Our Story

ITA'I OUR CLOTH is a cloth-weaving social enterprise rooted in Okene with operations in Lagos, Nigeria and New York City. Founded in 2019, this global brand with a home-felt impact is dedicated to bringing a modern approach to preserving, presenting, and promoting Africa’s cultural heritage through woven cloth, aligning with the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 
 

“Um'okuku um'obooba - iruvo pit'achi ”

“Time past, time present - only the bottom can tell the story of cloth ”

— Ebira Proverb

Our Vision

To make Ita'i a global brand with a home-felt impact.

Our Mission

Encouraging community development and women empowerment through existing resources such as weaving.


Our Core Values

Resourcefulness
Creativity
Transparency
Best Practices
Home Values

 

In everyday practice, Ita'i Our Cloth is aligned with and committed to 7 out of the 17
Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs). 

 

Justification

Most ethnic groups in Africa have traditional cloth or fabrics that are peculiar to them. These are mostly hand-woven on locally made looms. Through extensive research and site visits to villages and communities across West Africa, we have observed simply that today's weavers are predominantly older females above the age of 55). With modernization and urban migration, weaving sadly is fast becoming a dying culture. The economic benefits of promoting weaving can not be overemphasized. These include human capital development, training, improved living standards, tourism, a cultural place on the global map, etc. In driving Africa's economic diversification agenda, communities are already looking inward and becoming less reliant on the government. This equates Ita'i to a viable source for economic growth.


Ebiraland The Ebira Woman

Ebiraland is the commercial nerve centre of Kogi State. Strategically & centrally located, it serves as the link between the East, South, and North of Nigeria, thereby earning Okene the name Link City. Nestled beneath the historic hills are people who value their culture and are also known to be innovative, hardworking, conscientious, and loving.

The Ebira Woman is highly industrious, and commerce is part of her everyday life. This includes weaving, craft-making, and trading. Weaving is not just a source of income, it is considered an integral part of her culture & tradition. Teaching a young girl to weave is considered grooming for her future home. This makes weaving an interesting and essential part of every home in Ebiraland.


Behind ITA'I Our Cloth is a formidable team driving its creative and business vision in Okene, Lagos, and New York City.

  • Oyiza G. Adaba

    FOUNDER / CEO

  • Miamah J. Richards

    INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DIRECTOR (U.S.A)

  • Rosemary O. Onubaiye

    COUNTRY DIRECTOR (NIGERIA)

  • Mama Hauwa

    HEAD WEAVER (OKENE)

  • Martha Sadiq

    COMMUNITY ASSISTANT (OKENE)

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