Government have been urged to ensure that right policies and an enabling environment are in place for leather business to thrive.
Speaking at a 2-Day ‘5th Lagos Leather Fair’ which was held recently at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, the Convener, Lagos Leather Fair and Chief Executive Officer, Femi Handbags, Mrs Olufemi Olayebi stated this.
According to Olayebi, govt. also need to address issues such as power, infrastructure, financial constraints, skills/quality gaps, technology gaps, among others for the industry to compete favourably at the global market
Speaking on the essence of the fair, Olayebi said it was created in 2017 after having felt the need for leather designers to showcase their works, talents and products.
“There wasn’t an existing platform such as this and there are so many creative people in this space. Hence the need to bring them together, change the narrative, address the challenges and find lasting solutions” said Olayebi.
The fair in the last 5 years, Olayebi revealed has achieved quite a lot. “We’ve been able to give many leather designers the visibility and recognition they require, a lot of attention has been drawn from both private and public sector as many are ready to partner with us. The fair is all about business growth and empowerment’ said Olayebi.
“As we round up year five with much excitement and optimism, the work continues — we are determined to continue to seek out ways to pull all the necessary thought leaders, policymakers and key players together to keep changing the narrative and advancing the necessary conversations.” she said
Speaking on how to tackle the issue of copyright infringements which also a major setback for leather designers, the Partner, Denton’s, ACAS – Law, Barrister Uzoamaka Emerole gave the following tips: register and protect your brand name; challenge infringers where necessary. “It is all about designers safeguarding their handiwork, come up with different techniques, don’t act out of ignorance’ warned Emerole.
” Designers need to trademark their brand, we are using this platform to educate them on how best to guard again infringements” said the Program Co-ordinator, Lagos Leather Fair, Fadeshayo Adebakin.
In an interview with some of the designers, the Creative Director, Abboux Designs, Zainab Aliyu want govt to focus more on leather industry. Her words “Leather Industry is a multi-million dollar industry as some notable designers such as Ralph Lauren, among others purchases leather from Nigeria, then process it to sell as finished products. Govt focusing on the industry will help to generate and produce our own leather here in Nigeria up to finished standard and not semi processing” said Zainab Aliyu.
“Copyright infringements can be tackled with originality : when you produce your brand authentically and people identify you with authenticity designs, you’ll always be a trail blazer. This is what gives my products and edge over infringers” said the Founder, Creative Director, Morin O’ Designs Ltd, a contemporary leather designs and manufacturing brand, Mrs. Morin Obaweya.
The fair also featured masterclass conversations that addressed the challenges of cross-border payments for SMEs, the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) in aiding intra-African, and ways to enhance growth for businesses within the leather industry. Speakers were drawn from all sectors of the economy across finance, policy, manufacturing, and consultancy
