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I’m Changing the Face of African Fashion – Lexy Mojo-Eyes

Published

2 years ago

May 7, 2022

Eric

Oftentimes people who engineer groundbreaking achievements do not cut the picture of whom we expect, just ordinary folks who inspire change for a better world.

Nothing could be more inspiring than learning from people who manifest their dreams and inspire others to, people who have found ways of turning obstacles into opportunities and fathomed means of being resourceful when resources become scarce, people with focus, persistence and dedication.

Africa’s foremost fashion promoter, mentor and entrepreneur, Lexy Mojo-Eyes is a man cut in this mould.

Best known for advancing the essence of African fashion industry by inspiring African designers to look inwards to the rich peculiarities embedded in African culture in projecting African fashion towards global recognition, inclusion, and economic viability, Mojo-Eyes can well be described as the unsung hero behind the revolution that has characterized the African fashion for almost 3 decades.

With unswerving faith in the commercial prospects in African fashion and how it can be transformed into a vehicle to combat poverty in the continent, Mojo-Eyes has recorded groundbreaking achievements in the African fashion industry, making him an authority and a revered name in the industry.

As President and CEO of Legendary Gold Limited, a leading African Fashion and creatives promoting organization, Mojo Eyes has been at the vanguard of the continent’s fashion industry since the 90’s, introducing the first major fashion event in Nigeria known as “The Nigeria Fashion Show” in 1997, ostensibly as a vehicle to build awareness on the rich prospects imbued in African fashion; sustained by its annual editions ever since.
In stimulating this awareness, the show which gave Nigerian designers the first national platform to express their creative talents compelled participating designers to use only local fabrics and accessories in producing their collection.

Debuting on the international stage in the year 2000, Mojo-Eyes took 10 top designers from Nigeria to the first international edition of the Nigeria Fashion Show in Paris, from where it proceeded to Milan, London, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Washington DC, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Shanghai and the list is endless.

Determined to push even further the frontiers of Nigeria’s fashion possibilities, Mojo-Eyes got the ears of the wife of former president Obasanjo, late Chief (Mrs) Stella Obasanjo who lauded the objective of the show and supported the initiative of which she ultimately became Grand Patron and regularly attended.

Understanding the Unique connection between fashion and modelling, Mojo-Eyes has also been creating opportunities for African youths to make meaningful careers in modelling. As a result, Mojo-Eyes in December 2003, signed a franchise contract in Paris with the International fashion television, Fashion TV, a union that birthed The Nigeria Model Awards, with the goal to create opportunities for young Nigerian girls seeking to build careers in International Modelling.

The insatiable quest of the fashion titan to create new opportunities for young Nigerian girls led to his signing of a new contract with New York based Ford Models in 2004, which secures a Nigerian representative at the annual Ford Supermodel of the World contest in New York where these girls stand the opportunity to win modelling contracts worth $500,000 and above. It is instructive to note that the lives of many young girls have been transformed through these channels, with positive ripple effects resonating with global sustainable development goals.

In recognition of the value he has brought to the fashion space, Mojo-Eyes was appointed by Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Information and Communications in 2005 to produce fashion shows as part of the Heart of Africa Project, which he satisfactorily executed in Washington DC, Atlanta, Houston, Paris and London.

Furthering his enduring exploits and positive influence on African fashion, Mojo- Eyes in 2009 was appointed the only African on the Board of Governors of the World Fashion Organization due to his invaluable contributions to the growth and development of the Fashion industry in Africa.

In 2010, Mojo-Eyes was commissioned by the office of the President of the Nigeria to produce and direct Nigeria/South African 10th Bi-National Commission event which was held at the banquet hall of the presidential villa in Abuja, attended by the Presidents of both countries and broadcast live by MTV Base.

The remarkable strides of Mojo-Eyes in the African Fashion Industry weaves from bringing recognition and attention to African textile, garment and fashion industry to the very core of its commercial nerve, stimulating investment and economic opportunities that give the continent’s fashion business viable impetus.

In 2011, Mojo-Eyes was invited to Perth Australia to address the International Fashion Incubators Conference on how to create wealth in Africa through the fashion and garment industry and in 2012, he addressed the United Nations Assembly in New York on the theme; ‘Empowering African Rural Creative Women through Enterprise Development & Global Fashion Opportunities’

He spoke on ‘Africa, the Next Emerging Marketplace’ in a forum at the Department of International Trade, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York State University in October 2012.

Mojo Eyes was in 2015 invited to address the 4th Pan African Congress in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he spoke on the topic ‘infrastructural investment in the garment and textile industry in Africa as the most important vehicle towards job creation and poverty alleviation’

Today, everyone appreciates the glowing global encomiums showered the African Fashion industry for its very rich peculiarities, yet few really know the man bestriding Africa’s fashion square like a colossus, inspiring innovations that continue to spark further opportunities.

In 2016 he was received and recognized in the Elysee Palace by French President, Francois Hollande as one of those that have promoted bi-lateral relationship between France and Africa through his annual event, the Africa Fashion Reception project where he annually presents designers from all over Africa.

At the instance of AFREXIM Bank through Folio Communication, Mojo-Eyes was appointed to organize an event which included, fashion, music, films and the Arts for the African creative industry at the 1st Intra African Trade Fair in Cairo, Egypt. He consulted in the creative industry sector for the African Union participation in Expo 2020 Dubai and presently consults for the United Nations on the African creative economy.

Legendary Gold Limited has been at the forefront in promoting African designers and creatives in the African fashion industry, with quite an impressive number of influential designers having been influenced by the brain behind Africa’s foremost fashion promoting firm sustainably inspiring creativity and economic opportunities with its annual events; The Nigeria Fashion Show, the Nigeria Fashion Week, the Nigeria Fashion Awards, the Nigeria Model Awards, Africa Fashion Reception and its novel initiative, Agogo Africa – an ecommerce marketplace for African fashion designers and creatives.

Characteristically unassuming, always adorned in African attires and buzzing with lofty development ideas, Mojo-Eyes’ ‘going green’ fashion initiative, the first ever in Africa, through the Nigeria Fashion Week attracted international media coverage from CNN, BBC, Aljazeera, REAUTERS etc.

In collaboration with the African Union and UNESCO, Mojo – Eyes through The African Fashion Reception, has globally projected Africa Fashion designers and entrepreneurs since 2013 bringing immense success to the continent

With the aim of using fashion as of tool to fight poverty in Africa by creating wealth through the empowerment of women and youths in the various fashion vocations, the Africa Fashion Reception also creates free trade and partnerships among fashion practitioners throughout the African continent, thus taking advantage of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while attracting global attention to Africa’s very rich and diversified dress culture, exploring it as a catalyst for growth of the continent’s garment/textile industry and overall economic development.

The objective of the Africa Fashion Reception initiative has over the years been advancing the essence the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063 by building bridges to stimulate economic growth in the continent.

Apparently with tall antecedents in the African fashion industry, spilling the borders, the fashion innovator must be a fulfilled man, except that he is not yet fulfilled.

Not one to rest on his oars, it can be expected or wisely assumed that the muse known as Mojo-Eyes still has some more fashion aces up his sleeves waiting to be rolled out in due time.

Mojo-Eyes may be the unsung hero of African fashion, yet when it’s history is told whether today or in the generations ahead, one name that will always stand out clearly like the northern star, is non other than the very pioneer and champion of contemporary African fashion, Lexy Mojo-Eyes.

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I’ll Continue to Take Difficult Decisions Tough times Notwithstanding – Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

Eric

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, told the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at The Hague that his administration is committed to taking difficult decisions for the benefit of the Nigerian people, despite the short-term challenges.

Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria has weathered the worst of storms and that his administration’s actions are guided by a long-term vision for the country’s prosperity.

The president highlighted the vast trade opportunities between Nigeria and the Netherlands, spanning multiple sectors. He also underscored his government’s efforts to enhance the investment climate through ongoing reforms.

Notably, Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s potential to drive the global clean energy transition with its high-grade lithium deposits, positioning the country as a key player in Europe’s energy future.

Tinubu stressed the importance of balanced and mutually beneficial partnerships, particularly in solid minerals, to create value-added opportunities.

He expressed confidence in the Nigerian people, citing their resilience and determination.

This confidence, he said, empowers him to make tough decisions on their behalf, knowing that these choices will provide Nigerians with the tools they need to succeed in the long term.

The president stated: “I am a determined leader of my people. I have and will continue to take the difficult decisions that will benefit our people, even if there is short-term pain.

“We have gone through the worst of the storms. I am unafraid of the consequences once I know that my actions are in the best long-term interests of all Nigerians.

“Taking a holistic view of the world order, there is a tremendous opportunity between us across trade spheres, but especially in solid minerals, where we have high-grade lithium deposits that we know can power the clean energy future of the world.“There is excellent value-additive opportunity in Nigeria. The world knows us for oil. They will soon know us for greater innovative exploits in other areas.”

The meeting with Prime Minister Rutte at The Catshuis, the official residence in The Hague, underscores the strengthening of diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the Netherlands.

Tinubu’s remarks reaffirm his administration’s commitment to bold leadership and strategic decision-making, even in the face of challenges, to secure a brighter future for Nigeria.

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Rivers: Wike’s Men Reject Reployment, Resign from Fubara’s Govt

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2024

Eric

Two Rivers State commissioners have resigned their appointments shortly after they were redeployed in a cabinet reshuffle by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. They are the Attorney General and commissioners for Justice, and Finance; Zacchaeus Adangor and Isaac Kamalu respectively.

The duo were affected by a minor cabinet reshuffle made by the governor on April 23.

Kamalu and Adangor are loyalists of Nyesom Wike, the immediate former governor of Rivers and incumbent minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

Last year, the commissioners resigned from their positions following the political feud between Wike and Fubara.

They were later reinstated after Wike and Fubara signed a peace accord facilitated by President Bola Tinubu.

While Adangor was moved to the ministry of special duties (governor’s office), Kamalu was moved to the ministry of employment generation and economic empowerment.

Kamalu’s resignation came hours after Zacchaeus Adangor, tendered his resignation.

In a letter addressed to Tammy Danagogo, secretary to the state government (SSG), Kamalu said the governor’s “inability to maintain peace” in the state was the reason he quit the cabinet.

The former commissioner said he could not give his best in an atmosphere of rancour.

“Your Excellency would recall that I served under the Administration of His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS (now Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja) originally as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning (2015-2019) and subsequently as Commissioner for Finance with oversight responsibility for the Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (2019 – 2023),” the letter reads.

“The mandates of the respective Ministries were to the best of our abilities (as Ministries) duly carried out and at all times material relevant reforms were embarked upon for improved performance and effective and sustainable service delivery.

“Among several others, we successfully carried out the following; “Initiating and (supporting existing) policy frameworks for enhanced internal revenue generation.

“This with (necessary adjustments made on some of the programs) led to the increase in the internal revenue receipts. This steady rise has presently generated though not the figures erroneously claimed in the media.

“Aggressive improvement in Federation receipts by securing recovery by the state of oilfields that were also the subject of the successful claim against International Oll Companies (IOCs) on production sharing contracts; the recoveries arising from 13% derivation and the demand by the state for adherence to the fiscal provisions in the constitution in support of states by successfully removing from Federation receipts institutions of Government whether state or federal not so recognized by the constitution such as the Police Trust Fund and others thus widening the available receipts for States and the last but not the least our success on the subject of Value Added Tax.

“The reason behind these painstaking efforts was to make available a basket of receipts sufficient to enable the state to deliver good governance through the provision of goods and services.

“It was this idea that informed the continuity and consolidation mantra that was the theme of your election campaign and government thereafter.

“You will respectfully recall that when the climate of discord became unbearable I and other like-minded members of the Executive Council that were appointed by you resigned.

“You thereafter engaged His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as Father of the Nation to intervene in the matter.

“In deference to the directive of Mr. President, I and the others were recalled and we all accepted and joined the cabinet again. I expected Sir that with the opportunity provided by Mr.President, every effort will be made to sustain peace.

“Regrettably Your Excellency the peace in Government and governance that we all – citizens and residents of the state desire has remained out of reach despite our consistent efforts and demand for same.

“This has affected our ability to protect and defend the gains that we made these past years.

“In the course of official engagements, I have reiterated the need for this peace and the fact we all are willing and determined to work for this.

“It is very difficult to deliver good governance where there is acrimony and discord. It is not the point of service that is important but the climate. Our present circumstance makes service delivery extremely challenging. I still hold the belief that it is never too late for peace.

“In view of the above, I find it difficult to accept the redeployment. I do not accept it. I reject it and convey to you my immediate resignation as Commissioner and member of the Rivers State Executive Council with effect from the date of this letter.

“While praying that the Good Lord grants us Peace, I thank you for the opportunity and assure you the assurances of my esteemed regards.”

Featured

Tinubu Approves Credit Scheme Takeoff to Facilitate Purchase of Cars, Houses

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2024

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has approved the takeoff of the first phase of the Consumer Credit Scheme to facilitate the purchase of houses and cars by working Nigerians.

In a statement on Wednesday, presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said the Consumer Credit Scheme will enhance the quality of life citizens by allowing them to “access goods and services upfront, paying responsibly over time”.

“It facilitates crucial purchases, such as homes, vehicles, education, and healthcare, essential for ongoing stability to pursue their aspirations,” the statement added.

“Through responsible repayment, individuals build credit histories, unlocking more opportunities for a better life. Additionally, the increased demand for goods and services stimulates local industry and job creation.

“The President believes every hardworking Nigerian should have access to social mobility, with consumer credit playing a pivotal role in achieving this vision.”

In line with the President’s directive to expand consumer credit access to Nigerians, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) has launched a portal for Nigerians to express interest in receiving consumer credit.

“This initiative, in collaboration with financial institutions and cooperatives nationwide, aims to broaden consumer credit availability,” the statement noted, adding that working Nigerians interested in receiving consumer credit can visit CREDICORP’s website to express interest before the deadline date of May 15, 2024.

“The scheme will be rolled out in phases, starting with members of the civil service and cascading to members of the public.”

The CREDICORP’s objectives include: “(1) Strengthening Nigeria’s credit reporting systems, ensuring every economically active citizen has a dependable credit score. This score becomes personal equity they build, facilitating access to consumer credit.

“(2) Offering credit guarantees and wholesale lending to financial institutions dedicated to broadening consumer credit access today.

“(3) Promoting responsible consumer credit as a pathway to an improved quality of life, fostering a cultural shift towards growth and financial responsibility.”