We need FG support to nation's rich culture- Local fabric producer
Government needs to invest in local aso-oke production because those produced locally last longer than the ones produced with machines; locally produced ones can last as long as 40 years
Mr Abiola Akanbi, producer of a local fabric, "Aso-Oke" on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to give more support to those in the field, to enable them to do more in promoting the nation's rich culture.
Mr Abiona Akanbi, local Aso-Oke producer
Fifty-year-old Akanbi, who said he had been practising the trade since when he was nine years old, gave the advice while speaking in Lagos.
Aso oke fabric is a hand-woven cloth created by the Yoruba people, commonly worn for special occasions, including holidays, weddings, funerals and chieftain title ceremonies.
Akanbi said that textile producers in Nigeria needed a properly developed industry, coupled with soft loan facilities with friendly interest rate, which would enable them to produce maximally fabrics such as aso-oke, Adire, Batik, Tie and dye.
He noted that producers of Ankara, another local fabric, also needed assisted in order to upscale in the Nigerian textile industry.
"The major challenge we producers of aso-oke are facing is lack of sufficient funds to expand, likewise those producing adire, batik, tie and dye and all.
"We should be encouraged with soft loan facilities that will help us get the needed equipment and materials for mass production of our materials.
"The Federal Government should look at ways of solving our problem," he said.
Akanbi said that before now, aso-oke production was a lucrative business, noting that he trained himself through secondary school, got married and still trains three children from the proceeds of the job.
He said that presently, the business was not as lucrative as it used to be due to increase in the cost of the raw materials used to produce the fabrics as well as lack of adequate government support for the industry.
Akanbi said that there was huge difference between the hand- woven aso-oke and those produced with machines.
He said the hand-woven aso-oke was more durable than the ones produced with machines.
"Government needs to invest in local aso-oke production because those produced locally last longer than the ones produced with machines; locally produced ones can last as long as 40 years," he said.