The collapse of the once-thriving textile industries in Kano and Kaduna states that leads to the loss of over 500,000 jobs has become a serious concern to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas.
Abbas who was speaking at the inauguration of the House Committee on the North West Development Commission (NWDC) at the National Assembly complex yesterday, described the decline as a significant economic setback for Northern Nigeria.
“The textile industry was a cornerstone of our economy, providing jobs and boosting livelihoods. However, due to policy inertia, insecurity, and $environmental degradation, this vital sector has been crippled.
“The textile sector was a major employer in the 1980s, it now engages fewer than 20,000 people due to policy failures, insecurity, and systemic neglect, Abbas said.
The Speaker tasked the commission with conducting a comprehensive needs assessment to identify priority areas for development, emphasizing that the NWDC is strategically positioned to address the region’s challenges.
“The NWDC should adopt a multi-stakeholder approach, engaging state governments, traditional institutions, civil society, and the private sector to ensure that interventions are sustainable and impactful.
“This exercise should inform the development of a robust 10-year strategic plan, a blueprint that will outline measurable goals and actionable strategies. Such a plan will not only serve as a roadmap but also as a vital tool for attracting partners, mobilizing resources, and ensuring accountability.
He said: “this is the time for bold ideas and decisive action”, and called for innovative financing solutions, such as public-private partnerships and development bonds, to supplement government funding.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
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