The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, on Friday, explained why the Egbaland plans to establish an Adire village in the state.
Oba Gbadebo said it was for the preservation of the long-time heritage of Egbaland and to stop the influx of Chinese-made Adire in the state.
The monarch said this at a press conference held at his Ake Palace, Abeokuta, on Friday.
He added that the business of Adire had created employment for many youths, taking some out of poverty and criminal activities, hence the need to fight the infiltration.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the village, named after Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, was designed to boost local production and combat the importation of adulterated versions of the fabric.
The monarch explained that the project, spearheaded by the International Centre for Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development (ICLED) in Lekki, Lagos, would mechanise adire production, thus preserving its cultural heritage while fostering innovation.
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Adire Village Industrialization Project, a visionary endeavour designed to mechanise the processes within the
“Adire value chain and create a one-stop shop for the production of essential raw materials,” Oba Gbadebo stated.
“Adire, a traditional fabric steeped in rich cultural heritage, has long been a symbol of creativity and craftsmanship.
“However, in today’s rapidly evolving global market, it is essential that we not only preserve this artistry but also innovate and adapt.
Adire, a traditional fabric steeped in rich cultural heritage, has long been a symbol of creativity and craftsmanship. However, in today’s rapidly evolving global market, it is essential that we not only preserve this artistry but also innovate and adapt.
“ The Wole Soyinka Adire Village Industrialisation Project will serve as a hub where tradition meets modernity, fostering sustainable economic growth while honouring our roots.”
Also speaking, the President of ICLED Business School, Lekki, Lagos, Prof. Olajumoke Familoni, urged stakeholders to support the project.
Prof. Familoni, in her remarks, stated that while business competition is inevitable, the school has, however, gotten the interest of the government in the allocation of land for a one-stop shop for the production of essential raw materials, which will be open to all subscribers.
A member representing Abeokuta South federal constituency, Afolabi Afuape, called for more sensitisation of the traders, adding that the quality of production must also improve to meet international market standards.
He lauded the initiative, stating that mass production would curb the importation of adulterated adire and save foreign exchange.
He also pledged federal support, vowing to work with colleagues in the National Assembly to protect local businesses
“If we keep selling the Chinese Adire, we will continue losing our source of livelihood. We are losing forex exchange but our people don’t understand. We need education and enlightenment; if there were no Chinese Adire today, everyone would be forced to buy our main fabric.
“We must also improve on the quality of production and we also need to go on mass production. That is why this Adire village is important to us as Egbas,” he said.
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