…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.
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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.”
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Responding of the State Government, Habibat Adubiaro, Secretary to the State Government, hailed the empowerment initiatives of the wife of the governor, Olayemi Oyebanji; describing them as impactful and crucial to the social economic development of the State.
The EXCO members stated this during a visit to the Adire Ekiti Hub, one of the pet projects of the First Lady, in Ado- Ekiti on Wednesday.
The Secretary to the State Government, lauded the wife of the governor ffor the initiative aimed at creating jobs opportunity and giving economic empowerment to hundreds of Ekiti youths and women.
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Describing the initiative as impressive, encouraging and impactful, Abubiaro said the State Executive Council would collaborate with the hub to create a sustainable ecosystem where the traditional crafts can thrive in the modern market
She hinted on the resolution of the Council members to also facilitate training and empowerment of youths from their respective constituencies, patronise the local craft as well as promote the use of Adire fabrics within government functions and events to further boost the visibility of the local textile industry.
