Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Bola Tinubu to ban the importation of Chinese textile materials...For More CONTINUE THE FULL READING▶▶
Obasanjo believes the imports have taken over and are undermining the efficiency of local producers of Adire fabrics
He also stressed the need for the government to protect items that could be produced locally from foreign influx
The Federal Government has been urged to ban the importation of Chinese Adire into the country.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo made this call while speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
Obasanjo canvasses ban on Chinese Adire
Obasanjo wants FG to ban importation of Adire
According to Obasanjo the ban will save the local market of adire fabrics from imminent “bastardisation” by the Chinese, Punch repors.
He said:
“The government should ban the importation of Chinese Adire not only for Adire alone but all other things we produce in Nigeria.
“I want to urge you not to only rely on the Adire Sellers Association alone, let join hands and stop it.
We also have to promote Adire and other stakeholders to have an Association that will be named ‘Adire Association’ with chapters where Abeokuta will be the Headquarters, and I’m ready to devote myself as the patron of the Association.”
The elder statesman also urged appealed to the Federal government to revive the nation’s textile industries in order to make the raw materials for Adire production available for local manufacturers.
He further requested for the establishment of formal training institution where people would learn how to produce Adire and be certified at the end of their learning period.
His words:
“I want to express my appreciation to the Traditional rulers who attended this event, highlighting the importance of our culture.
“People are saying China want to bastardise our Adire product, if not that we don’t value what we have. I want to commend Ogun State government for the initiative of Oja Itoku for Adire market. It is good but not good enough if we don’t have Adire sellers in the market.
“However, its success depends on the active participation of Adire sellers.
“The scarcity of fabrics required for Adire production, previously sourced from places like Kano, Kaduna, and Ado-Ekiti, is a significant challenge.
“To revive Adire production, we must unite sellers, manufacturers, and promoters, and the government’s assistance is essential.
“We urge the government to revitalize the textile industry and establish a training institution for Adire production, ultimately safeguarding our local production from external influences, like China.”.…CONTINUE.FULL.READING>>>
