Women
Echoes Of NAWOJ Confab
The premises of the Rivers
State Ministry of Women Affairs last Friday was agog as female journalists under the auspices of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), in Rivers State and beyond converged to witness yet another conference, the ‘5th Triennial Delegates Conference of NAWOJ, Rivers State, 2014.
It was a forum for the professional women journalists to meet with each other again in euphoria, ease off their official duties as well as sharing ideas that are of utmost upliftment to the ever-evolving challenges in the faces of their professional career and gender. Moreso, it was a conference that heralded a new executive body, on whose shoulders the affairs of the association would rest for the next three years.
Showcasing the progress of the association in the past three years (August 2011-August 2014), the outgone chairman of NAWOJ, Rivers State, Dr Enale Kodu, revealed that the association embarked on several gender-based advocacy programmes and seminars that had formed a source of an eye-opener not only in the discharge of their professional duties but of gender integrity and domestic affairs.
Among them were the partnership with the Preventive Health Initiative, a one-day awareness creation programme on ‘Youth Against Cancer For In-School Youths, ‘Women’s sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.’ a seminar on ‘Ensuring National Peace and Stability, The Role of Women Journalists’ as well as rallies, courtesy calls, conferences and media chats.
The theme of the conference, ‘Women, The Building Blocks For Better Service Delivery In Politics,’ wouldn’t have been more apt. Quite expository and inspiring not only for the women journalists, but women in general, and the Guest Lecturer, Barr Victoria Opara did justice to the issue.
Opara challenged the women to desist from their usual habit of under estimation of themselves, but rather stand tall and be on the decision table, an act without which she said the women’s voice and plight would remain unheard.
According to her “going by the theme, it suggests that there are two sides needing both to make a whole. Thus, the woman is one component that is needed to make this country move forward even in politics as far as efficiency and effectiveness are concerned.”
Resounding that the ‘Pen Is Mightier Than Sword,’ Opara urged the professional women journalists to use their pen to press on issues that affect them in all spheres maintaining that it is still dependent on the woman whether or not her plight is attended to.
While noting that the Nigerian Constitution and religion were key factors militating against women even in their participation in politics, she said: “you must know that if you are not there, nobody will speak for you. Don’t be an enemy of yourself, it is incumbent upon you to rise up and put things right. Be the change you want to be, join politics and use your pen to sensitise and promote these issues for your own good.”
The Guest of Honour and General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr Celestine Ogolo, charged the women to rise beyond their scope of profession and bring themselves to the limelight even in politics.
Represented by an elder of NAWOJ in the state, Mrs Juliet Njiowhor, he said “Let these building blocks not be limited to politics, but extended to every aspect of our activities. It takes time and patience, but let’s remain strong.”
The conference featured speeches from the elders of NAWOJ both at the state and zonal levels including Mrs Timipre Idoko, Uche Atuzie, Kate Sam-Mgbor, Lizzy Fumbo, Beatrice Paago among others, who at their various capacities maintained that NAWOJ stands as the voice of women not only in journalism profession but the woman gender in general.
They urged the women journalists to shun their differences and function in close partnership even with other well-meaning women organisation and NGOs to take the association to greater heights within the period in focus.
Lady Godknows Ogbulu
Women
Nigeria Deserves Stylish, Sophisticated Designs-Igiebor Daddy Lucky
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
Women
Women Can Curb Indecent Dressing
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.