Osun Government To Diversify Economy Through Promotion Of Local Fabrics
The Government of Osun state has made known its efforts at diversifying the state economy through promotion of local fabrics and cultural tourism.
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Governor of the state, Mr Adegoyega Oyetola gave the indication at the weekend while speaking at the grand finale of the Osun Osogbo festival.
According to the governor, the local fabric known as adire would help showcase and promote Osun’s rich traditional and cultural heritage alongside the Osun Osogbo festival.
Oyetola said the festival on its own had contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the state and opened new areas of culture mainstreaming for the state and the country at large.
He said in order to build on the success of Osun Osogbo festival, his administration had begun the initiative of using culture to diversify the state economy by promoting local fabrics among indigenes as a culture marker.
The Governor explained that the initiative would have an all round positive impact on the economy and the unemployment indices of the state.
He said: “As you are well aware, in addition to the frantic efforts being made to attract investment to this State and bolster its image, our administration, last year, instituted a policy aimed at encouraging public and civil servants to wear Adire every Thursday.
“This initiative, we believe, will resuscitate our local textile, create employment opportunities, boost marketing and transform the socio-economic and cultural tourism of our dear State and the country as a whole.
“I urge you all to key into this initiative by patronizing our fabrics. Let us own our fabric and create our own market. Let us give economic teeth to the Osogbo panegeric (oriki) “aro ni mbe l’Osogbo, l’Osogbo fi nwuni”, he added.
Oyetola, who was represented at the event by Secretary to Osun State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, said the promotion of local fabric initiative was part of the state’s culture and tourism master-plan.
He urged all Osun indigenes and Nigerians in general not to forget who they truly are and to reconnect to their roots.
S.S
