12th September, 2011
The Lagos State government is to mobilise at least 10,000 artisans and tradesmen for tomorrow’s grand finale of the Tradesmen and Artisans Week.
The grand finale of the week is holding at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television while the event is basically meant to showcase the contributions of the informal sector to the state government.
The theme of this year’s week is “Developing the informal sector: Growing the economy”.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce and Industry, Mr. Seye Oladejo, disclosed that over 6,000 artisans and tradesmen attended last year’s artisan’s week, saying that at least, 10,000 participants are expected to take part in tomorrow’s grand finale. He said the event is also to enhance the capacity of operators within the sector and ultimately drive investment in the sector.
“At the event last year, artisans were showcased to the whole world in order to acknowledge that they are indispensable in our daily lives. Everyday, we engage their services as tailors, hair dressers, carpenters, plumbers and so on.
“However, in national planning, we hardly give this critical sector their due reckoning. This is what informed their celebration last year. The event has achieved its desired objectives,†he stated.
The special adviser said artisans and tradesmen would continue to receive special attention from the state government because they accounted for a substantial percentage of total employment in the state.
According to him, the grand finale would feature exhibition of various products of the artisans in a bid to showcase their achievements.
However, to mark the week, a stakeholder’s forum was held today at the state government auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, while a Jumat prayer and inter-denominational church service were held to mark the week.