Ethnocentric Limited is indeed making waves with their Fashion Future Program (FFP) in Aba, Nigeria.
For the third batch of training, they have organized this two-day workshop, held from February 6-7, 2025, at the NOBIK Events Centre, Aba, which aims at training youths aged 18-35 years in the fashion industry.
The program is being sponsored by notable banks, including the Bank of Industry, Access Bank, MasterCard Foundation, and Sterling Bank.
The CEO of Ethnocentric Limited, Mrs. Irunna Ejibe, emphasized the organization’s 21-year journey and its mission to empower people’s dreams. The program’s uniqueness lies in its inclusivity, welcoming participants regardless of ethnicity, religion, education, or disability.
MRS IRUNNA EJIBE, CEO ETHNOCENTRIQUE LIMITED
Speaking further, she said that Ethnocentric Limited aims at giving visibility to young entrepreneurs, emphasizing that the future belongs to those who do.
The workshop’s primary objective was to train Master Craft Professionals (MCPs) who would then train the youth participants. These MCPs were grouped into clusters, such as Azikiwe Road cluster, Ikot-Ekpene Road cluster, Opobo Road cluster, 7up cluster, Ngwa Road cluster, Jubilee cluster, MCC Road cluster, to mention but a few, to facilitate accessibility and efficiency.
Admonishing the trainees, the Director of the Nigerian Copyright Commission; Port-Harcourt Operational Office, Mr. Abdulsalami Babatunde, emphasized the protection of one’s creativity.
“The NCC is aimed at protecting the rights of authors and creators of original works, ensuring they receive adequate rewards and recognition for their intellectual efforts,” he opined.
He assured that the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) shall continue to protect creators’ rights by registering copyrights, investigating and prosecuting copyright infringement cases, providing legal advice and support to authors, conducting public awareness campaigns to educate people about copyright laws, and collaborating with international organizations to combat global piracy.
He then advised the young entrepreneurs to seize the golden opportunity of grabbing the subsidized 530 CAC certificates made available by the government of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR – the Executive Governor of Abia State, and get their businesses registered and protected.
In a chat with the State Manager, Bank of Industry (BOI), Abia State, Mrs. Rose Akor, she expressed happiness in partnering with Ethnocentric Limited to achieve the aim of gathering MSMEs in clusters to educate and get them acquainted with what they stand to gain from the BOI.
She explained that the BOI would help any entrepreneur structure the business in such a way to easily access loans, get their TIN, and register their CACs.
She went further to say that the BOI, on November 24th, 2024, signed an MOU with the Abia State government to access a 10 Billion Naira matching fund with a 7.5% loan to MSMEs in the State.
She therefore encouraged entrepreneurs to have a corporate account and separate their businesses from personal accounts, saying that spending directly from your business retards business growth and development.
Ultimately, she assured that the Bank of Industry shall continue to play its role in promoting industrial development and economic growth in Nigeria.
Dignitaries present at the event included Mrs. Irunna Ejibe – CEO, Ethnocentric Limited, Dr. Okechukwu Ihemanma – Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises, Engr. Ogbonna Chukwudi – Director of Industry Abia State Ministry of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mrs. Chinyere Nwosi – Director of SMEs, Abia State Ministry of Industry Small and Medium Enterprises, among others.
The event featured a parade by different clusters, a dance competition, and a question-and-answer session.
Notably, a grant of ₦10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) has been allocated to support the participants, with banks like FCMB and SME banks contributing to the fund.
This initiative is a significant step towards empowering young fashion entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
