Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun has directed workers in the state to wear the local fabric (Adire) on Thursday in a bid to unlock the state’s untapped potential in the areas of culture, fashion and tourism.
Launching the fabric at the weekend at the ongoing International Fashion Week in Osogbo, Oyetola noted that the event was no doubt a giant stride towards diversifying the state’s economy and creating jobs for the teeming youths.
To achieve the initiative and take its plans to fruition, the state government has partnered with Musty Great Development and Alexandria Jones Couture, U.S.A., to organise the International Fashion Week, for the promotion of Osun brand of Adire (Adire Eleko) for global exhibition.
Oyetola said Adire is indigenous to Osun pointing out that it is not for nothing that Osogbo, the state capital, is referred to as ‘Ilu Aro’ (Home of dye).
He added that the initiative was to reawaken the people’s consciousness towards socio-cultural and artistic renaissance in the state.
Oyetola who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, reiterated the administration’s commitment to promote and project culture to the world in a way that will draw attention and attract humongous revenue to the state.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Adebisi Obawale, said the initiative was aimed at unlocking the untapped potential in the areas of culture, fashion and tourism.