In Abuja on Tuesday 6th July 2021, the GIZ- Nigeria Competitiveness Project (NICOP) received commendations and encomiums from the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, GCON. The Vice President in his speech during the formal launch of the National Leather and Leather Products Policy Implementation plan organized by the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) thanked NICOP for providing the supports that birth the National Leather and Leather Products Policy. He further called that the implementation plan should be followed through to achieve the timeline contained in the implementation strategies, especially the policy strategies that deals with Research and Development, Intellectual Property Rights, E-leather, compliance, standards and marketing, funding and access to credit and fiscal measures. He therefore extended his appreciation to the European Union for the continued partnership and collaborations to ensure that the economic development and diversification agenda of this present is achieved. He reiterated the need for businesses to promote value addition and competitiveness in order to integrate into regional and global value chains.
The Head of Programme, SEDIN, Mr. Markus Wauschkuhn was present at the event, he delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the EU and GIZ Nigeria/ECOWAS country Director. The event also has in attendance the Honourable Ministers in Charge of Science and Technology, the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Science & Technology, Director General NILEST, Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment (FMITI) Women groups, students, private sector actors and the media.
