By Martin Cole-
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has made headlines with remarks that appear to criticize Meghan Markle for her fashion choices during a recent trip to Nigeria.
Speaking at an event in Abuja to mark her husband President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office, the First Lady emphasized the importance of cultural modesty and warned against mimicking American film stars’ “nakedness.”
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently completed a three-day visit to Nigeria, primarily focusing on continuing the Duke’s work around the Invictus Games.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visited Nigeria on May 10 on an invitation from the chief of defence staff, the country’s highest-ranking military official.
The duke of sussex wore a variety of outfits, including a printed halter-neck dress, a backless peach dress, a white strapless dress and a red strappy dress with a ruffled them.
During the “Celebrating the Woman” event, which aimed to honour women’s contributions across various sectors, the First Lady addressed the issue of cultural identity and modesty. She stated:
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“The message here is we have to salvage our children. We see the way they dress. They keep forgetting that Nigeria, we are beautiful. You can see what they showcase on the stage. I said, ‘We are fashionable, we see what is going on’. We are not having the Met Gala. And everyone, the nakedness, is just everywhere and the men are well-clothed. So we have to do something. Tell them we don’t accept nakedness in our culture. That is not beautiful. It’s not beautiful at all.”
Meghan At Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria (Picture AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
The First Lady’s comments implicitly referred to Meghan Markle’s fashion choices during her visit, which included luxury brands such as Carolina Herrera, Altuzarra, and Johanna Ortiz. She concluded her speech with a pointed question: “Why did Meghan come here looking for Africa? We know who we are. Don’t lose who you are.”
The First Lady’s message underscores a broader cultural discourse in Nigeria about the influence of Western media and celebrities on local fashion and identity. Her emphasis on cultural modesty reflects a desire to preserve traditional values amidst globalizing influences.
Appropriateness of the Message
The First Lady’s comments, while reflective of cultural sentiments in Nigeria, could be seen as contentious. Criticizing a high-profile visitor like Meghan Markle may come across as unwelcoming and could be interpreted as a personal attack rather than a general statement on cultural values.
Moreover, Meghan’s connection to Nigeria, based on her publicized DNA test revealing her 43% Nigerian ancestry, might make her feel particularly invested in the country, making the critique seem more pointed.
In Nigeria, the First Lady’s remarks will likely resonate with conservative and traditional segments of society that prioritize cultural preservation and modesty. However, there is also a growing demographic of young Nigerians who are increasingly influenced by global fashion trends and might view the comments as outdated or overly critical.
A sample of Nigerians were spoken to by The Eye Of Media.Com about the first lady’s comments
One Nigerian woman, Ronke Adeniji,- a secondary school teacher from Abuja- commented on the criticism. ”The first lady is not in a position to advise Nigerian women. Our girls are very fashionable and already western in their dressing. What did Meghan wear that was so unusual. She is not a Muslim or religious in any way. She is just trying to grab the headlines, especially as her husband is very unpopular.
Another lady, Olusola Adeleye, an accountant from Abuja said: ”I think the first lady was taking a cheap swipe at Meghan, fully aware that the world press would feature her criticism. How could she even ask what Meghan is looking for in Africa? ”Its a silly question because she has already said she is 43%Nigerian, so visiting her country of origin is good and something that should be commended, not criticised.
Mary Abara, a trader from Anambra state said: ”I think the first lady is trying to set standards for Nigerian girl, so that they don’t just copy what they see abroad.
”when it comes to upbringing, Nigerian women are world class, and generally well brought up. We know how to dress, and know where the boundaries of dressing lie. We generally consider adviser from our elders, unlike in western countries.
”If the first lady wants to advise our females on how to dress, it is her prerogative. Our women will in the end make up their own minds”.
Internationally, especially in Western countries, the comments might be viewed as a cultural clash, highlighting the differing perceptions of fashion and modesty.
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