By: Tayo Onas

Tayo Onas — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:59:00 +0000

Ms. Data Okorodudu, you have done well, your designs in this article are very stylish, the cuts are nice, your appliques are well placed, your fabric colors are very soothing and appealing. It is a far cry and far superior from the clothing designs you see around in Nigeria. I applaud your efforts, partucularly in a country that does not encourage entrepreneural spirit and support creativity. Hang in there, things will be better in future, I am pretty certain. I agree with your observations in the difficulty finding the right fabric that are made in Nigeria with different textures and colors other than the Ankara laden with very bright and garish primary colors that are abound on the Nigerian market. What amazes me is that the Nigeria Textile manufacturers are still doing the same designs, textures, and unappealing colors they have been doing since the seventies, the designs are so boring and they complain of low patronage from their customers, they complain about the influx of foreign goods on the market, they forget that their inability to produce quality and inspiring fabrics results in the low patrone from Nigerians. Nigerians simply want fresh ideas and products, they are tired of their old looks. Their lack of creative juice make your job and many other talented designers job very difficult in finding the right fabrics for their collections. How can any creative mind be creative without the right tools? So, I commend you and others in Nigeria dearly, for finding alternative solutions in the Nigerian market to make your wears. I am the CEO of Design Structure Nigeria Limited, a manufacturer of promotional wears in Lagos, a sizable company, though my clients are on the corporate level, but my company still face the same problems that you face on daily bases, though, I do not live in Nigeria, but my MD cries almost everyday. Every time I come to Nigeria, I have to retrain my sewing staff, give them pep talk about the importance of quality products for our customers, not just in Nigeria, but world wide, it is a struggle, but we entrepreneurs cannot give up, we are the ones with the dream, we have to keep our dreams alive. Ms. Okorodudu, keep the hope alive in Nigeria. There is so much opportunity in Nigeria, that is why I will be returning soon to Nigeria after 30 years in America,to enjoy part of this opportunity that I see everywhere in Nigeria, it will not be easy though, but the courage of people like you gives me the strength to want to return to Nigeria. Keep on Trucking. Tayo Onas (USA)

Comments on: Data Okorodudu: ‘I think I really got into what I love to do’

By: Tayo Onas