Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a donation of ₦2 billion to support women involved in the production of the famous Akwete cloth in Abia State.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during her visit to the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Society in Akwete, Ukwa East Local Government Area, where she toured the facility alongside Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and his wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti.
Speaking at a reception held in her honour, the First Lady described Akwete cloth as a treasured cultural heritage that should be preserved and promoted across Nigeria. She urged Nigerians, especially people of the South-East, to embrace and modernise the indigenous fabric.
“I am donating ₦2 billion to this project. Akwete is a beautiful fabric, and we must preserve and promote it,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu also praised Governor Alex Otti, describing him as “a very good man,” while revealing that she personally initiated the visit after learning about Akwete cloth through a documentary.
She further disclosed that she hopes to wear an outfit made from Akwete cloth if President Bola Tinubu secures a second term in office.
Governor Otti thanked the First Lady for supporting the women of Akwete and described her visit as historic. He also commended President Tinubu for removing the fuel subsidy and floating the naira, saying the reforms had increased funds available to states and local governments.
The governor pledged that the Abia State Government would work with the First Lady to establish a modern production hub for Akwete weavers.
In her remarks, the wife of the governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, described the visit as the first by a Nigerian First Lady to directly support Akwete women, noting that it reflected a genuine commitment to women’s economic empowerment.
The event also featured the conferment of the traditional title “Ugo Nwanyi of Abia” (The Pride of Womanhood) on Senator Oluremi Tinubu, with political leaders and dignitaries from different parties in attendance.
