December 2016 – UpholdAfrica

Fashion is an integral part of the African culture. It has been ingrained in us from a young age to be conscious of how we present ourselves. Nigeria is one of the leading countries in Africa in terms of fashion. Lagos, Nigeria has become a center of excellence for buzzing fashion events. This has provided a hub for the youths to dive into the fashion business.These days a number of Nigerian youths have taken to fashion designing, modeling, fashion blogging and similar enterprise with a major focus on the African attires hence the popular slang of ‘Yoruba Demon’ which in a way has made the Yoruba traditional wear, Agbada to become more acceptable and admired among high-brow events in the country and overseas.

Ore Osoba, CEO and Creative Director Coz Designs

However, there is a sector of the fashion enterprise which haven’t really been explored in the Nigerian fashion scene. It is the LUXURY BAGS sector, most especially Nigerian-made brands. Bags are important accessories which could make or mar your overall outfit. Oreoluwa Osoba of COZ Designs seems to notice this particular area which haven’t caught the eyes of many hence making him a unique fashion icon in the Nigerian fashion scene.Ore Osoba is the CEO and creative director of Coz Designs. He is a 21-year-old graduate of Computer Science from North American University, Republic of Benin. Ore hails from Ogun state, Nigeria and he is the last child of his family.

: Coz Designs’ Works

While in his final year in the university, he decided he didn’t want to work for anyone and wants to start his own brand. Ore, who has always been a fashion lover knew anything he will do would be fashion related though. According to him he decided to go into bags because he noticed there aren’t a lot of bag brands in Nigeria and bags are very important fashion accessories as they play a big role in fashion .

Ore talks on life as being the creative director of a leather luxury brand. Ore says, “Being a creative director is not an easy job. I design all of our bags . Before I design I imagine the person I am designing for. I want every design to make a statement and play a role. I want my designs to give my customers confidence.”

On his goals and aspirations, Ore says, “I want Nigerians to believe in Made in Nigeria products. I want my customers to carry my designs and be confident that they are rocking Made in Nigeria.”

Currently, Ore won the best entrepreneur of the year at the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award Ceremony. The award is the biggest and most respected Nigerian entrepreneurs award. He was handed the award by the governor of Kano state. He was also nominated for the ‘Best Youth Company” at the African Youth Choice Award. Ore was also named the future of Nigerian business by Natasha Nobles, an American based blogger. Ore says, “I hope to inspire youths that you are not too young to be successful or to know what you want. Your life is your boat and you are the captain. You are not too young to take charge.”

: Models rocking Coz Designs at the Africa Fashion Week

Ore attributes his drive for success to his mum and his passions. “I grew up with my mom. She is a very hard working woman. She worked three jobs to send me to school , so she is one of my biggest drives. And I love what I do. Fashion is my passion. I love to see my customers happy and satisfied.”

Ore hopes to expand Coz Designs all over the world. Currently, the brand is selling in 16 countries. He hopes to expand to more countries and more outlets. The brand will be launching its new collections soon. These will be posted on the brand’s IG page @coz_designs. Coz Designs is currently making big waves in Nigeria and a number of the Nigerian celebrities have been known to rock the brand.

: Simi

: Mr.2kay and Beverly Osu

: Nedu of Wazobia

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While serving as a Youth Corps member in a remote village in Edo state, Nigeria, Ajayi Oluwafunminiyi birthed the idea of Read and Think Initiative. On discovering that most students in the rural community lacked purpose and a sense of direction, Ajayi thought of a way to promote literacy and career awareness among the young students. According to him, “Some saw no reason for schooling, some others perceived it as punishment and this made teaching and learning difficult and ultimately the purpose of schooling was defeated.”

Ajayi, a graduate of Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and a member of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport whose core area of skills are research and data analysis put his research skills to use in figuring out the challenges facing these students and the best way to reach them.

Ajayi Oluwafunminiyi

Ajayi discovered that many people find themselves on the wrong job and live below their true potentials because of the choices they made earlier on without the right information. He conducted a survey to sample the opinions of students concerning their reasons for being in school and the factors influencing their choice of career. With the understanding he now has, he is driven to help others especially students who still have the chance to get it right early. He has been able to reach out to about 1000 students through the initiative’s monthly outreaches to schools. The aim of the initiative is to “promote literacy and career awareness by sensitizing, enlightening, re-orientating and motivating students in order to prepare them for purposeful scholarship and resourceful citizenry.”

The initiative held its first campaign across three villages. Ajayi says, “Apart from the sensitization, there was an essay competition where the winner won a scholarship. An indigent but talented J.S.S 1 student was also awarded a scholarship. This was a huge success and the experience motivated me to do more when I left the village.”

The initiative projects to reach out to at least 100,000 Nigerian students on a yearly basis in both rural and urban centers. The initiative plans to organize a yearly essay and debate competitions on topical issues bothering on career choices and self-awareness among schools where winners will be rewarded. In addition to that the initiative also aims to reach out to the less privileged by sponsoring the education of truly indigent students who exhibit a great deal of talent and potential such that such talents do not just go to waste and intends to do this on a yearly basis.

Ajayi added that he has an understanding of the talent mix and personality traits. Using the analysis of John Holland’s theory of personality types, he realizes he is a social type. He falls into the category of people who like to teach and address people. He enjoys doing this a lot and according to him it is his area of strength. With a positive outlook on the future and a determination to create a positive change in his society, Ajayi says, “Our next plan is to reach out to physically impaired students. We realize they face tremendous challenges in learning, so we intend to contribute the little we can in making resources available to them.”

To volunteer or donate to this initiative, contact @Ajayi Julius Oluwafunminiyi on Facebook.

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Monthly Archives: December 2016

Coz Designs, A Nigerian-Made Leather Luxury Brand Making Waves Across Countries