By Josephine Obute
Lagos – Chioma Obiadi, 22, current Miss Nigeria has appealed to the government and banks to provide loans to practitioners in the fashion and creative industry.
Obiadi, who emerged as the 40th beauty Queen in 2016, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Lagos.
“I think what we should do to boost our culture is to acknowledge the fact that there are a lot of people actually doing well in the industry but we need to assist them.
“The government, banks and even the private bodies can boost this sector by providing loans to small businesses that promote traditional outfits, crafts, jewellery, bags and fabrics,’’ she said.
“I think Nigeria has an amazing culture because whenever I travel abroad wearing my Ankara fabric and accessories, most people do admire and compliment my style.
“They often asked how and where they can get similar styles.’’
She noted that Nigerians have countless options to pick from when it had to do with the culture and tradition unlike the international world that have limited designs and diversity.
“I think it is time we appreciate what is our own and stand for it, even foreigners love our culture more than we do, which is not supposed to be so.
“If only we can embrace our culture as much as the foreigners do, it is going to boost our standard and increase the market value,’’ she said.
Obiadi also advised the youths especially young girls to be proud of their identity as Nigerians.
“As a young lady, we must be proud of our colour, our culture, our heritage and tradition because that is what makes us different from others.
“I am proud to be a Nigerian anywhere and I project it with the way I dress and present myself to the outside world.
“We need to stand up to be good ambassadors of our country especially when we are out of our domain,’’ she said.