NCAC identifies Ogun state new status as partner in cultural promotion

…commissions Adire  as school uniform..

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Otunba Segun Runsewe, has said, he has found a soul mate in Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on the strategic campaign to promote indigenous fabrics as National dress code, thus showcasing Nigeria’s iconic cultural heritage.

Runsewe

Runsewe stated this at the official launch of Ogun Adire Digital Market Place at the June 12 Cultural centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. He also advocated the making of ceremonial dress from Adire for the nation’s athletes taking part in International Sporting activities.

The NCAC DG, an unapologetic evangelist and prophetic campaigner on  Nigeria’s Cultural advancement through the adoption and showcasing of diverse heritage lifestyle, noted that the pronouncement by the Ogun state governor to adopt Adire fabrics as official uniform for all the students in ogun state remains the very  critical and visible engagement to support Cultural awareness and creativity.

Gov. Abiodun

In his speech, the Governor Prince Abiodun said, starting from next term, adire fabric would become official school uniform in all public schools in the State.

He said, ” want to call on all stakeholders in the information, culture and tourism sectors to partner with us in promoting this national heritage. I want to particularly call on our Honourable Minister of Information and Culture to help promote the Adire at the National level. For example, members of the Federal Executive Council and other top government functionaries can adopt the Adire for National events.

“Our Foreign Missions could also adopt the Adire fabric as a cultural symbol that will further project our rich culture to the outside world. Same thing could also be done by our Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports by making the ceremonial dress of our athletes from local fabrics such as our Adire. This will go a long way in promoting the local contents and give expression to President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration’s “produce what we use” and “grow what we eat” policies”, he noted.

The Governor maintained that the event was to provide a global platform for the marketing and distribution of Adire fabric and it’s entire value-chain to the global markets and serve as a melting-pot for all participants in the entire value-chain and provides opportunities for a wider coverage of the market for people to reach out to vendors and transact businesses by logging into the Adire Digital Mall.

He said plans have reached advanced stage to make Adire an important aspect of every day life, as all top government functionaries in the State now wear Adire on Fridays, just plans are underway to make the Adire part of School uniform, saying it would empower more people and further stimulate the Adire economy.

The Governor called on Investors to take advantage of the new Adire Ogun Digital Market Place by partnering and intensifying their collaboration with the State in the development of arts, culture and tourism.

Lai Mohammed and Gov Abiodun

Alhaji Lai Muhammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, in his address applauded the state for making efforts to showcase adire in the international arena, adding that it was in line with the Federal government diversification policy.

He said the Adire Ogun Digital market place, would serve as a veritable platform to marketing local fabrics, create employment and promote the nation’s cultural heritage, calling stake to make the best of the opportunity.

Bamidele

Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, the wife of tge Govermor in her comment described the Adire Ogun Digital market place as a consolidation of centuries of creativity and enterprise which would benefit more women when exposed to national and international market, calling on producers to always think about the environment, by disposing used chemicals properly.

Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Oluwatosin Taiwo, opined that tourism, apart from creating jobs, could also generate revenue which would assist the socio-economic development of the state.

He said the State was blessed with world class tourism potentials that would generate foreign exchange, adding that the history of Abeokuta would not be complete without adire. He observed that depite influx of foreign fabrics, Adire was still making huge impact on the State and country.

In his remarks, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oludotun Gbadebo, who described adire as foreign exchange earner, also harped on proper handling of chemicals used in producing adire, as it was dangerous and harmful to health.

Speaking further, Runsewe who’s also the President, Africa Region of the World Craft Council (WCC), who has at various times while at Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (  NTDC) and now at NCAC, made the use of indigenous fabrics the fulcrum of national identity and promotional materials marketing agenda at all local and International Cultural tourism events.

He said, ”Am the happiest Nigerian today and I must thank Ogun State governor for joining us to showcase the Adire heritage fabrics and adopting it as school uniform for students in ogun state, including its use by  government officials and in all activities of government businesses. This is the way to go as it will benefit the rural economy, empower women and youths and help in historical revival of heritage teachings and knowledge”

Adire fabrics under Runsewe has been rebranded and become the face of Cultural marketing promotion at World Travel markets, adopted as golf fabrics, laptop bags, facemasks, and as part of the protocols for new normal pandemic, and on national colours for specially made suits for international outings; for exhibitions and in marketing Nigerian Cultural tourism opportunities.