Asani and Aduke Foundation Partners ATJ Textiles To Organize 2nd National Adire Festival In Abeokuta

Asani and Aduke Foundation, in collaboration with ATJ Textiles, is set to organize the 2nd National Adire Festival in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.  

The festival is scheduled to hold in Abeokuta Cultural Center from November 14th to November 16th 2024. 

The event aims to promote Nigerian culture and empower indigent youths who want to make a living through Adire making and sewing.

Activities lined up for the event include a free medical outreach with free eye glasses for at least 80 people and an Adire making competition among youths.

Speaking at a press conference held in Abeokuta on Monday, the Executive Director, Asani and Aduke Foundation, Dr. Lizzy Adeboyejo explained that the 2nd National Adire Festival will open with a thought-provoking symposium, where experts, industry leader will discuss topics critical to the growth and sustainability of Adire and Cultural traditional crafts.

At the press conference includes a popular Nigerian filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, SA to the Ogun State Governor on Youth matters, Comrade Olamide Lawal among others. 

Dr. Adeboyejo also revealed that the Festival would host government officials, Royal Fathers, stakeholders in the Adire industry, renowned Academics and Historians and cultural ambassadors who have championed Nigeria’s heritage preservation and promotion. 

She said this year’s festival promises to be an enriching and memorable experience, with a range of activities designed to captivate, educate, and inspire.

Our correspondent also gathered that the exhibitions will feature an array of Adire Designs and Adire Value Additions Chains, showcasing diverse crafts of Adire ranging from Hair accessories, Soft furnishings, Foot wears, Bags and many more. Cultural shows, drama and chanting to showcase our rich cultural Heritage.

According to her "Over the past year, Asani and the Aduke Foundation have diligently worked to empower youths and women, imparting skills that promote economic independence, self-reliance, and cultural pride. Through dedicated training programs in Adire-making, hat-making, bag-making, Autogele styling, and tailoring, we have seen transformative changes in many lives. Trainees are not just mastering skills but are emerging as entrepreneurs and advocates of Nigerian culture, creating livelihoods and inspiring new generations to embrace traditional crafts."

"Our foundation’s focus remains on creating an ecosystem that thrives on the principles of New Ideas, Creativity, Entrepreneurial Quality, Social Impact, and Ethical Fiber. This has strengthened our impact, making Adire and other traditional crafts accessible and relevant in today’s fashion and cultural landscapes. We have an ongoing mission to make Nigerian cultural artistry a respected and sought-after brand both locally and globally."

"This year’s festival promises to be an enriching and memorable experience, with a range of activities designed to captivate, educate, and inspire. We are particularly excited to share with you the following highlights: 1 Symposium on Sustainability of our Heritage: The Role of Youths and women in revitalizing the Adire Industry for Economic Viability."

"The festival will open with a thought-provokingsymposium, where experts, industry leader will discuss topics critical to the growth and sustainability of Adire and Cultural traditional crafts. This symposium will address the integration of traditional crafts in the modern economy, challenges in preservation, and the role of the government and private sectors in promoting cultural heritage."

"For hands-on learning, our Master class will provide basic aspects of Adire-making, led by some of our master Trainers, these master class is designed to empower participants with knowledge and skills that honor tradition while embracing modern trends. Attendees will explore Adire dyeing, resist techniques, and pattern creation, a few amongst the participants will be selected based on some criteria to further the training from basic to Advance intensive 3months Training at our facility centre at no charges"

"The festival will provide a platform for attendees to connect and explore business partnerships. We are focused on broadening the reach of Adire, This segment of the festival will foster discussions amongst participants around new market strategies, product branding, and export opportunities for Adire, ultimately aiming to elevate it as a cultural export as we will have representatives from Nigerian Export Promotion Council at the Festival.", Dr. Adeboyejo concluded. 

On his parts, Renowned Nigerian filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, urged the new generation to embrace and celebrate Nigeria's rich cultural legacy. 

He encouraged youths on the importance of preserving and promoting our cultural heritage through our local fabrics.

 Also speaking, the National President APC Youths also SA to Governor Abiodun, Comrade Olamide Lawal emphasized on needs for government at all levels to invest more in Adire production saying that once local production is encouraged by the government it will also reduced rate of unemployment in the country.