Ronke Kehinde/
Have you ever thought of Nigeria’s future without oil?
Well, there’s one bad news about this goose that lays the golden egg for the nation.
Experts said six years ago that Nigeria’s oil production would end in 41 years. So, where do we go from there?
That question was the reason why more than 20 jewelers, goldsmiths, miners, and geologists were brought together last weekend to showcase their craft at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island in Lagos.
Described as the first of its kind in Lagos, the two-day event tagged Craft Fest Jewelry Show was out to promote Made in Nigeria jewelry and expose possibilities in the nation’s mineral resources field.
The originator of the show, Mrs Oluseyi Abdullahi told NewsmakersNG: “I’ve been teaching necklace stringing for the past 16 years. Many of my students had gone so advanced now. They make everything from scratch. They buy the metals, melt, do some casting and cutting etc. I just felt it’s time for them to be seen publicly. There hasn’t been any jewelry show that I know of. This is the first jewelry show in Lagos Nigeria.”
The show was not limited to jewelry exhibitions alone, there were Ceralun workshops and lectures. Some exhibitors and visitors ran some courses and master classes on different topics such as: ‘Know Your Metals’, ‘What You Should Know about Corals’, ‘Let’s Talk Goldsmithing’, ‘Learn to Make Earwires’, ‘Know Your Gemstones and Importance of Gems’, ‘Grading and Identification’ among many others.
Mrs Abdullahi urged the people to divert their focus from oil to precious stones that are locally sourced in Nigeria. She wants people to explore the industry.
“The World Bank has said in 2012 that Nigeria’s oil production ends in 41 years; people should explore this industry. Laurel School of Mines will soon start. They do training on professional development and training on mining. The Gemological Institute of Nigeria is just taking off. Ordinarily, people go abroad for such training. The whole idea is to give this industry the right exposure; Mrs Abdullahi said.
One of the organisers, Mrs Olusola Sowemimo said, “This is a time when people are saying there’s no job. They should open their heart to new ideas. Most of the exhibitors started learning when they were in the University as students. People cannot just fold hands. These ones are now employers of labour which is what we need now.”
Mr Niyi Abe, a geologist and founder of Fassoca Gems and Minerals International limited was one of the exhibitors who left his work in an oil company to start this jewelry business; “I left my work in an oil company and I went into solid minerals sector. I moved into Jos because that has been the center of Nigeria Solid Mineral. From Jos, I go to Taraba and Nasarawa to source materials. I started with buying, selling and exporting of raw materials. By the time I travelled out, I discovered the way they add value to these raw materials and sell at over 15 times what they bought.
“I decided to stay behind to learn how to cut and bubble. The business is highly profitable but capital intensive.”
Mrs Victoria Fregene was one of the exhibitors and the founder of Fregos Coral Factory. She was one of the biggest merchants in Coral business in Nigeria, and she has travelled far and near for this purpose. Her daughter Eduvie Jakpa, is now a co-founder of the business.
Another exhibitor, Mrs Olasubomi Okhueleigbe, founder of Elesho Fine Jewelry has been in the industry for 15 years. She said passion, consistency, continuous investment and training were some of the things that could revive the industry.
“I learn new things every day. I’ve taken some master classes on the job. I’m still going for more. Gone are the days when we have only male Goldsmith. We have broken that barrier. Now we can compete globally,” she said.
Mr Tope Adebanjo of Laurel School of Mines said Nigeria was endowed with abundant mineral resources of diverse kinds like bitumen, gold, talc, limestone, gypsum and bauxite. Coal export or usage for electricity generation is capable of earning or saving Nigeria up to $6billion dollars per annum.
“We are looking for investors who want to grow, take chances and stand out from the crowd,” he said.
Some of the exhibitors are Swarovski, Crafties, Bella Africana, Betty Deluxe, Bimbeads Concept, Crica64, Comely Hands, Cornucopia, Gbenga Artsmith Jewelry and Gemstone Treasure.
Others are Karats ‘N’ Mor, Lagos Jewelry School, Laurel School of Mines, Michofemades and Company Limited, Oriola Designs, Perfect Melange, Proverbs Creations, Styles by Seannys, and Zilman.
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