Saudi Arabia has hosted its first-ever fashion show where women model for swimsuits without covering their heads.

The poolside show was held on Friday during the inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week at the St. Regis Red Sea Resort.

Influenced heavily by its adherence to Islamic law, Saudi Arabia is one of the most conservative countries in terms of women’s fashion.

In public, women are traditionally expected to wear the abaya, a loose-fitting black cloak, with a headscarf to cover their hair.

Although Saudi Arabia has gradually seen reforms allowing freedom in dressing and reducing the enforcement of strict dress codes, social expectations and cultural norms still maintain a conservative approach to women’s fashion, particularly in public and formal settings.

The Red Sea Fashion Week swimwear show featured the summer beachwear collection by Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal.

The collection included mostly one-piece swimsuits in shades of red, beige and blue.

The Arabian models had exposed shoulders while some had their midriffs partially visible.

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Qanzal, a media report state, said it was “an honour” to be a part of such a historic fashion moment in the country.

“This country is very conservative but we tried to show elegant swimsuits which represent the Arab world,” the designer said.

“When we came here, we understood that a swimsuit fashion show in Saudi Arabia is a historic moment because it is the first time to have such an event.”

The Red Sea Fashion Week is part of the Red Sea Global project, a cornerstone of Saudi’s Vision 2030 social and economic reform plan.

The programme, championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to modernise Saudi Arabia and diversify its economy beyond oil.

Mohammed, who became first in line to the throne in 2017, has since initiated a series of social reforms in the country.

Those changes include re-introducing cinemas and organising mixed-gender music festivals.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Friday, handed over $22,000 recovered from a convicted internet fraudster, Hakeem Olanrewaju, to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, in Lagos.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos had, on August 15, 2023, ordered that the money recovered from Olanrewaju, who was sentenced to two years imprisonment for identity theft and impersonation, be restituted to his victim in the United States of America.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, revealed the development in a statement on Saturday.

Oyewale noted that, speaking during the handover ceremony in Lagos, the acting Director, Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC, Michael Wetkas, reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to combating crimes and restoring sanity to the nation.
“We are delighted to be handing over this proceeds of crime today.

“The EFCC is willing and always ready to do more,” Wetkas was qouted as saying.
Responding, the FBI Legal Attaché, Charles Smith, said, “The EFCC and the FBI work collaboratively together, and it is thanks to the EFCC that we can recover funds of this nature, especially from Business Email Compromise.”

He noted that, “This type of crime cripples businesses in the US, and for them to recover the money within one to two years gives hope to the affected companies and brings some level of justice, even if not all subjects have been identified.

“We hope our relationship continues and fosters a more cohesive partnership between the two agencies. If there’s anything the FBI can do to support this investigation, we will do so.

“We appreciate this on behalf of the FBI and thank the EFCC.”

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has disclosed that he will support the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, if the Peoples Democratic Party decides that it is the turn of the South-East in 2027.

Atiku, the presidential flag bearer of the PDP in the 2023 general election, said he will throw his weight behind Obi if he is picked by his party.

The former vice president disclosed this during a recent interview with BBC Hausa Service, adding that he vied to be president last year because the race was thrown open.

“I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it,” Atiku said.

“As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party.

“If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him,” he added.

The PDP chieftain also said there is a possibility for the merger between the PDP and Labour Party, adding that the members of the party would decide his fate in the 2027 general elections.

He also explained that his recent meeting with Obi might indicate a possible alliance leading up to the 2027 general elections.

Speaking about the meeting, Atiku said, “It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often have, particularly among us in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and in the country’s interest.”

About the possibility of the merger, he said, “Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”

He denied that the choice of presidential candidate might frustrate the merger discussion, and said, “That’s not true. That challenge will not arise. I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t be an issue.”

In his clarification about his active part in politics, he said, “Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place.

“It means you are not tired of politics of Nigeria? Not at all. I am still in active politics in Nigeria, at least, as long as God permits.

“My age doesn’t stop the young ones from testing their fate. Everybody, irrespective of age, is allowed to aspire to be anybody in the society, politically or otherwise.”

Regarding his 2027 Presidential ambition, the former Vice President said “That would depend on the decision of my party. I can’t make any categorical statement on that. It’s the duty of the party to decide on the way to go in the next election.

“Until that time comes. Let’s just wait and see how it will turn out.

“It must not be interpreted like that. I must not be eyeing elections to have meetings with political friends and associates. Currently, we are practising democracy in this country which we fought for with our blood,” he added.