When SHIPS & PORTS DAILY broke the story in its edition of Monday September 29, 2016 that the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has frowned at what it termed “inappropriate dressings” by some of its staff, stating that it would no longer tolerate the wearing of clothes such as tight jeans trousers, cut-off trousers, mini-skirts and spaghetti strapped dresses, among others to work; little did we know that the report would snowball into a national discuss.
Several other newspapers and online publications rehashed the report while several Nigerians took to their Facebook pages and twitter handles to also react.
Separate opinion polls conducted by SHIPS & PORTS DAILY on Twitter and Facebook generated divergent reactions and opinions from Nigerians.
While 41 per cent of followers who polled on Twitter applauded the ban on what the NPA described as “inappropriate dressing,” 59 per cent did not tender their support for the dress ban.
However, a different scenario played out on Facebook, where only a few people condemned the ban on wearing of miniskirts and spaghetti tops to work by NPA female staff.
The management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had in an internal memorandum sent to the workers titled “DRESS CODE”, with reference number HQ/CR/AD/G.1/589, dated 27th July, 2015 frowned at what it termed “inappropriate dressings” by some of its staff, stating that it would no longer tolerate the wearing of clothes such as tight jeans trousers, cut-off trousers, mini-skirts and spaghetti strapped dresses, among others to work.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby reiterated that inappropriate dressings such as tight jeans trousers, cut-off trousers, mini-skirts/dresses, tummy and navel shirt transparent/exposing outfits, spaghetti strapped dresses, mismatched clothes, rubber slippers, tattered shoes and rough hairstyles, (to mention but a few) that are unnecessary distractions would no longer be condoned and will henceforth attract appropriate sanctions,” stated the memo signed by NPA’s General Manager, Human Resources, Y.G. Bukar.
The Authority recommended “decent, moderate and smart national and formal English wears,” while threatening sanctions against defaulters.
The story generated thousands of comments, which prompted the SHIPS & PORTS DAILY to conduct opinion polls on the issue on Twitter and Facebook.
Here are some of the reactions from Facebook users:
Charles Jnr ”I hope the management will pay the staff wardrobe allowance? So they can afford good clothes and look nice..lol.
OkorieAkolam There should be an improvement on the wage incentive of staff to stop them from donning the ‘mismatched clothes’ rubber slippers, tattered shoes and wearing rough hairstyle to work. Na work, no be rag day!
Aliyu Don I love that! No good doctrine that will supportnuttiness and rascality in office environment; we as a Christians and Muslims we support this decison! It’s well…
Ub Johnny It may be coming from a religious angle and except the NPA boss is pushing the limits, i guess it is high time decency of dressing returned to the work place….Bravo
Helena Dave That’s a good move; some people have undressed themselves all in the name of fashion. There is no religious sentiment here. Even the bible kicked against indecent dressing.
Omoemu Festus This is not a reform. Reformation should be on how the NPA will corrupt free, creating jobs, stop importation on contraband etc.
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