…COMMENDS GTCO’S INGENUITY
By Okosun Dennis
Jewelries are exclusive brands and timeless pieces. Over the years, it stood the test of time as people from different walks of life give different invaluable appreciation and treasured it immensely.
According to Mrs. Folahan Odebo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Beauties ‘n’ Gems Jewelry, who spoke on jewelries as essential part of humanity during the GTCO Fashion Weekend in Lagos that held at Plot 1, Water Corporation Drive, Oniru-Lagos, noted that “jewelries don’t have to be expensive to be good.”
“I don’t do cheap stuff though, but jewelry doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. We’ve good qualities but very pocket-friendly.
“Now, gold is so high, and people still want to use colourful stuffs and all that. So, all my stuffs, they call them colourful and well made. We are well branded and some of them have my logo, as some are produced by me.
“However, over the years, we have tried our best to give the best. I will say that most of these beads, are from Nigeria. They take them out to Italy. As you know, Italians have the art of jewelry, so they make the best out of it and fashion it to suit international taste.
“I’m just hoping that we would have good factories in Nigeria and right investment that can finish it for us. There’s no stone that we don’t have in Nigeria – they are so abundant. I’ve seen some stones in Nigeria that they don’t even have in any other part of the world. But with good technology, they will come here and invest.
“They use Nigerian leather and call it Italian leather. Now, they now coin another name they don’t want us to know about or even mention. And there’s a lot of good things in our nation.
STARTING SMALL, MAKING IT BIG
Mrs Odebo’s natural disposition is a reflection of the kind of beads and other jewelries that she deals with – simple beads, affordable and good qualities.
According to her, “I started with the gold plated costume. Then, I did 18 karat gold too. It was when I went to buy a ten karat gold, and I saw what they are doing well with sterling silver, that a friend of mine convinced me to try. “Let’s try it,” he advised.
“And this has become the biggest in all the other businesses that I do. Business is very attractive. I thank God that the spirit of excellence in picking them. I can’t say it’s my expertise or work. It’s totally God. And I give glory to the Holy Spirit. He helps me to pick the best from these.
PRODUCING IN NIGERIA
Mrs Odebo declared that Nigeria is rich in diverse kinds of natural resources. “We have the stones here in Nigeria. If the finishing is done here, beads will be cheaper. But we don’t have Goldsmiths and the right technology. We don’t have enough Goldsmiths to finish them like the gold and gems exhibition.
“We are so blessed in this country. That’s why the likes of President Tinubu should rise to help the country. What we have in Nigeria is so enormous hence other country’s eyes are in Nigeria. Let’s separate religion, ethnicity and politics, and develop the country – grow investment profiles.
“What is deposited on the ground is so huge. The earlier more investment is channeled into the sector of the economy, the better for us. If we are active and intentional, and make the best of what we have – produce it – it will be a giant leap.
“China grew by producing its own goods. That was how China grew. You can see the competition with the America now growing exponentially. They (Chinese) insisted that those things must be produced in China, and that’s what we need to do here in Nigeria.
TRAINING AS GOLDSMITHS
A lot of people are interested. Some people are already getting some form of training as Goldsmiths. What we need is to engage some of these jobless boys and girls in such trainings and made them adaptable and creative. Some people are trying to train them in the art.
At first, in terms of meeting the standard, it might not be absolute. However, a race of 1000 miles, starts with one step. So, with the spirit of resilience in us, we can do it. I believe Nigeria, we have the tenacity. We shall face it and do well. To be realistic, this industry is growing sales tremendously. Sales is good. All these beads on display are made here in Nigeria.
MOVING FORWARD
To Mrs. Folahan Odebo, MD/CEO, Beauties ‘n’ Gems Jewelry, “lets look inwards and grow our economy through massive investments through soft loans by government or individual business moguls.
“Because I used to do this, and people know me with it, so many people out there are recommending customers to me. They’re open to our advice, and they need to be flexible . They just need to be more flexible. Wonderful thing they are doing. But flexibility is very important to be able to carry a lot of people along,” Mrs Odebo reiterated.
COMMENDABLE GTCO
This is one financial institution that has taken on the mantle. Others are needed to support GTCO in this direction. If others can collaborate with GTCO or, at best, have theirs, it will grow the industry and garner more sales and production capacity. I must commend GTCO for the opportunity. As a vendor, I implore them to create more space to accommodate more willing people.
About The Author
