Oba Gbadebo constitutes committee to tackle influx of China Adire

Damilola Ajibola

Worried by the influx of China Adire into Itoku and Asero markets in Abeokuta, and its negative effect on local Adire fabrics, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, on Tuesday, constituted a committee to address the issue.

The monarch, while speaking at the inauguration held at the Ake Palace, said the China Fabric is fast taking shine off on the indigenous Adire, which he said would adversely affect the economy of the State in particular, and Nigeria in general.

The monarch urged the members of the Committee to investigate where the adulterated Adire fabric is being produced and brought into the market.

Oba Gbadebo disclosed that the influx of the China Adire had rendered many youths who are into local production jobless, saying 

he would not fold his arms and allow the people to suffer due to infiltration.

The monarch added, ” This committee is set up in order 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 trade and there is 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.

Princess Comfort Omotade, the Mojibade of Egbaland , another member of the committee, noted that Ack remained the two major attractions the Egba people were known for.

” The committee is going to zoom into action immediately and we are going to ensure that we stopped Chinese Adire from entering Abeokuta markets.

” We won’t allow fake and Chinese Adire to be sold at Itoku market again . We will ensure the promotion of the locally produced Adire .

” The Alake has given us the mandate and we are going all out to stop this atrocity.

” We are determined to maintain the quality of the locally produced adire and protect it from undue competition and proliferation by imitators,” she said.

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 seeing influx of fake Adire in the market, saying it was affecting the sales of local producers of the fabric.

” It is sad that most people can not 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 to the Egba and we will not allow anyone to spoil the name built by our forefathers,” she added.

In his contribution, Mr Funso Idowu, also a member of the committee, said that the committee was saddled with the responsibility of checking the menace of fake Adire in the market.

Idowu explained that the committee would embark on enlightenment and let the people aware of the dangers of patronising the fake fabric to the economy of the state.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Committee, Princess Adejoke Shomoye, insisted that the cultural inheritance of the Egbas must be protected .

She said, “Adire production is a chain of activities, every sides involved must be protected. Our cultural inheritance must not be allowed to walk into extinction. We shall do everything in our capacity to eradicate the adulterated Adire fabrics from our indigenous Adire market and in Egbaland as a whole

The committee is chaired by High Chief Oluyinka Kufile while Chief Alani Bankole , Apena of Egbaland was also in attendance.