I’LL WEAR AKWETE WRAPPER IF TINUBU WINS SECOND TERM – FIRST LADY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has said she will wear Akwete fabric if President Bola Tinubu secures a second term in office, describing the indigenous textile as comfortable and worthy of wider patronage.
The First Lady made the remark on Tuesday during her maiden visit to the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Village in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, where she also announced a ₦2 billion donation to support the revitalisation of the local weaving industry.
“If God brings my husband in a second time, I’ll be wearing a buba and wrapper made from Akwete. I am going to be wearing that because it is very soft, breathable cotton,” she said.
Tinubu commended the women of the cooperative for preserving the centuries-old weaving tradition, noting that the craft had continued to thrive through intergenerational transfer of skills.
“I saw young people in their family doing the exact thing. So it is a craft transferred from generation to generation,” she added.
The First Lady urged Nigerians to embrace locally made textiles, particularly Akwete fabric, as a way of preserving indigenous craftsmanship and improving the livelihoods of local weavers.
She explained that her visit was designed as a personal engagement with the women rather than a formal event, adding that she deliberately came without a prepared speech.
Tinubu also praised Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, describing him as “a very good man” and recalling that she had previously contacted his wife to inquire about the Akwete weaving tradition.
She expressed gratitude that the visit eventually took place after earlier efforts to make the trip were delayed.
According to the First Lady, supporting locally produced fabrics would not only preserve Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage but also create economic opportunities for rural artisans and strengthen the country’s indigenous textile industry.
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