As preparations heighten for the fifth edition of the Aba Fashion Week, Senator representing Abia South senatorial district, Enyinnaya Abaribe has commended the initiative for driving conversations that link fashion with policy, enterprise, and sustainable industrial growth.

Abaribe, a long-standing champion of the “Made in Aba” movement, praised the organisers for expanding the scope of the event beyond runway shows to include advocacy and enterprise development, describing the platform as a strategic step toward strengthening the local content agenda.

The Aba Fashion Week team, led by Founder, Ugomdi Ogbonna and Managing Partner, Chinyere Akataobi, recently met with key policymakers at the National Assembly to explore legislative pathways that can boost opportunities within Aba’s dynamic fashion and manufacturing sector.

“Fashion should not only be about creativity but also about building an economy that empowers local producers,” he said. Abaribe reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that align with his vision for homegrown industrial advancement, describing Aba Fashion Week as a “natural progression” of the Made in Aba legacy.

In his remarks, Ogbonna lauded the senator’s unwavering support for Aba’s creative and manufacturing community.
“Abaribe has always stood as a pillar for Aba’s industrial story. His support for Aba Fashion Week reinforces our belief that creativity, enterprise, and policy must go hand in hand if we’re to transform fashion from an art form into an economic force,” Ogbonna said.

Also Akataobi emphasised that the initiative represents more than a showcase event.