BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji has assured that no stone would be left unturned in the quest to restore the credible old glory of Osogbo as the cradle of authentic Adire indigo in Nigeria.
According to the traditional ruler, wearing of Adire would be made compulsory for his palace chiefs and prominent visitors at annual Osogbo festival as a means of promoting culture.
He made this known when Balogun Sango of USA, Sangorinu Fabunmi Akinlana, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace.
Oba Oyetunji added that all efforts would be made to encourage the production and promotion of Osogbo indigenous Adire and Batik all over the world.
The Ataoja announced that he is making it a policy that his chiefs as well as august visitors to his palace wear Adire to annual Osun festival and to other important ceremonies in Osogbo.
The Osun State government has also issued a statement in recent times that civil servants as well as pupils in primary schools and students in secondary schools should wear adire to office and schools respectively in order to encourage the promotion of the indigenous industry.
In recognition of the humanitarian efforts of Balogun Sango of USA, particularly his commitment in promoting the works of Adire and Batik in Osogbo, the Ataoja of Osogbo bestowed a new traditional name of “Osunmunrede” on him, stressing that Balogun Sango’s patriotic efforts were worthy of emulation.
Balogun Sango, who was bedecked in rich flowing Agbada gown of Adire fabrics, had arrived Osogbo from America to launch the new “Adire digital” being pioneered by a blind genius and Proprietor of African Craft shop, Adebayo Muritala Akanbi David, popularly called Amad Bulldozer”.
At the ceremony slated for Friday at Zebaff Event Centre Osogbo, Balogun Sango along with a Ghana-based philanthropist, Abdul Rasheed Sanni and Adebayo Muritala Akanbi David would introduce the Adire digital as one of the projects of their non-governmental organisation called “Three Good Hearts”.
In his response, the Balogun Sango thanked the Ataoja of Osogbo for the honour bestowed upon him and promised to carry Adebayo’s project to higher heights.
Among highly placed personalities who witnessed the occasion was Chief Jimoh Ibrahim, a forerunner of Nigerian art and bead works.
