Women
Women To Reconsider Role In Nation Building
The role of women in the family and in nation building has been linked to that of the neck in human body. As the neck carries and rotates the head to its direction of choice, so the society woman is viewed as the engine that propels and dictates the direction of the heads of the homes.
Using the occasion of the Women’s Day celebration of Assembles of God Nigeria, the Ikwerre District Women Co-ordinator, Rev. Mrs Helen Nwerebueknu Asuru, has called on the women faithfuls of Assemblies of God Nigeria, and the Nigerian women in general, not to disregard their potentials but to bring their inept wisdom to bear in the administration of their homes which also translates in the administration of the larger society.
Fielding questions from our reporter, Mrs Asuru explains that the privilege granted the women to be seen and heard in public administrations today in both religious and secular society is a demonstration of women liberation which of course was a fallout of Christ’s death on the cross of Calvary and his subsequent resurrection when he gave the women who reported first to his tomb, the charge to go and declare the good news of his resurrection and that of his kingdom, hence canceling the old testament belief which rendered the women mute in religious and by extention public gatherings.
Referring to this year’s theme of celebration. “Family Weapon of Warfare,” the Clergy woman implored all elected and appointed women in public and religious services, not to toil with the privilege but see it as an opportunity to prove to the world that women also, have functional and not dormant or redundant brains and that women have something to offer and can deliver given the slightest opportunity. She emphasised that it will be catastrophic if the neck fails to turn the head aright.
“Shun haughty living and imbibe the culture of humility, service and respect even as Serah respected her husband that she called him Lord”, she added.
In another development, the Ikwerre South District Women Coordinator of Assemblies of God Nigeria, Rev. Mrs Esther .C. Ezekwu, has ceased the privilege of the occasion of the Church’s Women’s Day celebration to call on the Nigerian women irrespective of tribe and religion, to look up to God and get more involved and committed to the service of God and humanity as that could help to rechart the course of our nation building.
Speaking to our reporter on the forthcoming women’s day celebration in her domain, Mrs Ezekwu implores the elderly and experienced mothers to present themselves as a mirror to the young and single ones who are looked upon as future mothers, stating that if they be poorly groomed, our future would be in shamble as it would be led by mothers who know not their right and their left.
The idle women who parasite on their husbands, she advises to avail themselves of the privileges provided by the women ministry department to acquire useful skills that are financially rewarding so that they could be supportive to their husbands and become more relevant in their homes.
The Women Ministry of Assemblies of God Church Nigeria is an arm or department carved out by the leaders of the body for easier and better administration. It addresses of greatest importance, matters pertaining to women especially as it concerns their spiritual growth and welfare.
It also addresses the physical as well as social needs of its members with serious attention to the less privileged and widows.
It seeks to awaken and reawaken spiritual consciousness among the women and make them realise that they are also heirs of the kingdom.
The department also helps to reposition the women in the scheme of things by keeping them abreast of the goings-on in the body of Christ as well as equip them with the necessary tools to face the challenges of times.
Making the woman relevant at home and outside, to this body, is a task that must be done. To this end, efforts are made, according to the coordinators, at regular intervals to acquaint members with relevant skills that if well utilised, could better the lot of many and alleviate their poverty state.
However, come 8th of May, 2011, the Women Ministry of this great body of Christ will roll out their drums in all the local churches across Nigeria. The reason for this celebration, the coordinators indicated, is not far from giving the women a chance to showcase their inept potentials as well as make them feel belonging in the household of faith.
For a lively and colourful mothering Sunday, various activities, ranging from street rally, talks on family welfare, visits to the needy and many more had been lined up by different local assemblies and at the district levels to commemorate this all important day.
Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi
IVY-K Fashion by Igiebor Daddy Lucky, a Nigerian-born designer now based in the UK, has launched the latest menswear line, Dapper Man.
One of the collection’s strengths is its classic, clean aesthetic. Dapper Man delivers sharp, structured suits in a timeless black and white color scheme that exudes a sense of luxury and professionalism. The use of high-quality fabrics like wool and silk ensures that the suits not only look high-end but also feel luxurious to the wearer. The designer’s focus on detail is evident in the meticulous tailoring, with fitted blazers and crisp trousers forming the foundation of the collection.
Where IVY-K Fashion shines is in the subtle yet elegant touches. The inclusion of beads as embellishments on lapels and cuffs adds a unique flair, blending traditional craft with modern tailoring. This nod to African heritage gives the collection a distinct identity, offering something more personal and culturally significant than your standard menswear line.
However, despite the elegance of the Dapper Man collection, there is a lingering sense of missed opportunity. The black-and-white color palette, while classic, feels overly safe. In a fashion landscape where bold colors and daring patterns often make the strongest impact, the collection could benefit from incorporating more vibrant hues or experimenting with unconventional fabrics. Pushing the envelope with color or texture could elevate these designs from simply elegant to truly memorable.
In addition, while the tailoring of the blazers and trousers is immaculate, the collection lacks a sense of playfulness or modern edge that many contemporary menswear lines are embracing. The suits are undoubtedly stylish, but the collection as a whole leans heavily on tradition. Experimenting with asymmetrical cuts, bold patterns, or even layering could add an exciting dimension to Dapper Man. The challenge is to maintain the sleek sophistication of the collection while infusing it with a fresh, innovative spirit.
Another area that could use improvement is the overall cohesion of the collection. While the suits are well-crafted, there is a feeling of repetition across the pieces. More variation in design, such as different lapel styles, pocket configurations, or even bolder accessories, would give the collection greater diversity and visual interest.
In conclusion, Dapper Man by Igiebor Daddy Lucky showcases the designer’s strong grasp of classic tailoring and elegant design, but to truly capture the attention of a broader audience, IVY-K Fashion would benefit from more daring choices. By infusing the collection with bold colors, unexpected textures, and a more modern edge, Dapper Man could move from a well-crafted line to a trendsetting force in men’s fashion. With such a solid foundation, there’s no doubt that Igiebor Daddy Lucky has the potential to lead his brand toward greater heights
The trend of indecent dressing all in the name of fashion is fast becoming a norm in our generation and society at large. Most married women embrace this fashion as competition with single ladies.
Different scholars have given an in depth insight about dressing as a tool of communication. Non-verbal communication has been asserted as the communication between people by the means of signs or symbols. It conveys what we wish to disseminate to the public as either intentionally or not.
According to Paul Ekman and Michael Argyle, communication is carried out through what has been classified as “Presentational Code”. He listed nine codes of non-verbal communication, as body contact, facial expression, gestures, postures, eye movement, proximity, orientation, head nods and appearance.
This, being stated, married and single ladies should understand that their mode of dressing is communicative be it directly or indirectly as such body parts we call “private” are now being made public because of the trends or wearing of transparent dresses and this in turn calls on the attention of men who are weak and prone to illicit thoughts thus, resulting to most rape cases in our society.
This indecent dressing by most ladies has denied many their future husbands. The truth is that a man is attracted to his kind; his desires in marriage. It is often asserted that decency and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder, yet, in trending times of this 21st century, dress code and fashion in nudity form is gaining popularity.
This has become complicated as most men tend to toggle between their emotions (lust) and sanity (rationality) in terms of marriage, thereby setting a wrong foundation upon which most marriages are consummated.
On the other hand, most married women have embraced the trend of indecent dressing nipping it on the state of it being the choice dressing, approved by their spouses, leaving society with the question of what “responsible” man would prefer that the secrecy of the benefit of his marital vow has become the centre of attraction and viewership by the general public.
Hence, communicating with their dressing gas given licence to every male gender who is interested or attracted to what they see to make unsolicited sexual passes at them, which might be considered embarrassing.
At this juncture, it is important to state that ladies should dress decently knowing that they are the epitome of nation-building, they are nation-builders, character moulders and pacesetters not just in the lives of their families but to the society at large.
In most occasions, there are no clear border lines between the married women and the single ladies because of the rate of scanty dressing which has close the gap of differences.
Women and girls should embrace this call awakening to decent mode of dressing. Dresses that are meant to be worn indoors should remain indoors.
It is worrisome to see ladies wear shorts that are supposed to be worn in the living room on the streets without shame. This is an awakening call to our ladies, married and singles that the opposite sex do not expose their private body parts for the public. Sometimes, the ladies go about in the streets without wearing brazziers as to showcase their nipples.
The society should be sanitised of the menace of indecent dressing that is lurking and taking over the entire nooks and crannies of the society and the nation at large.
Let it be known that he or she is addressed in the manner he or she is dressed. There may be no room for a second impression. To the single ladies, your dressing decently will not stop you from meeting your Mr Right rather, it will increase your stake and place you on the list of most valued women in the society.
Dressing speaks louder than words.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha is an OND final year student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.
