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By Steve Agbota
An indigenous firm, LeLook Nigeria Limited, said it has exported over 1million Nigerian-made bags worldwide to empower youth through job creation and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos at the 40th anniversary of Lelook Bags, its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, said that Nigerian-made bags are now making waves worldwide and winning acclaim in Europe and among Nigerians in the diaspora.
Linking her vision to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), she described the agreement as a prosperity highway, a game changer for African businesses, and being the first Nigerian entrepreneur to export under AfCFTA.
However, she urged other entrepreneurs and business minds alike to utilise the opportunities embedded in AfCFTA.
“In the next one year, I’ll be in at least three more African countries thanks to AfCFTA,” she declared.
Meanwhile, Lelook unveiled “Just Bags”, a new digital platform she describes as the “Amazon of African bags.”
The platform is designed to unite African bag makers under one marketplace, expand visibility for local artisans, and position African prints as a global fashion statement.
“I thought about Just Bags because we are not the only ones making bags, and the more the merrier.
“If we have all the bag makers in Nigeria on the platform, the world will see this as the go-to place for bags. It might even attract foreign direct investment because people will see consistent quality products coming out of Africa,” he added.
According to Ezenwa, Just Bags will allow African manufacturers to collectively take on bulk orders that individual producers cannot handle alone.
“There’s no way I alone can produce a million bags at once. But if I train others and we come together, then with Just Bags, we can meet those demands,” the septuagenarian said.
She highlighted the strong international appeal of African prints, especially adire fabrics, which she says German buyers particularly love.
“African prints are the only way we can promote our heritage and our culture. If you can’t wear it, at least you can carry it,” Ezenwa remarked.
During the anniversary, Ezenwa also inaugurated the Lelook Fellows mentorship initiative, through which she plans to introduce young entrepreneurs to continental trade opportunities.
Also speaking, former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen noted that she has been extremely overwhelmed by Ezenwa’s success and inspired by her.
“Beyond business, she has impacted lives. I was at the recent graduation ceremony where hundreds of people graduated from her Academy. It was a memorable accomplishment because we could see that it meant a lot to the graduates.
“I appeal to the government and influential Nigerians to support the work Lelook is doing for young entrepreneurs. When I was in office, I took Lelook bags to all my international engagements and people always rushed to ask where I got the bags,” Pauline said.
Earlier, students from several tertiary institutions had pitched their innovative ideas for business growth, mentorship and collaboration to Lelook and the brightest minds were co-opted as Lelook Ambassadors in their respective institutions including; University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), Caleb University, Yaba College of Technology, among others.
The top three students also received N1million, N500,000 and N300,000 cash prizes respectively while five other participants got N100,000 each.
Ezenwa also rewarded her long-serving members of staff; including her sister and seven others who have been with Lelook Bags since it commenced business 40 years ago.
