Women
‘Rural Women, Key Agents For National Dev’
Renowned educationist and lecturer in the Department of Curriculum Studies and Instructional Technology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Mr. Henry Vincent Peterside, has described rural women as key agents for development, Mr Peterside said they play catalystic role towards achieving transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development at the family and community level.
Speaking with The Tide in Port Harcourt, Tuesday, in an interview on rural women and their role in national development, Peterside maintained that no doubt, they are instrumental in the achievement of food security, income generation, as well as improving rural livelihoods and the overall well-being of their families.
He asserted that women were instrumental in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), noting that, this is because their impacts are felt right from the family level to the wider society.
According to him, “rural women are hardworking and resourceful who if properly integrated can provide lubricants to the wheel of development required for sustainable development”.
As he put it, “income generating activities consist of small business managed by group of people to increase their household income through livelihood diversification. This may involve vocational skills, knowledge, attitudes and values which can be used to generate income”.
The university don pointed out that this is done with the sole aim of improving the quality of life of people living below poverty level as well as upgrading the skills, knowledge, attitude and values of those who are not self-sufficient.
He asserted that income generation include a range of productive activities by individuals or group geared towards gaining or increasing income, adding that this may be through the production of adequate food to feed oneself as well as generation of money from investments.
He further stated that the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNESA) described income generating programme as an intervention which impacts vocational skills or provide capital and commodities that enhance the capacity of individuals or groups to generate income.
On income generating programme, Peterside explained that it entails the education and training of rural women on skills, noting that it is imperative to note that the powerlessness and dependency which characterised the life of most rural women are partly caused by lack of education, training and employment.
He, however, disclosed, that income generating programme therefore, offers support and a way out of extreme poverty for rural dwellers.
“I perceived that income generating activities offer women the opportunity to join the labour force and to learn necessary skills for involvement in economic activities. Income generating activities can be seen as the initiation phase in the progression to small business development. “The acquisition of technical skills places one on a better position to acquire business skills”, he said.
Concerning community development as a dimensional process, Peterside stressed that such process involves agriculture, health, education, the provision of rural infrastructures, social life, political and economic matters, commerce and industry.
He added that community development is primarily concerned with the self-sustaining improvement of people in the rural and urban areas and implies a broad-based re-organisation and mobilization of the masses so as to enhance their capacity to cope effectively with the daily tasks of their lives and with the changes consequent upon this.
Stories by Bethel Toby
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.
