The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has embarked on the training of Nigerian youths in various aspects of professional jewelry making. The aim is to create jobs and facilitate growth of small and medium scale enterprises in order to diversify the country’s economy.
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite who spoke at the opening ceremony of the training on ‘Design of Strategy for the Development of Sustainable Jewelry and Gemstones’ in Abuja, on Monday, noted that Nigeria is traditionally rooted in rock and gemstones jewelry making, stating that “the Benin bronze jewelries, Hausa/Fulani ornaments, Ice, Igbo Ukwu, and Nupe jewelries are examples of the past highly acclaimed artworks of the country”.
A statement, signed by Tony Ekpo for the Director of Press and Media Relations in the ministry, quoted the minister as saying that the programme is the first of its kind, adding that forty Nigerian youths, selected from the states, and the Federal Capital Territory would be trained on various aspects of professional Jewelry making.
He said the training was necessitated by determination of government to strengthen the knowledge of Nigerian jewelers so that they can favorably compete with their counterparts as well as produce superior products, he explained that government engaged experts who will share knowledge on jewelry production.
He called on State Governments to take up the task of extending and multiplying the development of the skilled workforce in their various jurisdictions by supporting the trained Master Jewelry Experts with necessary tools and materials that will enable them train other Nigerians, and encourage the setting up of Jewelry and lapidary shops and buying centers across the country.
Minister of State, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah said one of the key priorities of the Federal Government is to enhance the diversification of the economy to a broader range of productive sectors.
“Agriculture and Mining sectors have been identified, by the present administration as potential sources of growth for the future,” he said, adding that at higher level, the government focuses on accelerating mining investment for resource development to meet the following objectives, capture of lateral economic linkages to diversify the economy, job creation including formalizing of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM), and increased revenue including creating linkages within the current system.”
According to him, Nigeria has always been known to be a Jewelry and Gemstone producing Nation. “Nigerian Gemstones cover the entire spectrum of coloured, semi- and precious varieties, some of them with world class status, such as Rubellite, a pinkish or reddish Tourmaline species.”
He stated further that the Ministry believes that with revived and fully developed gemstone and jewelry industry, Nigeria can easily leverage on her dominant youth population and rich cultural diversity to re-establish the once active trade linkages that will provide jobs, reduce capital flights, increase foreign exchange earnings and generate revenue to the Federal Government.
