Minister announces subsidy for local Adire makers, vows to end foreign imitation

The government has pledged to support the local production of Adire, a traditional fabric, by offering some subsidies to the makers.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Betta Edu, made this known to journalists on Saturday when she visited the Adire Mall and the production sites at Itoku and Asero in Abeokuta.

Edu said the government would also establish industrial hubs across the nation to increase the income of market women.

She assured the market women that the government would promote the fabric globally and ban the importation of fake Adire products from other countries.

“The local production of Adire must be improved and expanded to meet the demand, and this would create employment, grow the economy, and make Nigeria a producer rather than a consumer.

She said the subsidy for the Adire makers would compensate for the removal of the subsidy on fuel.

The minister also commended Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun for promising to create outlets in Abuja where authentic Adire would be sold.

She said this would be another opportunity to showcase the fabric to the world, and Adire was a valuable fabric that was recognised and appreciated worldwide.

She said the government would support the local makers of Adire to make more money for themselves and their families.