India to establish textile institute in Kaduna

The Indian government is set to establish a textile institute in Kaduna State, the Head Africa Initiatives and Industry Research of IL&FS Cluster Development Initiative Limited, Dr Milan Sharma has said.

According to him, the textile industry would provide Nigerian youths with opportunity for acquisition of modern skills in operating textile machines and manufacturing textile materials, an Indian delegation to Kaduna confirmed.

Speaking during a visit on Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero  at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Kaduna, the Indian delegation said that once the Kaduna state government provide them a land, the institute intend to start with a six months training programme with the initial intake of 30 students, which would increase as the programme progresses.

Speaking as part of a delegation which was led by the Secretary PDP Board of Trustees and Chairman Textile Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Sen. Walid Jibrin, alongside the Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress and President of National Union of Garment and Textile Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Issa Aremu, said the Indian government would fund the establishment of the institute.

 According to the Indian delegation, Nigeria has lots of textile potentials as renowned producers of cotton and base of textile industries, while Kaduna state was chosen because of its reservoir of textile industries and the gradual return of peace and stability to the state.

Governor Yero in his response pledged the support of Kaduna state government for the establishment of the institute, just as he urged the delegation to immediately go into discussion with the commissioner for land and other government officials to decide how the state government can assist and collaborate with the Indian government and the institute.

“Kaduna state is reverting to its normal position as one of the safest and most secured states, where you can do business in Nigeria. Kaduna has always being a textile industry town, most of which were closed down due to the problem of power but the federal and state government are working hard to produce enough power for the industries.

“Kaduna state also grows cotton so we would support you, Kaduna state government would provide space for your project because it would provide job opportunities for our youths,” Yero said.