On Tuesday 21 July, 2026, Alex Otti, Executive Governor of Abia State, received the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on he “maiden” visit to the Southwestern State under the Otti Administration.
The Governor said, the First Lady’s visit showed her “genuine commitment and personal initiative”.
The First Lady expressed her “encouraging” interest in the ‘Akwete Women’ alongside their “exceptional” craft.
Akwete is beyond a fabric, it is a “priceless legacy”, Otti said on X, adding, “barriers of tradition” must be broken, and “innovation and technology” welcomed to ensure the State’s “handwoven treasures” are “competitive” in the world market, as well as, the protection of what “rightfully” belongs to Abians.
Governor Otti made known: “Today, Abia State proudly welcomed the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, on her maiden visit to Abia under our administration.
“The visit was more than symbolic, it reflected her genuine commitment and personal initiative. We are particularly grateful that she took it upon herself to follow through and ensure this engagement became a reality.”
He said: “The First Lady’s interest in the Akwete women and their exceptional craft is encouraging. Akwete is more than a fabric, it is a priceless legacy.
“To preserve that legacy, we must break the barriers of tradition where necessary and embrace innovation and technology to keep our handwoven treasures competitive in the global market and protect what rightfully belongs to us.”
Otti said, since he took office in 2023, his government has worked with commitment to “reviving and modernising” the Akwete Weaving Industry, and disclosed, a proposal has been created to develop a “modern” production hub for the Akwete Weavers Cooperative Society.
He revealed, the hub will span about “14,800” square metres to support the whole value chain from “apprenticeship, to production and finishing”.
Governor Otti said: “Since 2023, our administration has remained committed to reviving and modernising the Akwete weaving industry. In line with this vision, we have developed a proposal for a modern production hub for the Akwete Weavers Cooperative Society.
“Spanning about 14,800 square metres, the facility will support the entire value chain, from apprenticeship and skills development to production, finishing, and market access. The design has already been forwarded to Her Excellency. We look forward to partnering with her to bring this transformational project to life.”
Otti “sincerely” thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “bold” reforms, however, added, these decisions have thrown “short-term” challenges at Nigerians, but, are bringing about “opportunities” for States to “improve” the welfare of the people.
Governor Otti said: “I also extend my sincere appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the bold reforms undertaken by his administration. Though these decisions have come with short-term challenges, they are creating opportunities for states to invest in infrastructure, strengthen the economy, and improve the welfare of the people.”
