The Kogi State House of Assembly has called on the government of Kogi State to partner with Nike Art Gallery in the area of skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development.
In a motion moved by the Chief Whip of the House and member representing Ijumu state Constituency, Hon. Ade Omofaiye, the lawmaker highlighted the importance of going into the partnership as it has great potential of creating job for the people and reducing hardship.
“It has become imperative on me without any further delay to call on the Kogi State Government to partner with the Management of Nike Art Gallery, Ogidi in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development of the youth of the State.
“Whereas you will all agree with me that the global economic recession has led to the non availability of public jobs otherwise known as whit collar jobs in the country and has put many States including Kogi into a sorry economic State of youth unemployment.
“Government can reverse the gloomy situation to put smiles, succor, hope and joy on the faces of the people and provide functional jobs for her teeming youth through skill acquisition in various trades and entrepreneurship development and key into the programme of Bank of Industry for interest free loans at the end of their programme.
“In view of the genuine determination of the present Government in the state to diversify the state economic from the oil sector to other sectors through public private partnership (P.P.P), vocational skill acquisition remains one of the viable sectors that the State Government which can generate revenue and employment for her citizens,” he said.
Nike Art Gallery Ogidi was established and founded by an Indigene of Kogi State Chief (Mrs.) Nike Okundayo who hails from Ogidi in Ijumu Local Government of Kogi State.
Chief (Mrs.) Nike Okundayo who is also the Director of Nike Centre for Arts and Culture Osogbo with Branches in Lagos and Abuja is an accomplished professional artist, painter, textile artist, weaver, embroider and an awards winner at many National and International Art Shows.
Hon. Omofaiye went further to explain that Nike Art Gallery Ogidi is training many Nigerians and indeed non Nigerians in Weaving, Textile Design, popularly known as Adire, wax Design, Fine Art, sculpture, ceramic, painting, Cultural drumming, music and drama.
The centre since her establishment has trained over 3,000 young Nigerians mainly unemployed youths who are now earning their decent leaving and have become self employed as well as employer of labour.
Several speakers spoke on the benefit of the partnership to Kogi State and also urged the House to adopt the motion.
The question was put forward by the Speaker and the house resolved that the House should visit this centre for on the spot assessment and discuss ways of possible partnership with the Assembly before getting the State Executive involved.
