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I am ICONIC!

......I have always stuck out from the crowd and it has made me quite Fashion different. A few years ago; I made a bold statement by ditching my profession as an ICT consultant when I was clearly thriving to focus on a career in Male Model Scouting. Man; did my parents think me crazy! Everyone said; he has completely lost it- it is does late nights of writing codes- they have taken the best of him. Maybe; they were right- but something inside of me gave me great HOPE. ....So I did what every dreamer does. I packed up my suitcase and took the high road towards attaining success. The only problem I had was that I was dead broke and without money I won't get much achieved. What do I do now; I asked myself. I will not go back home; Daddy will laugh at me- He would say out loudly through his cigar smoke rings- "Male Models".....Crazy you- you thought you could forge a career with male models? .....I will not give up. So I made a plan- and prepared myself for the worst. And boy; did I find the worst of them. Lots of guys all over Africa, some I met online and so many I discovered on the streets in hidden alleys in war zones and beautiful boutiques across Motherland. I made a vow- to remain Fashion Different till I meet success. ....Fast forward fifteen years later. I am still broke; but I have grown stronger in deciding what I want quickly. I have also become a lot along the way. I have become a self taught Fashion Photographer, A Blogger, A Magazine Editor & Contributor, A Male Models Scout, A Men's Fashion Week show creator/organizer, A Menswear & Accessory Designer, A Business Developer, A Social Media Consultant and A Male Model Agency Creative Director- A lot of hats that have made me skillfully talented and sought after by many- I know I am becoming an Icon because I made a conscious decision to follow my dreams. I became Fashion Different because now I am relevant in a world that is presently booming with thriving Menswear designers and a lot of Men's Fashion Weeks. ....The next thing I decided in a flash to do; was this. I made a quick move to a different place in other to make myself more relevant in what I find passionate. Looking for a creative job as a visual merchandiser would be ideal for someone with my skills. Not to look so main stream- I took the high road towards attaining my main goals. I like it- and I feel it. It is so rewarding to be fashion different. I am ICONIC! ...From H creative director ecHe: Male Models International and owner of www.nnasaminc.blogspot.ae.

Sharp!

....Life makes us smile when things go wrong, because only at the time of complaining do we remember that the plants always look happy and remain SHARP!

The Boring State of Sleep

The Boring State of Sleep…by Eche Nnamdi Onwugbenu ….I am an achiever; I find sleep very boring because I love to work late hours all the time. Working late as 4am helps me understand what life is all about and I get satisfaction knowing that this makes me truly unafraid of death. My life is so forward that my only worries are the things that I haven’t done yet. What is the essence of living in a remarkably fast lane if we will never get everything done? …I am in a state of disorderliness; I am sleepless and all that is on my mind is how to get things done fast, for a brighter future. I want a lot of success; but I have been failing to reward my past successes. Life needs us to keep rewarding her when she succeeds and to encourage her when she fails. Is my lack of sleep a total chaos? …I am so restless when I am idle. My mind does not tolerate it when the whole day goes by and I didn’t give her enough to think about. She is always in control and reminds me constantly that there is a lot of creative things we should be doing. I lost a great lover because I was in a deep state of sleep; and while I was asleep she packed up her life and gave it to the destroyer. What exactly should I fear? ….I am a bad beginner in things I am uncertain about; starting very late at arriving early to work. The greatness of my restlessness is that I love to work late into the night, making sure everything is perfect. Will I continue to deny myself the happiness of going to bed early; just because I think I would be at rest when I am gone off to work? Yes or Maybe- I am uncertain. Why? I am not a perfectionist. I said already: I am an achiever. I will work when others are asleep. I will go the distance in helping others achieve success; whether they are certain of my contribution or not. This is my state of achievement- my statement of orderliness. Why? So that when they are working; maybe then- I will sleep!

AFRICA.....Regaining its imagination through creative financing.

...Entrepreneurs make up the majority of Africans and a lot of them thrive and live in its heart; a place called Nigeria. For years we have failed Africa and haven't delivered on our promises and worst we have been losing our human resources as some of our neighbors lose their natural resources. Some where on twitter land today-a well know Venture capitalist asked a very intriguing question- How does #africa move from "From Prototyping to Production?" ...Here is what I think. Africa needs to understand that without industries- all the prototypes we make will end up looking like rag dolls in an antique shop. We should either invite VC companies that will invest in Entrepreneurs that are ready to set up industries or we should be willing to invest in our own Human Resources ourselves and provide them with creative financial schemes to help them launch successful start up manufacturing stations that will become the backbone to a future Africa with working industries.... There is virtually no reason for every promising Nigerian to travel out and live in places like Dubai or New York or even Paris. But now- this is the case- and many end up been in trouble for no reason other than the will to survive. Where are we going to now and what are we going to do about the youths that have dreams of owning production houses or even better owning industries. We need to use creativity as a means to succeed in business and the only way to do this is by believing in the vast human resources known as African youths.....

Not a single tear!!!

...I am too modest to cry right now. I am supposed to be the happiest person in the world. I am living the life I was born to live. Each phone call triggers my mind to my family back home and I miss my close friend and associates very much; I ask my loved ones to be very patient and alert- we have to act our faith in this time of actions. As Nigerians we think we have it very bad inside Nigeria; but when we travel out- unless you have a very defined dream; you will be frustrated about the way foreigners treat Nigerians. And to make it worse; our girls are not doing what they told their parents they were traveling out to do. The guys are not left out- some believe it is only deals that will save the day- while the innocents ones are seen as handsome or beautiful faces without brains or low business skills because they refuse to do shady deals. It is hard- but I thank God I am Nigerian and I will not shed a single tear for it- It is a wonderful time to be Nigerian; because we are not just in demand- we call the shots and the whole world listens!

Nothing Personal- I am just tired!

....I have been outside 9ja for a while and frankly I don't know why. It is no longer free for a talented Nigerian to live in Nigeria as there is nothing for them to do back there. I miss Nigeria though- but every once in a while I ask myself-WHY? I know- is it my family behind there or is it my best friend behind there- even they want to leave. I have the slightest solution but it turns into problems when you travel abroad and find out as a young Nigerian- no body wants to work with you abroad. Are we tainted? What exactly is the problem? In Accra; Ghanians hate Nigerians. In Dubai- Nigerians find it hard to get work. In America it is damn hard for a Nigerian to stay on top. What is this thing; and the Government have nothing to say to the youths in Nigeria or even the one's outside Nigeria. It is nothing personal against any regime- but shame on our fathers for not building a better future for us. Shame on them for making it damn hard to be called....I wont even repeat the name. I am proud to be Nigerian and I say it everywhere I go- even when it sounds like a lie...I mean it well with all my heart. There has got to be a change from the top to the bottom- we all need to take this seriously- or else: we won't have citizens to call our precious Motherland, home!