Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has pledged to expand and commercialise the production of the traditional Akwete cloth produced by the Ndoki people of Ukwa East Local Government Area, describing it as a cultural asset with strong global potential.
The governor gave the assurance on Saturday at his country home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South LGA, while receiving a delegation from Ukwa East led by the council mayor, Pastor Chibunna Akara.
Otti said his administration would partner with stakeholders in the area to scale up production and make the fabric more accessible.
“We will work with you to expand the production of Akwete cloth to commercialise it,” he said.
Appreciating the delegation for presenting him with the fabric, the governor disclosed that the cloth had already been promoted internationally through initiatives driven by his wife’s office, including exhibitions outside Africa and at the United Nations General Assembly.
“She went with a lot of the cloths to showcase it to the world,” Otti said, adding that former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, had also helped promote the fabric by wearing it at international events.
According to the governor, the aim is to support the Ndoki people by making the cloth widely available and affordable through commercial production.
“We must commercialise it, bring the price down and make it available to the people,” he said.
Speaking on governance and infrastructure, Otti stressed that leadership was about improving the welfare of the people.
He revealed that his administration had approved the construction of a general hospital in Ukwa East after discovering that the entire local government area lacked one.
He said an Ndoki indigene donated land for the project and assured that the contractor had been given until the end of the year to deliver a modern health facility for the area.
“I think the most important thing is that we belong to one political party called Abia State, and everything we do is to promote the welfare and happiness of our people,” the governor added.
Earlier, the Mayor of Ukwa East LGA, Lewis Obianyi, informed the governor that several political figures had defected from opposition parties to the ruling Labour Party in the state.
Among the defectors are Hon Paul Taribo, Deputy Majority Leader of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly; Chief Bright Benson, former YPP House of Representatives candidate; Lady Chinedu Brown, a two-time former Commissioner for Women Affairs; Hon Hyacint Iheanacho, PDP ward chairmen leader in Ukwa East; Prof Kamalu of the University of Port Harcourt; and retired Superintendent of Police, Barrister Ben Ogbonna.
Others include women leaders, former political appointees, and community stakeholders from the area.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, welcomed the new members, describing their defection as a positive development for the ruling party.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Paul Taribo said he joined the Labour Party because of the governor’s performance.
“It is obvious that Otti is doing well, hence the need to support him,” he said.
