Every community in African setting is a product of culture and tradition.

Therefore, culture and tradition stand as inseparable and desirable components of preserving the identity and economic activities of the community that hold onto them.

Like any other community with distinct culture and tradition, Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State is also a city with a difference. However, the uniqueness of the culture of Ilorin is seen in its economic hub. Ilorin is popular with some vocational skills which in the olden days were used to measure its economic advancement and development.

The concept of naming of some houses in the city was derived from the type of occupation or vocation the people living in those houses do. For instance, compounds like Ile-Onimago, Onikijapa, Onidilali, Asileke and Alaro among others historically got those names from what their progenitors preoccupied themselves with especially, where they got their daily bread.

Weaving of local fabric otherwise known as Aso-oke is an occupation known with some cities across the country including Ilorin. Specifically, weaving of local textile is very popular among Yoruba and Igbo speaking people.

Aso-oke is a clothing material with vagary of styles and colours that lovers of locally made fabrics wear in ceremonies such as weddings, naming, chieftaincy title and house warming among others.

Following many Nigerian's insatiable quest for foreign products including wears, the demand for Aso-oke soon nose-dived. Those whose inherited occupation is weaving abandoned the job for less profitable ones while a few of them who got educated, looked for white collar jobs that had since dried up.

In spite of apparent loss of preference of Aso-oke fabric, there are some areas within Ilorin city that cannot afford to let their long time inheritance go into oblivion. They believe holding onto such cultural economy is the best they can offer to rescue the occupation from going into permanent extinction and as well earn a living through the vocation.

One of such areas is Alaro compound,Okelele/Ojuekun area in the heart of Ilorin where Aso-oke weaving has not only subsisted as an occupation, but is also being used as a platform for competition among weavers in a bid to inculcate in the youths sense of hard work, dedication and non-reliance on non-existent white collar jobs.

To this end, members of the household last Sunday organised a weaving competition among the youths which took place at Alaro compound located within the precinct of Okelele, a popular community in Ilorin East local government area of the state known to be the hub of Aso–ke weaving.

Around 4:30pm, spectators, both old and young had gathered at a designated open space in the area to feed their eyes on the spectacle fondly called weaving competition. The event which commenced at exactly 5:15pm with an opening prayer by Alfa Alabidun, attracted a lot of people who gathered in the available space to catch a glimpse of the competitors display their skills.

Participants, numbering about 10, were handed 10 minutes each to exhibit their dexterity and skills in weaving and it was a sight to behold as they all tried to outdo each other, each one putting up their best act. Twisting of legs and movement of both hands with tool while weaving was a common phenomenon and those who partook in the contest created delightful spectacles for the spectators.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the contest was initiated in 1992 but was halted a few years later due to the lull in Aso- oke business. Speaking at the competition, Dr Abdulganiyu Salaudeen of Kwara State University, Malete, told the gathering that Aso-oke weaving was a means of identity and source of foreign exchange.

Clad in complete Aso-oke with shoes to match, the lecturer said the current efforts to strengthen the value of the naira could only materialise when locally made goods are prioritised and exported. Salaudeen, who teaches agriculture in the university, identified Aso-oke weaving as a profitable venture for those that find themselves in the profession unlike those scrambling for white collar jobs that were not available.

He also explained that the weaving profession was a source of social security that eliminates all forms of social ills and prevents youths from indulging in anti-social vices. The don stated that youths could be gainfully employed through it and enjoined jobless youths to embrace it as a source of livelihood to stave off hunger and poverty.

Salaudeen also pointed out that weaving is an indirect way of intimating the outside world of what abounds in Africa and showcasing our rich culture. He assured that his institution would support the revival of weaving in Ilorin in line with its community service mandate.

Also speaking, Mr Suleiman Okubiyi, explained that the Aso-oke emanated from Ilorin, being a famous vocational skill the city is known for. He noted that weaving had projected Ilorin community positively to the entire world unlike other areas of endeavour.

Tracing the advent of Aso-oke in the Nigerian history, Okubiyi said that the occupation was famous among the natives of Ede, Oyo, Iseyin in yoruba land, ditto Igbo land and the people of Ilorin in Kwara and people of Kogi states. A veteran weaver at the event, Alhaji Suleiman Oba Machine, who also spoke, praised the organisers for resuscitating the contest, which had long been suspended.

He said the resusciation of the competition was a good omen for the people of Ilorin and encouraged the organisers to sustain it as an annual event.

Dignitaries that graced the well organised weaving competition included a popular fabric merchant, Alh Solihu Adeoye and an Aso-oke magnate, Alh Bayo Alaro.

Some of the very important personalities of Ilorin origin who underwent the weaving skills include former minister of state for education, Alhaji Saka Saadu; retired Justice Akanbi Lambo; incumbent secretary to the Kwara state government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold; and late renowned Islamic preacher and founder of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, Sheik Mohammed Kamaldeen Al-Adabbiy.