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Paris, Milan, London and New York are the “Big Four” of global fashion. Everything that happens in the world of fashion, from the disruption of old fashion styles to the setting of new trends, often begins or at least take shape in these cities. Of course, there are other major players, of which Berlin, Barcelona, Tokyo, São Paulo and Los Angeles quickly come to mind. However, one thing that is glaring within the global fashion space, is the total absence of any African city in the top echelon of fashion destinations. Lagos can change this narrative.

Lagos has just as much characteristics to be a global fashion city as any in Europe or the Americas. There is hardly any nationality or culture across the world that does not have some form of representation in the city of over 20 million residents. Richly diverse in culture and taste, Lagos also has the economic wherewithal to drive the emergence of a global fashion power.

The city accounts for over 60% of the industrial and commercial activity in Africa’s largest economy. With a GDP of over $90 billion, its economy is actually the 7th largest in Africa, bigger than that of Ghana and Kenya combined.

In spite of the enthralling prospects highlighted above, Lagos has thus far been unable to fulfill its potential to become a global fashion city. To understand the reason for this, one only needs to look at what the established fashion cities have done that the former is yet to do.

Globally, the estimated net worth of the fashion industry is $1.2 trillion, more than a quarter of that sum is contributed by New York, Paris, Milan and London. Apart from having very strong economies and a large cosmopolitan populations, these cities also share the common trait of having strong corporate involvement which has powered their fashion industries.

Mercedes, Audi and Cadillac are some of the global brands that have deeply invested in making the big four of fashion what they are today.

For eight years, New York Fashion Week was known officially as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week; the luxury car maker remains the title sponsor of fashion weeks in Moscow, Berlin, Sydney and Istanbul, as well as one of the leading sponsors of London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks. Mercedes-Benz and Lexus are not the only brands involved: Cadillac threw its weight behind the menswear scene in New York while Singapore’s biannual fashion week was known officially as Audi Fashion Festival.

Although Lagos has come a long way in improving its fashion standing, it is obviously in great need of the kind of corporate touch that made the big four flourish. This is why the recent announcement of GTBank to host a fashion and design fair is such a welcome development for Lagos.

According to the Bank, the event will bring together the most promising, talented and recognised fashion designers, brands and retail enterprises from across Nigeria and abroad to showcase latest fashion trends and products to a large and diverse audience of consumers, fashion aficionados and industry professionals.

The GTBank Fashion Weekend will be headlined by some of the world’s top fashion personalities, globally recognised brand owners and trend setters as well as locally renowned designers and style authorities. Attendees will be treated to a series of fashion events such as Entrepreneurial and Fashion MasterClasses, glamorous Runway Shows and Retail Exhibitions of cool and cutting-edge designs, all of which are geared towards driving the growth and productivity of Nigeria’s fashion industry.

The event is part of the Bank’s initiative to strengthen small businesses in key economic sectors through non-profit consumer focused fairs and capacity building initiatives that serve to boost their expertise, exposure and business growth.

Perhaps, while the government searches for an elixir to the current economic woes being faced by the country, the fashion industry might just be one of the palliatives we needto revive an ailing economy as seen in Paris, London, New York and Milan.

In UK, the industry provides over 797,000 jobs and host some of the biggest fashion brands in the world such as Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith, Next, Marks & Spenser to mention a few,  making it the largest employer of all the UK’s creative industries.  New York City on the other hand is home to over 900 world renowned fashion companies in the US and provides approximately 180,000 employees with $11 billion in annual wages, generating nearly $2 billion in tax revenue each year. Given these impressive economic figures from the big fashion cities, it can be easily imagined what the impact of turning Lagos into a global fashion city will be on the Nigerian economy.

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City People Magazine Set To Celebrate The Carpenters’ Boss, Kayode Alfred On Thursday

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Frontline celebrity journal, City People Magazine led by its publisher and renowned veteran journalist, Dr. Seye Kehinde has put all things together to make May 11, 2023, a memorable and unforgettable day for budding entrepreneur and journalist, Kayode Alfred.

The Chief Executive Officer of The Carpenters Restaurant, Kayode Alfred will be celebrated by the City People Magazine for his sterling and enterprising qualities and input as a celebrity journalist turned entrepreneur. His success story in the hospitality business is being celebrated and this will take place at ‘The Carpenters Restaurant’, located at Wemco Road, Agidingbi Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking about the event, Seye Kehinde said: “We are celebrating Kayode Olanshile Alfred for his contribution to the hospitality business and fashion industry, as he has been doing these for years, and he has not relented in his effort.

“This is the only way to appreciate and encourage his immense contribution to the hospitality business, alongside his beloved associates and friends in a well-packaged event like this.”

The event which is packaged by City People Entertainment, promises to be entertaining and will have sensational Nigerian Juju musician Adeyinka Adeboye, popularly known as ‘Boye Best’ to entertain the guest.

Ever since Kayode Alfred launched out not long ago into the enterprising world, he has continually remained in the consciousness of the people he rendered service to.

This celebrity journalist is a self-starter; a self-driven entrepreneur with astounding diligence and sartorial depth. This is as a result of his passion and enterprising and innovative qualities in whatever he puts his mind to. Alfred has long nurtured this dream since he was in school, and this dream is now coming to reality going by the number of corporate guys and elite clientele that proudly patronized his business.

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I’m Aware Of Challenges Facing Police, My Administration Has Helped A Lot — Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration has helped to alleviate the problems facing the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The president spoke on Thursday when he received the 2021 audited report and 2023 budget proposal of the police service commission (PSC), in Abuja.

He underscored the importance of quality welfare in effective service delivery and said the federal government has made it a priority for police officers.

“I particularly note that accommodation for police officers is very critical and this administration has made the welfare of police officers, and indeed, the armed forces a top priority,”

“I know that when officers are posted on duty or assignments and they know that their families live in barracks with facilities, schools, clinics, and a conducive living environment, their morale is boosted and they would discharge their duties with courage and efficiency.

“I am pretty aware of the problems and challenges confronting the Nigeria police force and the armed forces.

“The problem is relative to time and resources and this administration has done a lot with the limitations.”

Presenting the 2021 audited report and the 2023 budget proposal to the president, Clara Ogunbiyi, acting chairman of the commission, said the PSC has ensured that ”proper and fit persons are recruited into the Nigeria Police Force”.

She added that the commission has been consistent in ensuring making sure officers are promoted at the right time while erring police officers are sanctioned as appropriate.

While expressing appreciation to the president for the prompt release of funds towards the completion of the PSC headquarters, Ogunbiyi requested that the commission’s budget be placed in the first line charge in budget allocation, as that would allow the commission to be more effective.

 

Credit: NAN

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Ooni Drags Ex-Queen Naomi’s Brother To Court Over Alleged Forgery, Criminal Conversion Of N26million

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The police in Ondo have arraigned Ogunseyi Akinfolarin, a former brother-in-law to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, before an Akure High Court for alleged forgery and criminal conversion of N26 million.

The accused is the brother to Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife.

Akinfolarin was alleged to have forged the Atibiti Faaye family’s receipt for purchasing 32 plots of land.

He was arraigned on three-count charges of forgery and criminal conversion of money.

One of the charges read: “That you, Ogunseyi Akinfolarin, fraudulently convert the sum of N26m being proceeds of the sale of plots of land belonging to Atibuti Oni at Akure, Ondo State.”

According to the prosecution, the alleged offenses were committed in September 2019.

The alleged offenses are punishable under sections 467 and 390(8)(b) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol 1 Laws of Ondo State 2006.

Akinfolarin pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecuting counsel DSP Osoobu Itunu told the court that the team is ready to open the case, adding that all witnesses are ready to testify.

Justice Yemi Fasanmi adjourned the case to January 9, 2023, for trial.

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