AS the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday inaugurated Lagos State Industrial Leather Hub, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has renamed the centre after her.
While she described the state as a trailblazer that continues to blaze new trails in innovation, entrepreneurship and other areas, Sanwo-Olu affirmed that the gesture was to honour the First Lady for her unwavering support, contributions to women and youth empowerment as well as commitment to community development.
“This state of the art, first of its kind in our country, is more than bricks, is more than steel, and is more than machinery. It represents a gateway to global competitiveness, to Nigeria’s never-fading chain of gold. It is a launchpad for thousands of decent jobs and a shining example of the power of visionary governors and a promising partnership between the federal government and the state government.
“From today, the high-tech schemes that once left our shores unprocessed, they will here be transformed into world-class footwear, into garments, and into accessories that will truly be standard-made in Lagos, made in Nigeria, for the world market.
“It is therefore my single honor, given what this hub will stand for, on behalf of the powers that have been vested in me as your governor, that I seek your concurrence that we would be renaming this hub as Senator Oluremi Tinubu Industrial Leather Hub,” he affirmed.
The first lady said at the ceremony that the facility was designed to empower local artisans and boost the leather sector.
The hub is located in Matori in Mushin.
According to her, the state-of-the-art facility is billed as the largest of its kind in West Africa.
The first lady described the facility as a milestone in the drive to empower artisans, strengthen Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and promote local manufacturing.
She praised the state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the bold initiative, noting that the project reinforced Lagos reputation as the heartbeat of innovation and enterprise in Nigeria.
“Lagos has always been a trailblazer, and this project further reinforces the state’s reputation as the heartbeat of innovation and enterprise in Nigeria.
“The project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at accelerating diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing and innovation.
“The Leather Hub will serve as a centre for leather processing, footwear production and specialised training.
“It will enable artisans to add value to their craft and compete globally,” she said.
Tinubu urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the facility and dedicate themselves to excellence, hard work and continuous learning.
She encouraged the people to see the hub as a beacon of possibilities, a symbol of how government and citizens could work together to turn challenges into opportunities and create prosperity.
The first lady expressed hope that the leather hub would be a model for others to emulate and empower future generations.
Tinubu further added that the leather hub is expected to open new opportunities for jobs and enterprise, further solidifying Lagos position as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
