The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to prohibit the importation of Adire/Kampala fabrics to support local production and safeguard the local cottage industry, as well as preserve foreign exchange.
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Afolabi Moruf Afuape (APC, Ogun) proposed a motion for the government to criminalize Adire imports and for the National Directorate of Employment to provide training programs for local fabric producers on skills, quality control, marketing, and business management.
The House also tasked its Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values to collaborate with the National Orientation Agency in launching a nationwide campaign to highlight the cultural importance of Adire/Kampala and other locally made fabrics.
Afuape emphasized the significance of reviving and promoting traditional fabric industries like Adire and Kampala to enhance the country’s cultural heritage, economic growth, and entrepreneurship opportunities, especially for the youth.
He raised concerns about the negative impact of foreign imitations on the local industry, emphasizing the need for formal training, skills, production methods, and equipment to compete effectively in the market.