Fashion enthusiasts in Anambra State have called on governors across the South-East to emulate Governor Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s support and patronage of locally made products, saying such initiatives can give greater visibility to indigenous creativity and strengthen local businesses.

They made the call while reflecting on the impact of government patronage on local fashion, particularly the use of Nigerian-made fabrics, clothing, and footwear by public office holders.

For men’s fashion designer Ebuka Agbo, whose brand is Emax Classic Creation, Governor Soludo’s consistent patronage of locally made attire is an encouragement to designers working to promote indigenous fashion.

Agbo, who describes himself as a product of youthful skill, says the Governor’s appearance in locally made outfits, including Akwete, sends a strong message about the quality and value of Nigerian-made products, and he urged other governors in the South-East to emulate the initiative by patronising locally made fashion and creating platforms that would give indigenous designers and artisans greater visibility.

Also speaking, shoemaker Osemina Otaru, whose brand is Angelo Jude, says opportunities created by government for local producers to showcase their products can significantly boost their businesses, recalling his participation in a government-organised trade fair in 2024, and describing the platform as an opportunity to display his products, reach potential customers, and gain greater exposure.

He appreciates Governor Soludo for providing such opportunities for local businesses and expresses hope that the initiative will receive continued support and greater visibility, allowing more practitioners to benefit, adding that sustained government patronage and exposure will encourage local designers and artisans to improve their products, attract more young people into skill acquisition, and create sustainable livelihoods.

They called on other South-East Governors to adopt similar measures, stressing that promoting locally made products should go beyond special events to become a sustained commitment to supporting indigenous businesses, and also expressed appreciation to Governor Soludo for using his position to promote local products, while urging continued support and greater visibility for designers, shoemakers, and other artisans across the region.