Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, says his administration is removing long-standing obstacles to revive the Akwete weaving industry and transform it into a globally competitive indigenous textile enterprise.
Otti made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, alongside the wife of the governor, Priscilla Otti, during a visit to the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Society in Akwete, Ukwa East Local Government Area.
The governor said the state had developed a comprehensive plan to modernise the industry and was seeking a partnership with the First Lady to establish a world-class production hub for local weavers.
He warned that without innovation and technology, the indigenous textile industry risked losing market share to machine-made imitations from countries such as India and China.
“Our administration has been working to revitalise the Akwete weaving industry since assuming office by dismantling the barriers that have limited its growth. We have also designed a comprehensive development plan and look forward to partnering with the First Lady to build a world-class production hub for the women,” Otti said.
The governor also praised President Bola Tinubu for implementing what he described as difficult but necessary economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira.
According to him, the reforms have increased revenue available to the federal, state and local governments for infrastructure development.
He appealed to Nigerians to remain patient, expressing confidence that the gains of the reforms would become more visible with time.
Earlier, the governor’s wife, Priscilla Otti, described the First Lady’s visit as a historic moment and commended the Renewed Hope Initiative for its interventions in women empowerment, support for small businesses, care for the elderly, persons with disabilities and food security.
She said the First Lady’s commitment to promoting Akwete fabric would create lasting economic opportunities for women involved in the traditional craft.
In separate goodwill messages, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah, and the member representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency, Chris Nkwonta, emphasised the importance of women’s empowerment to national development and commended both President Tinubu and Governor Otti for their leadership.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Ugonwanyi” by the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, announced a ₦2 billion donation for the revitalisation of the Akwete weaving industry.
She also pledged to promote the locally woven fabric.
“If God brings my husband in a second time, I will be wearing a buba and wrapper made from Akwete. I am going to be wearing that because it is very soft, breathable cotton.
“I saw young people in their family doing the exact thing. So it is a craft transferred from generation to generation,” she said.