•The Story Of 2 Brothers SHAFI & SULAIMON SHITTU
On 5th February 2022, Alhaji Shittu tuned 90. A few months after he passed on to greater glory after a life well spent. In his lifetime, his personality was synonymous with Aiyepe. Like the saying goes, Aiyepe kan, Shuttu kan. All his life was spent in Aiyepe. He was born into the Royal family of Alhaji Seidu Kehinde & Alhaia Humani Shittu, of blessed memory. He had his primary education at Holy Trinity School Aiyepe and studied Stenography at a private commercial school in Lagos. He completed this program in flying colours and qualified as a Stenographer in 1951.
Being an enterprising and industrious personality, he ventured into textile retail business. His brother, Alhaji Sulaimon Ademola Shittu later joined the growing business as a partner. This retail business metamorphosed into wholesale of tailor-made clothing, handkerchiefs, men’s underwear and footwear under the banner of the Idera-Olu Textiles Industry.
In 1955, Idera-Olu Textiles Industry expanded its horizon to include the selling of embroidery lace materials which were sourced mainly from Italy. The company continued to experience tremendous growth and set the pace of fashion trends in the social scene of Nigeria. In 1961, ldera-Olu Textiles Industry started sourcing high-quality Damask and classic Guinea Brocade materials from Germany and marketed same in Nigeria under the leadership of Alhaji Shafi Mobolaji Shittu -the Company became the biggest dealer of Guinea Brocade in Nigeria.
In the quest for further expansion Alhaji ( Prince) Shafi Mobolaji embarked on a business trip to Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Britain and France in 1966 which paved way for various business contacts that positively affected the expansion of the business. ldera-Olu Textiles became an household name among international manufacturers and local consumers. Furthermore, in 1970, Alhaji (Prince) Shafi Mobolaji shittu was introduced to Messrs. Franz Maser, an Austrian large embroidery manufacturer. This meeting led to a partnership agreement between the embroidery manufacturer and ldera-Olu Textiles which marked the beginning of a new and bigger business opportunity. Alhaji Shafi Mobolaji moved from the trading oftextiles to manufacturing. With this role change came the sole responsibility of deciding the location ofthe factory.
Alhaji (Prince) Shafi Mobolaji Shittu proudly decided that the location for this new business should be at nowhere other than Aiyepe. For this main decision by a single man, Aiyepe became an household name in Nigeria and internationally. The construction of the Lace Factory started in 1970 and was commissioned on 9th December, 1972 by the then Governor of Western State, Brigadier Oluwole Rotimi. Thus, Idera-Olu Textiles expanded and became Austro-Nigerian Embroidery Factories Limited with Alhaji (Prince) Shafi Mobolaji Shittu as the Chief Executive Officer Managing Director. Under his able leadership the Company carved a unique brand name of high quality lace material widely known as “Aiyepe lace”.
“Ayepe lace” tookAiyepe town to a recognizable level and became popular internationally. Aiyepe lace contributed to the rapid development of our beloved town. This also created job opportunities for so many people In recognition of his role in the manufacturing sector Alhaji Shafi Mobolaji Shittu received many local and international awards. In 1992, under the leadership of Alhaji Shafi Mobolaji Shittu, “Sule & Shafi” established another Company known as Sulsaf industries Nigeria Limited which specialized in the production of printed fabrics popularly known as jacquard – again, setting the trend in the social Scene. Alhaji (Prince) Shati Shittu is a philanthropist per excellence. He is a cheerful giver. He contributed immensely to the socio-economic and religious development of his hometown, Aiyepe. He was Vice- Chairman of Aiyepe Muslim community, for several years and was later turbaned as Baba Adinni of Aiyepe by the Aiyepe Musilirn Community in June, 1991. Among his indelible notable legacies are the perception, conception and financing of the building of the new ultra-modem Aiyepe Central Mosque in collaboration with other notable sons and daughters of Aiyepe. As Baba Adinni, he played strong fundamental roles in the activities of the Muslims and Aiyepe in general.
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