......urge him to apologize to Egba people
Traders of the traditional adire fabric at Itoku Market in Abeokuta, on Thursday faulted the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who recently claimed that the popular 'adire' fabric, originated from Osun State, accusing the Egba people of stealing the craft.
The Iyaloja of Kemta Adire/Kampala Market, Somodale Akamo, stated this while addressing newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
She accused the Osun State governor of “attempt to rewrite a well-documented history” and urged him to withdraw the statement and apologise to the people of Egba.
It would be recalled that Adeleke, in a viral video was telling the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, that adire started from his hometown, Ede in Osun, and when Gbajabiamila said he thought adire was from Ogun State, Adeleke replied, “They stole it.”
Akamo said, “we are no doubt shocked by the statement credited to His Excellency, the Governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, that adire (tye and dye) is originally from Osun State and that the Egba people stole it".
“We reject this offensive and insulting statement because the Egba people are set of noble and hardworking people. The truth is that adire is from Egbaland. It is the craft and trade that our forebears had been doing as far back as the 13th century".
“The trade became more popular and prosperous when the Egba came to present-day Abeokuta in 1830, and the second Iyalode of Egbaland, Madam Jojoyinola, did a lot to empower many people with this trade. Since then, adire has gone global".
“We are shocked to hear that the governor said that the Egba people stole this ancient craft from Osun. This history is false, and we urge the governor to withdraw this statement and tender apology for calling us what we are not.”
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