First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Donates ₦2bn to Boost Akwete Weaving Industry, Commits to Globalising Abia’s Indigenous Fabric

The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a donation of ₦2 billion to support the establishment of a modern weaving and research centre, as well as the internationalisation of the renowned Akwete fabric of Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State.

Announcing the donation during her civic engagement with members of the Akwete Weaving Society at Township School, Akwete, Ukwa East Local Government Area, Senator Tinubu interacted with women weavers, inspected the cooperative’s facilities and watched demonstrations of the traditional hand-weaving process. She commended the women for their exceptional talent, resilience and commitment to preserving the centuries-old craft.

The First Lady explained that she was inspired to visit the Akwete women after watching a documentary on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). She disclosed that she had initially thought the famous fabric originated from Ghana before learning that it is an indigenous textile of Abia State.

She praised the women for their love, sacrifice, resilience, hard work and perseverance, which have enabled them to preserve the cultural heritage across generations. She urged the Igbo people and Nigerians at large to embrace, cherish and promote the Akwete fabric globally.

Senator Tinubu also encouraged the weavers to preserve the authenticity of the craft while adapting it to contemporary uses, noting that Akwete fabric could be transformed into a wide range of products beyond the traditional wrappers.

In his address, Governor Alex Otti said his administration had been working to revitalise the Akwete weaving industry since assuming office in 2023 by removing longstanding barriers that had hindered its growth.

The Governor warned that unless innovation and technology are embraced, the indigenous textile industry could lose market share to machine-produced imitations already being manufactured in countries such as India and China.

He disclosed that the Abia State Government had already developed a comprehensive plan for the industry and proposed a partnership with the First Lady to establish a world-class production hub for Akwete women.

Governor Otti also commended President Bola Tinubu for implementing what he described as difficult but necessary economic reforms, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira. According to him, the reforms have increased the resources available to the Federal, State and Local Governments for infrastructure development.

He appealed to Nigerians to remain patient, expressing confidence that they would soon begin to enjoy the long-term benefits of the fuel subsidy removal, which he said is now being channelled towards productive investments rather than consumption.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, described the First Lady’s maiden visit to Akwete as a historic milestone. She commended Senator Tinubu’s leadership of the Renewed Hope Initiative, noting that its interventions in women’s empowerment, support for small businesses, care for the elderly, assistance to persons with disabilities, food security and other social investment programmes have positively impacted lives across Nigeria.

Mrs Otti highlighted the cultural significance of the indigenous Akwete fabric, describing it as one of the oldest and most distinguished textile traditions of the Igbo people, handwoven by women in Akwete. She added that the First Lady’s decision to spotlight the fabric reflects her commitment to creating sustainable economic opportunities for ordinary Nigerian women.

In separate goodwill messages, the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah, emphasised that empowering women is critical to national development. They praised President Bola Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti for what they described as purposeful leadership, adding that Abia residents are witnessing unprecedented development under the Otti administration.

Also speaking, the member representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Chief Chris Nkwonta, described the occasion as a defining moment in the history of Akwete and Abia State. He said the First Lady’s visit had brought national attention to the centuries-old handwoven fabric and offered renewed hope for its preservation and commercial expansion.

Highlight of the event was the conferment of the traditional chieftaincy title of “Ugonwanyi” on the Wife of the President by the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council.

The event was attended by several distinguished personalities, including the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, the Deputy Speaker, members of the State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, members of the State Executive Council; and other prominent Abians and Nigerians.