By Jare Tiamiyu
It was on a cool Wednesday morning, when this reporter and his crew visited an area called Testing Ground in Osogbo, Osun State, Southwest Nigeria. The specific location was African Crafts Shop where Yoruba traditional attires known as Adire are made.
The team was welcomed with a great smile booming from a radiant looking and lively man with the name, Muritala Adebayo, popularly known as “African child”, a visually impaired who is into making of local traditional attire popularly called “Adire” among Yorubas.
Adebayo, who described himself as “bulldozer” that cannot be stopped by any challenge, is one of many men who have decided to take it upon themselves to change the narratives about persons living with disabilities. A skillful, humane and hardworking man, Adebayo has trained over 1,000 on the art of dye and tie and has worked at popular Nike Arts Gallery in Osogbo, despite his challenges.
“Whenever I visit places, people trying to offer me money. I do reject it outrightly and seek patronage instead. No amount someone can give me that’ll make me happy compared to being patronized.” Adebayo said during interaction with this reporter.
While this reporter was there, Adebayo dyed two cloths. He did it with the aid of his wife, Mrs Yetunde Adebayo, whom he described as a “supportive assistant”.
The African Crafts Shop
African Arts Shop is housed in a building that was constructed through assistance from the Osun Agency for Community and Social Development. It has studios section and showroom, where ready made items are displayed.
A section of the African Arts Shop where ready made cloths are kept
At the display section, several items such as bags, wrappers, duvet, shirts and other Adire materials are available for sales. “Every designs you see here are made by me. I have sold attires to Kings, lawmakers and defended my projects at different stages. I learned this in Ghana and that’s why my Arts and designs are different from what you see everywhere.” Adebayo said.
The struggles
I was not born blind. I lost my sight at a point and immediately after, I needed to go to a rehabilitation school. Shortly after, I moved on.
He said he met people who rely on alcohol to take away their sorrow and of which he did join them many times but later, he had an encounter with Jesus Christ and his life changed for better.
Duvets, other items designed and produced by Adebayo
According to Adebayo, sometimes people take his presence around influential persons as avenue to beg for money. He attributed this to the general attitude against persons living with disabilities.
He said, “Some years back, I don’t know anyone at the higher authority but when I lost my sight, I’ve met former gorvernor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, Gorvernor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke and his Deputy Prince Kola Adewusi and I also met Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other Influential people including lawmakers.
“I normally joke that am determined and nobody can stop me because I was not born blind, although it is not joke but I mean it.
Adebayo explaining his project
“People mock me when I go to some places, to present my work. They would say, their boss is not around, even at times I over heard them saying I want to beg for money. This can be attributed to the general conducts of some people against persons living with disabilities.
“This is the main reason why I have not been able to deliver specially customized Adire I made for Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and his elder sister, Yeyeluwa Modupeola Adeleke-Sanni.”
The Success Story
Adebayo has trained no fewer than 1,000 persons. According to him, his last child is at a football academy in Osun State while he has produced two graduates. He said he does not only train, but employ his trainees till “they have what it takes to stand on their own.”
This crew met two persons at his studio during the visit. They are masters of the business who were employed by Adebayo as he said “the tie and dye is not a one-man job”.
Bags at African Arts Shop
According to one of the workers, Daniel Okoye who hails from Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria, Adebayo has been a fantastic master to him. “He taught me this job. We met at Nike Arts Gallery years back and this thing that we do, he’s the only master of it. So after he taught me, I decided to work under him and earn a living here.”
Other photo…
Adebayo, a philanthropist
Giving comes from the heart, Adebayo on 28th of December, 2022, gave not less than 20 persons living with disabilities Adire clothes and cash for sewing to celebrate the 2023 new year festival.
While speaking at the event which was covered by this reporter, the Adire maker attributed his attitude to the need to put smiles on the faces of everyone regardless of their status.
“Everyone must herald the new year with smile and that is also responsibility of everyone. I have taken it upon myself to help those I believe I’m better than. My challenges notwithstanding.” He said.
Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke at the event became jubilant and emotional as they showered praises and appreciation on their benefactor.
Adebayo’s wife presenting cloths and cash to one of the beneficiary in December 2022
Mrs Tawakalitu Omowunmi appreciates Adebayo and his household for this gesture. She said, “Despite the situation of the economy in Nigeria, he still remembers us, his fellow persons living with disabilities, God will continue to bless him.”
Another beneficiary, Mr Bello Adeolu also appreciates him, describes him as loving and caring man.
This reporter was also informed that Adebayo had earlier in 2022 given not less that 15 persons living with disabilities cloths to celebrate Islamic festival – Eid-Kabir.
This story was written by Jare Tiamiyu as part of Africa Young Media Professional Fellowship.
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