Ogun adopts adire fabric as school uniform

Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, says from next term, public schools in the state will have adire (tie and dye) fabric as part of their uniform.

The governor announced the move during the launch of Ogun adire digital marketing platform- AdireOgun.com –  at the June 12 Cultural Center, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Thursday.

He said the essence for the adoption of adire fabric as a school uniform is to project the rich culture of the state to the world.

The governor encouraged government functionaries and stakeholders in the sports, tourism and the cultural sector to wear the adire fabric in order to project the Nigerian culture globally  and be in tune with President Muhammadu Buhari’s “buy naija to grow the naira” diversification policy.

“For us in Ogun State, and starting from next term, plans are on to make adire an integral part of school uniform fabric for our public primary and secondary schools,” he said.

“Plans have reached an advanced stage to make Adire an important aspect of everyday life, as all top government functionaries in the State now wear Adire on Fridays, just as plans are underway to consider putting an element of Adire in our school uniform fabric.

“It would empower more people and further stimulate the Adire economy. It is projected that if each of the eventual 2,000 participants impacts another four or five people, 8000 to 10,000 jobs would have been created and more end users will definitely be reached globally.

“I want to call on all stakeholders in the information, culture and tourism sectors to partner with us in promoting this national heritage.

“Our Foreign Missions could also adopt the Adire fabric as a cultural symbol that will further project our rich culture to the outside world. The 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 Adire. This will go a long way in promoting the local content and give expression to President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration’s “Produce what we use” and “grow what we eat” policies.”