The Governor conferred the honour on the proprietor of Nike Arts Gallery today while commissioning the gallery complex building at Akoda, Osun state.
In a programme moderated by the Goge Africa team and witnessed by the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, Governor Adeleke eulogized Mrs Okundaye as a symbol of cultural innovation and a consistent promoter of African culture at home and abroad.
“This edifice we are commissioning today is a symbol of hard work, innovation and accomplishment for our mother in culture and tradition. Mama, you remain an iconic figure whose life is dedicated to uplifting our people through arts and culture.
“We identify with you in this happy moment. I have directed the Ministry of Arts and Culture to work closely with your center for the promotion of arts and traditions. All our cultural agencies are under similar directives to work closely with Nike Arts Gallery.
“We expect partnership with the Nike brand to enhance the implementation of the state’s creative industry agenda.
“Osun is today taking her rightful place as the origin of Aro with Ile-Aka in Osogbo and Ile-Akoda in Ede. Under my administration, adire as a symbol of our heritage has been affirmed and put on the front desk of state governance. Our government is a champion of adire revival.
“Our administration has taken conscious steps to stamp the state’s authority on the adire field. Every Wednesday is our adire outing. It is compulsory for all public servants, elected officials and political appointees”, the governor told the gathering.
He informed guests that his administration is organizing the Adire Osun Carnival as a major creative show to boost the sector as well as the capacity of the state to generate more revenue, promising that “All stakeholders will be involved in the event.
“We will be honouring Mama Nike Gallery as a global Ambassador and Queen for the Adire Osun Carnival. We will be doing this in recognition of Mama as a world-renowned Adire Culture and Arts practitioner. We take into account, her creative costume and her unique yet flamboyant headwear as a trademark for the adire Osun Carnival 2025.
“I use this opportunity to invite all lovers of adire at home and in the diaspora to join the drive to make the carnival a successful landmark event. Adire Osun Carnival 2025 is planned to be a unique adire street parade and celebration. It is scheduled for the last quarter of the year 2025”, the governor told the elated audience.
Responding earlier in a welcome address, the highly celebrated cultural icon, Mrs Okundaye appreciated the presence and honour conferred on her by the Governor, commending the Governor for prioritizing development of Adire.
“We commend Mr Governor and we appreciate the partnership with the government to take Adire and our cultural industry to greater heights”, Mrs Okundaye noted.
The Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye and members of the State Executive Council accompanied the Governor to the commissioning.