The Wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, has described the visit of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the Akwete Weaving Centre in Ukwa East Local Government Area as a historic milestone that will boost women’s economic empowerment and preserve one of Nigeria’s oldest indigenous textile traditions.
Mrs. Otti, who spoke while welcoming the First Lady during an empowerment programme for Akwete cloth weavers on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, said the visit was the first by a Nigerian First Lady to the historic weaving community, describing it as a defining moment for Abia State and the people of Akwete.
She commended Senator Tinubu for using the Renewed Hope Initiative to improve the lives of women, youths and vulnerable Nigerians through business grants, support for the elderly, empowerment of persons living with disabilities, the Renewed Hope Food Bank, the “Every Home a Garden” initiative, and other social intervention programmes.
According to the governor’s wife, many women in Abia have benefited directly from the First Lady’s humanitarian programmes, and she described Senator Tinubu as “a true mother of the nation” whose interventions have continued to restore hope and improve livelihoods across the country.
Mrs. Otti said the First Lady’s decision to empower Akwete weavers was not merely symbolic but a practical demonstration of her commitment to creating sustainable economic opportunities for Nigerian women while preserving the state’s rich cultural heritage.
She noted that Akwete cloth remains one of the oldest and most celebrated textile traditions of the Igbo people, woven exclusively by women of Akwete. She traced its global recognition to the innovations of the legendary weaver, Dada Nwakwata, in the 19th century.
Sharing a personal experience, Mrs. Otti disclosed that Akwete cloth formed part of the gifts presented to her during her traditional marriage ceremony, adding that she has continued to wear the fabric with pride because it reflects the resilience, creativity and enterprise of Abia women.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Abia State Government to partnering with the Renewed Hope Initiative to ensure that the support extended to the weavers translates into thriving businesses, stronger families and the preservation of the Akwete weaving heritage.
Speaking at the event, Senator Oluremi Tinubu reaffirmed her commitment to promoting the globally recognized Akwete fabric, describing it as a cultural treasure that tells the story of an indigenous people.
“When I first heard about Akwete fabric, I thought it was like Kente from Ghana. I have fallen in love with Akwete because of the history and culture it represents. If, by God’s grace, my husband returns in 2027, I will dedicate my wardrobe to promoting Akwete fabric,” she said.
The First Lady also called on the Igbo people to sustain and promote the centuries-old weaving tradition, stressing that women remain indispensable to national development.
She announced a donation of N2 billion to support the establishment of a modern skills centre for Akwete weavers, saying the intervention would help improve production, preserve the craft and create greater economic opportunities for women in the community.
Senator Tinubu expressed optimism that the empowerment programme and the planned skills centre would open a new chapter of prosperity for the Akwete weaving industry and further position the fabric as a globally recognised symbol of Abia’s rich cultural heritage.
