…As Otti Unveils Partnership Plan

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday explained why she visited Akwete in Abia State, where she announced a N2 billion donation towards the establishment of a modern weaving and research centre aimed at transforming the renowned Akwete fabric industry.

Speaking during a civic engagement with members of the Akwete Fabric Weaving Society at Township School, Akwete, Mrs Tinubu said the intervention would enhance the global visibility of the Akwete fabric, a centuries-old handwoven textile produced in Akwete Ndoki, Ukwa East Local Government Area of the state.

She disclosed that she was inspired to visit the community after watching a documentary on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) about the Akwete fabric.

“I initially thought the fabric was being produced in Ghana until I watched the documentary,” she said, commending the women for preserving the unique weaving tradition across generations through resilience and hard work.

Mrs Tinubu urged Nigerians and relevant stakeholders to support efforts to promote the Akwete fabric both nationally and internationally, describing it as an important aspect of the country’s cultural heritage.

Responding, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, who attended the event alongside his wife, Priscilla, described the First Lady’s donation as timely and transformational.

He said the N2 billion intervention would significantly boost ongoing efforts by the state government to revitalise the Akwete weaving industry.

According to the governor, his administration has already begun addressing long-standing challenges affecting the industry by developing a comprehensive growth plan and proposing a partnership with the First Lady to establish a world-class production hub for the women.

Governor Otti also expressed support for some of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, saying the policies had increased revenue available to the federal, state and local governments for infrastructure development.

Describing the visit as historic, the wife of the governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, praised Mrs Tinubu’s leadership of the Renewed Hope Initiative, noting that its interventions in women’s empowerment, support for small businesses, assistance to persons with disabilities and care for the elderly had positively impacted lives across the country.

She described the Akwete fabric as a culturally significant indigenous textile woven exclusively by women in the community, adding that the First Lady’s decision to spotlight the industry reflected her commitment to creating sustainable economic opportunities for ordinary Nigerian women.

Several dignitaries at the event also commended Mrs Tinubu’s intervention, describing it as a major boost for rural women and local enterprise.

Among them were Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South Senatorial District; the member representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Hon. Chris Nkwonta; and the immediate past Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah.
They unanimously stressed that empowering rural women remains critical to community, state and national development.

Hon. Nkwonta described the First Lady’s visit as a defining moment in the history of Akwete, saying it had drawn national attention to the community’s centuries-old handwoven fabric industry.

In recognition of her visit and contributions, the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, led by its Chairman, His Majesty Eze Dr Linus Nto Mbah, conferred on Mrs Tinubu the honorary chieftaincy title of “Ugonwanyi” (Eagle Woman).