Fashion as a career has been named as an industry capable of turning Africa’s economy around for the better.

Omobolanle Adedeji of Whoopy Yun Limited, made the assertion recently at the inauguration of the new executives of the African Fashion Development and Empowerment Centre, (AFDEC), Oyo State chapter in Ibadan, the state capital.

She also called on fashion entrepreneurs and stakeholders to see the importance the industry holds in the Nigerian economic recovery plan of the government.

Adedeji, speaking at the 2023 Awards and Inauguration Ceremony of new cluster leaders of the association recently at the Bunkers, MKO Abiola Way, Off Ring Road, Ibadan, charged members of the organisation to be up and doing to distinguish themselves in the industry.

She also lauded AFDEC members for their tenacity and commitment to driving entrepreneurship and rewriting the narrative for women empowerment in the country.

“Women must occupy their place in their chosen endeavour so that society can experience an inclusive and holistic development,” she said.

The new team leader also affirmed that the responsibility of leadership is coming at a peculiar period in the country and stressed the importance of prioritizing the impact of the fashion industry on the nation’s economy.

Adedeji maintained that, “Fashion is a career that must be properly presented to attract the interest of the younger generation through mentorship and reorientation.”

The outgoing Oyo State Team Leader, Ms. Aderayo Aminat Animashaun of De’rayo Vocational Limited, charged the new executive members with the need to embrace constant self-development and evolve in a way that attracts career and business growth.

She challenged the new leaders to always seek new ways to brand and promote their business such that they can consistently thrive and be good model of effective entrepreneurship to others.

“Many businesses and individuals join AFDEC in hopes of receiving one specific benefit or achieving one goal, only to find that the organisation has many more benefits and holds much more opportunity than it previously imagined, networking, trainings and collaboration amongst others,” Animashaun said, enjoining members to take the group seriously.

She also enlightened that the association has a wide spread across Nigeria.

“We have presence in all zones across Nigeria, except the North West,” she explained.

The outgoing Deputy Leader, Ms. Adeola Akingbade of Bamdeo’s Designers Empire, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity to serve in the association as it has provided a platform for quality interactions, networking personal development, and business growth.

She however charged the new leaders to display full support towards one another as this is the bedrock upon which the association has come so far.

AFDEC is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Ms. Adeola Ogunkolade in 2015, and popularly known for empowering low-income creative African women with appropriate skills, information and market for building sustainable micro, small and medium scale fashion enterprises.

It is aimed at promoting African creative communities and culture for women economic empowerment.

Other newly installed leaders for the Oyo State cluster include Ms. Rukayat Salami of Morade Fashion Hub who is the Deputy Team Leader 1; Ms. Oluwatomisin Abolade as Deputy Team Leader2; Ms. Ogezafe Ibimiluyi of Opalz Clothiers as Welfare Coordinator 1; Ms. Eghosa Vivian Ojeahere of Viv La Gechi as Welfare Coordinator2; and Ms. Kikelomo Banjoko of 7empire as Secretary.

Awards of leadership and excellence were presented to the outgoing cluster leaders- Ms.Animashaun Aminat Aderayo; Ms. Oluwakemi Ojulari of Threads by Idim’s; Ms. Oluwaseyi Aibinuomo of Shayzee Creations; and Ms. Adeola Akingbade of Bamdeo’s Designer’s Empire.

The new executives are to serve for a year in office according to the guidelines of the outfit.