The Alake of and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, on Friday disclosed that plans are under way to establish a one-stop Adire village, as part of measures to check on the influx of adulterated adire fabric into Nigerian market.
Oba Gbadebo, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen at his Ake Palace, said the Adire village, named after the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, is designed to help with the industrialization and mechanisation of the ancient Egba indigenous local fabrics, the adire, also known as tye-and-dye.
According to Oba Gbadebo, this entrepreneurial efforts which is being spearheaded by the International Centre for Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development
(ICLED), Lekki, Lagos will help boost the production of this local fabric and fight importation of the adulterated adire from any part of the world.
The paramount ruler said, “we are
thrilled to announce the launch of the Adire Village Industrialization Project, a visionary endeavour designed to mechanize the processes within the adire value chain and create a one-stop shop for the production of essential raw materials.
“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 Adire Village will serve as a hub where tradition meets modernity, fostering sustainable economic growth while honouring our roots”.
Oba Gbadebo added that the establishment of the village will help to empower local artisans with the use of new technologies and skills that will help foster a new generation of adire artisans who are both knowledgeable in traditional methods and adept in modern production techniques.
Oba Gbadebo explained that “one strong way to fight adulteration of Adire is through mechanisation, we already have a good product and so when we produce this fabric in large quantity through mechanisation, then the price will go down and there will be no need for our to be patronising those imported ones again. This is part of the reason why this Adire Village is being supported and encouraged”.
The paramount ruler therefore called on government bodies, private sector partners, and individuals passionate about cultural preservation and economic development to join this transformative journey saying that “Together, we can create jobs, boost local economies, and elevate the status of adire fabric on the global stage”
On her part, the President of ICLED Business School, Lekki, Lagos, Prof Olajumoke Familoni called for the support and cooperation of all stakeholders towards the success of the Adire Village, saying that the industrialization of the local fabric is at the central of taking the local business to the global stage and halting its adulteration from any part of the world.
Also speaking, the House of Representatives member, representing Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, Afolabi Afuape commended the initiative, saying that mass production of the local fabric will not only help to check importation of the adulterated adire fabric, but also help to cut down on forex spent on needless importation.
Afuape pledged support of the federal government to the initiative, saying that he would always work with his colleagues at the National Assembly to ensure that the local businesses are protected
