Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has issued a directive instructing all public servants in the state to wear Adire, a traditional Nigerian fabric, to work every Wednesday as a means to promote Nigerian culture.
The circular containing the directive was issued by the state’s Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina.
The directive applies to all categories of public servants across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), tertiary institutions, local councils, local council development areas, and area offices. The circular emphasizes that every Wednesday is designated as “Adire Osun Day,” and all accounting officers, heads of agencies, and political appointees are expected to comply with the directive.
The governor proposed the idea during the last State Executive Council meeting, and it was unanimously approved and adopted. Adeleke highlighted that Adire has its roots in Osun and stated that the decision aims to reaffirm the traditional claim of Osun to the Adire genre.
The governor recalled his meeting with Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, where both leaders resolved to host a yearly Adire Day celebration. Adeleke also announced plans to create mini-industrial clusters to support the Adire industry and other craft sub-sectors in the state. He expressed determination to rebuild the Adire industry, emphasizing Osun State’s role as the cradle of the Yoruba nation.
It’s worth noting that Adeleke’s predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, had previously directed civil servants to wear Adire every Thursday in July 2021 to boost the fabric industry. The continuation of this practice under the current administration reflects a commitment to promoting indigenous culture and supporting local industries.
