOS: Moment 23-year-old Miss Ecuador Beauty Queen Is Gunned Down In Hail Of Bullets
-
Metro2 days agoKidnappers Sleep Off After Abducting Pastor’s Wife, Others In Ondo
-
News3 days agoJUST IN: SERAP Drags 36 Govs, Wike To Court Over N5.9tn, $4.6bn Loans
-
Headline2 days agoICYMI: Pandemonium During Church Service As Man Pulls Gun, Attempts To Shoot Pastor [VIDEO]
-
Headline5 days agoShock As Woman Who Visited Hospital For Scan Was Told She’s Dead
-
Metro3 days agoMan Dies On Top Of Married Woman In Akure
-
Headline4 days agoVIDEO: Arsenal Pay Tribute To 14-year-old British-Nigerian Fan Daniel Anjorin Killed In UK
-
Headline4 days agoFind The Man Who Stole $30000 From Me, Get $2000 Reward – Nigerian Man Cries Out
-
Metro5 days agoDelta Lady Dies After Friends Allegedly Pushed Her Into Pot Of Boiling Pepper [Photos]
-
News4 days agoWhy I Refused To Return Govt Vehicles – Ex-Edo Gov, Shaibu
