Women
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: A Potential Well Maximised
If at 66, when her mates are retiring from active service, Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala has just secured another Heculean job at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), then Ralph Waldo Emerson did not mince words, when he said that “what lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters to what lies within us”.
Her appointment at this point in life as the new chief of the World Trade Organisation, becoming not only the first woman to ever lead the Switzerland-based institution but the first African citizen to take on the role is an attestation to the fact that she posseses potentials yearning to be tapped irrespective of age.
For a woman in a patriarchal and misogynistic country like Nigeria to hold her own and perform creditably, contrary to what detractors thought, it is indeed a feat to be proud of.
According to Christopher Robin, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s emergence as the first woman and the first African to occupy this keenly contested position, is a clear attestation that the academic doctor is not only braver than she believes, she is as well stronger than she seems, and smarter than she thinks.
The world can now measure her, based on her attitude during those challenging and controversial moments as she stood her ground with what she believed in, even when times were tough and the situation appeared hopeless.
Her journey to the exalted WTO managerial seat, in spite of all odds, revealed so much resilience in her, which further convinced her fans, she is actually on a mission to deliver if given the opportunity.
Her refusal to retreat or surrender even at her rejection by the world power, the United States of America, in former President Trump’s regime, reminded me of the famous saying that only “ the tough get going when the going gets tough”.
According to Dale Carnegie, a famous writer, most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.The determination and ability within the person of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is the reason behind her victory today.
Sometimes we just need someone to tell us that we already have the courage and ability we need to get through a difficult situation. Having survived the murky waters of politics in Nigeria, and rising to number two at the World Bank, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, no doubt should have gotten the requisite experience to deal with, and address issues of the world trade body.
Suffice it to say that the world couldn’t have settled better for any other, than the Harvard-educated development economist, who though appears down-to-earth, is a hard worker.
She had realised afore now that what the WTO needed was a shake-up. She said, “they need something different, it cannot be business as usual for the WTO – they need someone willing to do the reforms and lead.”
It is hoped that her vision would be of a rejuvenated and strengthened WTO that will be confident to tackle effectively ongoing issues.
For the women folk, does her agenda at the WTO capture their essence? She said: “It should also be responsive to the challenge of facilitating the greater participation of women in international trade, particularly in developing countries, where greater efforts should be made to include women- owned enterprises in the formal sector.”
She is also likely to support female participation in global trade, having said that “greater efforts should be made to include women-owned enterprises in the formal sector.”
It would be recalled that during her 25 years at the World Bank, she was credited with spearheading several initiatives to assist low-income countries in particular, raising nearly $50 billion in 2010 from donors for the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries.
Besides, her economic reforms in Nigeria are legacies any one can refer to any day. It is on record that following years of economic stagnation, Nigeria embarked on a comprehensive reform programme under her watch. The programme was based on the National Economic Empowerment Macro-Economic Environment, pursuing structural reforms, strengthening public expenditure management, and implementing institutional and governance reforms.
One of her greatest achievements was leading a team which negotiated a whopping $18 billion debt write-off in 2005 for the country, helping Nigeria obtain its first ever sovereign debt rating. The country’s debts had dated back to the early 1980s, and had ballooned to more than $35 billion due to penalties and late fees during the 1990s.
Her economic reforms had a far-reaching impact and saved Nigeria at a critical period, according to prominent Nigerian economist, Bismarck Rewane.
This included de-linking the budget from the oil price, allowing the country to save money in a special account when oil prices were high. “It was this buffer that ensured Nigeria’s economy survived between 2008 and 2009,”
In fact, there is no gainsaying the fact that her emergence is a potential well maximised.
By: 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.
