The Creative Director of Springfield Fashion Academy (SFA), Blessing Ugwuodo, has urged young Nigerians to acquire practical and vocational skills in order to achieve financial independence and self-reliance.

Ms Ugwuodo gave the advice at the graduation ceremony of the academy on Friday in Abuja.

The event brought together stakeholders in the creative sector, including family members and friends of the graduating students.

According to Ms Ugwuodo, as Nigeria grapples with growing unemployment rate, blending formal education with practical, in-demand vocational and  technical skills are guarantees for  transition from a job seeker to a job creator.

She said academic degrees were important, but a certificate alone was often not enough to secure economic independence and financial stability.

She therefore urged youths, including graduates and those without formal education, to acquire practical skills while seeking employment opportunities.

“Don’t wait for government. Don’t wait for employment. Do something with your hands. There are so many things to learn.

“You have your phone,  you buy data and showcase what you are doing. The world is waiting for you. If people see what you are doing, then they will patronise you,” she said.

Ms Ugwuodo said the academy’s vision was to enable people to create their own opportunities instead of depending solely on government, individuals or organisations.

“We don’t want you to wait for government. We don’t want you  to wait for individuals or organisations. You can build your own table,” she said.

She however called on government at all levels to take skills acquisition initiatives to the grassroots through relevant organisations directly involved in skills development.

According to her, skill development opportunities can benefit people regardless of educational background, adding that SFA had trained educated and uneducated persons, widows and people living with disabilities.

Speaking on the mandate of SFA, Ms Ugwuodo said the academy was established eight years ago with a vision to empower people and promote financial freedom through fashion, particularly among women and young people.

“Eight years ago, a dream was birthed here in Nigeria. The three-member team  had the same mission and one vision to empower people and give them financial freedom through fashion,” she said.

Ms Ugwuodo said the academy had grown from three members and three sewing machines into a training institution that had empowered women, men and children.

“We have empowered lives, women, men and children. For us, age is just a number. We train from age six,” she said.

Ms Ugwuodo said some young trainees could make dresses within a few hours, adding that their creativity demonstrated that age should not limit creativity and talent development.

“God created all of us with creativity. Each and every one of us carries that creativity in us, but sometimes we leave it dormant,” she said.

According to her, the academy is not  training students only to become tailors, but also equip them with skills to explore several opportunities within the fashion industry.

“At Springfield, we don’t just prepare them for the industry. When you learn fashion, it does not mean that all you are going to do is tailoring,” she said.

Mr Ugwuodo said the academy’s Business of Fashion course teaches students how to start, build, market and scale their brands using technology and social media.

During an interview on the sidelines of the event, Senator Ben Obi, congratulated the graduating designers, noting that they have demonstrated creativity and confidence,

According to him, a higher education certificate is no longer a guaranteed ticket to financial security in today’s fast-changing economy.

“We must not only rely on certificates to survive. We must equally rely on our skills to be able to put food on the table for us and our families,” he said.

Mr Obi also called for government support and funding for young entrepreneurs, saying increased support would enable them to scale up their businesses and create more jobs.

“If Springfield and others are encouraged by government, they can set up branches across the country that would be useful,” he said.

Similarly, a retire federal permanent secretary, Dr Sani Gwarzo, said private-sector investments in skills development could complement government’s empowerment efforts.

“There is no empowerment that is as good as giving people skills. I am really amazed at the level of expertise being demonstrated by Nigerians, “he said.

He said the training of young people and children in fashion by SFA was encouraging and gave him hope for Nigeria’s future.

“I am really amazed and very happy. It gives me hope that the future is bright for Nigeria,” he said.

Some of the graduating students expressed delight for the opportunity and the skills acquired at the academy.

Mercy Gabriel said the academy equipped her with garment construction, couture and street wear production skills.

Ms Gabriel said the business of fashion course also taught students pricing, marketing and effective use of social media to promote their products.

She, however, urged government to improve electricity supply, saying inadequate power had affected her production and forced her to work at night.

Also, Peter Ebenezer, described his training as challenging but rewarding, saying he was grateful for the knowledge and support received at the academy.

Highpoints of the event included a fashion runway where graduating students showcased clothes they designed and produced during their training.

(NAN)