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• Ooni’s wife, Apatira, others bag awards
•Members of the Itire- Ikate Tradesmen and Artisan Association at the event
Friday, May 17 was a special day for residents of Itire- Ikate Local Council Development Area in Lagos, as members of the Tradesmen and Artisans Association of Nigeria in the local council celebrated this year’s Artisans Day.
The event was held at the council secretariat, with members looking resplendent in their uniform
brown Ankara fabrics.
Chairman of the association, Ambassador Ibrahim Lawal, said the leadership of the association is dedicated to the idea of mentoring young artisans and also collaborating with industry partners in order to create a community of artisans that thrives on mutual support and growth.
He expressed appreciation to the Chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon Ahmed Apatira, for showing support to artisans.
The council boss, Apatira commended Lawal for his efforts at improving the lives of young and budding artisans in the area. He stated that there had been lots of impressive development in the association since Lawal became chairman.
While promising to support the association, Apatira applauded the efforts of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and his wife, Olori Aderonke, for investing in the Itire Ikate LCDA Adire Textile Hub.
“From the happenings today, the Ooni of Ife has shown us that he has made you, his Queen, Olori Aderonke Ogunwusi, the harbinger of hope for the young artisans in our local government.
“I am very happy that you have played your motherly role very well by encouraging our young artisans- men and women. I want to assure you that we will continue to provide the enabling environment that would help these young men and women to explore their talents,” he said.
Olori Ogunwusi, in her address, expressed delight at the dedication of the Itire- Ikate artisans. She called said it was time the government supported initiatives that will promote the various talents across the country. She promised to sponsor some of the members of the association to the next African Fashion Week 2024 edition in London.
She praised Amb, Lawal and other leaders of the association as well as Hon Apatira for their efforts at transforming the Itire-Ikate artisans.
“I want to also appeal to all the women in this association to be productive in their various vocational skills, as that will open the doors of opportunities for them in the future,” she noted.
The council boss, Apatira, subsequently launched the Fashion and Exhibition Gallery and the various stands. Members of the association later embarked on a special exhibition programme, where they were able to showcase their products.
Hon Ahmed Apatira and Olori Aderonke Ogunwusi were later honoured with awards. Lawal said the Ife queen got the Outstanding Leadership Award for her exceptional leadership and dedicated services to Yoruba race, while the LCDA boss, Apatira got the award of excellence for his exceptional leadership and dedicated services to the itire-Ikate community.
President, National Union of Textile Garment Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Peter Godonu was represented by the Second Deputy President, Ezekiel Oluyemi, who highlighted the importance of the union in projecting Nigeria’s local fabrics.
Oluyemi commended the duo of Olori Ogunwusi and Hon Apatira. He promised to pay the monarch and the queen a courtesy visit at the Ife palace soon.
In his closing remarks, Head of Agric Department at Itire-Ikate LCDA, Mr Abdul Imam Ibraheem, urged members of the association to continue to show commitment to the leadership of the LCDA.
He said it is the duty of the citizens to support the leaders in projecting the progressive policies of the LCDA chairman.
