The Iyalode of Yorubaland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson has tasked Nigerian entrepreneurs on need to improve in quality and massive production of Adire fabrics, before foreign nations, particularly Chinese takes over the credit of Adire production from the country.
Penpushing reports that, Lawson represented by Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, founder Penpushing media made the call while speaking at the 2nd edition of Adire International Rebranding Conference and Symposium held in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.
The first female President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) recalled that, the origin of Adire was Abeokuta, Egbaland, with the first production by the late Iyalode Jojolola, in her Kemta compound in Abeokuta, adding that since then, the Adire have become a household name globally.
‘The Adire was first produced by Iyalode Jojolola the second Iyalode (Head of Women) of Egbaland in her compound of Kemta, Abeokuta. She then passed on the process to her children and onward to the future generations’, Lawson recalled
‘The first Adire material was made with Teru (local white attire) and Elu (local Dye) made from elu leaf which is planted in the Saki area of Oyo state. Let us continued to encourage our local products and productions’, she added.
‘It is not contestable that Adire production started in Abeokuta, Egbaland by the late Iyalode Jojolola, and today Adire is known globally. However, let us be mindful that we should not allow country like China to take over the glory’, she emphasised
Penpushing further reports that, Lawson commended Ogun State Government for the introduction of Adire as official clothes for its workforce weekly, adding that, this will encourage the productions, and registered the productions in the minds of all and sundry across the globe
The Iyalode also suggested a weekly wearing of Adire by students to serve as uniform in schools, adding that, such introduction will go a long way in further promotion of the Adire, which she said has come to stay in the fabrics world
Penpushing also reports that, Chief Executive Officer of Adire Label Integrated Fashion Concept, Segun Ibigbami, organizer of the symposium earlier in his welcome speech expressed optimism that, the quality and mass production of Adire, will add more than 10% to the GDP of Nigeria, and create more employment opportunities for the youths.
‘As we all know, Silicon Valley in the United States is known for ICT, and with this alone, American makes billions of dollars annually, likewise Ogun State is known for Adire, but much has not been done with it’, he noted
‘Only if few things can be done, Adire alone will add more than 10% to the GDP of Nigeria and create more employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths. The federal government should explore the enormous opportunities that abound in the Adire industry to boost the economy’, he stated
‘At Adire label, our vision is to make Adire a global brand on or before 2030 and to achieve this; we shall engage the power of the media and entertainment. We shall make textile appealing to the youths by organizing high profile events where wearing of Adire shall be the gate pass’,Ibigbami added
Penpushing reports that, Ibigbami gave assurance that the organization, by next February shall organized a free training for the teeming unemployed youths of the state on how they can produce, sell and make money from Adire, adding that annual Adire International Fashion Week is in the offing.
The panelists at the event with the theme, ’Positioning Adire As a Global Brand: Unlocking Trade and Export Opportunities in Adire Industry”, include: Dr Kola Adesina(Head of Department, Mass Communication, Crescent University),Dr Goke Rauf(former Director School of Communications, Moshood Abiola Polytencnic), Dr Ganiu Okunnu(Senior Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Crescent University) and Dr Wasiu Tejuoso(Coordinator, Media Technology, Centre for Research and Development, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic)
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