Group Calls on Govt to Establish Adire Osun Hub to Boost Exports

The Adire Eleko Osun Association has called on the Osun State Government to establish an Adire Osun Hub in the state to enable large-scale production of indigenous Adire Osun fabrics and reposition the industry for economic growth.

The association made the call in a statement signed by its President, Mr. Ganiyu Ibikunle, in which it stated that the proposed hub would serve as a production and processing centre for converting Adire Osun fabrics into exportable products such as bags, slippers, shoes, ready-to-wear dresses and folders.

According to the statement, the establishment of the Adire Osun Hub would also facilitate proper rebranding, standardisation and packaging of Adire Osun products for both national and international markets.

Mr. Ibikunle said the hub was necessary to stimulate a rebirth of Adire Osun, which he described as a dying industry due to years of neglect and the proliferation of counterfeit Adire products from other states that have negatively affected its authenticity and market acceptance.

He noted that similar Adire hubs are already in operation in other South-Western states, including Ekiti, Ogun and Lagos, adding that Osun State remains the historical source of Adire in Yorubaland and should therefore take the lead in its revival and industrial development.

The association further stated that since 1999, no administration in Osun State has given serious attention to the establishment of an Adire Osun Hub, despite the industry’s capacity to generate significant revenue, stimulate the state’s economy and create employment opportunities.

Mr. Ibikunle urged the state government to consider the entire value chain of the Adire industry as a means of revalidating Osun State’s cultural heritage, empowering local artisans and addressing youth unemployment.

The statement described the Adire Eleko Osun Association as the umbrella body for Adire makers in the state, expressing its commitment to supporting the Osun State Government’s policies on industrial development and cultural preservation.

It added that the association is made up of experienced and professional Adire makers who produce authentic Adire Osun, including locally made batik using wax resistance, Adire Eleko produced with cassava flour resistance, and various tie-and-dye apparel.

According to the statement, members of the association also provide training for Osun citizens with the aim of creating youth employment and bridging the gap between skilled and unskilled labour through the Adire industry.

Mr. Ibikunle stated that the association is a group of independent professional Adire makers organised as a cooperative society and duly registered with the Osun State Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Cooperatives.

He also disclosed that the association is registered as an exporter with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), enabling it to participate in international trade and export promotion activities.

The association further appealed to the Osun State Government for an opportunity to meet with Governor Ademola Adeleke to discuss the challenges confronting the Adire industry in the state, outline its programmes and explore areas of collaboration in support of the current administration’s development agenda.