I trained to become the best in Batik designing — Babangida

Jibril Babangida is an entrepreneur and the Creative Director of ‘U and I Africa Clothings’. The fabric designer who has been training others since 2009 shares his experience with the recently in Osun state.

ow did you earn yourself a name in this field? would you want to expand your designing business?

I am very passionate about the promotion of the local fabrics. But before I even thinking about my products to get across the borders, there’s a strong need to ensure that the item is accepted locally by both the led and the leaders. It is one of the few ways that we can create a unique cultural identity for ourselves, boost revenue generation and create more employment. We are about 200 million in population in Nigeria, if just 1% of the entire Nigeria people can patronize us daily, that’s a huge business success already.

What do you think about the promotion of youth in government in the West African sub region?

Investing in youth is the secret behind the success of majority of the developed countries. Insurgency and other antisocial vices that unemployed youth are constantly engaged in are as a result of negligence on the part of the African Leaders. However with proper capacity building on leadership skills and business conscience, the youth will definitely make the best out of this ITbased generation.

The youth have always complained of not being included in governance. Why is it so?

The youth will always complain when the government have neglected them in areas that are dear to their future. For example, Nigeria is so much blessed with talented young men and women across all industries. However, we have lost uncountable number talented Athletes due to inadequate support and attention. It is because these athletes do not have the proper external motivation or means to travel abroad to flourish. The youth have rights to get angry with their government because they are not protected in their policies.

What are the types of cloths you design?

Adire (Tie and Dye) and Batik fabrics production are my areas of Specialty. This Brand of fabric can be creatively used to design any kind of clothing, from casual to corporate, from wears to art decorations.

What’s the story behind your success in this field?

Sometimes, those things do not really matter. Everyone is faced with his tasks and before you can even blink your eyes, a lot has happened already. I remembered we were all taught that the best approach is to apply tactfulness, speed and accuracy in every situation.

Do you have any platform engaging others to be relevant? for

Yes I do. Just recently, I trained over 200 students of the Federal Poly Ede on this lucrative vocational of Textiles manufacturing. It is a personal agenda for me to help as many as possible persons within my capacity. I had the opportunity of training Prison Inmates at Ekiti state Prison yard, in 2010. I have also trained Corp Members, various group and individuals. For now, I constantly engage pupils in the primary school level and train and expose them on how to create Tie and Dye, and Batik fabrics.

I also campaign against indecent dresses and promote moral behaviour that will make us a good ambassador for our family and a better role model for the next generation to come.