Firm signs MoU with LASTVEB on youth empowerment, local content

Manufacturers of Unity Girl Dolls, Nigeria’s leading first theme dolls that uniquely project the continent’s cultural heritage, have signed a memorandum of understanding with Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB). The partnership is intended to empower apprentices of the board with sustainable source of livelihood immediately after graduation by making them gainfully engaged.

Also, under the ‘Graduate Apprenticeship Programme’ in dressmaking, the graduates have been hired to make 40,000 pieces of unity doll dresses for the entire project in batches of 5000. Under the contract, expected to be executed within four months, 40 per cent of mobilisation fee has been released while 60 per cent cost of the project would be paid upon completion of each batch of 5000 units.

At the signing of the MoU, Executive Secretary of the board, Mr. Olawunmi Jasper, called on other corporations and multi-nationals to emulate Unity Dolls by using direct skilled labour in order to grow the local economy. Jasper noted that the only way out of the country’s economic woes is for government not to only create the ideal environment for artisans in the real sector to thrive, but also for manufacturers to employ indigenous but skilled labour.

Jasper pointed out that expatriates in the engineering, construction, home services sector were enjoying all the opportunities at the detriment of Nigerian artisans. He, however, thanked the Chief Executive Officer of Auldon Nigeria limited, Mr. Paul Orajiaka, for the confidence reposed in the nation’s real sector, particularly for believing in the graduates of the institution and contracting a project of that magnitude to them.

He assured Orajiaka that the graduate trainees would do an excellent work in the dressmaking contract comparable to any standard in the world.

Orajiaka was agreement with LASTVEB Boss, stating that the continued patronage of local products, skills and service was the right way to go in strengthening the nation’s local economy and its currency. He also assured the institution that the contract would not be one-off project, as it would be continuously renewed, especially as unity dolls is a product in high demand, both locally and internationally.

He expressed joy that the contract will have a positive multiplier effect on the local economy, as other locally manufactured products will be purchased for the project, a cycle that will support many families, by putting food on their tables.

The dresses made by the graduate apprentices of LASTVEB for Unity Nigeria limited, will be delivered in batches, for Africa’s leading Doll brand, Unity dolls.