…International designers, models, topmost African fashion practitioners celebrate ceremony
*Nigeria’s immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and wife, Alhaja Adeoti Mohammed present, delivered a powerful Keynote address
*’Game Changer Africa Acknowledgement Award recognize the significant contribution trailblazers and pioneers have made in the development of the creative industry across the continent’
*”The business of fashion is very challenging unlike in the past. Just as this business is changing on a daily basis, we have to move with the trend. I want to thank the organizer for giving Nigerian designers the opportunity to showcase their works of arts to the world”-Chief Executive Officer of Stevante, Oreoluwaq Biliaminu
*“Fashion, music and cultural sectors are thriving. Technology has been a driver in enabling this momentum. Sustainable solutions are laying the foundation for positive growth”-Founder/CEO of NMO Management & PR Limited Group, Chairperson, of Creative and Entertainment Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Ngozi Omambala
*BY ABIMBOLA OGUNNAIKE/ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE Reporter, Lagos State, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER Inc USA
IN A HISTORIC ACCOMPALISHMENT IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA, a leading Amazon, Dr. Ngozi Omambala, the Chairperson of the Creative and Entertainment Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry who doubles as the Founder/CEO of NMO Management & PR Limited Group, brought together a combination of music, fashion and culture in a standstill on December 7th, at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island.
The historic 10th year Pan African Music Fashion Runway had ALI BABA, Nigeria’s King of Comedy and Lorraine Lionheart, a renowned legendary musician and cultural ambassador received the ‘Game Changer Africa Acknowledgement Award’.
In celebration of the 10th edition of the Music, Fashion Runway, MFR, the event showcased a cultural platform of blending contemporary Pan African designers, international runway models, cutting edge fashion with live music excellence.
It is no over-statement that the Pan African Music Fashion Runaway has over the years gained significance as Nigeria’s most influential fashion brand.
In this year’s edition, the Pan African Music and Fashion Runway continued with its tradition as it showcased African cultural heritage. This 10th edition is fittingly themed: ‘Reflections and Future Horizons: Leveraging Collaborative Partnerships, Innovation, and Sustainability Practices to enable and protect the future development of Creative Ecosystem’.
Crème de la crème of designers such as Araewa Fashion, Ibrahim Woods Shade of Glams Stevante, O’ Saunderss, Ben Flashes, Yanga Triybe Craftman Bespoke Dafe UmuteX Yeside, TJB, Nike ART Gallery, Blaqckadiudu, Modela, among others, were all in attendance to showcase their works of arts.
Prior to the event, in a chat with newsmen, the Founder/CEO of NMO Management & PR Limited Group, Dr. Ngozi Omambala said that business landscapes and the world economies continue to struggle in a harsh economic climate, but despite this, Nigerian/African creative sector has managed to remain vibrant and robust.
“Fashion, music and cultural sectors are thriving. Technology has been a driver in enabling this momentum. Sustainable solutions are laying the foundation for positive growth. A new and evolving mindset and approach to business development in the creative sector is emerging. Innovation and energy efficiency will play a central role. MFR will be central in further supporting this transformational shift, heralding positive horizons ahead,” she said.
As Chairperson, of Creative and Entertainment Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, she said she is privileged to represent such a vibrant and dynamic industry, and then create support structures that serve long-term interests in empowering creativity with a call to action to empower, protect and upscale.
She vowed that MFR 2024 would retain its signature contemporary / cultural showpiece experience, just as she also added that “business landscapes and world economies continue to struggle in a harsh economic climate.
“Despite this, Nigerian/African creative sector has managed to remain vibrant and robust. Fashion, music and cultural sectors are thriving. Technology has been a driver in enabling this momentum.
“A new and evolving mindset and approach to business development in the creative sector is emerging. Innovation and energy efficiency will play a central role. MFR will be central in further supporting this transformational shift, heralding positive horizons ahead., she said.
Omambala continued: “As Chairperson Creative and Entertainment Group at Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry #LCCI, I am filled with pride and joy to represent such a vibrant and dynamic industry, create support structures that serve long term interests empowering creativity with a call to action to empower, protect and upscale.”
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Naija Standard Newspaper INC USA, the Chief Executive Officer of Stevante, Oreoluwaq Biliaminu said the business of fashion today is very challenging and changing everyday, just as she also thanked the organizer for given Nigerian designers the opportunities to showcase their works arts to the world.
“I must confess to you that the business of fashion is very challenging unlike in the past, just as the business is changing on a daily basis and one has to move with the trend. If you failed to move with the new trends in the history, you will be left behind and you will be irrelevant in the industry,” Biliaminu said.
“I am also using this opportunity to thank the organizer for given us (designers) the chance to showcase our works for the whole world to see. We have a lot of good designers in this country who don’t have the opportunity to show case their works. I give kudos to the organizers for given us this wonderful opportunity, others should emulate them,” said Biliaminu, who has been in the business for over 10 years.
Famous Botswana singer, Loraine Lionheart and her band was on stage to entertain the audience with sonorous African songs.
Famous XA model Jessica Paul; CEO, XA Model Management, Mr. Ovo Ogufere; Fashion runway hairstylist, Nwakanma Benjamn among others graced the occasion.
Highpoint of this historic ceremony was when of the ‘god father of Comedy in Nigeria, ALI BABA and Lorraine Lionheart, a renowned legendary musician and cultural ambassador received the ‘Game Changer Africa Acknowledgement Award’ in person.
The immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and his wife, Alhaja Adeoti Mohammed attended the event and delivered a powerful Keynote address.
The former Minister and Special Advisor to The Secretary General United Nations World Tourism Organization eloquently narrate his Keynote address which resonated across all sectors of the Creative and Entertainment economy.
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