Over 10,000 registered members of the Artisans and Market Women Association in Delta State on Thursday, threw their weight behind the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in 2027.
Chairman of the body, Chief Ifeanyi Abanom, announced the association’s endorsement of Tinubu and Gov. Oborevwori at the Artisans Day celebration in Asaba.
Gov. Oborevwori, who attended the event, described artisans as the heartbeat of communities and the fulcrum of Nigeria’s economic future.
The governor who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, said artisans are not just service providers, but are creators, innovators and problem servers.
“Artisans represent the heartbeat of our communities and the fulcrum of our economic future.
“Today is more than a ceremonial occasion, it is a bold affirmation of our collective resolve to recognize, empower and elevate the informal sector, which remains the silent engine of our state’s economic development.
“This Artisanship Day celebration, coupled with the inauguration of 25 local government coordinators and 36 state trade unions, is a major milestone in the quest to organize, strengthen and professionize our artisans.
“From tailors and welders to barbers, hairdressers, mechanics and carpenters, among others, you are the hands that build our homes, fix our tools, style our appearances and craft the things we use every day.
“Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, my administration has placed artisanship at the very heart of our M.O.R.E. Agenda; we understand that empowering artisans is not just about supporting individual livelihoods, it is about nurturing a productive economy rooted in local talent and enterprise,” the governor said.
Gov. Oborevwori listed some ways that his administration has advanced artisanship to include revitalization of vocational training programmes, provision of new platforms for artisans to access modern skills, microfinance and market opportunities, asserting that “thousands of artisans are now equipped to grow from small-scale operators to full-fledged business owners.
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“To the newly inaugurated local government coordinators and trade union leaders, you have been chosen to lead, represent and inspire.
“Yours is a critical responsibility, to serve as the vital link between government and artisans, ensuring that policies, programmes and resources reach every community and workshop.
“I charge you to build solidarity across trades to promote innovation, mentorship and collaboration; facilitate training programmes to keep our artisans globally competitive,” he added.
The governor noted that his administration will continue to support artisans with enabling policies, targeted funding and capacity-building programmes, adding that the vision is to turn the informal sector into a thriving, well-structured economic power base.
He called on Deltans to patronize the local artisans, support their businesses and celebrate their work in order to build a value chain that retains wealth within the communities.
The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, emphasised the importance of artisans to the economy of the nation.
Okowa urged the state government to continue to support artisans in the state, stating that “empowerment that are through structured process will definitely get to the right people. Encouraging the artisans will do us a lot better.”
