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Obasanjo as Nigeria’s Cultural Ambassador By Tunde Arokoyo
Perhaps because of our excessive focus on the side- effects or short- term pains of some of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s well- intentioned socio – economic reforms, some of us have failed to notice the very many positive things Obasanjo has been doing for the fatherland.
One such thing which appears insignificant and has therefore not been acknowledged or deservedly celebrated is Obasanjo choice of dressing. Obasanjo has been loudly making a statement about the way he dresses but very few have noticed it. It is a fashion statement.
And the statement is that, he is out to promote Nigerian culture. The man has elected to dress in a uniquely Nigerian way. You would not catch the President dead in western clothes except for sporting or jogging outfits. He is always resplendent in the Nigerian flowing gown and the trousers to match.
The sight of the President always neatly turned out in well patterned and cleverly or intricately designed Agbada and Sokoto fills me with enormous pride. The President, through his active promotion of our cultural dresses, has helped Nigeria in carving a fashion niche for herself in the world of fashion. In a world where every national group is trying to carve an identity for itself, it is significant that we are becoming distinguished by the way we dress. And it is our president who is leading the way.
Many African presidents turn out in suits making them look like poor imitation of western men. But Obasanjo is unapologetic about his mode of dressing. In any photo opportunity with world leaders – be it the G8, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting or the Group of 77, Obasanjo is always distinguished by his sartorial taste.
What Obasanjo has chosen to do may not appear significant to some people. But for those who understand, it is very important. For a people who have lost their confidence and sense of self – worth as a result of colonialism, neocolonialism and imperialism, any African leader worth his salt must realize that he has a duty to restore the confidence of his people in their culture. The African leader has a duty to help the people rediscover their cultural heritage. He has a duty to assist his people recover and market their culture. Therein lies the essence of what Obasanjo is doing.
For now, some of the fabrics used in designing some of Obasanjo’s dresses may not be local but the man has not hidden his commitment to ensure that Nigeria is self – sufficient through the production of local raw materials for industries and for food.
About two years ago, the Obasanjo Administration placed a ban on the importation of textile materials and 48 other items that can be locally produced. To demonstrate the seriousness of the government’s commitment to local sourcing of raw materials, the customs has been seizing imported textile materials and burning them.
It is to be expected that when the textile industry in Nigeria, which has been destroyed by mindless importation of textile materials is revived, Obasanjo’s clothes will be made from local fabrics.
A few years ago, the President also directed that no imported food items be served him. This gesture is consistent with his love for Nigeria and his government’s active promotion of made – in- Nigeria goods.
Because of our unfortunate colonial experience, we have been integrated into the global economic or market system. This reality has not been very beneficial to us. Our goods cannot compete favorably in the international market system. We have therefore been forced to become consumers of other people’s products and services.
Unless we consciously extricate ourselves from this suffocating system, we will never ever become competitive producers of what others need.
Moreover, we can never hope to be taken seriously if we do not take the necessary steps to be self- reliant. Obasanjo’s choice of dressing is an affirmation of what is ours. As indicated earlier, this affirmation from our leader is good for our collective soul. It helps to undo our colonial hang-over in which we instinctively reject everything ours as inferior or primitive and instinctively accept everything imported as superior.
An African leader or ordinary citizen does not need to turn out in a three- piece suit in order to be accepted as cultured or fashionable.
We all ought to emulate Obasanjo. I pay tribute to his tailors and fashion designers. They deserve an award. I am surprised that Nigerian fashion designers have not yet thought it fit to bestow an award on Obasanjo for his active promotion of our cultural dresses.
Tunde Arokoyo, Plot 1030 Thomas Sankara Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
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