Women
Our Communities Should Empower Women – Manjor
Lydia W. Ikunga Manjor, Eze Omehia Eli I of Evekwu Community, Emohua.
History was made in the state on the 27th of last month, when an illustrious daughter of the state, Lydia Ikunga-Manjor, was coronated the Eze Omehia Eli I of Evekwu, Odegu Community, Emohua Local Government Area, by the Evekwu Community Council of Chiefs led by His Royal Highness, Ohama Odudu Dimkpa Nweeli.
Manjor, a renown journalist and lawyer merited the exalted position through her immense contribution to the human and physical development of her community.
In this interview with our Deputy Editor (features), the Eze Omehia Eli I (the pioneer of good things) gives us an insight into the journey of her becoming a Chief, what that means to her, and how she will use her enviable position to better the lots of her community and many more.
Excerpts.
Can I meet you?
My name is Lydia Ikunga Manjor. I came from Evekwu, in Odegu Community, Emohua Local Government Area. I attended University of Port Harcourt where a baged a degree in Theartre Arts. I have a diploma in Journalism from IIJ. Later I went to Rivers State University of Science and Technology to obtain LLB.
Last December a personal Assistant to the Paramount ruler of Evekwu Community met me and told me that my community would be interested to give me a chieftaincy title. Prior to this, other people specifically some youths in the community had also discussed the same issue with me. I never took it serious .
When they said that I would just say please you people should leave me along. Do they make a woman titled chief”, and they would laugh. Until that day in December when the PA, who is also a chief came and in the course of our discussion he said, “We want to make you a titled chief. You have worked so much for this community. I asked do they crown a woman chief? He said yes we want to do it, go and think about it. Later he called me and said,” Our Royal Highness, Oha Dimkpa Odudu and the elders of the community are serious about giving you a chieftaincy title. So I accepted. He conveyed my position to the Paramount Ruler and His council of Chiefs to tell them that I had accepted. Later he called me back to tell me that the entire council was interested in me becoming a chief. He told me things to do. That was the first stage. I did it. I also finished the second stage. He now went to the village square in the presence of the entire community to inform the people of what they intended doing and asked if there was any opposition. Nobody said no. everybody accepted.
He then later informed me that everybody had accepted, that I should get ready to finish what was remaining. I asked him that being a woman, were they not going to wave certain things for me. They said no, I will do every thing that it takes to be a chief. And that I did.
You said one reason given by the chiefs for conferring you with the title was that you have done so much for your community. May I know some of these things you did?
I contributed in building health centre in my community. I was instrumental to the registration of the community’s youth football club being registered with Rivers State Government Sports Council. I also coordinated a Women’s group called the Rumuihuordu daughters and registered them with the Corporate Affairs Commission. In short, there is nothing that my community does that I don’t contribute to when called upon-both the ones propounded and the unpronounced ones. I do it my little way.
Being a woman and well educated, some people may wonder why you accepted to take chieftaincy title?
It was not a mere title that was given to me. They wanted me to be among the policy making body of the community, to represent the female folk. And I feel that it is a responsibility being given to me and I accepted it. I see it as an opportunity to further contribute to the development of my community and to ensure that women’s voice is heard.
Could you please explain to me the type of title given to you and the responsibilities attached to it?
I was given the title of Eze Omehia Eli I of Evekwu, Odegu Community. That means the pioneer of good things. They feel that I do good things in the community.
Is it like something you can hand over to a member of your family when you are gone?
No, it is a chieftaincy title. It cannot be handed over to another person.
But you were given a stool. What happens to the stool after you and does it mean people will be coming to you with cases?
Yes, that was why I was called upon. They want my contribution to the peace and development of the community.
I suppose you are the only woman in the council of chiefs, how do you feel about that and how are you going to cope?
I will just be myself.
Don’t you think they will intimidate you?
They cannot I will be myself.
I will tell them what I know is right. If I see that there will be controversy. I will drop the matter and take it up next time until I buy over their hearts. It is not a matter of struggling. It is a matter of subtle persuasion.
How are you going to use this your position to better the lots of women in your community?
We will organise programmes for them, teaching them the norms of the society. most times when a man dies, the wife is accused of killing him, but no man is ever accused of killing his wife. So if we should start having programmes sensitising men and women about it, I think such things will be reduced. I will also work to see that more women get educated.
As a Christian, don’t you think it is not proper to take such a title that will see you mingling with “unbelievers” and engaging in ungodly’ activities?
It is good for a Christian to take such title so that if the other members of the council are doing what is contrary to the word of God you will correct them and say “No, this thing is not good”. But if you are out there an say you are a Christian and you don’t want to participate, how will they know that what they are doing is wrong. They wouldn’t know.
What if they want you to take part in some fetish, traditional that might not be in accordance with your faith as a Christian?
You will tell them politely that this is not good and give them reasons why such act is not good. A day before I was coronated, they told me that there were things and things and things that they would do. I told them no, this is a civilized time, such things shouldn’t be done and they did not do it.
I know some people will frown at a woman being given such exalted position. What can you say to that?
That’s their own mentality. If I should go school and sit down with a man in the same class room, a woman will make first class, woman will go to school and obtain first degree, second degree, what is wrong with the woman taking a title? There is nothing wrong with a woman taking a title.
You know we belong to a society where many believe women should only be seen and not heard!
We are not dragging anything with men. All we ask is that they should give us chance for our voice to be heard. It’s just a matter of allowing women give them opinions on issues that concern them and everything in the community. Even in your house you give opinion, then what will make you not to give opinion outside?
What do you stand to gain as Eze Omehieli I of Evekwu Odegu Community?
What I stand to gain is to see that my women are carried along.
There is no material gain?
Nothing! Nothing! But if that should come in a right way, I will take.
How do you hope to marry your duties as a chief and your official duties?
All that is required is proper time management. I will plan my self very well, hoping that the time they sit doesn’t coincide with my work.
How often do they sit?
They sit ones every week.
What do you have to tell other communities?
What I have to tell other communities is that they should take a lead from Evekwu, Odegu community. They should know that women also have something to contribute. Women also have the ability to build the nation. They should recognise and empower women just as my community did.
Calista Ezeaku
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.
