The African Arts and Fashion Initiative( AAFI) , organized two days seminar at the Oriental Hotel, recently in Lagos.
The seminar tagged “Creating jobs for Creative Minds” gave participants the opportunities from various sectors of creative arts such as fashion, crafts, modelling, makeup, photography, beads making, music, fine arts to showcase their talents at the seminar.
The event witnessed some prominent speakers from various sector of the creative industry, such as Regional Director, African Arts and fashion intiative North America, Uche Ibezue, Executive Producer Brand world media, Clara Chinwe Okoro, Fashion stylist and make up artist, OlaJide Adedeji, CEO of Muchaba Internation business & management services Amuche Elemulu, Fashion Designer, Ituen Bassey Founder of the ISIS Modeling Agency and Creative Director ‘House of Jala , Joan Okorodudu .
In her opening speech, The Founder of African Arts and Fashion initiative (AAFI), Fifi Ejindu said that, “The Initiative was created to encourage talented people in creative arts and also give them an opportunity to develop, showcase their talents in Various fields such as dance music, photography fashion etc, “This is meant to provide a platform to develop their talents and nurture them to become successful people in life.
She also said that “ The Foundation was created out of urgent need to tackle Africa”s most difficult challenges in terms of poverty and to build self confidence by empowering them to use what they have to help other less privilege people in the society”.
Fashion Stylist and Make up Artist, Olajide Adedeji, enlightened the participants about using fashion in a creative way and defining themselves through fashion. “It is very important to be a good example to people around you, carriage can sell you in the fashion industry, how you dress defines your personality. You don’t have to bleach your skin to get attention from people, know the right products to use , clothes to wear and how to economize with the little resources you have”.
Speaking at the event, Regional Director, African Arts and fashion initiative, North America, Uche Ibezue , narrated her success story to the participants. “Do not give up on your dream in life, to achieve anything in life, you need hard work, patience and determination. When I went to Washington DC, I remember a lot of people told me, I can’t be a designer, but I worked hard, pushed myself hard, not listening to negative comments today I am proud to say I am among the top Nigerian Designers in Washington DC.
She encouraged youths to stay focused and believe in whatever they set their mind to do , “ We have lots of youths out there, who need to be empowered and not depend on white collar jobs to feed them. If you believe in yourself, have a vision and most importantly belief in God to achieve in life”.
The CEO of Muchaba Internation business & management services, Mr. Amuche Elemulu , during a presentation explained to participants on the importance of business planning and management. “ It is important to describe the kind of business you want to do, have a good business plan, it gives direction on what you really want to do in business”.
During the entertainment session, Chief Ufo Ene Felix the Creative Director of “ Ubong Mariam” cultural troupe wowed the audience in his unique way of playing African music with his xylophone. Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, appreciated the participants and guest speakers for making the seminar a successful one. In a brief interview with Glamsquad Magazine, Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, disclosed her future plans to organize seminars in other states. “ This is not the end of this initiative, It will be taken to various states in Nigeria, It is a way of giving opportunities to talented youths in the Country”.
By Olubukunola Femi-Dagunro
