Ekiti State Government will soon launch an Aso Oke Weaving and Market Centre in Ado Ekiti as part of efforts to create employment opportunities for youths and resuscitate the traditional clothes weaving industry that the State was known for.
Ekiti State Executive Council had, in March this year, approved a sum of N1.8 million for the establishment and construction of Aso-Oke weaving and market centre in the State capital among the measures to enhance socioeconomic development in the State.
The State Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Mrs. Omotayo Adeola who made this known while featuring on a live radio programme, reiterated the commitment of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to the industrialization of the State and youth development as enshrined in the six point agenda of the administration.
Mrs. Adeola decried the decline and stagnation of the once flourishing commercial activity with the attendant capital flight caused by people having to go outside the State to purchase Aso Oke for various ceremonies.
Stressing that the Aso Oke centre would facilitate a long term job without a predetermined end date that would provide opportunity for weavers to work all year-round, Adeola explained that the centre would accommodate 30 weavers to begin, adding that it would also offer a veritable souvenir for both domestic and international tourists to buy.
She urged artisans involved in bag and shoe making to incorporate Aso Oke into their craft, assuring that the traditional weaving methods would be modernized to streamline production, reduce waste and increase profits, making it more efficient, profitable and seamless.
The Commissioner said that the focus of the State Government is to attract youths and men to the trade.
Speaking on Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima recent announcement on the Federal Government’s approval to establish an additional Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub in the State, Adeola said the development would be of huge benefit the people.
She explained that the State Government is collaborating with Cavista Holdings and Alt School Africa to train Ekiti youths in ICT for immediate employment, noting that the newly approved ICT hub would enhance the success of the initiative with the provision of internet access and stable electricity.
Adeola added that the State Government would partner other establishments capable of employing the youths after training, stressing that the vision of the Oyebanji administration is to build capacity of Ekiti people to make them capable of working remotely around the globe.
She said that the State Government has also facilitated a loan scheme tagged ‘Ekiti Access Bank Women Loan initiative’ aimed at funding women to engage in trading besides organizing clinics for them to address their challenges.
Noting that the State Government is subsidizing the loan scheme to make it more conducive, Adeola disclosed that more than 3,000 people have applied for the credit facility which is expected to be launched before the end of July, this year.
She said that Government was also collaborating with banks and working with relevant stakeholders to review the existing Cooperative Laws as part of efforts to boost socioeconomic activities in the State.
Adeola assured that Government would carry out extensive sensitization to create awareness and educate the public about the abundant opportunities being facilitated by the State Government to make life more meaningful for the people.