Former First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi has commended her successor in office, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji for initiating the Adire Ekiti Hub as a grooming platform for Ekiti youths.
Adire Ekiti hub, a non-governmental private initiative of Ekiti First Lady was established to give free training to Ekiti youths, especially young women, in the art of making local fabrics and it has since trained hundreds of youths to be self-reliant.
Erelu Fayemi who was at the hub for site seen and shopping, said textile production especially Adire remained a respected fabric that will forever be reckoned with among the Yorubas.
She expressed delight that the hub had come to stay in the state, pointing out that it will be a source of empowerment with a lot economic advantages.
“I’m very delighted to see that activities have picked up well at this Adire fabric hub. If there’s one thing that Yoruba people, particularly women are known for and it has been in vogue for centuries, it’s a textile production, and if we have opportunity to learn how to produce this textile and market them effectively, then our women will have a means of livelihood”.
Erelu Fayemi promised to continue to do her best to promote the Adire Ekiti fabrics to the world.
“I will do my best as one of the old mother of the state to promote what we are doing here, anything that will enable the young people in particular to be competitive and give them a means of livelihood is very much welcome”.
She also thanked the state governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for the support given to the Hub and the Senator who had represented Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Babafemi Ojudu for providing infrastructure for the hub.
She encouraged Dr Oyebanji not to be discouraged as she understood that the project could be capital intensive, but to look at the gains of the initiative which is to ensure that women are self reliant, productive and are able to contribute effectively to life in the community in general.
The former first lady also urged Ekiti people to come and learn the making of the fabrics as there are a lot of money in the textile industry.
“I would like to thank her Excellency for the initiative and to encourage her, regardless of any challenge to remain committed to the project. Yes, there might be challenges, especially in the area of capital and labour, Dr. Oyebanji should not be discouraged because there is a market for it particularly around the world” Erelu Fayemi added.