Minister expresses hope for Nigeria’s gemstones industry

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite, has expressed optimism for Nigeria’s gemstones and jewelry industry as 21 trainees graduated from the Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Gemstones and Jewelry Training School.

Olamilekan made the statement while praising the trainees’ passion, commitment, and perseverance during the capacity-building period.

He explained that they were the first batch of the Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s gemstone and jewelry making capacity building, and that their seven-month training was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to drastically reduce raw solid mineral exportation, and that it was geared toward facilitating local production of gemstones and jewelries in order to generate high foreign exchange when exported.

He went on to say that the trainees would teach other young people, as well as create jobs and income for Nigerians.

The Minister also stated that the Gemstones and Jewelry trainees would contribute to the construction of a gold souk and a gemstone market in Kano and Ibadan, respectively.

While speaking to the graduates, Adegbite urged them to share what they had learned with others in their communities.