By Ayomide Otitoju
I am delighted to be part of yet another creative initiative of Princess Ronke Ademyili aimed at promoting our culture and creating pathways to wealth and economic empowerment through amplifying the place of Nigerian fabrics and fashioning it to meet current trends.
Indeed I am proud of what Princess Ademuyili has been able to achieve over the years through the African Fashion week initiative which has provided a veritable platform for Nigerian fashion designers to exhibit their designs and showcase their creative ingenuity in Lagos, London and New York.
I am aware that the different engaging sessions that had been held in the course of this event speak to the importance of African and Nigerian textile in the global cultural and creative economy and promoting it as a non-oil commodity.
Interestingly,this rapidly growing sector can boost economies and drive inclusive socio-economic development. Its significant contribution of 3 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP) highlights the economic potential of cultural and creative industries as a source of growth and job creation.
In Nigeria alone, the cultural and creative industries contributed approximately 18 billion US dollars to GDP according to a World Bank 2020 report.
Also according to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), cultural and creative industries account for more than 30 million jobs globally, employing more young people aged 15-29 worldwide than any other sector. As more young people enter Africa’s labour market, national economies will need to create jobs to meet the demand
Creative industries have the potential to address the urgent need for job creation across the continent. It is in this regard that I commend the House of Oduduwa and His Imperial Majesty Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife for championing the sustenance of our culture and heritage and most importantly for creating a pathway to wealth and promoting creativity among young Nigerians.
Distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen, permit me to use the occasion of today’s event share with you my positive stance in the promotion of creative economy, advancement of inclusive national economic growth and promotion of our prestigious cultural values among others. You will agree with me that this event features a display of the beauty of Nigerian fabrics which validates the versatility of the age long production technology that makes adire fabric the cynosure of the Nigeria and indeed African Textile industry.
Like our Aso oke in Kwara Stateadire has over time stood as a symbol of cultural identity and as such we will continue to facilitate enviable alliances and partnerships to promote these fabrics while endearing our fashion industry and enthusiaststo new opportunities like this event presents, where they can put their ingenuity to play, we would also encourage them to conform to technological trends that appeals to their trade as these will constantly give them a competitive edge.
It is heart warming however to see renown creative icons like Ade Bakare which incidentally I am wearing and master story teller and prolific actor and director our own Kunle Afolayan. Your presence here I am convinced will inspire budding designers to be their very best.
As the Matron of the Africa Fashion Week I am committed to continue to support the initiative and play my role as to the best of my ability. Distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen as you may well be aware in the course of promoting our culture and creative industry particularly the fashion industry we have sponsored aso oke weavers, entrepreneurs and designers through my office and the Ajike People Support Center to participate in the Africa Fashion Week Lagos and New York, our Aso oke has also been exhibited in London and other parts of the world. As we speak, the Kwara State Government is in talks with United Kingdom Department of International Trade to further promote the Aso oke fabric. Permit me to thank everybody that is a part to the success of this event, I particularly thank Mrs Ademuyili for providing this platform to promote our creative minds and giving them a chance to show the world their ingenuity while promoting our cultural identity and heritage.
