By Stephen Adeleye
The National Sewing Championship (NSC) Initiative, has announced the commencement of registration for Governor Ododo Special Sewing Championship 2026 in Kogi State.
The competition, open to youths aged 15 to 29 years, both male and female, across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, is aimed at supporting Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s impactful efforts in education.
The championship is designed to promote Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), incentivise entrepreneurship, foster national unity and harness support for practicing artisans and craftsmen.
The National Coordinator of NSC, Hon. Rosemary Ojochenemi Osikoya, disclosed this during courtesy visits to heads of institutions in Lokoja to solicit stakeholders’ support for the project.
At Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, the Rector, Prof. Salihu Sanusi Avidime, pledged support for the championship, noting that the mandate of the Polytechnic is TVET and that Gov. Ododo has supported the institution to equip its facilities.
The Rector accepted to host the State Finals and Upskilling Sewing Boot Camp scheduled for Dec. 16 to Dec. 18, 2026, for 63 finalists drawn from the 21 LGAs, in addition to other logistics support to ensure its success.
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mall. Abdulrazak Yusuf, pledged support for eligible learners in basic education who will compete for the Best Basic Education Prize.
Yusuf also assured that LGA Education Secretaries would provide enrolment support across all 21 LGAs.
Also, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, underscored the importance of TVET in economic and skills development and pledged the ministry’s support.
Earlier, Osikoya said the championship is being organised by the Ladi Memorial Foundation (LMF) Chateko Vocational Institute, Lokoja, in collaboration with the Kogi State Government.
She explained that the NSC was initiated by LMF and approved by UNESCO under its Participation Programme 2022-2023, piloted in the FCT in 2023 and scaled up in 2024 following approval by the Federal Ministry of Education, with participation by 30 states and the FCT.
She said the competition categories include Fashion Design and Garment Making, Bead Work and Gele Tying, adding that the North-Central Representative on the TETFund Board, Dr. Hassan Ocholi, is providing partnership support for the project.
Osikoya, a former Kogi Commissioner for Education, said registration would be both online and physical, with forms made available in all 21 LGAs through identified registration officers.
She recalled that the Director-General of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Hajia Nana Hauwa Yussuff, had earlier promised to partner with LMF to promote skills and programmes that benefit the people of the state.
The DG noted the importance of communication in ensuring that eligible contestants in rural areas are informed and pledged support for airing of jingles and coverage of the championship.
The prospective participants are expected to pick registration forms at their schools, LGA Education Secretary offices, SUBEB, STETCom or LMF Chateko Vocational Office, or register online via http://www.lmf.org.ng.
The registration, which commenced on Oct. 19, 2026, will end on Nov. 6, 2026, while LGA-level competitions will hold on Nov. 14, 2026, across the 21 LGAs.
The State Finals and Upskilling Sewing Boot Camp for the 63 finalists will hold from Dec. 16 to Dec. 18, 2026, at Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, while the grand Award Ceremony and Exhibition is scheduled for Dec. 19, 2026.
Categories of awards include Best LGA Champions Award, Best Senatorial District Awards, Best in Tertiary Institution, Best LGA Bead Work Champion and Best LGA Gele Tying Champion.
Special prizes include Governor Ododo’s Bronze Sewing Champion for 3rd place, Silver Sewing Champion for 2nd place and Gold Sewing Champion for the overall winner.
Winners will receive industrial and manual sewing machines, trophies, equipment and cash prizes.
For further enquiries, participants are advised to contact LMF Chateko Vocational Institute, opposite Commissioners’ Quarters/NNPC Filling Station, Ganaja Road, Lokoja, or call 0701 537 5356, 08077231665, 07057792438, or email ladimemorialfoundation@gmail.com.
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