Women
Households Seek Solution To Kerosene Explosion
One cooking aid that is accessible to both the rich and the poor in the society is the Kerosene. It serves to illuminate the house in the dark when used in lanterns and also useful to the grassroots households in cooking their foods. The price of the cooking gas, somehow made it an exclusive of the rich, while the average households settle for the kerosene.
In the past, occasional reports on kerosene explosion were heard with the victims being blamed for what was adjudged, “carelessness on their part” in the course of using the kerosene.
Today, the reports on Kerosene explosion in homes are becoming incessant, and its damages alarming. Within the last three weeks, many lives and properties have been lost while surviving victims are maimed for life.
Considering the reason for the popular patronage the Kerosene receives from households over other cooking aids like gas, the question now is in the face of the prevailing reality, what is the alternative to Kerosene?
According to a source, “when an explosion occurs as a result of wrong application, caution becomes necessary and possible too, but when the problem is from the Kerosene itself, then no amount of caution or carefulness can save its occurrence because the material itself is adulterated”.
It will be recalled that for the past one month, Kerosene supply in town had been somewhat scarce and from past experiences, it is in times of scarcity that all manner of smart deals are perpetrated for “quick” money to the detriment of users of course.
While it is imperative to educate households and every user of this product on how to use, it has become even more imperative on the part of the government through the relevant authority to check the activities of these “smart dealers” who are more concerned with the “quick cash” they make than the safety of lives and properties of their patronisers.
The recent warning by the government against patronising Kerosene hawkers by members of households, may not be very possible.
The reason is that even if every household within the city files out in filling stations where this product is available, it is not possible for those in rural areas to do same we just have to be realistic.
Moreso, it is good that the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is working with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to ensure that adulterated Kerosene products do not find their way into filling stations across the state.
However, should the Kerosene enters and leaves the filling station, unadulterated, what is the guarantee that it would not be adulterated there after by the hawkers?
I think that while we troubleshoot for the course and possible solution to this ugly monster, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should throw the doors of its filling station open to the public and not limiting it to some selected dealers so that all could have access to the station for the purchase of the unadulterated stuff.
Again, since it has become obvious that adulterations are usually traced to scarcity period. Is it not proper that the government checks the reason for the scarcity of this all important family product?
The current cases of Kerosene explosion is indeed a situation that calls for worries on all stakeholders in the society. A product that has other alternatives, is not that is easily sidelined at the slightest provocation.
Unfortunately, Kerosene is such that we cannot easily wish away hence we have to contend with its challenges and forge ahead with the possible precautions.
First, as the permanent secretary Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Dr George Worlu suggests, all Kerosene products must be tested before usage by pouring it on the floor and setting fire on it to observe its reaction.
Secondly, Kerosene product must not be poured into already lit stove or lantern. Instead, pour in the Kerosene first then light the stove or the lamp.
Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi
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.