A leading Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Ọmọ Yorùbá Àtàtà Socio-Cultural Initiative (ỌYÀSI), has commended the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, and Rear Admiral Sunday John Oyegade for their joint roles in revitalising traditional Yoruba textile culture through the newly established Fedegbo Mega Aso-Ofi Weaving Centre in Ogbomoso.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its chairman, Mr Olawale Ajao, ỌYÀSI praised the monarch for his “vision and unwavering commitment to promoting Yoruba culture, especially aso-oke,” noting that the initiative reflects a deliberate effort to preserve and modernise one of the region’s most cherished cultural heritages.
The Fedegbo Mega Aso-Ofi Weaving Centre, commissioned in October, was initiated by the Soun and fully funded by Rear Admiral Oyegade, Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Institute of Technology, Delta State. The project is expected to rejuvenate the traditional textile industry in Ogbomoso and boost the patronage of aso-ofi, the renowned Yoruba woven fabric.
The Fedegbo family, historically celebrated for their mastery of aso-ofi weaving, has sustained the craft for generations. After visiting the family’s ageing weaving facility in Osupa, Ogbomoso earlier this year, Oba Olaoye pledged to revive the “dilapidated and outdated structures.” The opportunity emerged when Rear Admiral Oyegade expressed interest in executing a culturally relevant community project. The Soun recommended the weaving centre, and the naval officer “executed it perfectly,” according to the group.
ỌYÀSI, the conveners of the annual World Headdress Celebration, also commended the Soun for inaugurating the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival, which maiden edition was held last December with aso-ofi designated as the official attire, an action the group said has naturally boosted demand for the fabric.
“With the Cradle Carnival and the establishment of the textile industry for traditional materials, we believe the weavers of aso-ofi already have a ready market, more so now that Soun has made aso-ofi the official wear of the annual carnival,” Ajao said.
The group applauded both the monarch and Rear Admiral Oyegade for executing a project that not only promotes Yoruba culture but also creates employment opportunities.
They added that the new weaving centre and the promotion of aso-ofi align with the policy of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who recently approved the wearing of aso-ofi by civil servants every Thursday.
According to ỌYÀSI, “these combined efforts will further strengthen Yoruba identity and significantly boost patronage of our cultural attire.”
