First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu,has committed N2 billion to support the establishment of a modern weaving and research centre for an indigenous hand-woven fabric known as Akwete in Abia State.
At a civic reception in her honour at Township School, Akwete, Ukwa East local government area, yesterday, Tinubu described the fabric as a craft transferred from generation to generation.
She also visited Akwete Weaving Cooperative Society in Akwete, where she interacted with the women weavers inspected the facilities, and witnessed weaving process first hand.
“I’m here to announce to all Nigerians, that the Igbos should take Akwete to the nation. We all wear tie and dye from Yoruba land. We wear Aso Oke. Why not us wearing Akwete? It’s a beautiful fabric.
”On my own, I told the governor, I’m donating N2 billion to the project. I don’t know how you want to use it. The funds are easy for me to give to you, and I believe that that fund would be in good hand,” she said.
She urged the weavers to preserve the authenticity of the craft while adapting it for contemporary uses, noting that the fabrics could be transformed into a wide range of products beyond the traditional wrappers.
In his address, the governor, Alex Otti commended the first lady for the visit and intention to assist the weavers, saying the visit means much to the government and the people of the state.
The governor, who noted the benefits of encouraging such industry for the economic growth of the state, said for him, he had been engaging with Akwete as far back as 2023, after he was sworn in.
”We believe, just like you do, that there is a lot that Akwete can do. The first thing that we needed to do was to break barriers of tradition.
”So, it is very, very strategic that you made this visit at this time. I want to also underscore what we represent in Abia here. Once you live in Abia, you are from Abia.
’We have a large community of Hausa and Yoruba community in the state. And they are fully integrated into what we are doing.”
”I want to thank you. I want to also plead with you to take our felicitations to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Earlier in her address, the wife of the governor, Priscilla Otti, noted that the fabric is one of the oldest and most distinguished textiles tradition of the Igbo Nation.
She said the day marked the first time a first lady had come in person to stand with and support Abia women, and lauded her “for being a true mother to the nation”.
The governor’s wife thanked the first lady for being a true mother to the nation, and for remaining intentional about improving the economic well-being of Nigerian women.
”This is truly a historic moment and its significance cannot be overstated. It speaks unmistakably to your genuine commitment to creating practical impacts in the everyday lives of ordinary Nigerian women,” she noted.
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