Ogun opens adire market week with Ecobank

To promote Adire fabric and Abeokuta as the destination, wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has launched Adire Market week.

The week-long programme has attracted wives of other governors from the South West, fashion entrepreneurs, top society women, politicians, business leaders and corporate organisations including Ecobank which is the major partner.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Governor Dapo Abiodun noted that he had always been worried with the problem of counterfeiting of adire and working on how the industry will be promoted to create wealth for the women of Abeokuta who have made adire their business.

“At the commencement of Adire Market Week, I expressed worry over the high volume of adulterated Adire fabrics by foreigners, which has caused monumental loss to local producers. So, I urged the National Assembly and other government functionaries to adopt Adire as an official attire for national events in the country, just as we’re doing in Ogun State,” Governor Abiodun said.

The governor commended his wife for leading the initiative to make Adire a trendy part of wardrobe for people around the world.

“I commend the brain behind the Ajose Foundation, my dear wife, H.E Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, for the Adire Market Week initiative.”

Speaking at the event, Ecobank Head of Agency Banking, Mrs. Nike Kolawole said that her bank will continue to stand by the women of Ogun State and Nigeria particularly the local women who produce Adire fabric so they continue to flourish.

“Ecobank will stand by you and we will always be there to hold your hands to succeed,” Mrs. Kolawole said.

Among dignitaries that attended the opening ceremony are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu