THE CRAFTER'S SPEECH

The crafters' conference has come and gone but it will come again. 

THE 2017 CRAFTERS CONFERENCE - WELCOME ADDRESS

Azeezat, ZazeeCraft CEO, The conference creator.

Respect to everyone here present, listening and/or watching. Distinguished speakers for this occasion; Professor Niyi Osundare, Mrs Oluseyi Abdullahi, Mrs Tosin Oludosu Adebowale and Mr. Kuti George, members of the panel of discussants, representatives of SMEDAN and BOI, the media and corporate partners, crafters, and exhibitors, please accept our warm welcome.

We are delighted to have you with us to be part of the maiden edition of The Crafters Conference which is being hosted by The Zazee Crafts. Your presence here serves as a re-assurance to us on the premium you place on crafting as a vocation and indeed crafters as an integral part of the Nigerian economy. We thank you once again for coming.

The Zazee Crafts is committed to promoting and projecting crafting as an enjoyable and profitable vocation that can help galvanize the Nigerian economy. We want crafting to be elevated as a viable option in the national entrepreneurship drive; and also that crafters be recognized as valuable contributors to the nation’s development.

Our immediate goal is to forge solidarity with crafters, bringing into focus their peculiar challenges and the prospects for a successful career in crafting.  Hence, the theme for this year’s conference: “Crafting the Future with Both Hands.”

The general point of this theme is to show that crafting has a big role in the future development of this country. But of more urgent and particular importance is the need to properly shape the crafters – current and aspiring ones – to fit into and meaningfully impact that future that is unfolding.

We are honoured to have Prof. Niyi Osundare, Mrs Oluseyi Abdullahi, Mrs Tosin Adebowale and Mr. Kuti George to help address the underlying issues. Prof. Niyi Osundare is a renowned poet and university lecturer. I have no doubt that his decades of mentoring experience would be a vital resource on this occasion. From both Mrs Abdullahi and Mrs Adebowale who are established entrepreneurs, we could expect practical guides on how to chart a course to success as crafters. And I am quite sure the deep insights and experience of Mr.Kuti in financial matters would complement the other speakers excellently.

So, clearly we are in competent hands – for knowledge, new insights, inspiration, excitement and fun.

I welcome you once more, on behalf of Zazee Crafts, to the 2017 edition of The Crafters’ Conference.

PANELISTS DISCUSSING

ME AT THE CONFERENCE

It was worth it. To see videos and pictures from that day, check out their Instagram @thecraftersc or mine @thefrancesokeke.

Hope you'll attend the next one?