By Stephen Adeleye
Lokoja, May 16, 2025
The Ladi Memorial Foundation (LMF) Chateko Vocational Institute Lokoja, has organised sensitisation program for Artisans in Kogi as part of activities towards ensuring massive enrollment for the 3rd edition of the National Sewing Championship 2025 (NSC25) nationwide.
The sensitisation meeting, held at LMF Chateko Vocational Building in Lokoja, was aimed to encourage the artisans to champion competence and participate in promoting the NSC25 initiative, and become Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) peer advocates.
Speaking to the artisans in Lokoja, the Executive Director of LMF, Hon. Rosemary Osikoya, described NSC25 as an initiative to empower Nigerian youths through creativity and innovation, promoting the country’s rich talent in fashion and textiles.
She recalled that the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, had on Feb. 27, in Abuja, officially flagged off the 3rd edition of the NSC25 for students and youth aged 12 to 22 years.
“The championship aims to celebrate the creativity and skills of young Nigerians, providing a platform for them to showcase their talents and build careers in fashion, tailoring, and the textile industry.
“The event was approved by UNESCO and piloted in the FCT in 2023. It was scaled up with approval of the Federal ministry of Education as NSC 2024 with participation of 26 states and FCT.
“Best prize went to Adamawa, FCT & Imo states’ contestants.
“It aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritizing youth empowerment and economic development.
“The championship serves as an opportunity to nurture the next generation of seamstresses, tailors, and fashion designers, encouraging innovation and global competitiveness.
“It also highlights the importance of the textile industry in preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage,” she said
Osikoya advocated collaboration and support from all the relevant stakeholders to ensure lasting positive change in communities, driving economic growth and creativity.
She noted that the State-level competitions will hold on July 22, while the geo-political competition and DIY maintenance workshops will take place on August 6th and 7th.
“The final competitions and Up-skilling Sewing Boot Camp will be held from August 17th to 30th in the FCT.
“The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is sponsoring the Bootcamp and has posted a One million naira cash prize for the best winner,” Osikoya said.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Agency for Adult and Non Formal Education (ANFE) in Kogi, Mr Tsebije Jonathan, encouraged participants to explore all opportunities especially the NSC25 to showcase their skills.
Jonathan noted that as the focal agency assigned by the Kogi Ministry of Education for NSC25, ANFE would advise artisans in the state to leverage the Kogi government’s support for skills acquisition and literacy improvement initiatives, fostering further growth and development.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of NABTEB, Mrs Pauline Ajibili, said the NSC25 is an initiative to empower Nigerian youths through creativity and innovation, promoting the country’s rich talent in fashion and textiles.
Ajibili urged the participants and other talented youths who are into garment making and fashion in the state to utilise the opportunity to showcase their skills and competence.
Some of the participants, Adagiri Ayijimoh and Victoria Ubani, commended LMF for the enlightenment, and expressed their readiness to take advantage of the NSC25 competition to showcase their skills and talents in garment making, fashion design and embroidery, among others.
End
