Alake plans Soyinka ‘Adire’ village to curb influx of foreign fabrics

The Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has unveiled plans to establish the Prof. Wole Soyinka Adire Village as part of the drive to promote the locally made Adire/Kampala fabrics.

ICLED Business School’s president, Prof. Olajumoke Familoni, has been saddled with the duty to midwife the initiative.

Speaking at a press conference attended by the Egba major stakeholders, including the high chiefs and kingmakers at the Ake palace in Abeokuta, Oba Gbadebo said the initiative would also tame the increasing infiltration of the Chinese product tagged “China Adire” into the local market.

According to him, the age-long adire trade had created employment for many youths, taken some out of poverty and criminal activities, hence the need to fight the infiltration.

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The Alake, whose address was titled  ‘Industrialisation of The Indigenous Adire Fabric; A Way Forward In A Global Economy’, explained that the project will bring about mechanised techniques to enhance efficiency in the production of the fabric without compromising its authenticity.

The monarch stressed that the village, which will be named after the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, is expected to train and equip local artisans with skills to utilise technology, raise the fabric’s quality to international standards and enable it to be exported, thereby boosting the nation’s economy and foreign exchange earnings.

“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,” he said.

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.