OGSG ASSURES ADIRE ENTREPRENEURS, OTHERS OF ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

 

The Ogun State government has assured stakeholders in the Adire value chain, as well as other business owners, of an enabling environment which will aid the prosperity of their businesses.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela gave the assurance in Abeokuta during the 3rd International Adire and Cultural Festival, themed, “Threads of Legacy, Patterns of Prosperity”, which was organised by the Asani and Aduke  Foundation in conjunction with ATJ Textiles.

Represented by the Director of Investment in the Ministry, Ms. Yemisi Folarin, Sofela stated that the present administration remains committed to ensuring that businesses operate and flourish despite global economic challenges.

“ This administration under the able leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun,CON from inception,  has taken interest in the ease of doing business, capacity building for youth, creating market access for promotion and networking to sustain employment, growth and prosperity,” Sofela said.

The Commissioner who described Adire as a vibrant symbol of Yoruba heritage which should be preserved,  lauded Asani and Aduke Foundation for providing  a platform where women and young people could learn about the production and business of  Adire, thereby empowering  the women while contributing towards the  preservation of the cultural heritage.

In her contribution, Technical Advisor to the Ekiti State Government on Entrepreneurship Development (Adire), Dr. (Mrs.) Abimbola Oni, said Adire was a cultural heritage that could  be a source of empowerment if well harnessed adding that many youth corpers were embracing the business.

In her remarks, State Co-ordinator, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Madam Olajumoke Abolaji, stated that venturing into exportation of Adire textiles could help stakeholders in the business earn foreign exchange calling for increase in the local sourcing of cotton, dye, and other materials to reduce production cost and promote sustainability of the business.

Speaking, State Co-ordinator/Team Lead, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Biodun Awoliyi  said plans were in the works to organise a special program on Adire production in Abeokuta which would help encourage more youths to embrace the business.

Awoliyi urged entrepreneurs who were yet to register their business names with the Corporate Affairs Commission to utilise the free registration window made available by SMEDAN by applying via www.smedan.gov.ng

Also speaking, Convener of the Festival and Founder, Asani and Aduke Foundation, Dr. Lizzy Adeboyejo said the Festival has been driven by her vision to contribute to the economy while empowering women calling on government to revive the textile industry, encourage use of local dyes, and provide more access to business-friendly loans for stakeholders in Adire business. 

A key highlight of the program was the presentation of the book titled, “Adire Coloring Book for Kids Volume 1” which was authored by Dr. Adeboyejo to the Head, National Library of Nigeria, Ogun State, Dr. Kaltum Sangosanya.