Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Aderinsola Abiola, has criticised Bashir Ahmad, former presidential aide, for questioning the use of coordinated attire by southern governors at their recent security meeting.
Abiola said adire remains a major source of income for many people in Ogun and should not be trivialised.
“Our adire is our pride in Ogun state; it’s produced locally and has been a source of livelihood for many of our people — especially women and youths — for several generations,” she wrote on X.
She said supporting locally made fabric boosts economic opportunities which are “key in the fight against insecurity”.
Abiola added that Ogun is known for its hospitality and that the state governor promotes adire at every opportunity.
She said: “So whether we’re discussing security or hosting a rally, we will wear adire. We should focus more on resolutions from the meeting and commend the initiative shown by the southern governors, but I’m glad that you noticed our adire and are talking about it.”
She also jokingly offered Ahmad an opportunity to pick a fabric from a local seller, saying: “My treat, please.”
Ahmad had earlier wondered why coordinated outfits were necessary “even for a meeting as critical as a security-related one”.
The southern governors met in Abeokuta, Ogun state, on Monday to discuss escalating insecurity and economic challenges.
