By Oludamisi Ojo.
The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi has urged the people of the State to give adequate attention to the development and sustenance of their cultural heritage.
She noted that the move would further prevent them from going into extinction.
Mrs Fayemi particularly charged citizens to patronise locally made fabrics to strengthen the local economy and increase the Gross Domestic Products (GDP)of the state.
The Ekiti State First Lady spoke on Monday in Ado-Ekiti during a programme organized by a Non-governmental Organization in the State, the “Treasure Stitches and Aso-Oke Plugging”.
This is aimed at creating employment opportunities for the youth.
The governor’s wife who described youth as future leaders highlighted ways through which they could be moulded to become good citizens.
This includes proper guidance, mentoring and inculcating of virtues such as honesty, forthrightness and absolute moral integrity.
She expressed joy over the programme and commended indigenes over what she called the developmental strides over the last few years, reiterating her readiness to always participate in any activity aimed at bringing more development to the state.
According to her” Let me commend the organiser of this event which has nothing to do with politics, but a follow up to the entrepreneurship workshop organised by Ekiti State Government in 2019″
The Wife of the governor reiterated the support of the Ekiti State Government to the success of this programme and we will always be part of the numerous programmes that are geared towards bringing more developments to Ekiti State.
“I urge our people to continue patronizing the local Aso-Oke weavers to boost the capacities of the local producers and enhance their livelihoods”.
The Proprietress of the Treasure Stitches, Mrs Adeola Abiola, said the programme, which has no political undertone, was organised to collaborate with existing institutions and public-spirited individuals to attract and engender sustainable development of Ekiti State.
She said the programme was organised for an eye-opener to many and door of employment opportunities and source of wealth to as many that are passionate about the fashion industry in Ekiti State and beyond.
Abiola described Aso-Oke fabric as a handwoven cloth created by the Yoruba people of West Africa, mostly worn by the nobles and commons during special occasions.
The proprietress pointed out that the programme was aimed at addressing unemployment amongst women and young girls in Ekiti State.
She explained that the programme also encourages youths, especially the female gender to acquire skills in making locally woven fabric which can guarantee their socio-economic freedom.
Abiola solicited the support of the Ekiti State First Lady towards the actualisation of the goals, appreciating the special interest of Erelu Fayemi in the development of women and girls in Ekiti state and beyond.
