First Lady unveils #OneNigeria Unity Fabric
… as winner of national design competition receives N25 million
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has unveiled the #OneNigeria Unity Fabric, describing it as a symbol of national unity.
The fabric, designed by 25-year-old Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele, a University of Ibadan graduate, emerged as the winning design from a competition organized by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which the First Lady chairs.
At an unveiling ceremony held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Monday, Bamidele was awarded N25 million for her design.
The First Lady, in her keynote address, explained that the concept of a national fabric was inspired by her visit to Zimbabwe in December 2023, where she encountered a similar initiative.
The #OneNigeria Unity Fabric competition, launched in February 2024, invited young Nigerians aged 15 to 25 to create a design representing national unity. A panel of judges, including renowned fashion icon Princess Zainab Abba Folawiyo and international textile designer Miss Banke Kuku, selected the winning entry from 111 submissions.
Senator Tinubu expressed joy at the unveiling, praising the selection process and the efforts of the judges and the RHI Governing Board. “Today, my heart is filled with joy as we unveil the #OneNigeria Unity Fabric and present the winner of the competition. I say congratulations to Miss Bamidele Mofinyinfoluwa for a fantastic job,” she said.
She recounted her experience in Zimbabwe, where the concept of a national fabric impressed her as a means of fostering unity. “I believe this concept can help us embrace our cultural diversity and break down tribal barriers, identifying as one nation,” she noted. Tinubu then shared how the idea gained traction within the RHI, leading to the launch of the competition in February 2024.
The First Lady also announced that the #OneNigeria Unity Fabric would be mass-produced by local manufacturers in time for Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations on October 1, 2024. This initiative, she said, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at boosting local industries, creating jobs, and promoting national unity.
“I am proud to say this project not only fosters creativity but also supports local enterprises and celebrates our national identity,” Tinubu added, expressing her gratitude to all participants in the competition and encouraging them to continue pursuing their creative passions.
Hajia Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President and National Vice Chairman of RHI, also spoke at the event, highlighting the fabric’s role in promoting national unity and creativity. She revealed that 200,000 pieces of the fabric would be produced and distributed across the country, with major allocations to Lagos, Kano, and Abuja.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including wives of governors, leaders of the National Assembly, and security chiefs, as well as former First Ladies such as Mrs. Ajoke Muritala Muhammad, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, and Dame Patience Jonathan.
