NIGERIA’S  FIRST LADY OLUREMI TINUBU VISITS AKWETE PRODUCTION HUB IN ABIA David Maduako –Umuahia

NIGERIA’S  FIRST LADY OLUREMI TINUBU VISITS AKWETE PRODUCTION HUB IN ABIA

David Maduako –Umuahia

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu,, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, visited Abia State. During her visit, the First Lady joined the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and his wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, on a tour of the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Society in Akwete, Ukwa East LGA of Abía State. The First Lady announced a donation of N2 Billion to support the empowerment of women in the Akwete cloth production hub.

Speaking at a reception held in her honour at the Township School, Akwete, Her Excellency, Senator Tinubu described Akwete cloth as a craft transferred from generation to generation and called on all Nigerians to promote it.

“But for me, and for all the notable sons of Igbo land, it’s not only Abia State, but all the other Igbo lands, rise up to the occasion to preserve this.
“On my own, I told the Governor, I’m donating Two Billion Naira to the project. I don’t know how you want to use it,” the First Lady stated

Senator Tinubu described Governor Otti as a good man and thanked him for turning what was meant to be a low-key visit into a resounding reception.

The First Lady narrated how her interest in Akwete began and assured that she would wear Akwete during her husband’s second term victory.

Speaking earlier, Governor Alex Otti thanked the First Lady for her decision to visit and support the Akwete women, noting that the visit meant a lot to the State while telling the people that the First Lady actually invited herself to Abia State.
“I want to thank you. This visit means a whole lot to us. For us, we have been engaging with Akwete as far back as 2023, after I was sworn in. We believe, just like you do, that there is a lot that Akwete can do. The first thing that we needed to do was to break barriers of tradition.

“So, it is very, very strategic that you made this visit at this time. I want to also underscore what we represent in Abia here. Once you live in Abia, you are from Abia. We have a large community of Hausa and Yoruba community in Abia. And they are fully integrated into what we are doing,” Gov. Otti stated.

The Governor said good governance transcends party affiliation and lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the courage to remove petroleum subsidy and float the Naira .

He added that his government is ready to work cooperatively with the First Lady to build a production hub for Akwete women.

In her welcome address, the Wife of the Abia State Governor, Her Excellency, Lady Priscilla Otti, said Akwete Cloth is one of the oldest and most distinguished textile traditions of the Igbo Nation, woven by the women of Akwete. She credited the 19th century visionary weaver, Daada Nwankata, with elevating the craft.

Lady Otti noted that this was the first time a First Lady of Nigeria was visiting in person to support the women of Abia.

“This is truly a historic moment and its significance cannot be overstated. It speaks unmistakably to your genuine commitment to creating practical impacts in the everyday lives of ordinary Nigerian women.

“Under your leadership, the social investment programmes of the Renewed Hope Initiative continue to deliver real and practical change through grants and business support for women, micro, small and medium enterprises Mrs Óttï stated .

In their goodwill messages, the Senator representing Abia South, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Member representing Ukwa East and West Federal Constituency, Hon. Chris Nkwonta; former Minister of Mines and Steel, Dr. Sampson Ogah, and the Hon. Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Mathew Ekwuribe thanked the First Lady for identifying with the Akwete women and appreciated the Wife of the Governor for discovering them. They described the event as remarkable and assured the Governor of support for a second term.

Hon. Chris Nkwonta, in particular, stressed the need to give Akwete cloth visibility and build a befitting weaving centre for the women. He lauded Governor Otti’s governance and declared his support for the governor’s 2nd term bid .

The event featured the conferment of a chieftaincy title of “Ugo Nwanyi of Abia” meaning “The Pride of Womanhood” on the First Lady. The occasion attracted dignitaries from various political parties in the State.
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