Ekiti State Government has pledged to diversify the economy by investing more in creative industry to enhance the Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Omotayo Adeola, who stated this, yesterday, during the 2024 Ekiti Fashion Exhibition and Awards in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said that the industry is key in the empowerment of youths in the state.

Meanwhile, at the event, students and youths in the state’s fashion industry showcased their creative expertise and exploits by displaying their works for the public.

The commissioner said that the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji is committed to the empowerment of the youths towards achieving the shared prosperity agenda for the state.

deola, who noted that the fashion creative industry has a lot of potential for economic prosperity for the youths, commended the organisers for the event, which she said, would help in exposing fashion designers from the state to the world.

However, a fashion designer and one of the awardees, Alabi Rukayat, said that the award would further encourage her to continue to shape the nation’s fashion industry with her creative works.

Alabi, who was represented by Emmanuel Omolayo, said that the exhibition was designed to serve as a motivation for youths and undergraduates on the need to take advantage of the opportunities in the fashion industry for economic empowerment.

She said that participants in the state’s fashion industry had been adjudged to be leading in the sector, calling on the state government to support the efforts of the youths in a bid to enhance the socio-economic development of Ekiti State.

On her part, the Convener of the event, Owajoba Oluwasayo, said the exhibition, which commenced in 2017, was designed to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Ekiti State and provide a platform for emerging and established designers in the state.