Donated secondhand clothes from the United States and elsewhere are actually resold, making it harder for Nigeria's remaining clothing manufacturers to complete against a tidal wave of cotton and polyester.
A woman alters secondhand clothes at a market
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) September 19, 2012
At Nigeria's Katangua Market, that castaway from the West means big money.
Shipping container after shipping container arrive in the market in Lagos, filled to the brim with plastic-wrapped bales of secondhand clothes from the United States and elsewhere. Traders scour, barter, hem and haw over T-shirts, bras, pants and shoes sent to help clothe a nation of more than 160 million people where the textile industry largely collapsed years ago. But while much comes in as Western donations, those on the receiving end sell them instead of giving them away, creating a massive industry that makes it even harder for Nigeria's remaining clothing manufacturers to complete. "More often than not what people call donations actually ends up been hijacked by people ... who profiteer from it," said Diran Akinleye, an economics professor at the University of Lagos.
"So even though it starts out in the U.S. or the (United Kingdom) as a donation, it ultimately becomes a business on this side." Katangua Market sits past the international airport, surrounded by suburbs of Nigeria's largest city. Piles of clothes ranging from jeans to underwear lay on the ground as traders pick through them. Some sell the clothes direct to customers while other buyers will take the items to shops in and outside of the city. Nearby, rows of tailors sit at foot-cranked sewing machines, repairing tears and resizing some large shirts. Piles of bras and panties litter the ground. T-shirts bear strange, cryptic slogans, like a cartoon character saying "No, no no!" A jersey with the No. 3 reads "Pittsburgh." Other shirts are more recognizable, like an Obama 2008 campaign shirt or an "I Love NY" T-shirt on a woman sewing nearby. "We need this clothing," said clothing trader Sunny Nnjiofor. "Most of the factories that produce all this clothing materials have folded up." Some clothes sell here for three pieces to a $1, a bargain compared with locally made shirts. Traditional clothing still has its place, though increasingly poor women will wear a cloth wrapper around her waist while wearing a secondhand T-shirt from the United States. Western-style button-up shirts and pants also are increasingly worn by men. Nigeria once had a thriving textile industry. But in recent decades, as Nigeria's state-run electricity company fell into shambles, the mills slowed and finally stopped. Some companies, like Omas Nigeria, still produce clothes for government agencies and private businesses, but making a profit has grown increasingly difficult as they depend on diesel generators for electricity, said Margaret Orubu, Omas' managing director.
aso4life1 at 20-09-2012 11:02 AM (12 years ago) (m)
its true but the famous OSHODI AND YABA MARKETS are gone...people now wear our traditional wears than before....YOU NEVER HEAR? "O WO ANKARA, O JE SEMO" meaning: "YOU NO WEAR ANKARA, NO SEMO FOR U TO EAT"
if u attack my papa house, I'll retaliate but if you are peace loving,I will embrace you
Posted: at 20-09-2012 11:02 AM (12 years ago) | Hero
progressikxxx at 20-09-2012 11:54 AM (12 years ago) (m)
Poster you want talk say you never buy okrika before? make we build our own clothing company if we want be like them....Nigeria Government knows what to do for betterment of our country yet they will keep all the money for them self like say they want carry money go heaven.....God will help us in this country, am not seeing corruption been eradicated rather it increases day by day.
Posted: at 20-09-2012 11:54 AM (12 years ago) | Newbie
sophiebaby at 20-09-2012 11:57 AM (12 years ago) (f)
Quote from: progressikxxx on 20-09-2012 11:54 AM
Poster you want talk say you never buy okrika before? make we build our own clothing company if we want be like them....Nigeria Government knows what to do for betterment of our country yet they will keep all the money for them self like say they want carry money go heaven.....God will help us in this country, am not seeing corruption been eradicated rather it increases day by day.
fine brother.. wich one u want? i get ur size ooo.. na boxers or na jean abi na polo?
Life is 2short to wake up in the morning with regrets. LOVE KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS*SOPHIEBABY* :*
Posted: at 20-09-2012 11:57 AM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero
moriztuos at 20-09-2012 12:16 PM (12 years ago) (m)
Quote from: aso4life1 on 20-09-2012 11:02 AM
its true but the famous OSHODI AND YABA MARKETS are gone...people now wear our traditional wears than before....YOU NEVER HEAR? "O WO ANKARA, O JE SEMO" meaning: "YOU NO WEAR ANKARA, NO SEMO FOR U TO EAT"
Posted: at 20-09-2012 12:16 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Poster you want talk say you never buy okrika before? make we build our own clothing company if we want be like them....Nigeria Government knows what to do for betterment of our country yet they will keep all the money for them self like say they want carry money go heaven.....God will help us in this country, am not seeing corruption been eradicated rather it increases day by day.
LOVE COMES TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN IT...LET TALK ABOUT LOVE.
Posted: at 20-09-2012 01:08 PM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero
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