₦airaland Forum

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N2 billion to the Abia State Government to support the development and promotion of the renowned Akwete fabric, a centuries-old handwoven textile indigenous to the Akwete community in Ukwa East Local Government Area of the state.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptRmkYDBJrY

Mrs. Tinubu announced the donation on Tuesday during her visit to Aba as part of activities aimed at celebrating and promoting the historic Akwete weaving heritage.

She said the intervention would support the development of the Akwete production centre, create employment opportunities, strengthen local production, and boost the state's economy.

According to the First Lady, the donation is also intended to preserve the centuries-old weaving tradition and ensure that the unique cultural heritage is sustained for future generations.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Tinubu described Akwete fabric as a symbol of Nigeria's rich cultural identity, commending the women of Akwete for preserving the craft through generations.

She noted that the fabric, woven on traditional vertical looms using cotton, raffia, and silk, is renowned for its vibrant colours and distinctive geometric designs.

"I am in awe of all the richness of what the Akwete fabrics stand for. I love traditional outfits because our tradition and culture tell us who we are. The moment we lose that, we won't remember where we come from," she said.

She described the weaving tradition as a sacred craft handed down from one generation to another through love, patience, and dedication, urging that it be preserved and passed on to younger generations.

The First Lady also encouraged Nigerian youths to embrace their cultural heritage by proudly wearing African traditional attire.

Addressing the women of Akwete, she said, "I heard your cry. I am here to announce to all Nigerians and the Igbo people that it is time to take Akwete fabric to the national stage. Therefore, all notable sons and daughters of Igbo land should rise up to preserve this culture. On my part, I am donating N2 billion for the project."

Mrs. Tinubu further pledged that if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secures a second term in office in the 2027 presidential election, she would wear an Akwete fabric wrapper and "buba" during the presidential inauguration.

Responding, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, alongside his wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for the generous intervention, describing it as a major boost to the state's efforts to revive and expand the Akwete weaving industry.

Governor Otti said the state government had been engaging the Akwete weaving community since 2023 to reposition the industry as a viable economic enterprise capable of competing in both local and international markets.

He stated that the government was addressing long-standing challenges affecting the industry while introducing technology-driven innovations to improve production, quality, and global competitiveness.

The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for his economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, which he said were laying the foundation for long-term economic growth.

Also speaking, the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, praised the women of Akwete for sustaining the historic craft, describing them as the backbone of the community.

He pledged his support towards the construction of a modern weaving centre to further strengthen the industry.

ABN TV reports that the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers conferred the traditional title of "Ugo Nwanyi Abia" (The Pride of Abia Women) on Senator Oluremi Tinubu in recognition of her generosity, compassion, and contributions to the welfare of Nigerian women.

Source: https://abntv.com.ng/news/president-tinubus-wife-donates-n2bn-to-boost-akwete-fabric-production-receives-traditional-title-in-abia-video/

Na waoo, this woman get money oo abi na our collective money?
This is commendable though, just spread it across to reach every region not just the place you expect block votes

Two billion abi million
Audio money

This is really commendable, but I am just wondering where the first lady got all this money she's throwing around from. How much is budgeted for her office and how come they don't defend their budget in parliament?

Ndoki nmamanu akwete nmamanu very lovely people and besides am from akwete very proud of my people

Using stolen money to deceive people as is they are working

This is highly commendable.

First Lady is a frigging billionaire dashing 2bills to traditional leaders even as the 2027 elections beckon


Normal Normal

Make I bend if this money touch a local Akwete
weaver in that state.




Nothing new here o jare.

What is her source of income? Show us how this funds are been raised as a public officer. Which budget was signed off for the donations

duduade:
Two billion abi million
Audio money

you don't know she was a senator or you think Tinubu nah small name.

Money na water , .
Definitely campaign funds indirectly.
That money would be looted before cock crows.

So a senator na confidently release such huge amount.

What is there net income as per public officials. This is where icpc and efcc should give us a tangible audit

Shimbo96:
you don't know she was a senator or you think Tinubu nah small name.

Tomorrow the clowns wouldn't know that the Igbo Habe an indigenous clothing factory that has been there for centuries ...Akwa ete .... Is an indigenous fabric

Akwete fabric is a prestigious, hand-woven textile originating from the town of Akwete in Abia State, Nigeria. Crafted by women using vertical looms, it weaves fibers like cotton, silk, and raffia into vibrant, geometric patterns. Known for motifs like the "tortoise" (ikakibite), authentic pieces range from ₦38,000 to over ₦150,000

Soludo wears a lot of Akwa ete

In case you don't know how this works in Nigeria:
1. Media headline is the most important part. Mission Accomplished.

2. There are many "stakeholders" involved in this deal before what is remaining eventually gets to you. The more people, the less you get.

3. The women leaders will get only a small fraction before the election. It's called mobilization fee. Highest you may ever get is like N50 million.

Based on the uncertainty of Nigeria's political landscape, most people will keep the money to themselves because N50 million in hand is better than N2 billion promised by a politician.

Moreover if they know they can't convince people to vote for you, what's the point?

If you doubt me, give this one year and go back to these people and investigate how the money went. Your eyes go clear.

Those notorious and ingrate blind bars will not see this and even turn deaf while they lose their voice now oo.

It is when their Messiah donated 6 million naira to one school they will start doing like zombies

Metrix147:
Source: https://abntv.com.ng/news/president-tinubus-wife-donates-n2bn-to-boost-akwete-fabric-production-receives-traditional-title-in-abia-video/

The situation has gone beyond funds donation as a solution to economic problems. Is the business climate and economic realities supportive of businesses currently?

The Tinubu administration had since 2023 to implement impactful economic reforms but they played badly with the opportunity they were given. Look at exchange rate from 2023 to date, inflation, energy prices in an oil producing country. The purchasing power of the Naira has fallen so much, insecurity is the order of the day.

This administration is the most incompetent since the democratic rule.

Federal ministries are not given capital budget locations yet the unconstitutional first lady is doling out billions every other day. If she's funding it from a pet charity project, the public needs to know the amount collected and the major donors. A couple of years back, we were told that she would use monies collected as birthday gifts to fund the completion of the stalled national library project. Perhaps that one has become another audio promise.

One can't imagine the backlash from the Southwest media houses if this suspicious gift-giving was been done by Patience Jonathan or Aisha Buhari. Yusuf Buhari wasn't meddling into government affairs yet his unfortunate bike accident was blown out of proportion by the media. But now we have a president's son who many quarters argue that he's even more powerful than the vice president but almost no pundit talks about it. The trend is unfortunate because it's happening under someone who boasts to be a fighter for democracy, but paradoxically doing too many acts clashing with the very tenets of democracy.

Another form of TraderMoni carried out by Osibanjo

First lady with doings, quietly making heavy donations without much publicity.

Meanwhile some others will carry numerous cameras even to do waiter at wedding reception

Donate from her pocket or from stolen Nigerian money ?

Money na water true true

Bringing fuel price down to 400 or 500 naira per litter is the only thing that NigerianS need. No need for the billions and the millions.

First family of thieves. Throwing stolen monies around hoping to Curry votes 😂.

You guys will be disgraced out of office next year

First lady feeding southeast indigent people.

Na our mama be dis.

This isn't wright. she supposed to donate 2 billion naira to boost Akara and kwilikwili business.

koladata:
Donate from her pocket or from stolen Nigerian money ?

Same way obi is donating from stolen anambra funds.

Plausible. Election is close so all hands must be on deck.

But make una advice her husband not to go near US, just learned they have retabled his drug dealings case in the Congress....

Lol
Glad Obi is tormenting you clowns

garykoeman:
Same way obi is donating from stolen anambra funds.

Genuinely asking, where does she get all these moneys she's donating from?

MatrixReloaded:
What is her source of income? Show us how this funds are been raised as a public officer. Which budget was signed off for the donations

GOD BLESS YOU SIR.......Many of us are just illiterates are not well exposed n informed......the wife of a sitting president or public officer will not and can not be donating this kind of huge sums here and there without proper scrutiny and confirmation of source ......

Our oppressors are happy when we praise them for oppressing us.

ebuk4real:
Lol
Glad Obi is tormenting you clowns

Who is obi?.

Animal, place or thing.

2 what? 2 billion naira? First lady don blow like this?. Hmm it's nice