* Osun to create mini-industrial clusters to support Adire industry, other crafts
By Nudoiba Ojen
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has directed all public servants in the state to wear Adire fabrics to work every Wednesday.
The directive, which affected all civil servants and political appointees, the governor said, is to promote Yoruba culture.
A circular issued on Thursday by the state Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina, in Osogbo, the state capital, stated that all categories of public servants across the state’s ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) are to comply with the directive.
Aina said that the directive also affected all workers in the state-owned tertiary institutions, local governments, local development councils and area offices.
He stated, “Consequently, every Wednesday is adopted as Adire Osun Day with all accounting officers and heads of agencies expected to comply with the directive.
“Additionally, all political appointees are also expected to comply with the directive from the State Executive Council to special advisers and other categories of appointees.”
According to the circular, Adeleke had made a case for the wearing of Adire by the public servants during the last state executive council meeting and was unanimously approved and adopted.
Aina said that Adeleke and his Ogun counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, had resolved to host the annual Adire Day celebration.
He added that Adeleke also announced his administration’s plan to create mini-industrial clusters to support the Adire industry and other craft sub-sectors in the state.
“Our administration is working on the creation of SME industrial clusters. The Adire and other craft sub-sectors will be supported to grow and flourish.
“By this decision, we are determined to rebuild the Adire industry, under threat from foreign mass producers. We are poised to breathe life into our culture with Osun as the cradle of the Yoruba nation.”
Recall that former governor Gboyega Oyetola made it compulsory for all workers in Osun to wear Adire to work every Thursday.