Style is a matter of instinct. If you don't deliberately choose one you will later realize that you have unknowingly adopted one. People are best defined by their styles.

It could range from dressing, hair to behaviours. Keen observers of President Museveni's life style have come to know him by his stammering, rapid winking and opening his eyes widely, punctuating his speeches with gestures using his hands and always involving the audience in his speeches by asking them questions.

That's his communication style and a number of fellow politicians have fallen prey to this. If you saw Prof Gilbert Bukenya delivering a speech he is a real Museveni. Many other political figures are conceiving this Musevenism style.

Politicians have always loved to curve out characters out of themselves so as to send specific messages to the world and also alienate themselves from the masses. If a weird beard cannot do then it has got to be a hair style or a dressing style.

Mzee Kenneth Kaunda, former Zambian President, was best described by his attire (Kaunda) and a white hanky. Many aging public servants and politicians in Uganda never took a breath before embracing the Kaunda suits which, up to now, are still a treasured brand.

Mobutu, the once upon a time dictator of Zaire now DR Congo, was among the fascinating designers on the continent. His leopard print designs communicated nothing but the fact that he was cunning and dangerous like a leopard. So his opponents had to stand won.

The world's legendary freedom fighter and Africa's top statesman, Nelson Mandela is another style inventor. His trademark attire the flowery or patterned batik shirts fascinated people around the globe making him stand out of the crowd. Fashion designers especially in Africa understand how marketable Mandela shirts are.

In South Africa they are called the Madiba shirts. But Mandela's invention does not come by surprise. As a young man he was a smart dresser and a sports man. He was always fond of his clothes and believed in the old saying that 'clothes make the man'. As a lawyer he was known for his expensive sharp suits and later as President, he fell in love with the wildly colourful and flamboyant shirts- the Madiba shirts.      

In the last decade no Nigerian president has ever been caught in a suit. They prefer traditional wear to western style and this makes foreigners envious. President Good Luck Jonathan is a man of his own style. The truth is that if Jonathan put on a suit he would look more officious. However, he is not into that. His hat, a homburg, is second in formality only to the 'top hat'.

His traditional two-piece suit, the woko. is a formal outfit according to him . He would not mind even if critics said it is far from being appropriate for the gathering of fellow presidents.

Nigerians would like him to lose the hat every now and then so that the people can actually see his face and perhaps this would give him a warmer and youthful look.
One has the basic right to wear what pleases him or her as long as the dressing is socially appropriate and the manner of clothing is beyond open or revealing nakedness. That's it.

But designers think that a woman's dress should be like a barbed wire fence; serving its purpose without obstructing the view. This may not be the case for male attire. Nigeria is a culturally sensitive and multi-cultural society. The manner and style of dressing deeply reflects various ethnic backgrounds. If the president chose one way-style of clothing it will appear to illustrate ethnic narrowness.

If Jonathan has chosen to demonstrate such ethnic pride the rest of the Nigerians may not be pleased. That's why critics would suggest neutral attire, probably western. But, will he change? Why don't the Libyans complain of Gaddafi's dressing style which is no different from the kings of Roman Empire like Julius Caesar?

In the era where Africans are fully embracing western civilization there are, however, some people who believe that it is high time Africans defined their own dressing style. This would give them a special identity as Africans and would be a channel through which the pride of being Africans can be shown.

When Kenya made it compulsory for male members of parliament to wear a suit and tie most members defied the dressing code calling it 'colonial and unAfrican'. They crave for an opportunity to wear what pleases them, may be African style. But the question remains; what is African style?

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