Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has officially launched the first phase empowerment of 1,400 women engaged in the traditional craft of cap embroidery.
Speaking during the event, Governor Namadi emphasized the cultural and economic significance of the cap embroidery trade, describing it as a craft that has been passed down for generations and remains a vital source of livelihood for many women in the state.
“Today is a day in which we are supporting a craft that has a long history in this emirate. This emirate is well known for the craft of cap embroidery,” he said.
According to him, “the cap embroidery craft has been inherited from parents and grandparents, and it is mostly women who practice it. Through this craft, many people have been blessed with wealth, livelihood, and sustenance, enabling them to support their families and maintain peaceful homes.”
While stressing the state government’s commitment, Namadi explained that the initiative is aimed at providing working tools to enhance productivity.
“With this support, a woman who could only produce 5 or 10 caps before will now be able to multiply that number. For when a woman has something productive to do, she can sustain her home, ensure peace in the household, and strengthen marital harmony both in our rural communities and in our towns.”
He further explained that, the empowerment programme is only the beginning of a broader strategy to organize and expand the cap embroidery business into a viable industry.
“Today, we are supporting 1,400 women to continue in the cap embroidery business. This is only the first phase, and by God’s will, we will continue to follow up.
“Our plan is to create two production clusters where women can work. When a woman finishes knitting her cap, she will bring it to the cluster center, and from there we will create markets for them—not only within Jigawa State, but also beyond Nigeria’s shores. That way, this business will thrive and become a serious industry that people can recognize as a source of livelihood and pride,” Governor Namadi said.
He added that the government’s intervention would significantly boost production capacity, turning small-scale household producers into organized clusters and eventually into a recognized industry.
“The impact will multiply because the beneficiaries will, in turn, support their families and communities. This initiative will go a long way in reducing poverty and creating wealth in our state.”
The Governor assured that subsequent phases of the programme would cover other parts of the state, with the ultimate goal of positioning Jigawa’s cap embroidery as a globally recognized craft.
Radio Nigeria reports that, the beneficiaries of the first phase were drawn from the seven local governments under the Dutse Emirate.
USMAN MZ
