LOCAL CONTENT: OGUN STATE GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES DIGITAL MARKETPLACE FOR LOCAL FABRIC MAKERS

By Kayode Olawuni

Informationn Minister, Alhaji Lai Muhammed and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State

The Ogun State Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun yesterday hosted the Honorable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed to launch the "AdireOgun Digital Marketplace", an online marketing platform for native "Adire" tie and dye fabrics makers in the state.

The Governor, in a statement @dabiodunMFR said the online marketing platform is an initiative designed to drive laudable economic benefits to the  state which include global visibility, employment generation  and poverty alleviation.

"The digital platform will not only project Ogun State to the global market but also generate employment and alleviate poverty. Already, our Government has enrolled over 200 participants in the Adire value chain on the portal.

 

"It is projected that if each of the eventual 2,000 participants impact another 4 or 5 people, 8,000 to 10,000 jobs would have been created and more end users will definitely be reached globally", the Governor said while soliciting for support and collaboration from the private sector in boosting native assets development in the state.

"I therefore urge all stakeholders, particularly private sector investors to take advantage of the new Adire Ogun Digital Marketplace by intensifying collaboration with us in the development of arts, culture and tourism in Ogun State", he said.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed in a press release @FMICNigeria commended and congratulated Governor Dapo Abiodun and the State Ministry of Information and Tourism for the laudable archiement which according to him, will not only catalyze trading in 'adire' globally but also give prospective buyers access to the real and original version of the commodity from Ogun which is believed to be a globally acknowledged home of the product.

"I must commend and congratulate His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his leadership, the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism for initiating this project which, I am told, was created to position Ogun State Adire merchants in a global market, thus ensuring the economic viability and sustainability for their trade.

"With AdireOgun.com, anyone anywhere in the world can log on to the website, window-shop and also buy any 'adire' material of choice. In other words, this will catalyze trading in 'adire' globally. And, of course, by using this website, an interested user is guaranteed to buy original and top-of-the-class 'adire' from the globally-acknowledged home of the product", the minister said.

The event which was held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta the state capital, had in attendance dignitaries and top government functionaries in the state including the state comissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Oluwatosin Taiwo, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun among others.