Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, the wife of Ogun State Governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun, has accused foreign manufacturers of killing the local Adire fabric industry with the support of Nigerian middlemen.
According to her, these manufacturers mass-produce the fabric to sell cheaply in the country, making it difficult for the local producers to compete with them, resulting in many people abandoning the trade.
Speaking at the just-concluded Adire Market Week which took place in Abeokuta, the state capital, she called on the relevant regulatory agencies in the country to urgently address the issue of intellectual theft bedevilling the industry, especially by those she referred to as “counterfeiters of Adire fabric” as the “unfair practice of counterfeiting is impacting the industry negatively.”
“Foreign manufacturers, aided by Nigerian middlemen, carry off original, handmade Adire designs from Nigeria, mass-produce them and then sell them cheaply to Nigerian markets around the country.
“The effect of this is that makers of authentic Adire are never able to compete with the cheap print alternatives.
“An industry that employs tens of thousands of Nigeria across the entire value chain is in dilemma. While many have cut back on production, others have considered abandoning the trade altogether, even though it has been in their families for generations,” Mrs Abiodun stated.
The Governor’s wife used the occasion to praise Ecobank Nigeria for supporting the event, which was organised by her office in conjunction with Ajose Foundation.
She explained that the Adire Market Week was meant to build on the gains of the successful launch of the adireogun.com, to promote financial inclusion for women-owned businesses, enhance the tourism potential in the state and to further help Ogun State continue to set the pace as the Adire capital of the world.
Speaking on the initiative, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Bolaji Lawal, said the bank identifies Adire as a key driver of tourism, culture and the creative industry and that supporting the industry will further empower the youths, women, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other business communities within Ogun State.
Represented by Head of Agency Banking, Ms Nike Kolawole, the bank chief stated that Ecobank will continue to stand by the women of Ogun State and Nigeria, particularly the indigenous local women who produce Adire fabric so that they continue to flourish.
“Ecobank will stand by you and we will always be there to provide you the right support you need to succeed,” he said.
Over 100 exhibitors, as well as the works of traders, fashion designers, models and other players in the Adire industry, were on display at the fair. The event also attracted the wives of some governors, female dignitaries, fashion entrepreneurs, politicians, business leaders and corporate top shots.
