The First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has expressed her satisfaction with the efficiency demonstrated by the 200 trainees selected for the Adire Ekiti program in the Central Senatorial District, who managed to produce the local fabrics within a few days.
The project, named Adire Ekiti Hub, which was launched last Monday, aims to provide a platform for youths and unemployed citizens to learn the art of local fabric production and generate income.
Dr. Oyebanji visited the workshop on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti to witness the closing ceremony of the one-week intensive training on Adire fabric production.
The training, conducted in partnership with Nike Art Gallery/Nike Art Foundation, showcased the colorful products crafted by the trainees themselves.
Some of the trainees presented their products to the First Lady as gifts, expressing appreciation for providing them with a platform to learn the craft and offering them the opportunity to become job creators.
Addressing the gathering, both the Governor’s wife and her husband, Governor Oyebanji, who sponsored the training, emphasized their commitment to ensuring that the knowledge acquired is not wasted.
Dr. Oyebanji disclosed that start-up kits which comprise of materials needed for the trade would be given to the trainees to give them a lift adding that arrangements are also ongoing to provide them with access to credit facilities.
She disclosed that the products would be displayed at the gallery of Adire Ekiti Hub for display for tourists and visitors from any parts of Nigeria and beyond as a testament to the fact that Ekiti has created its own brand of Adire fabrics and a viable market for the product.
While assuring that the state government would provide opportunities to market the products, Dr. Oyebanji disclosed that excess products can be returned to Adire Ekiti Hub to be purchased from from the trainees to empower them.
The First Lady commended the instructors for their sacrifices in imparting knowledge on the trainees charging them to always produce quality products to enhance their market value.
Former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters and donor of the training center, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, while speaking at the event expressed delight that the Adire Ekiti Hub has finally borne fruit.
Senator Ojudu commended Governor Oyebanji and his wife for providing the youths of the state with an opportunity for empowerment saying the couple is making history and immortalizing themselves in the hearts of the people.
He enjoined the beneficiaries to remain focused and grow in the craft they had just learned noting that the Hub would always be available for them to come and work at anytime they wish.
Femi Ologe, the lead instructor for the training scheme advised the beneficiaries to sustain interest in the vocation which he said can take them anywhere in the world as demand for Adire products keeps increasing.
Ologe urged Dr Oyebanji to do everything within her power to ensure the sustenance of the legacy of Adire Ekiti Hub until the state becomes a large market for the products attracting buyers from within and outside Nigeria.