CBAAC, Itire Ikate Adire Initiative partner to empower

By Zika Bobby

The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has partnered with the Itire Ikate Adire Initiative to promote and preserve African cultural heritage. The partnership aims to empower artisans and craftspeople, particularly women, to generate income and create job opportunities.

CBAAC Director General, Aisha Adamu Augie, who was at the Itire-Ikate LCDA of Lagos State, said the visit was to meet with the Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda Indigenous Adire Making Hub to explore potential partnership opportunities.

During the visit, the Chairman of the Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda Indigenous Adire Making Hub, Mr. Ibrahim Lawal, highlighted the challenges faced by the community, including exploitation from investors, extinction of designs, and over-taxing by local authorities, as he emphasised the need for support to empower the women, who are mostly widows and single mothers, to cater to their needs.

Responding, Augie said CBAAC would assist the community through its “Pan African Indigenous Skill Development Programme (PAID). The programme aims to enable artisans to earn money by developing their skills,” she said.

The partnership was formalised on December 19, 2024, during the 3rd Annual Producers’ Day of the Itire Ikate Adire Initiative. The event showcased the potential of cultural skills and crafts to generate income and create job opportunities.

The guest speaker, Dr. Mubarak Ibrahim Mahmoud, highlighted the need for government’s support to promote traditional skills and cultural heritage. Ambassador Ibrahim Adebayo Lawal expressed his organisation’s willingness to partner with institutions and organisations to promote traditional skills and cultural heritage.

The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Dr. Ahmed Olanrewaju Apatira, Executive Chairman, Itire Ikate LCDA, and Peter Godonu, President NUTGWN.

The partnership marks a significant step towards promoting and preserving African cultural heritage, while empowering artisans and craftspeople to generate income and create job opportunities.