OSUN STATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEW UNIFORM: A REBIRTH OF YORUBA TRADITIONAL TEXTILES!
I heard in the news this morning that the Omoluabi Gomina, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has made all the preparations ready to distribute New School Uniforms to Students in all Public Primary and Secondary Schools in Ipinle Omoluabi (Osun State), as part of His Transformation Agenda for the State Education Sector.
Not only that, the about to be distributed New School Uniforms is made with locally-made fabrics. The Uniform for High School Students will be Batik, while the one for Pupils and Students in Elementary and Middle Schools will be Batik Clone. This is exactly what I’ve been dreaming of, but never expected would happen due to Western Civilization.
In that case, I will like to commend Ogbeni Gomina for looking inward to choose an appropriate Uniform for the Pupils and Students in all Public Schools in the Osun State. It’s commendable! This I must say is in the best interest of the people of the State, as said by Hon. Sunday Akere (Commissioner of Information & Strategy).
In the olden days, Batik production imprinted the name of Osogbo and Osun State as a whole, in the minds of many tourists; known Worldwide for Batik production. Thanks to Osun State Government for putting in enabling measures that will make Batik production that the State is reputed for, which is almost becoming a thing of the past, to rebound.
Batik is one of the unique traditional textiles made by the Yorubas and the art of making it passed down across generations, but later suffered a decline in popularity amongst practitioners and its patrons due to the patronage of Western Wears by today’s generation.
Locally-made fabrics are one of the strongest signs of African culture and I must say Ogbeni is indeed a true African by introducing a School Uniform with locally-made fabrics. It saddens my heart that the Western Wears like Jeans, T-shirts, e.t.c, are more popular than our Home-grown garments like Ankara, Adire, Sagbada, Buba & Shoro, Aso Ofi, e.t.c.
In fact, if I can turn the hands of time, I will like to be in a Public Secondary School in Osun State and wear that Batik as a School Uniform. This will affirm my African root and boost up my ego as a true born African. Wearing Batik as a Uniform will also boost up the reading habit in the Students as Africans are known for.
Once again, kudos to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
for reviving the extinct Batik production in Osun State and Yorubaland as a whole; though some celebrated practitioners of this elegant age old art form (Nike Davies-Okundaye & Co.) have been making spirited effort to ensure the re-awakening of interest in the locally-made fabrics and its sustainability, but the present intervention of Osun State Government will put it on the fast lane.
A veritable springboard in this direction will be the opening-up of a local industry for the large production of locally-made fabrics in the State. It will boost the local economy through increased production and sale of local Batik materials.
Batik production is not a man’s work, large number of people (artisans) engaged in making it due to its various stages of production. In that case, it will create job opportunities for our local artisans and experts in “Tyed & Dyed” and it will be another skill acquisition opportunity for jobless people in Ipinle Omoluabi.
I enjoin Our Omoluabi Gomina, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to continue his good work in Ipinle Omoluabi, Osun State. May God in His Infinite Mercies grant You all Your Heart Desires, Crown Your Efforts with Resounding Success and Empower You to leave Osun State better than You met it. May God be with You and assist You to fulfill Your mission as Governor in Osun State. May God continue to be Your Guide as You continue to “Da ARA” in Osun State.
Bi “ARA”, bi “ARA” la o maa ri ni Ipinle Osun o!
Akoni ri ORAN o!!
God Bless You, Rauf “ADESOJI” Aregbesola!!!
ADESOJI means REBIRTH
Yours Truly,
Oluwatomilola K. Boyinde.
