“Osun Is Adire’s Birthplace” – Gov Adeleke Replies Ogun Traders, Reveals Historical Evidence
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has defended his recent claim that the traditional Yoruba textile, Adire, originated from Osun.
Recall that Governor Adeleke, in a now-viral video, had told the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, that the adire fabric originated from his hometown, Ede.
When Gbajabiamila countered the assertion, saying adire was a heritage of Ogun State, Adeleke replied curtly, “They stole it.”
However, addressing a press conference in Abeokuta on Thursday, the Iyaloja of Kemta Adire/Kampala Market, Mrs Somodale Akamo, described the Governor’s comment as “deeply offensive, historically inaccurate, and an insult to the Egba heritage”.
“We are no doubt shocked by the statement credited to His Excellency, the Governor of Osun State, that adire is originally from Osun State and that the Egba people stole it.
“The Egba people are noble and hardworking. The truth is that adire is from Egbaland. It is a craft and trade our forebears have practised since as far back as the 13th century,” Akamo said.
She further explained that the textile trade blossomed after the Egba settled in present-day Abeokuta in 1830, with the second Iyalode of Egbaland, Madam Jojoyinola, playing a pivotal role in empowering women through the trade and spreading its popularity across the region and beyond.
She said, “Since then, adire has gone global. We are shocked to hear that the Governor said the Egba people stole this ancient craft from Osun. This history is false, and we urge him to withdraw the statement and publicly apologise.”
The traders warned that such a comment from a sitting Governor risks stirring unnecessary ethnic tension and undermining the cultural pride of a people whose economy and heritage are deeply rooted in the textile.
“This is not a matter of political banter; this is our history, our livelihood. To dismiss that with a flippant remark is unacceptable,” another trader, Alhaja Taofeekat Adebayo, said.
Meanwhile, countering backlash from the traders, the Governor, in a press release issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, maintained that the governor’s position was rooted in “historical facts and cultural heritage” dating back to before the 13th century.
Rasheed linked the origin of Adire to the revered Osun goddess, a spiritual figure prominent in the history and traditions of Osogbo and Ede, two major towns in Osun.
“The origin of Adire is from the spiritual deity called the Osun goddess, and it has been in existence long before the 13th century in Ile Aka in Osogbo and Ile Akoda in Ede,” Rasheed stated.
He added that the traditional ingredient, Igi Elu, used in producing local dye known as Aro before imported alternatives became common, is found natively in Osun, reinforcing the state’s foundational link to the craft.
The governor’s aide recounted the migration story of King Lamoye Olutimehin and his entourage, who reportedly encountered the Osun goddess during their search for water.
According to Rasheed, the settlers accidentally damaged the goddess’s dye pots, prompting an exchange that signalled the early existence of tie-and-dye practices in the region.
He further asserted that many notable Adire merchants across the South-West were originally trained by Osogbo-based artisans and that Osogbo has long held the reputation as the home of Adire.
“It goes without stating that Osogbo is widely known by the acronym ‘Osogbo ilu Aro… Aro n be ni Osogbo, ni Osogbo fi n wun ni,” Rasheed added.
Rasheed also referenced the contributions of international figures such as Ulli Beier and Susan Wenger (popularly known as Adunni Olorisha), who he said played a pivotal role in formalising the Osogbo School of Arts, where thousands were trained in the making of Adire and Batik fabrics.
He listed artists like Twin 77, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, Yemi Elebuibon, and Duro Ladipo among the early beneficiaries of the movement.
To further reinforce Osun’s cultural claim, the state government announced plans to host the inaugural Adire Osun Carnival in November 2025.
The event, which is expected to celebrate Yoruba culture through colourful displays of indigenous textiles, will be headlined by Chief Mrs. Oyenike Okundaye, also known as Mama Nike, a globally renowned Adire promoter.
“The Adeleke administration is committed to preserving and projecting Osun’s cultural heritage,” Rasheed concluded, insisting that the historical narrative was not meant to provoke conflict but to assert what he described as “a well-documented truth.”
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
