The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2013

  • Style and trend forecast for 2013

    Style and trend forecast for 2013

    CLASSINESS and style are the word that describes the dazzling range of fashion merchandise that rocked 2012. And keeping in tune with the changing styles and fads has been the essential features. The start of a New Year does not mean that the New Year fashion and trend will be all completely new. Although, there will be those distinctly new elements and those distinctly new themes, but a lot of the clothing and accessories we will be wearing in the early part of 2013 (Jan-Feb.) will be influenced by the most recent season (later part of 2012).

    Given the buzz that fashion shows and new fads created in 2012, 2013 is certain to be an eventful year fashion-wise. First, we should expect designers to be daring and much more innovative in 2013. This new spirit is going to be driven by the rise in the demand for trendy fashion accessories.

    Going forward, we expect to see a serious infusion of animal skin fabric and designed local print.

    What to get, what to keep and what to throw away all together? These are questions we are bound to ask as we move into any new year. For 2013 the options of what to keep are manly: you simply need to know how to give those key trend pieces from last year a 2013 refresh.

    Skirt fashion- fashionable skirts in 2013 will have a great deal of different variants, especially knee- length. Different materials, textures, combinations of colours and famous classical cuts will make every skirt in this season very beautiful and unique. Last year, we found inspiration in indigenous fabrics in peplum style. Indigenous fabrics like Ankara, aso oke (Net with embroidery & Alari) and Kampala were stylishly used to sew 60s, 70s and 80s type’s western dresses.

    What trends do you see becoming big in 2013? For Tessy Jibodu of Zaris Fashion Academy 2013 is going to be an exciting year for the fashion industry. ‘We will be seeing a lot of glitters in fabrics and accessories, Peplums too are out with 90s pointy with metallic details, to mention a few’ she said

    Ifeyinwa Shekinah Odo of house of MISIANO said local fabrics like Ankara, Tie and Dye (adire), and french lace to mention but a few are the fabric s to watch out for in 2013. She said

    “watch out for more lace, Ankara prints with blings, floaty fabrics like chiffon& silk, soft organza& jersey, vintage velvet, floral& duchess satin, dry and floral cotton” According to her all these fabrics are going to be use for designing red carpet and casual wears in 2013.

    “What people wear in the last quarter of 2012 will determine the fashion trend for January. There will be some changes in the first quarter of the year, new styles would emerge. Ankara sun dresses, damask jackets/blazers on jeans, Ankara gypsy dresses with sun hat, roomy tunics on pants and lots of Ankara jump shorts and jumpsuits with wide brim sun hats; and a bit of vintage inspired designs, little lace dresses…these are styles that you should watch out for and they will rock 2013 like fire”

    It is certain that fashion designers will experiment with new designs judging by what happened last year, where lots of fabrics of different hues and pattern were experimented.

    Fashion is never stagnant! In the area of men’s fashion, it is going to be more of striped linen fabrics, guinea brocade, Ankara, kente, lots of lace without holes and customized jackets. The female fashion is certainly going to be dominated by little dresses (baby doll dresses), smartly sown skirts and tops, Victorian gowns, tank tops, smart handbags and fashion accessories sown with Ankara Fabrics.

    Ankara will still be the king even though it would continue to be mixed with other fabrics. The projection of the FADAN president Prince Akanni Oyetusi of Noble Afrik for the year is similar to that of Trend. According to him 2013 will be an interesting year for the fashion industry. The weather and the environment would be a major determinant of what the 2013 fashion trend would look like.

    “Indigenous fabrics have come to stay. Today, we find out that at events, social and parties and international runways, local fabrics are the order of the day. And the acceptance is spreading daily when compared to some years back when they were seen as the fabric for the downtrodden,” he said.

    In textiles watch as lace and mesh make a comeback!

    *Mesh and lace fabric dresses gained more popularity both on the runway and off the stage. So, they are going to be more visible in 2013.

    *Floral, animal and pastel prints will surely come back with a bang.

    *Handbags will certainly get bigger and clutch purses will get trendier and longer in width.

    *Craze for embellished accessories: Like it was the case last year, 2013 is going to be year where almost all fashion stuff and home decor items will be embellished with colourful beads, stones, sequins, metals and beads.

    *Like it was last year, 2013 is going to be another year of tiny waist cincher (belts)

    *LBD, one-shoulder, strapless dress will surely be visible

    *Heelless wedge, pumps, embellished sandals/slippers, ballets, clog, ankle boots. While trainers, canvass and fewer loafers are also something to look out for

    *Suit will get more stylish

    *Ankara bags and shoes will be on the rampage!

    *For women’s evening wear, puzzle-style dresses as well as those with darker and bigger floral patterns will also emerge. Also, dresses with lower backs may be more pronounced for that sexier look.

    *Men’s outfit will veer towards the conservative side

  • Can governors perform better in 2013?

    Can governors perform better in 2013?

    President Goodluck Jonathan, governors and other leaders have been admonished to do everything within their powers to urgently rescue the living condition of Nigerians from the brink of further devastation.

    “The life of an average Nigerian today is utterly devastating; this our leaders at all levels and arms of government must arrest,” Lagos-based activist lawyer and social commentator, Bamidele Aturu told The Nation yesterday as he reflected on “Nigerians in the coming year.”

    His voice bore exasperation as he lamented the dwindling fortune of ordinary Nigerians, especially in the past one year, in the face of growing corruption that, according to him, had defied every solution.

    The legal practitioner lamented: “Take a honest look at the living conditions of an average Nigerian today; it is a sordid story of devastation, especially economically and infrastructurally. People’s purchasing power has plummeted to zero. Our roads and other infrastructural facilities are decrepit. This is in the same stupendously endowed country where sadly, looting of public treasury has become a norm.

    “Unemployment is enjoying a field day unchallenged. Kidnappers have found Nigeria a goldmine and insecurity of lives and property has grown monstrous. Where is that family that can conveniently feed and educate its members today? Why are armed robbers turning into kings before the very eyes of our so-called leaders? Who is on the side of the helpless amidst us today? Look at this Christmas celebration; virtually every one has turned beggars under the pretence of demanding Christmas gifts from the privileged few. I think this should be a food for thought for those in positions of authorities in the coming year.”

    However, Aturu would not agree that the much-lamented failure of leadership in the country is solely tied to the neck of President Jonathan. To him, all the state governors including local government chairmen across the land are culpable.

    “We won’t be fair and honest in our assessment of situations if we single out the President for blame over our worsening woes. What have the state governors and lesser leaders been doing in their various domains? Like the President, they should be equally responsible to their people statutorily.”

    On the President’s pledge to do better in 2013, he said: “Of course, he cannot do worse than we can see now; he can only do better. The suffering of Nigerians has exceeded its elastic limit; so, the only opportunity open to him and the state governors is to strive to do better in the coming year.”

     

  • 2013 AfricaN Cup of Nations South African Police to secure Eagles

    2013 AfricaN Cup of Nations South African Police to secure Eagles

    The South African Police Service has assured football fans of adequate security at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament which takes place from Jan. 19 to Feb. 10.

    “Everything is in place with regards to security; we started planning for the tournament as early as May this year,” the Deputy Minister of Police, Maggie Sotyu, told newsmen in Pretoria on Tuesday. Both national and international screening regarding the participating 16 teams has been completed. Security will be provided for all the teams, including Bafana Bafana 24/7,’’ Sotyu said.

    “We will strengthen security at all ports of entry during this period, especially our borders, airports, seaports and border points. All the teams would be provided round the clock security; from the airport to their hotels, their training sessions and to match venues; to ensure maximum security for them,’’she said.

    Sotyu also disclosed that a permanent detachment of police officers will be deployed to all the hotels where the participating teams will be staying. She also said that Home Affairs was ready to handle the movement of both people and goods simultaneously at the country’s various entry points.

    “We also have our own police officers that we’ve trained, with regard to assisting at the ports of entry; in case we need more man power. Buses carrying players will be escorted by the police at all times; each and every movement of the buses carrying the teams will be covered by the police,” she said.

    The deputy police minister also said that special courts to try criminal cases during the tournament will not be set up this time around.

    “Dedicated investigators would be in place to focus on the cases that may come up during the tournament. While there would be the normal procedure of handling the cases, especially criminal cases during the tournament which would be prioritised in the courts of law,’’ Sotyu said.

    On the issue of crowd control she pointed out that the police were going to put adequate measures in place to keep the crowd under control in and outside the stadiums.

    Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Elias Mawela, the Chairperson of the National Joint Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said part of the security concept to effectively contain any form of hooliganism was also in place.

    “Part of our security concept to deal with hooliganism in and around the stadiums would entail the positioning of ‘spotters’ amongst the spectators to identity the so-called hooligans. Once they have been identified, they are to remove them from the stadium and taken into police custody.

    “We would ensure that we have a rapport with the intelligence community that we are working with in the region, consisting the Southern African Regional Police Chief Council Organisation (SARPCCO), and Interpol. They will also assist us to monitor the movement of people coming to our country for the tournament,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that SARPCCO is an official forum comprising of all the police chiefs in the Southern Africa region. Mawela added that known football hooligans from neighbouring countries would be apprehended before they set foot in South Africa.

    “We are not going to lower our high standards, which we are known for in the hosting of landmark events,’’he said.

    He stressed that alternate plans would be adopted for the security guards, who will be working at the stadiums.

    “We have plan D and even plan E, for the private security guards. We have a reserve group at a national level that can be moved around the country at short notice. We have contingency funds in place to ensure the quick dispatch of personnel to the affected stadium. There will not be any problem with regards to this issue,” Mwela said.

    NAN reports that the 2013 AFCON will hold from Jan.19 to Feb. 10 in five centres across South Africa, the country will be hosting the competition for the second time since 1996.

  • AHEAD 2013 NATIONS CUP Ejide Vows: We’ll win the trophy again

    AHEAD 2013 NATIONS CUP Ejide Vows: We’ll win the trophy again

    HAPOEL BE’ER SHEVA goalkeeper Austin Ejide has said the current Super Eagles squad is is determined to make sure that Nigeria win the Nations Cup trophy again.

    Ejide while expressing delight at leading the Super Eagles to a win over Venezuela in Wednesday’s friendly in Miami, USA noted that it’s been a long time that Nigeria last won the Nations Cup and said the current squad will be going after the title in South Africa in 2013.

    He said: “It’s been a long time that Nigeria have won the Nations Cup and the current squad is determined to make sure that we win the trophy again. The players have to work hard and be more dedicated to achieve the dream.”

    Ejide has been living in the shadows of Vincent Enyeama in the goalkeeping role and was happy to lead the team against the South Americans.

    He added: “I’m satisfied with my performance because it’s been a long time that I have played for the country,” added the former Gabros FC goalkeeper who also commended the players for their performance which ensured that the team got a victory in what was their first official preparation match for the upcoming Nations Cup in South Africa.

  • NIPP: Govt eyes 7000MW generation by 2013

    THE Federal Government said power generation into the national grid would hit 7000 megawatts (MW) by early next year.

    The Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Mr James Olotu, who stated this, said the Nigeria Integrated Power Project (NIPP) has injected over 1,500MW from some of its power plants at Olorunsogo, Omotosho and Alaoji, among others.

    He said more generation is expected from new units of the operational plants and new power plants that would come on stream before the end of the year, adding that generation from the NIPP may hit 3000MW by the end of the year subject to availability of gas.

    Power generation from the generating assets of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and independent power producers (IPP) currently is above 4,200MW. With the development, the Federal Government is optimistic that power generation will exceed 7000MW by next year.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, described the NIPP project as a “grand national success,” adding that improvement in gas supply would definitely boost the operations of the power plants.

    Okupe said: “The story of NIPP’s, which in fact, was the first attempt at establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund, is that of a grand national success, especially following the positive results from the state of emergency declared in the gas sector by the President a few months ago.”

    Okupe said he is optimistic that “by December 2012 with gas production in excess of 500 standards cubic feet, more modules from the NIPP plants will be able to provide much more electricity to the national grid.

  • Jonathan to present 2013 budget October 4

    Jonathan to present 2013 budget October 4

    President Goodluck Jonathan will present the 2013 Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly on October 4.

    This is contained in a memorandum President Jonathan sent to the Senate President, Senator David Mark entitled “Re: 2013 Budget.”

    The memorandum reads in part: “I write to crave your kind indulgence to grant me the slot of 12.00 noon on Thursday, October 4th, 2012 to enable me formally address a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2013 Budget.”

    The memorandum signed by President Jonathan was dated September 1, 2012.

    Jonathan thanked the Senators for the constancy of their support and urged Mark to accept the assurances of his highest consideration.

    This is the first time in recent years that the Appropriation Bill would be presented to the National Assembly in October.

    The 2012 budget for instance was presented to the joint session of the National Assembly on December 13, 2011.

    The National Assembly has consistently complained about late presentation of the budget.

    The lawmakers maintain that late presentation of the budget make it difficult for them to scrutinize the budget.