The Comptroller General of Customs, Ahaji Dikko Abdullahi, has stressed the need for revival of Nigeria’s textile sector to boost the economy, especially in the area of job creation.

Abdullahi stated this at a forum between the Textile Value Chain Stakeholders and the Nigeria Customs on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said more emphasis should be given to the textile sector, following the drop in oil revenue so that Nigerian youths could be more engaged to develop their skill.

The customs boss urged the forum to fashion out plans to revive the textile industry to secure the future of the country.

“Nigeria is our only country; we do not have another. So we have to do everything possible to sustain a stable present and secure the future of this country. The political stability of a country is determined by its economy; we will support sectors that invest capital to expand and improve employment of youths,” he said.

He called on other government agencies, including the Consumer Protection Agency, Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Immigration Service to join forces with the Nigeria Customs Service in the execution of its statutory functions.

“We must all resolve to carry out our duty diligently without fear of anyone because our national interest must always supersede our personal interest. I want to assure you that the day I am required to compromise my integrity, I will choose the path of honour and leave.

“I am sure that the present administration is a government that is guided by the rule of law; it is a government that has passion for the development of this country,” he said.

Earlier, the Sector Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Salisu Umar, had told the Customs boss that textile industries were necessary indices for assessing development of countries.

Umar said Nigeria had a large number of textile industries which were ranked second to government in providing employment to Nigerians some 15 to 20 year ago.

He said that “in the past decade, the sector declined due to high cost of doing business and influx of cheap textile mainly from China.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Dikko Abdullahi.