Traders of the traditional Adire fabric at Itoku Market in Abeokuta have criticised Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, for claiming that Adire originated from Osun and accusing the Egba people of stealing the craft.
The Iyaloja of Kemta Adire/Kampala Market, Somodale Akamo, expressed anger over what she called a “futile attempt to rewrite well-documented history” and demanded that Governor Adeleke withdraw his statement and apologise.
Adeleke was recorded telling the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, that Adire started from his hometown, Ede in Osun, and when Gbajabiamila said he thought Adire was from Ogun, Adeleke replied, “They stole it.”
Akamo said, “We are no doubt shocked by the statement credited to His Excellency, the governor of Osun State, Sen Ademola Adeleke, that Adire (tye and dye) is originally from Osun State and that the Egba people stole it.
“We reject this offensive and insulting statement because the Egba people are a set of noble and hardworking people. The truth is that Adire is from Egba land. It is the craft and trade that our forbears had been doing as far back as the 13th century.
“The trade became more popular and prosperous when the Egba came to present-day Abeokuta in 1830, and the second Iyalode of Egba land, Madam Jojoyinola, did a lot to empower many people with this trade. Since then, Adire has gone global.
“We are therefore shocked to hear that the governor said that the Egba people stole this ancient craft from Osun. This history is false, and we urge the governor to withdraw this statement and tender an apology for calling us what we are not.”
