The Abia State government has made it mandatory for members of the state executive council, including the governor and commissioners, as well as other public servants, to wear traditional attire on designated days.

The Information Commissioner, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known after the state executive council’s weekly meeting, saying that while the members of the executive council are to dress in traditional attire on the first Mondays of every month, public servants are to do the same every Friday.

He described the development as a way of promoting locally made traditional outfits and showcasing indigenous craftsmanship in Abia State, as well as a means of bridging the cultural gap while stimulating a sense of pride in Igbo identity.

“The state executive council has approved, through the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, that all its members will wear traditional outfits on the first Mondays of every month as a way of showcasing our indigenous craftsmanship, and promoting our locally made traditional outfits.

“In the same way, the state government has enjoined civil servants to wear traditional outfits to the office on Fridays, as a means of bridging the culture gap, while stimulating our sense of pride in our Igbo identity.”

He said that following the state government’s announced plans to formally launch a contributory pension scheme for workers in September, in line with its ongoing reforms in the civil service, 10 pension fund administrators have already been approved for enlistment into the scheme,  while preparations are progressing with the exact date and venue of the launch to be announced in due course.