Women
Sustaining Breastfeeding
Do you know that breast milk has the potential to reduce ear infection as well as lower the risk for asthma? Many mothers up till now are yet to come to terms with the working of this wonder milk. While some of them feel that feeding babies exclusively with breast milk is an indication of lack of financial muscle to foot the cost of baby formula. Others give excuses as flimsy as not wanting their breasts to sag as that is the only way they could retain their pointing posture even after giving birth. These are some of the reasons every year the international community rolls out her drums to celebrate breast feeding for a week-long period.
Exclusively, feeding babies with breast milk, experts say, does more good than any one can explain. Apart from reducing ear infection and asthma, which many may be hearing for the first time, a bump in IQ (Intelligent Quotient) is also inclusive. This means that breast milk does not only benefit the child, it does benefit the mother and the society at large.
Other times, organizers of breast feeding week programme have had to contend with getting the mothers themselves to acknowledge the importance of this all-important baby meal and to key into the six months programme of feeding babies exclusively on breast milk. This year, it is believed that without the concerted support of all, the sustainable millennium development goal for health will remain a mirage. The theme for this year’s breast feeding week, “sustaining breastfeeding together”, is therefore, a call for husbands, siblings, employers, colleagues etc to be supportive of the exclusive breast feeding initiative.
It is developed within the frame work of an articulated support from the baby, mother, partner, family, community as well as the workplace and government. This framework is geared towards achieving the sustainable development goals which could well remain a mirage without a multi-level partnerships at all levels. It is therefore, about working together in harmony for a common goal.
Traditionally, support comes from the family. When the lactating mother is assisted in all spheres, she is encouraged to have enough time and milk for her child. Increasing urbanization may well include support from friends, employers, health workers and lactation consultants.
Calling all and sundry to join hands together to sustain breast feeding is same as making the world understand that breast feeding is one of the major route to a healthier society. Only an acknowledgement of this notion, can arouse the needed communal efforts for a successful breast feeding initiative.
An employer that understands that a well or exclusively breasfed child is one that is equipped with a high immunity to rebuff pneumonia, cold and viruses as well as gastrointestinal infections like diarrhea – which could be devastating, and chronic conditions such as type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease (inflammation of the digestive tract) is in better position to be liberal with maternity vacations or make provision for a crèche in the workplace.
This arrangement saves the mother the distraction and lack of concentration on job that could be occasioned by the need to go and serve the need of the new born.
A husband that understands that exclusive breast feeding could help his wife recover quickly from the trauma of pregnancy and child birth, would do everything possible to encourage her embrace exclusive breast feeding. Moreso, a woman that knows that this programme can enable her fight against premenopausal breast cancer and osteoporosis as well as Ovarian Cancer, does not need to be wooed into the programme.
Together, the world is saying, we can sustain breastfeeding. Therefore let us join hands to create a healthier society through exclusive breastfeeding.
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.