First Lady in Abia: Oluremi Tinubu to Honour Centuries-Old Akwete Craft

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will arrive in Abia State on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, to celebrate a heritage that has defined Ukwa East for generations: the Akwete weaving tradition.

The Abia State Government announced the visit on Monday. Governor Alex Otti and his wife, Priscilla, will host the First Lady during the one-day engagement.

The centerpiece of the visit will be the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Society in Akwete, Ukwa East Local Government Area. There, Mrs. Tinubu will sit with master weavers and witness the intricate handcraft that has made Akwete cloth a cultural symbol far beyond Nigeria’s borders.

According to the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, Akwete textile has for centuries been one of the country’s proudest cultural exports and a vital source of income for women in the area.

From the cooperative, the First Lady and Governor Otti will move to Akwete Central School Field for a civic reception slated for 10:00 a.m. Officials said the gathering is designed to mark the historic visit and showcase Abia’s rich cultural identity to the nation.

Traditional rulers, government officials, community leaders, women and youth groups, and residents are expected at the event.

The state government has urged residents of Ukwa East and neighboring communities to come out in large numbers to welcome Mrs. Tinubu.

The visit is expected to spotlight Akwete weaving again a craft that has sustained families for generations and continues to put Abia on Nigeria’s cultural map.

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