EBONYI STATE: Carleton University Canada Commends Ae-Funai Centre For Indigenous Textiles
OMAKA OKOH (Abakaliki)
The African Indigenous Knowledge Research Network, Carleton University, Canada, has commended the Centre for Indigenous Textiles, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, for empowering students with life skills in the area of indigenous fabrics production.
The Network gave the commendation when they visited the Centre for an on-the-spot assessment of its activities especially, its production process.
Speaking on behalf of the Network, Miss Ifeoma Nnamani, said the Centre has what it takes to build the capacities of people to be self-reliant and productive, and enjoined other universities to emulate its success story in the making of traditional fabrics.
She added that the Network came to look at the production process of the Centre and how it can be used to empower young people for a better society, adding that the visit was not only to see the process but also to acquire knowledge from the process and to be trained on how to produce local fabrics through weaving.
She further stated that AE-FUNAI is doing remarkable works in the indigenous fabric production which other universities need to replicate in order to promote the African Culture at the world stage.
She also commended the University management for giving the team the opportunity to be at the Centre to research on the process of producing traditional fabrics, which according to her, could be of great help to the young ones in the near future.
While taking members of the research network round the Centre, the Acting Director, Miss Chiaka Nnodi, noted that the recent happenings in the country require the young ones to acquire sellable skills to be self-reliant and economically independent as white collar jobs werey now limited.
She stated that their research visit would expose them to the rudiments of weaving of traditional fabrics, adding that the Centre is known for producing and promoting traditional clothing in Igbo land and across Nigeria.
The Acting Director further assured the team of their willingness to train people from all over the country who are interested in the trade in order to sustain the traditional weaving culture, and also enhance its business aspect among the people.
The Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network was formed by some students in Carleton University, Canada.
The Organisation is composed of researchers from different parts of the world, especially those who are interested in acquiring the African Indigenous knowledge.
