‘To promote culture’ — Adeleke directs Osun workers to wear Adire fabrics every Wednesday

Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun, has directed all public servants in the state to wear Adire fabrics to work every Wednesday to promote Yoruba culture.

The directive is contained in a circular issued on Thursday by Ayanleye Aina, the state head of service, in Osogbo, the state capital. 

Aina said all categories of public servants across the state’s ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) are to comply with the directive. 

He added that all workers in the state-owned tertiary institutions, local governments, local development councils and area offices are also affected by the directive.

”Consequently, every Wednesday is adopted as Adire Osun day with all accounting officers and heads of agencies expected to comply with the directive,” the circular reads. 

“Additionally, all political appointees are also expected to comply with the directive from the State Executive Council to special advisers, and other categories of appointees.”

According to the circular, Adeleke had made a case for the wearing of Adire by the public servants during the last state executive council meeting and was unanimously approved and adopted.

Aina said the governor and his Ogun counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, have resolved to host the annual Adire Day celebration.

He added that Adeleke also announced his administration’s plan to create mini-industrial clusters to support the Adire industry and other craft sub-sectors in the state.

“Our administration is working on the creation of SME industrial clusters,” Aina said.

“The Adire and other craft sub-sectors will be supported to grow and flourish.

“By this decision, we are determined to rebuild the Adire industry, under threat from foreign mass producers.

“We are poised to breathe life into our culture with Osun as the cradle of the Yoruba nation.”

Gboyega Oyetols, Adeleke’s predecessor, on July 12, 2021, made it compulsory for all workers in Osun to wear Adire to work every Thursday.