Local producers of Adire, Batik and Kampala fabrics indigenous to the Egba people of Ogun State, yesterday protested in Abeokuta the alleged flooding of Adire markets with mass-produced Chinese Adire.
They said “this is killing our business.”
The local producers, who staged a road walk from Itoku market to the Palace of Alake of Egbaland in Ake, said the Chinese Adire is affecting the sale of local Adire, adding that some of them have been driven out of business.
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Presenting their case before the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Princess Adejoke Somoye, who spoke on behalf of the local Adire producers, said they were concerned that the China-made Adire was about to take away their identity, tradition and trade as Egba people, which Adire represented.
Oba Gbadebo told the protesters that he would look into their challenges, noting that “Egba people are known for Adire making and should be protected.”