…Thousands throng fair
The annual Ecobank “Adire Lagos” exhibition has taken off in grand style with over 100 exhibitors showcasing their wares. The Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) complex on Victoria Island, Lagos, is the venue for the four-day fair, which began on June 14 and ends on June 17.
Originating from Abeokuta in Southwestern Nigeria, Adire textile is an indigenous indigo-dyed cloth made by using different wax-resistant methods to create dazzling designs. Returning for a third year, the four-day Adire exhibition aims to support culture, tourism, and micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) by allowing them to take advantage of the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Some of the international exhibitors at the fair include Adire Oodua, Tampoori, Jide Batik, Janae, Asologe and host of others.
Premier exhibitors, government employees, culture vultures, social media celebrities, performers, domestic and international visitors, traditional leaders, and diplomats are expected to flood the fair. It provides an exceptional opportunity to network with entrepreneurs, shoppers, and everyone in the business of Adire.
During the opening ceremony, Kola Adeleke, the Executive Director of Commercial Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, stated that the exhibition is a component of the bank’s efforts to support the nation’s creative industry. She also mentioned that the exhibition aims to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and enable them to reap the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, “As you all know, we are part of a Pan African bank which operates in 33 countries of Africa. We always look out to support various initiatives on the continent and this adire exhibition fits into the scheme. As you can see, today, we have over 100 merchants who are being given the opportunity to showcase their adire products. This is the biggest that we’ve ever seen. It is an international exhibition. We want to support them all the way, train them and make them international brands with indigenous backgrounds. We want to ensure they are able to export their locally-created products across the continent. This is also one way to support the Nigerian economy.”
Exhibitors and attendees alike were enthusiastic and full of commendation for Ecobank. Ecobank Nigeria, a key driver of tourism, culture and the creative industries in Nigeria, recently hosted the +234Art, a 10-day art fair dedicated to nurturing and uplifting the burgeoning art industry in Nigeria. The bank organized the Photography, Art, and Design Exhibition (PADE) in honor of World Photography Day in 2022. The bank also collaborated with Redbull Dance Your Style, BellaNaija Style Summit, Loosing Daylight (an exhibition of Nollywood history organized by Nse Ikpe-Etim), and “Songs & Stories” with Cobhams Asuquo. The fair served as a platform to support up-and-coming artists and foster a greater interest in art acquisition.
