Chief Nike Okundaye, Founder of Nike Art Gallery, has called for support from government, corporate organisations and art enthusiasts to train women on conversion of waste materials to creative ornaments.
Okundaye, an Adire textile designer, made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
She said government needed to recognise the potential of waste management as well as entrepreneurship in reducing poverty and promoting sustainability.
According to her, wastes like animal bones and teeth can be assembled, and converted to beads as well as other useful items.
“Over the years, I have trained women in my centres in Kogi, Abuja and Lagos, and I want these women to also train others.
“I have my centres open for this but I need support from government, art enthusiasts and corporate organisations, so that these women who are ready to train can be well renumerated.
“By supporting initiatives like mine, government can help to create a brighter future for women, particularly widows, and other vulnerable groups.
“It will also create a more sustainable and inclusive economy, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” she said.
Okundaye said that the centre trained no fewer than 3,000 women in beading, adire making and embroidery designs in 2024.
She said, given Nigeria’s boundless creative potential, the media had a crucial role to play in sharing these talents with the global communities.
“It is important we promote our creativity, the media should help in this regard.
“I want to make sure that Adire and Aso-Oke are popular all over the world before I pass on, it is my life-time goal.
“These local fabrics brought me to the limelight,” she said.