The Nation Newspaper

Tag: restrict

  • ‘Restrict import of locally manufactured goods’

    An economist Dr Chijioke Ekechukwu has called for import restriction on goods and items that can be locally manufactured to protect local manufacturers.

    Ekechukwu, a former Director-General, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.

    He hailed the Federal Government for the Executive Order which included the promotion of Made in Nigeria Goods.

    “The mind set of Nigerian is now tailored toward the patronage of locally made goods. It will be pertinent therefore for government to patronise locally made goods in governance and in their personal lives. This will demonstrate commitment and seriousness in the drive for local patronage,’’ Ekechukwu said.

    He said loans should be given to operators of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) single digit rate to enable them to produce competitively.

    Ekechukwu also stressed the need for funds to be made readily available to manufacturers and with affordable and simple conditions.

    He advised that training of entrepreneurs and MSMEs operators should be continuous for purposes of skills acquisition and development.

    According to Ekechukwu, the importance of power in the manufacturing sector cannot be over emphasised.

    “These and many more measures will encourage the patronage of Made in Nigeria products,’’ he said.

  • ‘My background does not restrict my designs’

    ‘My background does not restrict my designs’

    Beautiful Hauwa Liman is the Creative Director of Afrik Abaya, a fashion brand based in Kano which emerged overall winner at The Nigerian Students Fashion and Design Week (NSFDW) sponsored by Winasbet recently.  An indigene of Daura in Katsina State, the graduate of Economics and Development Studies from the Bayero University Kano shares her experience with HANNAH OJO.

    YOU have a background in Economics, what spurred your interest in fashion? I will say my inquisitive nature coupled with the desire to always be different triggered it all. The ways fabrics are cut, twisted, folded and in some cases even pressed to produce outfit really fascinate me. I can say that the consciousness of my present day entrepreneurial pursuit in fashion design was influenced by fascination of class work in the study of Art and Craft back in secondary school and my mother who happens to be a seamstress. While the art-and-craft module exposed me to the early rudiments of patterns, designs, and use of colour, having a sewing machine at home made it easy for me to keep trying to change the style of my sallah clothes each holiday. That was how I taught myself how to sew and have been sewing my clothes since 1998, but I never planned on making a career out of it. As a matter of fact, I never saw myself becoming a fashion designer full-time. My dream was to become an educationist and lecture in the university and I have worked towards that since gaining admission by striving to be among the best in my class.

     At a point, I thought of doing the two but along the line, I realised that it was not possible for me and the vision I have cannot be realised if I continue to see my fashion interest as a mere hobby. The constant demand for my clothes from family and friends, that informal attention to details of tailoring at home coupled with my love for originality, artistic work, African fabrics and above all, that of the Abaya, crystallised the passion for garment-making that today becomes the bedrock of our business at “AFRIK ABAYA” where we focus on Abaya (the traditional Arabian outfit), Kaftans and Kaftan tops by creatively infusing African fabrics and accessories to give it an African touch.

    What made you think up this collection?

     Like most of my designs, I was driven by the richness of two cultures and the quest to merge two fashion trends. Inspired by the way floral patterns are beautifully combined with geometric elements in the Vlisco fabric and some unique fabrics, I thought of creatively incorporating these African fabrics into the traditional middle-eastern fashion trends, thus combining modesty, creativity and style. The Afrik invasion celebrates the stylish modest fashionista.

    What are the major challenges you face as an emerging designer?

    The challenges faced are not different from those faced by virtually all emerging small businesses in Nigeria. Issues of high cost of production resulting from erratic power supply, international shipping of certain fabrics and accessories that are not available locally and inherent tariffs, as well as quality control and the difficulties that come with promoting a new brand as well as the lack of access to existing governmental policies to strengthen entrepreneurial dynamics. Issues of high cost of renting shops, finding good tailors and getting them to bring out the designs the way I want them is not easy at all. Also, I can say that the issue of “Founder Dependence” is really affecting this business.  Maybe because my workaholic nature is rubbing off on that as I find it difficult to let go off some responsibilities. But Thank God, I am gradually adjusting. All the same, we are striving to excel.

    How does it feel to have emerged as the most creative designer at the Nigerian Student Fashion and Design Week and what important lesson did you learn as a brand during the show?

    As a matter of fact, I was overwhelmed.  It was a feeling of excitement that I just can’t express. The fact that out of the about 30 designers that showcased I was adjudged the most creative gives me the encouragement to work harder and remain focused. It has also given me the zeal to go all out and achieve my goals.  The most important lesson I learnt is to always believe in myself and my ideas. When I registered, many people tried to discourage me, saying what are you going to do in a fashion show in Lagos?  I was told to focus my design on Kano, Kaduna and Abuja but deep inside me, I believed in myself and my ideas. I knew what I wanted and I am fully aware of the path I was treading.  I know that my designs can be styled in different ways. A lady in Lagos can style my top without a jean or leggings, a lady in Abuja with a jean and a lady in Kano can wear same top with a skirt and they will all look gorgeous. So also the Abayas. They can be styled in an African way with the ankara head or the Arabian way with the veil, and a lady can rock the Abaya alone as I demonstrated at the fashion week. It was a pointer to me that the Nigerian fashion industry is really thriving and it’s left for us to tap into the gaps as upcoming designers.

    In your estimation, what does it take to establish a successful fashion brand in Nigeria?

    So many things are involved but looking at the competitive nature of the fashion industry, I can say that creativity is one. The ability to come up with new ideas is necessary because everyday many fashion designers come on board. So, to be successful, the fashion designer should be able to deliver something different and unique that will be able to define that brand and make it appealing. Also, Mr Kola Kuddus of Kolakuddus Couture once said that it takes planning, focus and perseverance to succeed in the Nigerian fashion industry.

    Does your tribe and religion restrict the nature of your designs?

    No, my background doesn’t restrict my designs. Though we maintain modesty in our designs, we adopt a liberal definition of the term. What is modest to a Muslim woman from the south may not be so for her northern counterpart and even among the Christians. So, my designs are varied to accommodate the tastes of the diverse population that make up Nigeria. They can be styled to suit all religious and cultural belief as was demonstrated in the just concluded NSFDW and two other fashion shows in Abuja and Kano. Same outfit but different styling.

    Your showcase fee will be fully funded at the African Fashion Week Nigeria in 2016, how does that make you feel?

    I am so excited. It is really interesting and pleasant. In this business, lots of factors always interplay. Growing up from the northern part of the country and being exposed to the elementary rudiments of cloth making, I have always understood that my heart desires are not far away from the glorious heights of industry pioneers and pacesetters such as Mrs. Abbah Folawiyyo, Mrs. Bensons, Zizi Cardow, Tiffany Amber, Deola Sagoe, Lisa Folawiyo, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and lots of others too numerous to mention. To be candid, I feel so excited that I’m being sponsored for such a huge project and it further ignites the passion for excellence in me. I believe my aspiration of following in the footsteps of the above mentioned industry top-notches is gradually unfolding. I am delighted beyond words knowing I now have the opportunity of being showcased on a bigger and better platform.

    What should people expect from you at the event?

    To be a participant at the African Fashion Week is more likened to the centre-stage of a global fashion event. Of course, that is exactly what it is to me at the moment. It is an opportunity to roll-out a masterpiece collection. Afrik Invasion was rolled out at the NSFDW with lots of mass appeal. Definitely, we are raising the bar with sizzling trends at the Africa Fashion Week because it is time to conquer hearts with the uniqueness of Afrik Abaya with lots and lots of creative and beautiful designs that are a statement of African grandeur and uniqueness.

     What should we expect generally from your brand in the nearest future?

     My desire was to break away from the norm, do something different and certify my brand with originality and appealing ideas that will always create a memorable impression. Therefore, people should expect more creative designs that rock the jingle bell with lots of ethnic infusions. As the name Afrik Abaya implies, we are going all out to explore different African cultures and experiment with them in our designs. We will set a new trend in modesty fashion in Nigeria and beyond in the nearest feature.

    Your words of admonition to aspiring designers?

    They must understand that their chosen profession is a platform that connects globally, thus what you seek, you find. Aspiring designers must passionately strive for excellence and understand that the Nigerian fashion industry is thriving, meaning they must pursue excellence at all times in order to make it. NSFDW gave me the opportunity to reach out to the larger section of Nigerian fashionistas.  As emerging designers, we need a medium to express and communicate our products and services to the larger part of the Nigerian fashion industry and NSFDW are an excellent platform for that. As the biggest fashion week in Nigeria for student designers, the NSFDW is not all about the showcase alone. It comes with so many opportunities that are useful to upcoming designers. As such, I will urge all aspiring designers to tap into these opportunities.

    You pride yourself as working on women empowerment, what is your message to young girls striving to find their voice?

    My advice to them is to believe in themselves and their ideas. At the same time, they should be creative and innovative in whatever they are doing. Irrespective of the business they choose to venture into, they should strive to infuse some things that were not there before in order to have an edge. Also, they have to work hard, be focused and pursue excellence at all times. Lastly, I urge them to look for platforms that promote their kind of business and connect as these platforms contribute a lot by providing guidance and connecting the aspiring entrepreneur with the much needed resources to take their brands to greater heights.

  • Lagos to restrict access to General Hospitals

    An an effort to promote regular use of its Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), the Lagos State Government may restrict access to General Hospitals.

    Governor Babatunde Fashola spoke yesterday at the inauguration of Eredo Primary Healthcare Centre in Epe Constituency II.

    Explaining that PHCs have been revitalised to cater for patients’ needs, Fashola said: “Very soon, no doctor will attend to you in the General Hospital except you have a referral note from a primary healthcare centre. What you seek in the United Kingdom (UK) is now here with you, so you do not need to travel long distance anymore.”

    He urged residents to utilise the facility, stressing that it is equipped with facilities and qualified personnel to diagnose several ailments, including hypertension, cancer and diabetes.

    The governor said: “What we seek to achieve is to build a referral healthcare system that moves from a robust and intensive grassroots healthcare, starting from 24-hour service delivery at the various local governments to General Hospitals and to teaching hospitals.

    “This is the only way we can fully integrate, redistribute and optimise our assets. This model has succeeded in every part of the world. We want to replicate it here to make healthcare a local success.”

    He said the Eredo Primary Healthcare Centre is the fifth of the 24-hour Comprehensive PHC Flagship Centre to be inuagurated.

    The others are Iga-Iduguran, Mosan-Okunola, Ajara and Ejire Flagship PHCs.

  • Marriage doesn’t restrict my acting -Ashionye

    Marriage doesn’t restrict my acting -Ashionye

    Ashionye Michelle Raccah is a lady with an infectious smile; an affirmation that she is enjoying a great balance with her career, family and social life. She shared with YETUNDE OLADEINDE her achievements, challenges and plans for the future, including the launch of her new movie, Journey to self.

    WHAT has been happening to you? I run a company called Alleykat Media which worked with Fressia Entertainment to produce the movie, Journey to self. Basically, I wrote and produced the film, while the executive producer is Fressia Entertainment.

    It is my first screen play and I also featured in it with Katherine Obiang, Nse Ikpe Etim, Dakore Akande and Tosin Sido. Of course, there are other support and cameo appearances.

    It is an intense story of friendship, sacrifice, empowerment and self-respect.

    Four childhood friends, Regina, Nse, Rume and Alex, get the news that another long time friend of theirs, Uche, has died.

    Uche was the magnet that pulled her friends together and over the years had become their shoulder to cry on, so much so that she never felt she could tell them about her own problems.

    As part of her last request, the ladies travel to Uche’s home in Abuja for her funeral.

    The four ladies, on arriving at Uche’s house, find that she has left a series of letters in which she speaks to them from beyond the grave. The letters provoke her friends to open up on emotional baggage, as secrets and fears are revealed, leading to a journey of self discovery. For Regina, Nse, Rume and Alex, the weekend they spend in Uche’s house becomes an emotional roller coaster as individual characters are tested.

    Why are you interested in doing this?

    Basically, I have been interested in empowerment. If you look at my journey so far in entertainment, you would see that I am passionate about women and children. When I was writing the screenplay, I was interested in the happenings about a year ago. The stories of the women in Journey to Self are actually the stories that I read about.

    Personally, I felt there was a need to read about their stories.

    As you’re probably aware, I’ve always been a proponent of women’s rights and female empowerment in the past, the ‘Girlpower’ series being one of my initiatives. It was natural, therefore, as I set my mind to writing scripts, that one of the first I wrote would deal with some of the issues women face in their relationships both with men and in there friendships with other women.

    Are the stories positive or negative?

    They are positive stories and it is a family movie. It is basically talking about the problems of five friends. It is a journey of struggles; things they go through are things that affect other people in their lives. It could be their children or their husbands. I believe that it is a story real people would like to watch. These are real issues that affect real women not just in Nigeria but all over the world.

    Talking about family and friendship, many believe that it is difficult sustaining marriages these days. Those who are married are not sure of what to expect. What do you think of the trend?

    I played the role of a character who is married to a banker, played by Kalu Ikeagwu, with two children. She is in an abusive relationship. A lot of women today in Nigeria and in the world can relate with that.

    Basically, we are using the movie to send out a message, that whatever the situation you are in you can find a solution. If you have been in an abusive relationship for years, you don’t necessarily have to be there suffering in silence. There is someone out there who is ready to listen to your story.

    Personally, you are married. How has it been like?

    It’s been fantastic, my husband and I are like friends; we are like brother and sister more than being husband and wife. We don’t have secrets, we share everything together. I believe that is what has been keeping the marriage going, So far we have been married for three years plus and we have a son who is two years plus as well. We thank God for the journey so far, and we are praying to be together till we are grey and old.

    What about the challenge for women having to drop their jobs or identity after marriage; what advise do you have for men?

    I don’t think marriage should change that aspect of a woman’s life. For a man, you are dating a woman, and if she is an actress, you met her in that career or job, you should let her keep that job. Fine, you can have restrictions. You could give restriction, like no kissing on set or doing certain things on set. Restrictions of that sort, I say restrictions for a better choice of words. This, because I know men are jealous, African men. Nigerian men are jealous. But it does not mean that you can limit your wife and ask her to stop the job she loves.

    Yet the men do all kinds of things…..

    Well that is another topic for another day.

    From my angle, I am lucky to be married to someone who is also in the business, who enjoys it. There are no restrictions he believes in professionalism. If he calls for whatever, I have to do it but we sit down and discuss it.

    And if I personally feel that I can’t do what I am asked to do on set, then I have to let the director know that we have to twist this thing a bit and find a way around it. We did that on the set of Journey to Self for Dakore Akande.

    When was the turning point in your career?

    In my career there have been lots of turning points. I have been doing this for about twelve years and it is what I have always wanted to do. I am happy that I am using being a celebrity to touch people’s lives.

    Are you going to be doing this for ever? Or do you have other dreams like moving into public life?

    Politics? No, not at all. For now I am not thinking about it. Maybe, never say never. But right now there is no politics on my agenda.

    Yes I want to do this for the rest of my life. I want to do music, I want to do acting and want to do more of production. As I said before, I have a production company called Alleykat Media. I want to do more of this, for film and for television. This would be the very first of loads of things to come.

    Talking about women’s empowerment, do you think we have gone far since Beijing?

    Yes, we have gone far but I think there is still a lot more to be done. There are loads of areas that need to be touched but I believe it should start from home. I think charity should begin from home. I believe every woman should build a happy home and spread out. I think there are lots of women that go through battering in their homes. I don’t think any woman should go through battering in her home.