AWKA/Nigeria: An Awka-based female footwear designer, Favour Nebo, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace handcrafts, particularly footwear making, as a viable path to self-reliance, job creation, and long-term financial stability.
Nebo, 26, a native of Amaokwe in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, described her trade as both “interesting and lucrative,” noting that it is capable of sustaining an individual for a lifetime. The young entrepreneur made the remarks during an interview in Awka, where she shared her journey and encouraged youths to look beyond white-collar jobs.
A 2023 graduate of Biology Education from the National Open University, Abagana, Nebo recounted how she struggled to secure employment after graduation. “After several months of job hunting without success, I took time to reflect and decided to chart a new course. I devoted a year to learning footwear design, and today I’m proud to run my own company, Divichi-Design Footwears, located in Umukwa, Awka,” she said.
Nebo, who currently mentors three apprentices, explained that her company produces between 10 and 20 pairs of unisex footwear weekly, supplying supermarkets, boutiques, and individual clients across the country. “Our designs include slippers, sandals, cock shoes, and other styles for men and women, with prices ranging from ₦9,000 to ₦18,000 depending on the design,” she noted.
She estimated that setting up a small-scale footwear business in the South-East could cost between ₦750,000 and ₦1 million, but emphasized that the investment was worthwhile given the industry’s potential. Nebo appealed to government at all levels to provide financial support and collaborate with young artisans, stressing that such support would motivate more youths to develop their skills and help curb unemployment.
“The only way for our youths to beat unemployment is to learn a craft, and with government support, many of us can grow and train others,” Nebo said. She expressed readiness to take on more trainees if granted financial assistance to expand her operations.
Nebo’s story stands as a testament to resilience and innovation, demonstrating how Nigerian youths can turn challenges into opportunities through entrepreneurship.
