Many Nigerians know about the fashion magazine, Hints Fashion, but can not place a face to the person that started it all, what gave you that inspiration at that point in time?

As the Managing Director of the organization, I had as at the time tremendous pressure to take the company to a profitable position, and so after my national tour liaising with vendors and agents across the country, I had to convince the Chairman on the need to diversify into the fashion publication. The face remained behind the scene because the focus was viability and profitability and not me.

 At that time, not many fashion magazines were out, which strategy did you implore to present that kind of package?

We came out with a peculiar concept different from the existing two fashion publications as at the time, which to my opinion were good in their own way.

 How was the initial response?

It was tremendous; the positive response was beyond our expectation both in terms of acceptance and financial returns.

 Let’s go retrospect to your younger days, were you goal setter? What got most of your interest then?

Yes in my younger days I was always the leader of the pack, both in academics and extra curriculum. I was always interested in viable and realistic projects and also in charitable ventures. Back then I pioneered a lot of projects even as a child.

 Tell me about growing up and some of the role models you looked up to then?

Growing up was fun and nurturing in the reserved city of Enugu, My father was a civil servant and my mother was a teacher. My parents believed in bringing up children in strict and the Christian way and they believed in education, my grandfather started teaching in 1917 after graduation from teaching college. We were encouraged to participate in various church activities from early years. We were showered with a lot of love amidst disciplined upbringing, but were also encouraged to best you can.

 What did you have eyes for then when you left the university because you seem to have an inclination to Arts yet you studied a course in management? 

Well after university I had passion to work in the financial world, I read Banking and Business Management and actually started my career with Fundtech & Investment Plc where I introduced the money market department and supervised it to international operations and then moved on to the automobile industry where I single handedly and in partnership with the then Chairman of Volkswagen of Nigeria (VON), viably brought back the Volkswagen brand into the Nigerian Auto industry before joining the media and publishing industry. For me it’s just about setting pace and leaving a positive mark.

 How will you rate the Nigerian publishing industry in the late 80s and early 90s vis-a-vis what we have now?

Considering the limitations then vis-a-vis our technological exposure, expertise and quality delivery, I would say we have come a long way, and that we are trying. Some publications are getting it right and it can only get better.

In your opinion, has the Nigerian publishing industry been packaged enough?

Yes; so far so good, we could do a lot better, the challenges in the media industry are enormous for the publisher to contend with, communication packaging tools are very expensive in this country from telephone to internet and other online services to energy generation, you run your organization on alternative power supply for 90 per cent of the time or more, that’s an enormous expenditure, transportation is also not affordable. All these you need to function maximally. A lot needs to be done rightly to have the industry packaged rightly. Amidst these challenges the industry delivers relatively.

 What are your plans for the Nigerian fashion industry as we hear you are behind a project to champion the industry internationally?

Well! What can I say but agree with you. Yes, very soon we will be launching our magazine, it's a unique blend of fashion and Lifestyle as one magazine, it is for the accomplished, intellectually active and stylish Nigerian/African woman. It is the first of its kind in Nigeria. It is meant to fill the void for the serious minded and fashion conscious Nigerian/African woman. It will encourage readers to empower themselves and one another irrespective of your background and expertise. This magazine is slated to be officially launched in July 2009, where we also unveil our model project "GiGi SuperModel', with this project we will position to champion the Nigerian Fashion industry internationally.

 Can you tell what will make Blaze Magazine a trail blazer?

Blaze magazine is introducing new concepts in the lifestyle and fashion genre in terms of content, this will no doubt re-engineer the Nigerian/African. It will encourage women and bring out the best in them, It will encourage the family and infuse family values and it will have a something for 'the man'. Conclusively it is a general interest magazine.

 How will you achieve the balance between lifestyle, Fashion, relationship and entertainment in Nigeria of which Nigeria has a lot of in the magazine?

The woman is the core of the society and the bane of the family, you will either find a woman as the mother, wife, sister or in-law and so she remains the central theme by virtue of nature. All these activities fashion, relationship, entertainment, lifestyle and the rest are ultimately centered on her, in the magazine each section is adequately treated to reflect and bring out the best in us. 

What will prospective readers be looking out for?

Live changing articles, issues and real life experiences that inspire, motivate and challenge you to be your best.

 Are you saying Blaze Magazine will compete favourably with the likes of the Ebony, Essence, Vogue, In-style, Hellos and the rest and still maintain the Nigeria content?

Blaze is very much Nigerian cum Africa, but of international standard both in content and print quality. It is unique and peculiar with life changing articles; it is informational, educative and entertaining.

 Any plans to host a fashion festival to level up to international standards?

With the special grace of God, all things are possible.

Robot  # 1 | 19.07.2009 13:51

://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1392/momon.Many Nigerians know about the fashion magazine, Hints Fashion, but can not place a face to the person that started it all, what gave you that inspiration at that point in time? As the Managing Director of the organization, I had as at the time tremendous pressure to take the company to a profitable position, and so after my national tour liaising with vendors and agents across the country, I had to convince the Chairman on the need to diversify into the fashion publication. The face remained behind the scene because the focus was viability and profitability and not me. At that time, not many fashion magazines were out, which strategy did you implore to present that kind of package? We came out with a peculiar concept different from the existing two fashion publications as at the time...Read the full article.