From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Poised to stem the negative economic effects of adulterated Adire textile on the local makers of the indigenous fabrics, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has constituted a committee to check the influx of Made-in-China Adire into Itoku and Asero Markets in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Inaugurating the committee headed by the Aro of Egbaland, Oluyinka Kufile, on Tuesday, at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta, the monarch said the China Adire is fast taking toll on the indigenous Adire makers, which he said would adversely affect the economy of the State in particular, and Nigeria in general.
The monarch urged members of the committee to investigate where the adulterated Adire fabric is being produced and brought into the market.
Oba Gbadebo disclosed that the influx of the China Adire had rendered many youths who are into local production jobless, saying he would not fold his arms and allow the people to suffer due to infiltration.
“This committee is set up in order to tackle the influx of fake (Chinese) Adire in markets in the state capital. We must not allow infiltration and our name as Egba must not be tarnished.
“Adire started in Itoku, here in Abeokuta , it is our trade and there is need to ensure that the quality of our Adire is not tampered with.
“Before we can say something is not good, we must first ensure that ours is better and we must ensure quality control in our Adire production,” he said.
The Paramount ruler assured that he would be ready to contribute his quota to ensure that the business of Adire continue to prosper and also boost the economy of the state and Nigeria as a whole.
A member of the committee, Mrs. Modinat Adegbite, noted that the adulteration of Adire fabric by the Chinese had been pushing the local producers trade to the brink.
She lauded the Alake for inaugurating the committee, while explaining that it was disheartening seeing influx of fake Adire in the market, saying it was affecting the sales of local producers of the fabric.
” It is sad that most people can not differentiate between the fake Adire and the original one produced locally.
“This is why the committee is set up to tackle and put an end to the challenges . Adire is synonymous with the Egba and we will not allow anyone to spoil the name built by our forefathers,” she added.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Committee, Adejoke Shomoye, insisted that the cultural inheritance of the Egbas must be protected .
She said, “Adire production is a chain of activities, every side involved must be protected. Our cultural inheritance must not be allowed to walk into extinction. We shall do everything in our capacity to eradicate the adulterated Adire fabrics from our indigenous Adire market and in Egbaland as a whole.
The event was also attended by the newly installed Apena of Egbaland, Chief Alani Bankole.