The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu unveiled National fabric, called ‘OneNigeriaUnityFabric’.
Senator Tinubu asserted that the ‘OneNigeriaUnityFabric’ is to foster the nation’s unity, whose idea she acknowledged she grasped on her trip to Zimbabwe last year and decided to conceptualize it back home.
“In December 2023, I visited Zimbabwe for the launch of #WeAreEqual unifying campaign of the Organization of the African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and on this visit, I came across the concept of a national fabric, which fascinated me.
“I believe this concept is a unifying one, where we can infuse our cultural diversity and break down tribal barriers to identify as a people of one nation.” she affirmed
The First Lady who happened to be the chairlady of the Renewed Hope Initiative revealed that she had thrown the concept idea to the group who not only embraced but welcomed it.
She opined that the conceptualization of the project will boost sales of textile industries and reduced unemployment, stating that: “I introduced the idea to the Renewed Hope Initiative, and it has become a reality through the creativity of young Nigerians.
“This project will support local textile industries, create jobs, and celebrate Nigeria’s strength as one united nation.” she added
RHI chairlady had organized a fabric design competition which was launched in February in Abuja, calling on youths between 15 and 25 years old to create a design that will the country’s unity.
In her words: “We received entries from Nigerians across the country and in the diaspora. We also have a brochure of the compilation of all the entries. Every design submitted is a demonstration of the depth of talent we have in Nigeria.”
The competition ended on July 30, with judges Zainab Abba Folawiyo and Banke Kuku, both fashion designers, choosing the best design from 111 entries.
Miss Bamidele Mofiyinfoluwa, a 25-year-old graduate of the University of Ibadan had won the competition, receiving a prize of N25 million.
The First Lady while expressing happiness declared that: “Miss Bamidele Mofiyinfoluwa’s design embodies our diverse culture and will be proudly worn on Independence Day and other national celebrations.”
She congratulated all the participants stating that: “your talent is our future! God bless Nigeria.”
Also speaking at the occasion was Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, said the fabric initiative will promote unity and creativity in Nigeria.
She revealed that 200,000 pieces of the fabric have been produced and will be distributed to various stakeholders, with significant allocations to Lagos, Kano, and Abuja.
However, some Nigerians didn’t welcome the idea as they share various opinions under the First Lady’s post on her X handles, venting anger at the continuous rise in food prices, petroleum and economic instability of the nation, emphasizing that the National Fabric is not a welcome idea, as it won’t solve the country’s present predicament.
@OyiboChijioke: “tell your husband that Nigerians are passing through hell fire now. Fuel price from N189 to over N1, 000 with a slave minimum wage of 70k which is yet to be implemented. Do you know how Nigerian workers are surviving?”
@AustineOBrian: “Very thoughtful initiative Ma’am. Once you put on this fabric, you are bound to get petrol free of charge. Any parents wearing this while taking their child to Lagos state boarding school, such parents are bound to pay boarding fee of 35k while the rest pay 100k.”
@UcheObadike: “Nigeria has never been this bad. Even Buhari performed better in his 8 years “I’m not aware” policy. Your husband who is aware have had things falling apart every blessed day in this country. He rushed to grab power but doesn’t know what to do with it. Nigerians are suffering.”
@peter_ameh: “The policy is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, a superficial solution to a deep-seated problem. Madam First Lady this your action is a replay of Nero’s fiddling while Rome burns, a tragic indifference to the nation’s plight. People are hungry. Please don’t turn governance into a circus.”
@Lumi_dezyn: “How in God’s name is a so called unity fabric going to help Nigerians or the populace lead a better and more fulfilling life with the current havoc and inflation in the country? I am not expecting any answers though, because if you did have one, you wouldn’t even post this.”
While throwing caution to the wind, some set had openly asked the First Lady to apologize to a particular tribe she had slighted during the Presidential campaign alleging that the present administration does not practice unity.
EvangRobinso: “Just thinking when did you and bat start believing the one Nigeria concept. That bat said he doesn’t believe. And yourself displayed it severally in your campaign against the Igbo tribe. Hypocrisy”
@JusticeChancel1: “Unity is not in fabrics, but in words and deeds. You openly show disdain for the SE, your husband has taken the sidelining of the SE a notch higher, yet you talk about unity? Why do your family hate Igbos so much? Perhaps you mean the unity of Lagos and other south west states.”
@brotherbarth: “Nigerians can’t feed but Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu wants them to buy #OneNigeriaUnityFabric. This is the same woman that threatened to chase a particular ethnic group out from Lagos and inherit their property. Which unity is she now preaching?”