Experts Harp On Patronage Of African Fabrics

The Governor of Benue State, Reverend Hyacinth Alia wants Africans to develop keen interest in the patronage of African fabrics.

Reverend Alia made the call in Abuja during the African Weaving Festival, AWeF ’24 Investiture and Award of Champions of the Promotion of Indigenous African Fabrics.

The Governor who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Culture and Information, Mr Mathew Abo said the call became necessary to enhance economic development of Africa.

While describing Africa as beautiful, Reverend Aila also called for resuscitation of ailing textile industries in Nigeria.

In a remark, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Area Council Services Secretariat, Mr Bitrus Lawrence commended Organisers of the African Weaving Festival for promoting indigenous African fabrics.

Mr Bitrus stressed the need for proper and adequate documentation and archiving of African culture towards reducing the influence of western culture among Africans.

Also speaking, the Director General, Centre for Blacks, African Arts and Civilization, CBAAC, Hajiya Aisha Augie said the Agency would continue with programmes aimed at promoting not only African fabrics but also cultural values and heritage of the continent.

The Director General who was represented by a Deputy Director and Head, Northern Zonal Office of CBAAC, Mrs Patience Agbi emphasized the need to fully support fabric technology in Africa which is mainly dominated by women.

While advising women to embrace weaving not only as a skill acquisition but means of economic empowerment, the Director General promised CBAAC’s continuous support to AWeF towards promoting indigenous African fabrics.

Earlier, one of the Conveners of the African Weaving Festival, Dr. Liz Ben – Iheanacho said the Festival was organized to further showcase and promote African fabrics.

Dr. Ben – Iheanacho called for a more enabling environment that would encourage stakeholders in the weaving of African fabrics.

Also in attendance were the Commissioners of Culture from Kano, Enugu and Anambra States as well as other Stakeholders in Nigeria’s textile industry.

Highpoint of the event was the Investiture and Award of Champions on the Wife of Osun State Governor, Erelu Ngozi Abeni Adeleke and other notable Nigerians for promoting indigenous African Fabrics.

Mathew Ayoola, Edited By Grace Namiji