The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Mrs Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, has visited a leading Nigerian fashion and designing flagship store, April by Kunbi, in Lagos.
Bah-Barrow extolled the creativity of the New York-trained Creative Director of the brand, Mrs Olakunbi Uzochukwu, for promoting African culture and for creating jobs for youths in the country.
Recall that April by Kunbi which launched its rebirth on the December 8, 2024, is home to three brands – Stan & Beth (fashion ingenuity for children, inspired by loyal customers seeking elegance for their little ones); Kunbi Lagos (a slow fashion ready-to-wear brand with classic designs that trascends trends) and Odiuko (luxury fabric store offering one-of-a-kind fabrics for discerning clients with an eye for extra-exclusivity).
Mrs Kunbi Uzochukwu, a proud alumni of the world renowned fashion institute, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York, which also produced the legendary Calvin Klein, has also garnered global acclaim for her creativity and artistry with designs gracing brides and fashion enthusiasts from Lagos to around the world.
Nigerian political and business leaders who attended the rebirth launch included Air Peace Airline owner, Chief Allen Onyema, former Cross River State governor and wife, Mr and Mrs Donald Duke, Senators Ben Murray-Bruce and Daisy Danjuma, Iyabo Obasanjo, two-time former Minister of Industry, Chief Nike Akande; chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and former House of Representative member, Hon Abike Debiri-Erewa; a renowned clergy, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, Managing Director of popular Blake Resorts, Dr. Uzochukwu Akunedoze, Mr Frank Edoho, among other top dignitaries, showered accolades on the creativity behind the brand in separate speeches.
Responding to journalists during her visit, the Gambian First Lady said, “I have seen quality, inspiration and determination in what I see during the tour of the facility and they align with my style.
“I prefer to dress modestly being an African, and I believe we should have our own taste before importing and integrating other cultures that are not ours. Let us maintain our culture. Human beings without culture are nothing.
“It’s creating jobs because I am seeing only youths around the shop and the factory. That shows when you come to my country, you will create jobs and when you go to another African country, you create a job.
“Let us maintain our content and consume what we produce. Africa is a blessed continent and I believe no one can come and build our continent. We need to build it by ourselves, especially the young ones. Everyone should be proud of themselves and be proud of people who are representing your continent.
“Everyone should come and have a look at fashion collections in April by Kunbi. Seeing is believing. I believe in that. When I came, I saw the exact things in the video that was sent to me in Gambia. I said ‘wow, we could have this in Africa?’ You know me, I am a jealous type. I decided to say you have to come to The Gambia. You are welcome to Gambia in 2025.”
