First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu donates N2 billion for Akwete production hub
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu Umuahia
The First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a donation of N2 Billion to support the empowerment of women in the Akwete cloth production hub.
Speaking at a reception held in her honour at the Township School, Akwete, during her visit to Abia State on Tuesday Senator Tinubu described Akwete cloth as a craft transferred from generation to generation and called on all Nigerians to promote it.
“I am here to announce to all Nigerians, the Igbos should take Akwete to the Nation. I tell her (Abia First Lady), you all wear and tie Asooke. Why not wear Akwete? It’s a beautiful fabric. And those are the things that they have to modernise.
“But for me, and for all the notable sons of Igbo land, it’s not only Abia State, but all the other Igbo lands, rise up to the occasion to preserve this.
“On my own, I told the Governor, I’m donating Two Billion Naira to the project. I don’t know how you want to use it,” the First Lady said.
Senator Tinubu described Governor Otti as “a good man” and thanked him for turning what was meant to be a low-key visit into a resounding reception.
She said, “Otti is a good man. He’s a very good man. And I see that. And I want to thank you so much, Your Excellency. Yes! I invited myself. I remember when I was calling you, looking for your wife too, concerning Akwete, but I thank God we are here today.
“This was supposed to be just a short visit to see these women. And it turned out to be the entire State came to welcome me. I am humbled.
“And I thank you, Your Excellency. You kept calling and you wanted to give the best.”
The First Lady narrated how her interest in Akwete began and assured that she would wear Akwete during her husband’s second term.
“While I was watching a documentary, I ran into it on NTA. And I saw this woman. When I hear Akwete, I normally think it’s from Ghana.
“Since last year, I’ve been bothering her (Mrs. Otti). I want to go to Akwete. I want to say I love traditional outfit. I love it because our tradition and culture tell us who we are. The moment we lose that, we won’t remember where we come from.
“And I will tell you, I told Her Excellency, I said, if God brings my husband back, a second time, I’ll be wearing a buba and wrapper made from Akwete.”
Speaking earlier, Governor Alex Otti thanked the First Lady for her decision to visit and support the Akwete women, noting that the visit meant a lot to the State while telling the people that the First Lady actually invited herself to Abia State.
“I want to thank you. This visit means a whole lot to us. For us, we have been engaging with Akwete as far back as 2023, after I was sworn in. We believe, just like you do, that there is a lot that Akwete can do. The first thing that we needed to do was to break barriers of tradition.
“So, it is very, very strategic that you made this visit at this time. I want to also underscore what we represent in Abia here. Once you live in Abia, you are from Abia. We have a large community of Hausa and Yoruba community in Abia. And they are fully integrated into what we are doing,” Gov. Otti stated.
The governor said good governance transcends party affiliation and lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the courage to remove petroleum subsidy and float the Naira.
“I want to thank you. I want to also plead with you to take our felicitations to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I want you to please thank him.
“Thank him for his courage. Thank him for his sacrifices. Some people may not understand. It takes a man with courage to do what he did in 2023. Remove petroleum subsidy. And follow suit with the floating of the Naira.
“What has that done? That has freed up a lot of funds that would have been used in financing consumption. To doing other things in the Federal government, in the States, and in the Local governments. And today, a lot of States are now paying salaries, Gov. Otti stated.
He added that his government is ready to work cooperatively with the First Lady to build a production hub for Akwete women.
In her welcome address, the Wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, said Akwete Cloth is one of the oldest and most distinguished textile traditions of the Igbo Nation, woven by the women of Akwete. She credited the 19th century visionary weaver, Daada Nwankata, with elevating the craft.
Lady Otti noted that this was the first time a First Lady of Nigeria was visiting in person to support the women of Abia.
“This is truly a historic moment and its significance cannot be overstated. It speaks unmistakably to your genuine commitment to creating practical impacts in the everyday lives of ordinary Nigerian women.
“Under your leadership, the social investment programmes of the Renewed Hope Initiative continue to deliver real and practical change through grants and business support for women, micro, small and medium enterprises.
“We could not have asked for a better mother. May the Almighty God continue to strengthen you,” Mrs. Otti stated.
In their goodwill messages, the Senator representing Abia South, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Member representing Ukwa East and West Federal Constituency, Hon. Chris Nkwonta; former Minister of Mines and Steel, Dr. Sampson Ogah, and the Hon. Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Mathew Ekwuribe thanked the First Lady for identifying with the Akwete women and appreciated the Wife of the Governor for discovering them. They described the event as remarkable and assured the Governor of support for a second term.
Hon. Chris Nkwonta, in particular, stressed the need to give Akwete cloth visibility and build a befitting weaving centre for the women. He lauded Governor Otti’s governance and declared his support for him.
“This is a man that has come to redefine governance in Abia State. This man has come to redefine governance in Abia State. I’m a member of APC. But I’ll tell you something today, my vote is for Dr. Governor Alex Otti,” Hon. Nkwonta stated.
During an interview, the Labour Party House of Representatives candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, Dr. Chima Desmond Anyaso, appreciated the economic importance of boosting Akwete cloth production. He commended the Wife of the Abia State Governor and the Nation’s First Lady for their commitment to supporting women irrespective of political party affiliation.
The event featured the conferment of a chieftaincy title of “Ugo Nwanyi of Abia” meaning “The Pride of Womanhood” on the First Lady. The occasion attracted dignitaries from various political parties in the State.