- Abia state governor Okezie Ikpeazu said some shoemakers from the southeast state would be sent for a training in China to develop their craft
- The governor said the state would purchase equipment for the establishment of Abia state shoe factory when the trainees arrive from China
- The shoe factory, he said, would be commissioned before the middle of this year
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state has disclosed that 30 shoemakers from the state would be travelling to the People's Republic of China on Friday, January 5, for training so as to improve on their shoemaking skills, Sun reports.
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NAIJ.com gathered that the governor made this known on Monday, January 1 during his new year message to the people.
He said that 30 people, with majority drawn from Ariaria International market, Aba, were the first batch of 100 shoemakers from the state.
Ikpeazu said the state would procure the full range of equipment required to set up Abia state shoe factory when the trainees return from China.
According to the governor, the youths would form the nucleus of the workforce in the shoe factory which shall be commissioned before middle of the year.
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He said: "The shoe factory will enable Abia state consolidate its status as the pre-eminent destination for leather works in Nigeria and shall serve as an enabler of the diligent work the manual producers have been doing over the years.”
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the Abia state governor reportedly secured a $1.5B project for the establishment of a shoe industry in Aba, Abia state.
Dr Okezie Ikpeazu sealed the deal with Huajian shoe industry in Dongguan, Guangzhou, China during his official visit to China for the 1st Nigeria-China Governors Investment Forum.
Enyinnaya Appolos, the chief press secretary to the governor claimed that Ikpeazu secured the agreement after a meeting with group chairman of the Huajian Group, Mr. Zhang Huarong.
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Source: Naija.ng