RismadarVoice Reporters, April 30, 2026
Governor Alex Otti has announced plans to launch an integrated campaign promoting made-in-Aba products, signalling a renewed push to position the commercial hub as a global centre for fashion and lifestyle manufacturing.
The governor disclosed on Wednesday at the Enyimba International Stadium during the graduation ceremony of 4,000 trainees from Cohorts 3 and 4 of the Fashion Future Programme (FFP), an initiative spearheaded by Ethnocentrique Limited in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and the Abia State Government.
Otti said the forthcoming campaign would spotlight the innovation and economic value of local producers, particularly in Aba’s thriving fashion sector.
“This campaign will highlight the creative genius of our local entrepreneurs and the extensive economic benefits of their offerings over foreign competition,” he said.
The governor also directed the immediate deployment of resources to restore full operations at the ENASCO facility, alongside funding for production hubs across the state, with a strong focus on Aba.
Otti emphasised that the fashion industry would be a major beneficiary of the state’s industrial development strategy, citing Aba’s longstanding reputation as a manufacturing powerhouse.
He praised the Fashion Future Programme as a “masterclass in talent incubation,” noting its blend of skills training, business development, and enterprise exposure.
“The FFP represents a preferred empowerment model that develops the full capacity of individuals to imagine, create, and bring forth new ideas,” he said.
The governor further revealed plans to engage with programme partners to scale up participation from 4,000 to 8,000 beneficiaries in future cohorts.
In her remarks, the Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation, Rosy Fynn, commended the state government’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic growth.
Earlier, Chief Executive Officer of Ethnocentrique Limited, Irunna Ejibe, described the 2026 edition of the programme, tagged “Ahia 360,” as a comprehensive effort to move beyond skill acquisition into global market integration.
She noted that the initiative also prioritised inclusivity, with persons living with disabilities including the deaf and non-verbal successfully trained and equipped for economic independence.
Otti linked the programme to broader economic goals, including reducing unemployment, boosting gross domestic product, and increasing internally generated revenue.
“This is one of the ways to engage our youth and reduce poverty while growing the economy,” he said.
The event attracted dignitaries from across sectors and featured runway displays and exhibitions of garments and accessories produced by the graduates underscoring Aba’s growing influence in Africa’s creative economy.
