There is a time and a place for everything. And as far as burial ceremonies go, regardless of whether the deceased was young or old, a solemn contrite disposition is required. It is after all a place to pay your final respect to the dead; the last goodbye. Because death is not viewed in a positive light, even for the old as it causes pain to the living, solemn attires are the prevalent and respectful garbs for the occasion.
So you can imagine our shock when the first lady of Anambra state, wife to the state governor; Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, took the occasion of the burial ceremony of late Chief Michael Chukwuma Onyema, father of Air Peace CEO; Mr Allen Onyema, as an opportunity to make a fashion statement and flaunt the amount of wealth she has amassed with her position.
The first lady was spotted in a limited edition statement Gucci sunglasses valued at $2,755 that is N995,932 almost a million naira. According to Gucci, the overall quantity of the Made-in-Italy ‘limited edition mask sunglasses with crystals’ is a mere 100 pieces.
The burial edition fashion show did not end with the first lady spotting the exclusive sunglasses, no! It extended to her entire garb; from her cream and navy blue lace to her jewery, it is evident that Mrs Obiano must not have gotten the memo about this being a burial. Or maybe we should blame the lack of appropriate dress sense on her wardrobe adviser or stylist. I mean if you can afford a limited edition Gucci glasses, a stylist is the list of your problems, she could have easily made a statement with a black attire, pure white would not have been out of the question either.
Public office holders should not even be able to afford that level of luxury, but then, this is Nigeria, so the first Lady is Queen and Queens must be covered in Crystals.
The country is not altogether without hope as there are still those who find it in their hearts to use their positions for the good of the people, or at very least give them hope.
Here is the first lady of Ekiti State, Mrs Erelu Bisi Fayemi who took it upon herself to pay a visit to an elderly man of 105years who lives alone. This was not a random gesture, the first lady, through her Ekiti Development Foundation has brought succour to so many elderly citizens of the state.
This is not something she had to do, she could very easily have spent that money on limited edition Gucci bags with rubies or limited edition Prada shoes with sapphires. But what wealth can you really claim to have as a leader when your followers are living in penury? What respect are you giving to the dead by taking the spotlight at his ceremony?
It is the reality of who we are that shows forth in our actions. And so while one leader thinks of the people, the other is concerned with what people will think of her outfit.
BY: SUNDAY ADEBAYO