Former President Olusegun Obasanjo inaugurated a multi-millionaire Adire and garment textile factory, Heritage Apparel, at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta. The factory, which was at the Adire section of the OOPL, was an initiative of a London-based entrepreneur, Abisade Adenubi. While inaugurating the project, the former President described it as laudable, adding that it would benefit the people of the state. Obasanjo also commended the entrepreneur for keying into his initiative of making Adire a global outfit. Obasanjo urged other investors to support and learn from the London-based entrepreneur who came to invest in the country.
He said, “After the initiative from me, the one who has taken it to greatest height is this young woman, Abisade, and the credit for where we are today should go to her.
“My advice for entrepreneurs is that they should come and learn from her and she will tell them the problems she encountered including the problem of convincing me to have what we have today.”
In her remarks, Adenubi expressed readiness to partner the OOPL on how to begin the mass production of Adire textile.
She added that plans were underway to begin the mass production of garments and apparel which include uniforms for security operatives, public sector officials and schools. Adenubi explained that the textile factory was planning to ensure that there was an evolution in the process and practices of Adire production. Adenubi added that the company would also partner the traditional makers of Adire so as to achieve the evolution.
She further disclosed that the textile factory had employed 40 people in the state so that they could begin to learn how to empower themselves financially from textile business. Speaking on why she ventured into manufacturing, Adenubi revealed that the low production quality in Nigeria encouraged her to establish the textile factory.
“My firm belief is that we should not be exporting our economic development to other country and I think we have the responsibility to empower our local people, we are Nigerians and we should be Nigerians even in spite of the economic reality.
“We already have about 40 people employed with us and they are not the elite. They have already started to explore the economic opportunities of working here,” she said.
Adenubi, however, disclosed that the factory would also be focusing on vocational training and empowerment of young people in textile production, garment making and tailoring.
