Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed all public officials in the state, appointed and elected , to start wearing Adire Osun every Wednesday noting that this was done to boost the handicraft industry and enhance the cultural strengths of the state.
This was contained in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Mr. Ayanleye Aina and the directive in question affects all categories of public servants across ministries, departments, and agencies of government including tertiary institutions, local governments, local development council, and area office.
‘Consequently, every Wednesday is adopted as Adire Osun Day with all accounting officers and heads of agencies expected to comply with the directive.
Additionally, all political appointees are also expected to comply with this directive from the State Executive Council members to special advisers and other categories of appointees’ the circular said.
Governor Adeleke had presented this issue during the last State Executive Council meeting which earned unanimous approval and adoption.
The governor also noted that Adire has its source from Osun state, submitting that the new decision will reassert the traditional claim of Osun to the Adire genre while recalling his bilateral meeting with the Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun where they both resolved to host an annual celebration of Adire Day.
Recall that former governor Gboyega Oyetola had also in July 2021 directed that public office holders and civil servants in the state should wear the ‘traditional African fabric’ on Thursdays.
Adire textile is a resist-dyed cloth produced and worn mainly by the Yoruba people, ‘adire’ means ‘tie and dye’.
It is a material designed with wax-resist methods that will produce patterned designs in a dazzling array of tints and hues.
Governor Adeleke has also disclosed 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. 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 that is under threat from foreign mass producers. We are poised to breathe life into our culture with Osun as the cradle of the Yoruba nation’ the governor submitted.
