The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and African Union, Chief Edem Duke, has announced Bayelsa State as the host of the 2014 African Fashion Reception holding in Nigeria and Africa for the first time.
The minister made this known while addressing pressmen in Abuja.
The President, Branzuk Gold Limited, Dr. Merit Obua, explained that the Africa Fashion Reception is an event organised by the world fashion organisation of which Nigeria is a member.
She further stated that the Africa Fashion Reception is an activity marking the big World Fashion Week in October.
"As a countdown to that big world event, the six continents that are members of the world fashion organisation are expected to host a continental reception.
"So for Nigeria, we will host for Africa. I can boldly say that this event is going to bring a huge gain to the Nigerian economy through fashion.
"The truth is that Africa as a whole is already rich by herself but just needs assistance to develop and make viable its creative fashion industry to bring about meaningful development through wealth creation," she stated.
Declaring the choice of Bayelsa as the host state for Africa Fashion Reception, Duke said the intention of the Bayelsa State government is to invest and enhance the fashion industry as a major tool to address the poverty alleviation, job opportunities challenges.
"What made Bayelsa the winner of this development is the fact that the state had expressed the desire to invest in the Fashion University which the world fashion organisation desires to establish in Nigeria for the whole world.
"And it also submitted that it desires to enhance the fashion industry as a major tool to address the poverty alleviation, job opportunities and empowerment for young Nigerians and young Africans. So these were the unique elements of the Bayelsa proposition and we, being aware of the fact that in the past several months, Bayelsa State has been the leading destination in entertainment and tourism activities around the country, we think we are proud to announce Bayelsa State as the host of the 2014 Africa Fashion Reception," stated.