Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday at a
dinner organised in commemoration of Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary at
the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, thrilled the guests with visual
descriptions of attributes that make Nigerians outstanding.
Osinbajo, who spoke on a lighter
note, said that one of the distinct attributes of the Nigerian person was the
`Nigerian Swag.’
He described `Nigerian swag’ as
that uniquely confident way that made Nigerians to stand out everywhere and in
everything they did.
Osinbajo, who got the guests
laughing and clapping intermittently, cited the sport called Bobsled and
presented a power point video of Nigerians girls dancing at the Winter
Olympics.
“They thought only white people
could do this because it is a winter sport; if you don’t have winter and snow
in your country you can’t be a bobsled champion.
“Well, so they thought until the
Nigerians came to the Winter Olympics in Pyeong Chang South Korea, three
Nigerian girls.
“ Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere and
Akuoma Omeoga the first Africans in Bobsled at the Winter Olympics.
“They raced into history in style
and they ended it with dance.
“How else would you know that
they are Nigerians.’’
He said that the World Cup came
in May 2018; but well before the World Cup kicked off, Nigeria had started
winning.
Osinbajo recalled that when Nike
released the design of Nigeria’s jersey called Naija in Feb. 2018, three
million people pre-ordered the Jersey for 90 dollar a piece on line.
He said that eventually thousands
of people lined up to buy the jersey and it sold out in the stores within
hours.
“The jersey was lit; so lit that
we won the first prize for the best dressed team, Peru came second and Belgium
came third.’’
The vice president listed the
quality and prowess of Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, Nigerian wedding, dance
and language as some other aspects of Nigerian uniqueness.
“And then there is Anthony
Joshua, as far as we are concerned the best boxer in the world not only is he a
heavy hitter– he could also pass for a model; so much Swag.
“How about the Nigerian wedding,
it has become the toast of the world, among other things, we are teaching the
world that every wedding deserves a hashtag.
“ #Baad 2017, for BankyW and
Adesuwa Etomi, #YemiandDolly 1989 or #Dolyem 1989 , that’s me and my lovely
wife, to the dramatic entrance of the bridal party, and see the groom flying
and of course, the Aso Ebi.
“And everywhere, they are
learning our languages; everywhere, here is a kindergarten class in China; the
children are learning Igbo; very soon, everyone is going to be speaking Igbo.
“Our contemporary dances have so
much swag from skelewu to sekem to shakiti bobo, sakusaku and the most recent,
Zanku, I am sure you all know how to gbe se ..gbe se .to gbe body e.
“It is now gbe se, gbe se, all
over the world; nobody dances like us; it doesn’t matter whether you are the
distinguished senator representing Kogi west or the distinguished senator
representing Osun West.’’
Osinbajo also listed one of the
richest men in Africa, Aliko Dangote, President Muhammadu Buhari, former
President Olusegun Obasanjo as among those who carry Nigerian swag with their
dance steps.
According to him, when it comes
to fashion, Nigerians are the masters of style.
“From the geles, and look at what
Iya rainbow is wearing, and of course the famous Madam Kofo’s gele.
“Nigerians brought Ankara to
mainstream fashion.
“So Nigerian designers are making
waves internationally with the infusion of Ankara in their collections.
“And the likes of Lisa Folawiyo,
Mackie O, Andrew Iyamah, Kenneth Ize, Mowa Ogunlesi, have been featured in
Vogue and other international fashion magazines and events such as the New York
fashion week.
“The Nigerian-American designer
Ena Udemba designed Beyoncé’s drop dead gorgeous Ankara outfit; today the whole
world is wearing our Ankara; from Michelle Obama, Rihana and Kim Kardashian, ‘’
he said.
He also displayed Buhari
featuring with his `trade mark black kaftan’ describing him as the number one
man with the swag.
Secretary to the Government of
the Federation, Boss Mustapha, thanked those who contributed directly or
indirectly toward the success of the 59th Independence celebration.
He said that the administration
was determined to build on the foundation for change laid in the last four
years.
The dinner featured performances
by cultural troupes drawn from different states.
It attracted notable Nigerians
including Maryam Abacha, Wife of former Head of State, Sani Abacha, a former
Chief of General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd) and former Vice President,
Namadi Sambo.
Also present were Senate
President, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila,
APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, service chiefs, members of the Federal
Executive Council, members of the diplomatic corps, captains of industries
among others
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