”If My Husband Wins Again, I’ll Wear Akwete” — First Lady Makes Fashion Promise

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a ₦2 billion donation for the revitalisation of the Akwete weaving industry during her maiden visit to the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Village in Abia State on Tuesday.

Mrs Tinubu, who described the visit as a personal engagement rather than a formal event, said she would personally wear an Akwete wrapper if her husband, President Bola Tinubu, secures a second term in office.

“If God brings my husband in a second time, I’ll be wearing a buba and wrapper made from Akwete. I am going to be wearing that because it is very soft breathable cotton,” she stated.

The First Lady commended the women of the cooperative for their passion and resilience in preserving the craft across generations. She noted that young people in the community were continuing the family tradition, describing it as “a craft transferred from generation to generation.”

Mrs Tinubu explained that she had approached the visit informally, opting to spend time with the women rather than follow a scripted programme. She came without a prepared speech because the trip was intended as personal engagement.

She thanked Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, describing him as a good man. The First Lady recalled reaching out to his wife in the past specifically to enquire about the weaving tradition and expressed gratitude that the visit had finally materialised despite the delay.

“I just wanted to meet with these women, which I will tell the story. But we went on, and my husband said something. He said I was getting frustrated. I said, Otti is a good man. He’s a very good man. I see that, and I want to thank you,” she said.

The First Lady urged Nigerians to patronise locally made textiles as a way of preserving indigenous craftsmanship and boosting the livelihoods of rural weavers, while also encouraging citizens to embrace Igbo traditional attire made from Akwete fabric as a means of supporting local artisans.