Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has said pupils in the state public schools will start wearing the local Adire fabric as uniform.
Adire textile is the indigo-dyed cloth made in southwestern Nigeria by Yoruba women, using a variety of resist-dyeing techniques.
According to Abiodun, “starting from next term, adire fabric would become an official school uniform in all public schools in the State.”
The Governor disclosed this on Thursday at the official launch of Ogun Adire Digital MarketPlace at the June 12 Cultural centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
Abiodun also urged the government at the centre to adopt Adire as an attire for national events.
The event was attended by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed, who Abiodun urged to help promote Adire at the National level, saying appointees of President Muhammadu Buhari can adopt the Adire for National events.
The governor disclosed that plans have reached an advanced level to make Adire an important aspect of everyday life.
He disclosed that top government functionaries Ogun now wear Adire on Fridays.
He added that plans are underway to make Adire part of the School uniform in Ogun public primary and secondary schools.
This, he said, would empower more people and further stimulate the Adire economy.
In his words, Lai Mohammed applauded the state for making efforts to showcase adire in the international arena, adding that it was in line with the Federal government diversification policy.
He said the Adire Ogun Digital market place would serve as a veritable platform to market local fabrics, create employment and promote the nation’s cultural heritage, calling stake to make the best of the opportunity.
Likewise, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oludotun Gbadebo, described adire as foreign exchange earner.
The monarch harped on proper handling of chemicals used in producing adire, saying it was dangerous and harmful to health.
