Oyebanji boosts Adire, local fabrics production in Ekiti

…as first lady empowers 600 youths, women

As part of efforts geared towards boosting the Adire, tie-and-dye local fabrics production in the State, Olayemi Oyebanji, the first lady and wife of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, is promoting an intensive training and empowerment of youths and women within Adire value chain.

Oyebanji, who conducted members of the Ekiti State Executive Council round the Adire Ekiti Hub, one of her pet projects in Ado-Ekiti, the State Capital, said the hub had trained and empowered over 400 Youths from the Ekiti Central and Southern Senatorial District of the State with another batch of 200 youths from Ekiti South Senatorial District set to commence training.

While speaking in company of Abimbola Oni, director of the Centre, the first lady explained that the Adire product is now much in demand by various groups in the State and in diaspora, charging the Exco members to embrace the locally-made products, which has a distinct quality, just as she noted that it would not only boost the local economy of the State but also foster a sense of pride in the State’s cultural heritage.

She said, “Our vision for Adire Ekiti is not for profit making. Our vision is to train and empower as many youths as possible, starting with 600 youths from the three senatorial districts. We also have an arrangement where the Hub buys finished products from the youths, thereby enhancing their capacity and business growth.

“EXCO members can also send youths in their constituencies here for training. The centre will train and expose them to the trade. This is a better and a more sustainable way of empowering the youths than giving them handouts.”