The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, on Tuesday constituted a committee to checkmate the influx of China and other foreign Adire cloths into Itoku, Asero and other markets in his domain.
The traditional ruler while speaking at the inauguration held at the Ake Palace, said China Fabrics is fast taking the shine off the indigenous Adire.
He expressed concern that this will adversely affect the economy of the state in particular and Nigeria in general if not checked.
Oba Gbadebo urged members of the committee to investigate where the adulterated Adire fabric is being produced and brought into the market.
According to him, the influx of the China Adire has rendered many youths who are into local production jobless.
The traditional ruler said he would not fold his arms and allow the people to suffer due to infiltration.
“This committee is set up to tackle the influx of fake (Chinese) Adire in markets in the state capital.
“We must not allow infiltration, and our name as Egba must not be tarnished.
“Adire started in Itoku; here in Abeokuta, it is our traditional trade, and there is a need to ensure that the quality of our Adire is not tampered with.
“Before we can say something is not good, we must first ensure that ours is better, and we must ensure quality control in our Adire production,” he said.
The Paramount ruler assured that he would be ready to contribute his quota to ensure that the business of Adire continued to prosper and also boost the economy of the state and Nigeria as a whole.
The Giwa Obinrin of Egbaland, Hajia Modinat Adegbite, who is a member of the committee, noted that the adulteration of Adire fabric by the Chinese had been pushing the local producers’ trade to the brink.
She lauded the Alake for inaugurating the committee while explaining that it was disheartening to see influx of fake Adire into
markets in Abeokuta, saying it was affecting the sales of local producers of the fabric.
“It is sad that most people cannot differentiate between the fake Adire and the original one produced locally.
“This is why the committee is set up to tackle and put an end to the challenges.
“Adire is synonymous with the Egba, and we will not allow anyone to spoil the name built by our forefathers,” she said. (vitalnewsngr.com)
