First Lady unveils National Unity Fabric, announces 25-year-old winner of #OneNigeria/UnityFabric competition

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday unveiled the #OneNigeria/UnityFabric, a symbol of national unity designed by 25-year-old Miss Bamidele Mofiyinfoluwa, a graduate from the University of Ibadan.

Bamidele, who emerged victorious from a pool of 111 entries, at the event held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, received a grand prize of ₦25 million for her winning design.

According to a statement issued by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, the competition, organised by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) chaired by First Lady, aimed to engage Nigerian youths aged 15-25 in creating a design that would represent the country’s unity.

In her keynote address, Mrs Tinubu explained that the concept of a national fabric was inspired by her visit to Zimbabwe in December 2023, where she witnessed a similar initiative.

She expressed her joy at the unveiling and thanked the judges, including renowned fashion icon Princess Zainab Folawiyo and international textile fashion designer Miss Banke Kuku, for their rigorous selection process.

“Today, my heart is filled with joy as we have just witnessed the unveiling of the #OneNigeriaUnity Fabric, the announcement of the winner of the competition and the presentation of prize ceremony. I say big congratulations to Miss Bamidele Mufiyinfoluwa, she did quite a fantastic job.

“I would like to briefly share the background to what led us to this moment. 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 they have, and this 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. So I decided that it would be a good idea to have a similar experience.

“Upon my arrival, at one of the meetings of the Governing Council of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), I mooted the idea and to my surprise, everyone seemed excited about it. Thereafter, the #OneNigeriaUnity Fabric Competition was announced through various media platforms in February 2024, calling on all our youth between the ages of 15 to 25 to create a design for a fabric that will be launched as the national unity fabric.

“Entries for this competition closed on the 30th of June, 2024. On 2nd of July, 2024, we invited two panelists; a renowned fashion icon, Princess Zainab Abba Folawiyo, who has been at the forefront of the fashion industry for 60 years, and Miss Banke Kuku, an international textile fashion designer. She’s the one who actually designed the gift scarves I give out because she’s a textile designer.

“Both of them, with members of the Governing Board, and some friends of RHI, had the task of selecting the best design from 111 entries. This selection process was rigorous, but today, we are happy to present the best design selected by our expert judges. Well done, and thank you”, she said.

Mrs Tinubu also disclosed that the new national fabric would be worn across the country to celebrate the Independence Day Anniversary on October 1, 2024, and that it would be mass-produced by local manufacturers to stimulate the local textile industry, create jobs, and boost the economy.

The First Lady said the project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, fostering creativity, supporting local enterprises, and celebrating national identity and unity to the nation as it moves forward.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who sent in their entries. We received entries from Nigerians across the country, in the Diaspora, five of them are present today, which you all just met, apart from the winner.

“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. I applaud each one of you for your contribution. However, we can only have one winner, but I urge you not to relent in expressing your creativity, imagination and nurturing your dreams and passion”.

Also speaking at the event, National Vice Chairman of the RHI and wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, said the fabric initiative is aimed at promoting unity and creativity in Nigeria.

She expressed pride in the realization of the vision of the competition, which encourages Nigerians to think nationally before considering tribal or ethnic loyalties.

She said the initiative includes the production and distribution of 200,000 pieces of a national unity fabric, with significant allocations to Lagos, Kano, and Abuja, and additional pieces to other stakeholders.

The event was witnessed by dignitaries from across the country, including wives of governors, wives of the leaders of the National Assembly and wives of security chiefs.

Others who were at the event were former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole; former First Ladies, including Ajoke Muritala Muhammad; Fati Lami Abubakar; and Patience Jonathan.