SMEDAN DG, Charles Odii Storms Ogun for Global Adire Village Project Today, to Meet Dapo Abiodun

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

Ogun state, known globally for Adire-making, is set to play host to the Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii as part of strategic moves geared towards actualizing the global Adire Village Project.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News recalls as reported in previous bulletins that the Project Coordinator, Prof. OlaJumoke Adeosun Familoni, who announced the development, has once again re-affirmed the preparedness of the Gateway state, also known for its hospitality to host the SMEDAN DG today.

Prof. Familoni who is President/Provost ICLED Business School, Lekki Lagos, stated that the DG's visit is at the instance of the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Kabiyesi Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR, will be hosted by Global Adire Egba Development Limited and its project partners with the aim of consolidating and empowering the Adire industry in Abeokuta through the creation of a world-class Adire Village. 

Highpoints of the SMEDAN DG's visit scheduled to hold at the Palace His Royal Majesty, the Alake of Egbaland at Ake today from 10 am, as announced by Prof. Familoni includes: a welcome address by Chief Oluyinka Kufile, Aro of Egbaland and Chairman of Qualitec Industries, a detailed presentation on the project’s purpose and objectives by the Project Coordinator, Prof. Olajumoke Adeosun Familoni.

As a major high point of the visit, the SMEDAN DG will be conducted to take a guided tour of the proposed Adire Village site while the Adire Global Village project team and critical stakeholders being coordinated by the ICLED consultancy team will pay a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun for formal engagements and discussions. 

The Adire Village initiative seeks to address the adverse impact of cheap, mass-produced imported fabrics flooding the market, which threatens the livelihoods of thousands of local artisans. By organizing the fragmented Adire industry into a formal cooperative, the project aims to promote sustainability, foster innovation, promote employment and preserve the cultural heritage of Adire craftsmanship, a legacy trade rooted in Abeokuta’s neighborhood since the 1800s.

It is projected that the visit by the SMEDAN DG bears strategic deliverables in the partnership between Ogun state and SMEDAN with the end result being the elevation of the Adire industry, positioning Abeokuta as the global capital of Adire-making. 

The visit will conclude with remarks from Mr. Charles Odii, outlining the strategic outlook and way forward for this transformative initiative.