Opinion
Indecent Dressing: Bane In Our Society
Before looking at the problems indecent dressing has caused in the society today, we have to know the meaning of indecency. In a simple term, we can say if something is not decent then it is indecent, and indecent means something that is not good for the eyes to behold.
I know much has been said on this issue but I still want to emphasize on it because it might likely change the attitude of some young people who like dressing indecently.
Most often, we see ladies exposing the sensitive parts of their body which is supposed to be covered, all in the name of fashion. The main objective cloth is made for covering, but if it no longer does the purpose for which it was made, then its being abused.
From the Bible, we learnt that Adam and Eve, the First man and woman on earth used apron when they noticed they were naked but were not properly covered. God! due to his loving kindness said they were not properly covered saw cloth for them with animal skin for them to be properly covered and protected.
Before now, it was noted that only people that have physchological problem are the people we discover that go half naked on the street but today, we see people that we can say were mentally okay going half naked on the street.
The question now is, are they really okay as you think? If yes why do you think they dress that way? People they say are being addressed the way they are dressed, no wonder there are lots of rape cases, molestation of women on the streets in the cities because of their indecency in dressing which exposes the parts of their bodies, the sensitive parts that are supposed to be covered in other to gain attention from men. After gaining. The attention what next? Molestation, rape which results in some being infected with diverse diseases, while some die along the process, are the bane or consequencies indecent dressing has caused in the society among others.
somebody suggested that if only irresponsible men that goes after such persons. But I think this is not so. It is not a matter of being responsible or irresponsible because that is their nature and it takes grace of God to close your eyes when you see such thing. My grievance goes is the ladies who expose their body all in the name of fashion.
Fashion simply means “The popular style of clothes, hair and behavior of an individual etc. at a particular time (Long Man Dictionary). Simply put it is a particular style of an individual. It does not mean dressing with your body exposed. Like some young people do today. The bible talks about moderation in all we do including dressing. You don’t have to look down or rough but be at the middle in other to please your maker. It went further to say. Let not your nakedness be discovered…” therefore, if you are on the contrary, you are displeasing your creator.
Gradually, we can see indecent dressing creeping into churches and they still claim they are sensing God. how do you think God will accept your service when you are sending men to hell right from the church, uncovering the parts. He said you should cover.
Don’t you think that is disobedience?. Imagine man condemning indecent dressing talk of God who introduced dressing right from the garden of Eden will he condole this of course No.
Some make-ups too look indecent due to the way they are being applied. Some excess use of make-up make some ladies look fearful and some looking like masquarel. Some ladies use all kinds of colours when making up and it makes them look odd.
This make-up does not really matter. I believe if some is beautiful the person is beautiful without the use of makeup because some don’t know how to apply this make-up. Try to minimize excessive use of your makeup and you will book beautiful.
When we talk of indecent dressing not only in clothing but make- up also because it’s part of dressing making use of shouty colours makes you look indecent (offensive). Like the lady I saw yesterday, she was fixing the feather of bird (red colour) on the corners of her eyes. I was so amazed when I saw her and I began to imagine about this, what is dressing really turning into this days. The more the days are prolonged the more fashion keep pumping out into the society with different motile.
Don’t they stand in front of their mirrow before going out? Of course they do because every woman likes using the mirrow. One should be able to note if the make-up she wears is decent, fit to go, or not before leaving the room.
There is a way one will use this make-up and it will really look nice, why not go for that and you will be attractive instead of putting the one that will make you look odd and people begin to look at you as an irresponsible person.
For us to put a stop the troubles indecent dressing has caused in our society, we must eradicate indecent dressing in other to avoid its bane and also stop the act of sending plan to hell who might not have gone to hell but because of losting after a lady who expose her body. They find themself there.
You might say is not his fault but he should have remove his eyes at the first look and avoid continuous look which might lead to lost.
So if you come across half naked ladies on the street suddenly, try to take your eyes off and plead for grace and you will overcome. I used to overcome because some of this ladies are agents that are sent to entice men. Please young men, do not be a victim through your eyes by what you look at on the street. Pray for mercy to over-come. I believe if an agency is being set up to punish people who dress indecently on the street, and the policy being carried out, then others will see, learn and refrain from indecent dressing which is the bane of the society.
Chindah Faith C. is a student of Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori.
Chindah Faith C.
From all indications, Nigeria possesses enough human and material resources to become a true economic powerhouse in Africa. According to the National Population Commission (NPC, 2023), the country’s population has grown steadily within the last decade, presently standing at about 220 million people—mostly young, vibrant, and innovative. Nigeria also remains the sixth-largest oil producer in the world, with enormous reserves of gas, fertile agricultural land, and human capital.
Yet, despite this enormous potential, the country continues to grapple with underdevelopment, poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS, 2023) show that about 129 million Nigerians currently live below the poverty line. Most families can no longer afford basic necessities, even as the government continues to project a rosy economic picture.
The Subsidy Question
The removal of fuel subsidy in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been one of the most controversial policy decisions in Nigeria’s recent history. According to the president, subsidy removal was designed to reduce fiscal burden, unify the foreign exchange rate, attract investment, curb inflation, and discourage excessive government borrowing.
While these objectives are theoretically sound, the reality for ordinary Nigerians has been severe hardship. Fuel prices more than tripled, transportation costs surged, and food inflation—already high—rose above 30% (NBS, 2023). The World Bank (2023) estimates that an additional 7.1 million Nigerians were pushed into poverty after subsidy removal.
A Critical Economic View
As an economist, I argue that the problem was not subsidy removal itself—which was inevitable—but the timing, sequencing, and structural gaps in Nigeria’s implementation.
- Structural Miscalculation
Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries remain nonfunctional. By removing subsidies without local refining capacity, the government exposed the economy to import-price pass-through effects—where global oil price shocks translate directly into domestic inflation. This was not just a timing issue but a fundamental policy miscalculation.
- Neglect of Social Safety Nets
Countries like Indonesia (2005) and Ghana (2005) removed subsidies successfully only after introducing cash transfers, transport vouchers, and food subsidies for the poor (World Bank, 2005). Nigeria, however, implemented removal abruptly, shifting the fiscal burden directly onto households without protection.
- Failure to Secure Food and Energy Alternatives
Fuel subsidy removal amplified existing weaknesses in agriculture and energy. Instead of sequencing reforms, government left Nigerians without refinery capacity, renewable energy alternatives, or mechanized agricultural productivity—all of which could have cushioned the shock.
Political and Public Concerns
Prominent leaders have echoed these concerns. Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, described the subsidy removal as “good but wrongly timed.” Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party also faulted the government’s hasty approach. Human rights activists like Obodoekwe Stive stressed that refineries should have been made functional first, to reduce the suffering of citizens.
This is not just political rhetoric—it reflects a widespread economic reality. When inflation climbs above 30%, when purchasing power collapses, and when households cannot meet basic needs, the promise of reform becomes overshadowed by social pain.
Broader Implications
The consequences of this policy are multidimensional:
- Inflationary Pressures – Food inflation above 30% has made nutrition unaffordable for many households.
- Rising Poverty – 7.1 million Nigerians have been newly pushed into poverty (World Bank, 2023).
- Middle-Class Erosion – Rising transport, rent, and healthcare costs are squeezing household incomes.
- Debt Concerns – Despite promises, government borrowing has continued, raising sustainability questions.
- Public Distrust – When government promises savings but citizens feel only pain, trust in leadership erodes.
In effect, subsidy removal without structural readiness has widened inequality and eroded social stability.
Missed Opportunities
Nigeria’s leaders had the chance to approach subsidy removal differently:
- Refinery Rehabilitation – Ensuring local refining to reduce exposure to global oil price shocks.
- Renewable Energy Investment – Diversifying energy through solar, hydro, and wind to reduce reliance on imported petroleum.
- Agricultural Productivity – Mechanization, irrigation, and smallholder financing could have boosted food supply and stabilized prices.
- Social Safety Nets – Conditional cash transfers, food vouchers, and transport subsidies could have protected the most vulnerable.
Instead, reform came abruptly, leaving citizens to absorb all the pain while waiting for theoretical long-term benefits.
Conclusion: Reform With a Human Face
Fuel subsidy removal was inevitable, but Nigeria’s approach has worsened hardship for millions. True reform must go beyond fiscal savings to protect citizens.
Economic policy is not judged only by its efficiency but by its humanity. A well-sequenced reform could have balanced fiscal responsibility with equity, ensuring that ordinary Nigerians were not crushed under the weight of sudden change.
Nigeria has the resources, population, and resilience to lead Africa’s economy. But leadership requires foresight. It requires policies that are inclusive, humane, and strategically sequenced.
Reform without equity is displacement of poverty, not development. If Nigeria truly seeks progress, its policies must wear a human face.
References
- National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). (2023). Poverty and Inequality Report. Abuja.
- National Population Commission (NPC). (2023). Population Estimates. Abuja.
- World Bank. (2023). Nigeria Development Update. Washington, DC.
- World Bank. (2005). Fuel Subsidy Reforms: Lessons from Indonesia and Ghana. Washington, DC.
- OPEC. (2023). Annual Statistical Bulletin. Vienna.
By: Amarachi Amaugo