News Agency of Nigeria
Foundation launches cloth-a-child project in FCT

Foundation launches cloth-a-child project in FCT

 

By Angela Atabo

ATRED Foundation, an NGO has launched the pilot phase of its Cloth-a-Child Project to promote school enrolment, increase retention, and reduce poverty at the family and community levels.

Mrs Victory Akachukwu, Executive Director of the Foundation, announced this at the launch of the project’s pilot phase on Thursday in Abuja, where the initiative officially began in selected public schools.

Akachukwu explained the project would be implemented in four public primary schools across FCT: Mabushi, Sabon Gari, Bwari, Pasali in Kuje, and Mpape under Local Education Authorities.

She said the initiative was a strategic response to the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, especially girls who were disproportionately affected by poverty and cultural constraints.

“The project provides school uniforms, socks, and shoes to underserved children, encouraging enrolment, especially for girls, while reducing absenteeism and promoting retention in public schools,” Akachukwu stated.

She said that the project aimed to empower children with dignity, confidence, and hope, helping them overcome social barriers and complete their basic education without stigma or exclusion.

“This is about restoring hope, breaking barriers, and giving every child a fair chance at education. A simple uniform can bridge the gap between exclusion and opportunity,” she added.

In addition to distributing uniforms, ATRED Foundation awarded scholarships to three children, covering their education until completion, further reinforcing its commitment to long-term educational support.

Akachukwu noted that the foundation took a holistic approach, combining material aid with lasting educational investments, to help children thrive in spite of socio-economic challenges they might face.

She also announced plans to expand the Cloth-a-Child Project to all six area councils of the FCT and eventually into states with high numbers of out-of-school children.

According to her, this scale-up will ensure no child, especially vulnerable girls, is left behind due to poverty or lack of access to basic educational necessities like uniforms and school shoes.

She commended Peace Microfinance Bank, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Future Focus, Hassam Foundation, Beyond Border Foundation and Doxa Digital for making the initiative possible. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Fashion: Nigerians beating economic snag with second-hand clothes- Vendors

Fashion: Nigerians beating economic snag with second-hand clothes- Vendors

By Veronica Dariya

Some sellers of second-hand clothing, popularly called thrift or “okrika”, have described the high demand and trend of the items as essential for Nigerians, amid rising cost of living.

 

The vendors gave their opinion of the trend in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

 

They said that with the rising cost of living, second-hand clothing was now widely embraced by Nigerians because of its affordability and budget-friendliness.

 

For the sellers, it is a thriving and profitable business.

 

NAN reports that both thrift and okrika are generally referred to as fairly used clothes, bags, shoes, imported from especially the UK and the USA, but have different market presentation, pricing and target customers.

 

Mrs Joy Timothy, one of the commodity sellers in Bwari, told NAN that most of her customers were students and workers, who could no longer afford new brands.

 

She noted that although both thrift and Okrika are crucial sources of affordable clothing, thrift items are mostly newer and usually handpicked, sorted, and sometimes styled for resale.

 

Timothy said that thrift items are sold faster in online spaces because of its style, originality, and convenience.

 

“Thrift bale is almost new; you can find clothes by famous designers that may have been taken off store shelves abroad, probably due to a minor defect or sewing mistake; it might not necessarily have been used before.

 

”Some even come with their tags. We sort them and hang them for resale online on social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp, or in boutique for those who have larger supplies..

 

“We use online marketing because it attracts students, young professionals, and fashion-conscious buyers who prefer unique and trendy items that are uncommon,” Timothy said.

 

Timothy added that prices of thrift are usually higher than regular second-hand items but are still cheaper than brand-new clothes in some boutiques or stores.

 

On the other hand, she said Okrika are sold in open markets, roadside stalls, or through bale sales at much cheaper prices and was more accessible and affordable, especially to middle-income earners.

 

Similarly, Madam Peace Ugo, an okrika trader in Bwari market, said that demand for second hand clothing had increased among Nigerians because of its affordability, stylish and budget-friendly options.

 

She also noted that it provided a significant hustle opportunity and a source of income and livelihood for its traders, including online vendors, whom she noted, were mostly youths.

 

Ugo said that although thrift and okrika vendors competed for patronage, both have their target customers and none was a threat to the other in the business.

 

According to her, okirika sold faster in terms of volume and daily patronage, probably because of physical market location, especially when new bales opened on specific days.

 

” Thrift on the other hand, has a higher profit margin per piece than okrika because those who know the value of what they were getting would pay as much to get just an item for twice the price of an okrika item; especially if they compared the price to a brand new one,” she said.

 

She added that while okrika items attracted bulk buyers like mothers, who buy for their children and wards, students and sometimes, traders who buy for resale at other stalls.

 

On preference, Miss Regina Oche, a student, told NAN that although selecting good items from okrika bale was a bit hectic and stressful, she preferred to sit and get as much as she wanted at a cheaper price, compared to buying one or two thrift clothings online.

 

” Sometimes I stand for more than 30 minutes , picking and selecting. I can get over ten good items for N1000 per piece or even less, but in a thrift store, only one item is like N3, 500 or more.

 

” What I observed is, you can still get upgraded goods like that of the thrift from an okrika bale if you can patiently select and sometimes, even the thrift vendors get it from there too.”

 

Another buyer, Mrs Chinwe Ofor, said that with the inflation and rising cost of living, many people turned to okrika items, not only for the cost but because it was more durable.

 

“A lot of parents, especially, find it more practical to get clothes for their children who quickly outgrow clothes, from selected bales. Including shoes, school and lunch bags and at very cost effective prices too.

 

” I also like buying from the local sellers because I believe that it will help boosts their business and empower them to fend for their families too.”

 

However, Mrs Glory Etim, another buyer, said that she preferred thrift buying because it was stress free, affordable and easier for a corporate worker like herself who had little or no time to go shopping in the market.

 

She also said that her preference was also because thrift clothes were “far cheaper than new ones” and one could get a branded or high-quality pieces at a fraction of the price.

 

“They usually have this unique or vintage appeal styles that are rare and not available in regular stores.

 

“Also, if you are a fashion lover, you can create a personal style that stands out, from a thrift collection instead of wearing mass-produced items,” Etim said.

 

She added that second hand clothings had helped reduce demand for expensive brands and has promoted trendy, fashionable recycling among Nigerian youths, especially students and workers.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Ismail Abdulaziz

Tailor docked for failing to sew client’s clothes after 6 months

Tailor docked for failing to sew client’s clothes after 6 months

By Aisha Gambo

A tailor, Malam Usman, on Thursday appeared before a Shari’a Court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna, over failure to sew four pieces of clothes after six months.

The complainant, Suleiman Musa, said the defendant promised him that his clothes would be ready after two weeks, adding that he had paid the money for the services.

“He lied and deceived me; I trusted him but he failed,” Musa said.

On his part, the defendant denied the claim saying they were untrue.

The Judge, Malam Muhammad Kabir, referred the matter to the police for investigation and adjourned to Aug. 25.(NAN)
Edited by Yakubu Uba

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email