Over 100 women entrepreneurs in Adire business will benefit from direct cash grants from the Ajose Foundation, a brain child of the Wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun.

Mrs. Abiodun made this known while speaking during the opening of the Adire Market Week at the June 12, Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, stating that the grant was part of the efforts to empower women and boost the trading of original Adire in the State.

She added that her Office in partnership with the Foundation organised  the programme to address the challenges hindering Adire businesses and build a sustainable fashion industry.

Mrs. Abiodun noted that the Week would open new doors of opportunities for many Adire creators, give more access to Adire Market and strengthen the link within the product's value chain.

Beyond the week, the wife of the Governor stated that there would be training for youths on Adire as well as stakeholders’ engagement to provide regulatory framework that would protect Adire creators from different sharp practices including theft of Adire designs and copyright.

"We are also rolling out economic empowerment initiatives to support our women with financial literacy, financial grants. In the next one year, at least 100 women-owned Adire businesses will benefit from direct cash grants given by Ajose Foundation", Mrs. Abiodun disclosed.

She said the Foundation in line with its drive towards the actualisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has focused on economic upliftment of women-owned enterprises in the State, provision of support for safer textile practices as well as the facilitation of different work for youths through Adire.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Director, Ajose Foundation, Dr. Mojisola Akinsanya said the Foundation promotes education, equality and democratic values, lauding Governor Abiodun for signing an executive order to provide 35 percent representation for women in governance and politics.

An exhibitor at the event, Opeyemi Adeyinka described the Adire Market Week as a veritable platform which would help Adire traders to showcase their businesses to a wide audience, calling on the government to continue to implement various policies and programmes to support stakeholders in the Adire industry.

 Dignitaries at the event include: former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila, as well as the first lady of Edo State and Lagos, Mrs. Betty Obaseki and Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, top Adire trader, Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye and Spouses of Ogun State Government Functionaries Association (SOSGFA), among others.