In response to the issue of marginalization and lack of plan to develop the Adire economy, the Osun State government has appealed for time to develop Adire hub in the state.
Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of organising committee of the Adire Osun Festival, Chief Teslim Igbalaye made the appeal on Friday after a video interview by members of Osun Adire Makers Association went viral on social media.
The Adire Maker have questioned the rationale behind the festival when materials and personnel were imported from Ogun state. They challenged the government to point out to any benefits derived from the two festivals held in the past.
The Adire Makers called for establishment of Adire industrial hub where production and marketing of the attires will be done.
Reacting to the development, Igbalaye clarified that the next phase of the programme after the ongoing festival is the development and nurturing of the Adire industrial hub for practitioners and entrepreneurs.
He narrated that the current activities are designed to revive the culture of Adire patronage and the reassertion of Osun as the birthplace of Adire.
He clarified the government position that the festival and the carnival are targeting acceptability of adire among all strata of the society after which the government in partnership with the private sector will develop an Adire Industrial Hub where entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the sector can operate and market their products.
The committee chairman who referenced his earlier meeting with the Adire makers submitted that the government’s plan for the Adire industrial Hub is not a 2025 plan, citing several factors including financing, land approval and industrial hub design.
“ I am therefore reiterating that developing an Adire Industrial hub is not part of the ongoing plan. We have secured the authorisation of Mr Governor to work on the industrial hub in the nearest future to take care of the interest of private sector actors across Osun state.
“ I am also appealing to the Adire makers to understand the policies and programmes of the government for the sector. When finally the hub is to be created, the Adire makers will be duly included in the processes. This is what was done for Ajegunle society as well as the Osun State Chamber of Commerce.
“The Osun State Government remains committed to the promotion, protection, and development of Adire as a cultural heritage and an economic driver. We believe that sustainable growth in this sector requires collaboration between government and the private sector, not misinformation or unnecessary tension.
” I urge all stakeholders to act in good faith and engage constructively as we collectively work towards building a viable and enduring Adire economy for Osun State”, he noted.
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