Ekiti News reports that Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, the First Lady of Ekiti State has called on the State Chapter of Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) to promote the local tie and dye fabrics, Adire Ekiti.
The wife of Ekiti Governor made the call on Thursday in her office when she received the state executive of FADAN who paid her a courtesy visit.
She said Adire Ekiti which she initiated is already making waves.
Dr. Oyebanji while describing FADAN as an important stakeholder in fashion and textile business said the support of the body would be needed in encouraging their clients to patronize Adire Ekiti.
This, she said would help to create a market for young men and women who are producing the fabrics and keep the Adire Ekiti Hub alive for training of more youths, creating more jobs and marketing the products.
The First Lady particularly charged FADAN to support the Adire Ekiti Hub by encouraging its members to sew ready-to-wear fabrics for buyers noting that Adire is already putting the state on the world map.
Dr. Oyebanji revealed that she patronizes FADAN members in Ekiti as a means of encouraging and empowering local fashion designers and prevent capital flight from the state.
FADAN State Patron, Dr. Abimbola Oni, while speaking earlier gave a historical background of the organization and its contribution to local economy and empowerment of its members.
Oni recalled that the body produced 5,000 face masks which were donated to the state government during the COVID-19 period while it also sewed uniforms for the Amotekun Corps.
She pledged the support of the association to the pet projects of Dr. Oyebanji and other laudable programme of her office for the benefit of the people.