There are governors and there are governors. There are those who even in the course of their job and the demand of the political world which can be intriguing and suspense filled have been able to create and maintain a fashion statement through their outfits and signature styles.
In this profiling, we take a look at five governors who have managed to stay fashionable with a unique fashion statement that is unique to each one of them alone.
- Ben Ayade:
He is the governor of Cross River State. The man who describes himself as a man of humble beginnings of which he isn’t ashamed to let anyone knows.
According to he himself, Ayade said: “I am a former taxi driver. I used to drive taxis. I am one of you. I can not be ashamed to reveal this. I started out in life as a hustler and driver. I therefore know your importance to the society and government.” He had said while commissioning a fleet of cars to be used as taxis.
Ayade who won BusinessDay’s Best Performing governor for 2018 is as stylish as anyone, a passionate advocate of made in Cross River brands, he had ordered all political appointees in Cross River state to wear only local brands.
Ayade had said while commissioning a garment factory that as from June 2017, he would not be wearing clothes not made from the factory, adding that ‘the garment factory today is a reality and it’s now producing in commercial quantities for export too’.
He said, “Starting from today, all executive members, all appointees must be in clothes made from the Calabar Garment Factory and this is official. By the close of next month, anything I put on my body will be made from the Cross River Garment Factory. That is my sincere commitment to the state and the 3,000 young people working in the factory.
“Cross River is a leading state when it comes to lifestyle. So, definitely we are going to be leading in terms of fashion. We are expanding into uniform production for schoolchildren and as you are well aware, we have had people from neighbouring states asking us to produce uniforms for them in hundreds of thousands.
“We are focused on getting the very best in Cross River garment Factory and of course, the school uniform. In no distant time, Cross River Garment factory will be the main fashion industry and company to beat. And if you are not dressed by Cross River Garment factory, you’re not dressed at all.”
2. Seriake Dickson:
Henry Seriake Dickson was a member of the House of Representatives from 2007 until 2012. The Law graduate from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt, shortly after taking over gubernatorial duties, said that he was “painfully transiting to the executive arm of government.” He went on to say that he might return to the National Assembly someday.
3. Rochas Okorocha:
Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha was born on 22 September 1962 in Ogboko, Ideato South, Imo State. He holds an advanced diploma in Public Administration from the University of Jos.
He has held several career positions which include President, Nigeria Red Cross Society, President/Founder, Rochas Foundation Inc, President, Rochas Group of Companies Limited, Pro-Chancellor, African Business School and Former Chairman, Board of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
Governor Rochas has not really had it smooth in his political career of late. He is presently still battling the Independent Natioanal Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Election Petition Tribunal to release his Certificate of Return as the duly elected representative for Imo West Senatorial District but his fate right now hangs in the balance.
But regardless of his travails politically, Rochas Okorochas stands tall as one of the most stylish governors in Nigeria right now. His wears his signature cape to fit any and all of his native attires combining the colours in an attarctive and enviable manner.
4. Ibikunle Amosun:
Govenor Ibikunle Amosun graduated from Ogun State Polytechnic in 1983. Thereafter he went ahead to obtain a Masters of Art in International Finance at the University of Westminster in London.
Amosun started his career as an audit trainee with Lanre Aremu & Co. (Chartered Accountants) 1984. In 2011, he contested for the office of the Governor for the second time and was elected Senator for the Ogun Central district of Ogun State, Nigeria in April 2003. He also recently won Ogu West Senatorial Seat ticket for the legislative house.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogu State is arguably one of Nigeria’s best dressed state chief executives. His combines his unique stylish attire made out of local fabrics with a unique type of cap and way of wearing it. Referred to in certain quarters as the “long-thinking” cap, the look has come to be associated with Amosun. It is not uncommon to immediatly think of Amosun when anyone thinks of that unique type of cap. The style which dates back many years has been copied by many including the governor’s aides.
5. Willie Obiano: 1957:
Willie Obiano is a former banker and the fourth Democratic Goveror of Anambra State. Governor Obiano began his banking career in 1981 with First Bank of Nigeria before he joined Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc as an accountant.
He went into Nigerian politics and contested the November 16, 17 and 30 Anambra State gubernatorial elections on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, in 2014 and has been in office till date.
A very handsome man in his own right, Willie Obiano strikes anyone as a man of style from his signature afro hair cut to his choice of wears.
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