DTNOW MAY 14TH

OLA WILLIAMS

IS EMPOWERING WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN TECHNOLOGY

Content EDITOR'S LETTER

Ola Williams is empowering women in leadership positions in technology

Olatomiwa Williams (Ola Williams) is who you want to be when you grow up. She is a mentor, a leader, a tech enthusiast. This business leader who has over 20 years of experience in the information technology industry, where she has assisted organisations in leveraging the power of technology to achieve their business goals is setting her sights on empowering women in tech.

THey there, welcome! his edition is special because it is about women in technology, as well as women taking up space in the world, which is something I am passionate about.

Wardrobe Must-Haves For A Boss Lady

You're already successful in your life or career, but you're wondering how to dress like a boss lady. You may be in a line of work that requires a certain look to command the right type of attention, or you may have recently taken on a leadership role that calls for a wardrobe change.

Grief- Losing Your Loved One

PUBLISHER Rita

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Olamide Olarewaju

WRITER

Danielle Anene

PAGE PLANNER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER 'Loba Milad

Cookbook: How To Make A Decadent Homemade Chocolate

Ice Cream

SOCIAL MEDIA

Faith Okenwa

"Dtnow first published in 2017 is the lifestyle anchor for the Dailytimes Nigeria, Nigeria's oldest surviving newsmedia platform. Published since 1926, we stepped back ideated and have developed a companion that will serve your lifestyle needs like no other...thats a promise."

Empowering women, ensuring their voices are heard, connecting them to opportunities, paying them what they are worth, and so on. To be honest, women are killing it. So they deserve all of the flowers.

Our cover personality Ola Williams is a mentor who has kicked down ceilings to get where she is today. It’s a story about vision, laser focus, intentionality and balance. You should get to know her and see what she’s doing to help get more women in tech.

Another close to my heart is financial inclusion for African women, so I spoke with Solape Akinpelu, CEO and co-founder of HerVest, a fintech company with over 40,000 members that provides inclusive finance to African women through goaloriented savings, impact investing, and credit options for smallholder women farmers and women-led SMEs.

This edition also includes some selfreflection as we try to unpack grief, which I can relate to as I was recently bereaved. It was put together while I was unpacking my grief over the loss of a loved one with Danielle, who had also lost a loved one years before. If this is you, check on it with an open mind.

This edition includes our usual bits, as well as life and times, fashion, wellness, and decor. Danielle swears by an indulgent recipe on Scrumptious, and it's definitely worth a try.

This edition, as usual, was curated with you in mind. Read, enjoy, and share.

See you in the next one

Olamide Olarewaju CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

LG Styletitude

BY DANIELLE ANENE

LG hosted Styletitude an evening to showcase STYLE and an ALTITUDE level of coolness, it was more than just an event; it was a celebration of the art of style and the pursuit of excellence of the LG brand. This was an opportunity to showcase the new smart DualCool Premium and Artcool air conditioning systems, with cutting-edge technology, advanced features, and sleek, stylish design. These premium products feature advanced inverter technology, dual inverter compressor, ThinQ technology, energy-saving capabilities, and stylish design. The evening progressed beautifully as Kim Dong Youn the managing director of LG electronic West Africa gave the guest a welcome speech and also spoke about the driving force of LG and their motivation behind their innovations.

Rita Dominic, LG air solution ambassador, came up to speak about stytitude and style and individuality. There was a short entertainment segment by a dance group called Emmanuel Osahor Dance group who performed an awesome short demonstrative ballet session. Shortly after that, there was a panel discussion with Kaylah Oniwo, Mai Atafo, Samuel Otigba, Jennifer Chukwujekwu, and Chef Fregz as a moderator and they spoke on “The intersection of style and functionality” and how to create a space that is both fashionable and comfortable.

In attendance were celebrities from different industries ranging from movie, music, fashion, social media to interior. There were raffle draws with people emerging winners of air condition units, followed by dancing, food and merriment, the guests would testify to having a great time, everyone left with a souvenir, and a smile on their faces.

You’re single, why

BY DANIELLE ANENE

Ever been on a date and, in the midst of a great conversation, your companion hits you with this comment “You are so amazing and quite a charmer; it makes me wonder why you are single”? This question or comment is usually said with no malicious intent, they are genuinely curious to know why someone with such an awesome personality as yourself is actually single.

We have all been hit with this question, and the intriguing part of it is that deep down we also wonder why we are single. In this edition, we have laid out some reasons why you might be single. Not to worry, we are not here to put you in a box of reasons why you might be single but to give you answers to why you might be single.

We will be acknowledging the fact that some people are single by choice. This choice could be the outcome of so many scenarios, it could be that they are not ready to accommodate a relationship, they might not believe in a relationship, they might just be getting out of one and want to take a break, or they have lost all hopes of finding the one.

TRUST ISSUES

Once upon a time, you loved with reckless abandon and got really hurt in the process, and now you do not trust the intentions of your intended. You very well know that he could be someone to lean on, but something keeps stopping you from trusting, if not the person but at least the process.

The truth remains that a healthy relationship stems from a positive mental view of things, and until you truly sort through your distrust of people, you might be single for a while.

LOW SELF ESTEEM

Having a low confidence level can trigger selfsabotaging behavioral patterns in you. You might not see yourself as deserving of your dream relationship. You might see the lady/ guy you want but do not have the confidence to pursue them.

EXTREMELY PICKY

Admit it, you want the perfect man/woman and you do not intend to step down on your list. You are in different talking stages with different people, but each individual is lacking something. You are waiting for that person, the guy with the perfect complexion, height, and size—an open the door for you kind of guy, a buy you gifts just because kind of guy, a nice dentition would be nice, or you want the lady with the flattering shape, the perfect smile, a lady who knows how and when to speak, a domesticated girl, the perfect girl! the best girl! You are not asking for too much—just the basics, right?

UNWILLING TO BREAK OUT OF YOUR ROUTINE

As you get older, you form patterns and routines you are comfortable with, work-home, gym-work-home, church/mosque-home; it's almost like a circular life with no break in

between, and you only break out of this cycle for grocery shopping. While you hear a lot that your significant other might be seen anywhere, you have to admit that sticking to your routine might make it harder to meet the person you will spend the rest of your life with.

NON-NEGOTIABLES

While in your single era, you witness other relationships and unconsciously box them into your haves and have nots. You build a mental picture of what you want your relationship to look like and what you would definitely not settle for, and once your talking stage is over and they are not speaking the right words to you or acting as you would want them to act, you automatically zone out on them. Sometimes your dream relationship might be spurned out of your previous relationship, so you want your next relationship to bear no resemblance to your last.

Living in your singleness for whatever reason should never deter you from living your best life. You do not want to wait for that relationship to kick off before you enjoy the life you always wanted. You need to remember that you are in sole control of your life. If anything, being single is the perfect time to achieve things you might not be able to achieve once you have a partner to consider. So regardless of why you are single, have an open mind, be more out there, and do not hold yourself back. You never know what is out there waiting for you.

Wardrobe MUSTHAVES For A Boss Lady

BY DANIELLE ANENE

You're already successful in your life or career, but you're wondering how to dress like a boss lady. You may be in a line of work that requires a certain look to command the right type of attention, or you may have recently taken on a leadership role that calls for a wardrobe change.

The importance of dressing appropriately should never be underestimated; as the saying goes, "Always dress the way you want to be addressed." Our clothing choices in our work lives are very important, and while you may be killing it in the brain department, you also want to be seen as a leader without being introduced as one, and sometimes a way to communicate may be through your outfit.

Humans are prone to profiling, and even if you don't interact with someone, you want the lasting impression to be one of poise, class, and respect. We've compiled a list of wardrobe essentials for a boss girl, so if you don't like having too many clothes but still want to look stylish at work, this edition is for you.

PHOTO: instagram/the.look.man For Styleconnaisseur

If you have an hourglass, athletic, or rectangular body shape, then this is a must have for your wardrobe, Not only will it outline your feminine figure without looking unprofessional, but it will also add a certain grace to your movement due to the restriction at the bottom part.

This Japanese-inspired style has gradually crept into our corporate world, and we love it! Designers transformed it into a variety of fabrics and styles that are suitable for our climate and, moreover, drive the goals we are aiming for, which are formal, boss-like, stylish, and chic. This is definitely one of our top recommendations.

Even if you don't usually wear dresses, if you have an apple or a pear-shaped body, this is one piece of clothing you should have in your closet. A-shaped dresses draw attention to your waistline, making it appear slimmer and wider at the hips. Make bold dress design choices, and people will trust your words more than you think.

Pants give a woman more freedom than skirts or gowns, and they can look stylish, chic, and classic when paired with matching jackets, making them a must-have in your closet. You have to admit that this is a boss statement piece; wearing it allows you to move and express yourself freely.

Nothing says "boss lady" like a blazer jacket, and now they've been transformed into dresses! The blazer dress has an amazing feature in that it gives you the boss energy you want while still allowing you to be feminine.

For every outfit you choose to wear, remembering to pair them with the right kind of accessories, hair, and shoes gives the final touch to achieving your goal of dressing like a boss woman.

1. A Pencil Gown or Skirt

2. An A-shape dress

3. Tailored pants, trousers, and matching Jacket

4. Kimono Dresses or Jackets

5. Blazer Dresses

OLA WILLIAMS

Is Empowering Women In Leadership Positions In Technology

BY OLAMIDE OLAREWAJU

latomiwa Williams

O(Ola Williams) is who you want to be when you grow up. She is a mentor, a leader, a tech enthusiast. This business leader who has over 20 years of experience in the information technology industry, where she has assisted organisations in leveraging the power of technology to achieve their business goals is setting her sights on empowering women in tech. Ola is passionate about seeing more women succeed in tech. She leads female-focused initiatives to support and encourage women and girls to pursue careers in information technology. She is a mentor to aspiring female leaders among other things. It is refreshing to see and it's even more exciting that she's leaving room for women to join her at the top.

CREDITS

PHOTOGRAPHY - CHINEDU ADIELE STYLING/ IMAGE CONSULTING - LIGHT IN THE MARKETPLACE OUTFITS

BLACK DRESS: ELVIRA JUDE

RED SKIRT SET: ELVIRA JUDE

BROWN RUFFLE CAPE: LANRE DA SILVA AJAYI

You’re currently the country manager for Microsoft in Nigeria and Ghana. That is a huge feat. How did you get here?

My IT career journey started over 23 years ago. I joined Microsoft over 12 years ago, and the journey continues.

I did not arrive here alone. I have had great mentors who have provided the needed guidance, strong support, and tons of learning opportunities to help me get to where I am. That does not mean that I haven’t had moments where I felt I was at my breaking point, but I have learnt to look at the remaining flicker of light and focus on it.

There have been some important personal learnings along this journey. I have learned to be consistent and show up every day— showing up not just for the sake of it but showing up with solutions.

I have developed a listening ear to hear and absorb various perspectives while crafting my own uniqueness from them.

I have improved my discipline levels to ensure that I am able to manage the responsibility that comes with this place I am at. I have learned to build, develop, and maintain solid relationships because no man is an island, and good relationships simply make this journey a lot easier.

The tech industry has experienced tremendous changes since I started my career 23 years ago. It is important to keep transforming and embracing innovation. I have learnt to embrace change. The process of change is an opportunity to grow and develop, or one becomes irrelevant before one knows it. I can say that I had a slow start in terms of career advancement. However, because I remained consistent and kept developing myself when the growth started, it has been progressive, and I am thankful.

Why tech?

During my secondary school days, I overheard a passionate conversation between two men who were convinced that computers were going to change the world for good. I developed a keen interest and wanted to be part of this revolution. This interest shaped the choices I made in my life. These choices and decisions have brought me to where I am in the technology field today.

It’s 2023, and we are seeing a rise in the number of women in tech. What is a good place to start for a young lady seeking a career in tech?

This is something I feel so passionate about. It is beautiful to see that more women are thriving in technology. It is a positive trend that I hope to also make significant contributions to as time goes on. The more women we have contributing to technology innovation and its application, the more inclusive and usable the technology innovation is for all. It is crucial that more women are encouraged to come into tech. We are making positive progress in this regard, but a lot still needs to be done.

For a young lady considering pursuing a tech career, a good place to start is simply asking yourself: Why tech?

I say this because it is significantly easier to start a career in tech than it was 10 years ago. There is almost no end to the number of free resources available to start off a journey in tech. By the time you include the paid resources and certifications available, it becomes almost a chaotic world of information.

This is why that first question—Why tech?—is so important. If that first question is not answered, you could arrive at a point of frustration that exists between the time you feel you have learned enough to earn from tech and the time the opportunity to earn from it presents itself. The "why" is what fuels your journey and makes it sustainable.

Some people transition quickly, and some don’t. You will hear great and

inspiring stories of those who broke into tech, and there are also some strenuous ones. Your motivation must be clear.

The next point would be, "What exactly in tech should I tend towards?" I generally think people should know themselves well enough to explore fields that they are enthusiastic about, so it is easy to find a reason to keep going when the grind gets tougher. It is important to get a mentor. Though we are seeing more and more women embrace careers in the technology field, we still have a low representation of women at the leadership level. According to a study by the African Development Bank, only 10% of senior management positions in technology companies in Africa are held by women. Mentoring is incredibly beneficial for all parties to grow and develop from the experience. A report by the National Center for Women & Information Technology found that mentorship can lead to increased representation of women in leadership positions in technology.

The tech industry is one of the most inclusive industries that I know of. Anyone can transition into a tech career, irrespective of their discipline. You just need to get the right training. At Microsoft, we are providing pathways for women who want to start a career in tech because we believe that empowering women in tech-related fields on the African continent will spur more women pursuing economic growth, equality, and innovation.

We have different programs to support women in building the capabilities they need to thrive in the tech industry. We are supporting the Women Techsters initiative of one of our Not-For-Profit partners, Tech4Dev. The initiative is aimed at bridging the digital and technology knowledge divide between men and women as well as ensuring equal access to opportunities for all. I encourage every young woman to get on the Woman Techsters program.

What challenges did you face as a woman in tech, rising through the ranks?

It is first of all important to note that life itself is a challenge. This foundation helps me approach everything with a willingness to improve and do better. I embrace a growth mindset. While the intensity of the challenge varies from person to person and gender to gender, I am indeed grateful to be at Microsoft, where diversity and inclusion are integrated into our DNA.

But one of the major challenges I often experience is unconscious bias and stereotypes. Some people just believe that women can’t do certain things, and as such, they don’t even give you the opportunity to prove yourself. Research indicates that many women struggle to advance to leadership positions in the tech industry because of bias. When I started off in a core technical role, I was usually the only woman in the team, but I did not allow that fact to deter me. In every role I take on, I apply myself to my job, and my male colleagues come to respect me for the value I bring to the table. It takes a lot of hard work.

And when you think about the challenges of being a woman in tech and the demands of raising a family, I must be honest – it is quite challenging because of the nature

BEING THE FIRST NIGERIAN EMPLOYEE TO GET THE MICROSOFT PLATINUM AWARD WAS QUITE AN EXCITING AND INSPIRING EXPERIENCE FOR ME. THE PLATINUM CLUB AWARD IS THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR TOPPERFORMING EMPLOYEES IN THE ORGANIZATION. I AM GLAD THAT I WON THE AWARD TWICE.”

and demands of the job. I am grateful that I have a strong support structure at home, so it is easier to manage.

What is your typical day like as a busy woman in tech?

I like to start my day by planning the physical, spiritual, emotional, and psychological areas of my day.

I often review any pending items from the previous day while also keeping an eye out for issues.

In the absence of any urgent issues, I tackle pending issues and update my task list and timeframes for the current day.

I prioritize productivity by being disciplined. Having Office 365, an intelligent productivity solution, is quite helpful.

I delegate things to people around me and build my network through these delegations. I try to utilize my time of rest judiciously.

What are the highlights of your career, so far?

I am grateful that my career journey has been quite eventful. There are a number of positive moments in my career journey, but I would like to mention that being the first Nigerian employee to get the Microsoft Platinum award was quite an exciting and inspiring experience for me. The Platinum Club Award is the most prestigious award for top-performing employees in the organization. I am glad that I won the award twice.

The fact that I rose through the ranks within the organization to become the first female country manager in Nigeria is also a fulfilling experience for me. It was such a delight to see that my career journey has been an inspiration for many young women.

You are passionate about empowering women. How do you see yourself going about this in 2023?

The simple answer to how I would hope to empower women in 2023 is by scaling mentorship and providing a platform to support women's career growth in the tech field.

I am working on getting other women and men who have deeply contributed to the development of programs that have

facilitated the growth of women in tech and creating a forum where we can scale mentorship to other young women who are intending to grow in tech. I am focused especially on those who have started the journey but now need to take the step forward to midlevel or C-suite roles. The program will hopefully help these women develop and maintain a trained eye for opportunities to optimize their career lifespan and arrive at what they define as a zenith for themselves. We will continue to see low participation of women in the tech field if we don’t spark the passion in girl learners early in their education journey. We will work in partnership with likeminded entities to empower young girls to reach their full potential through access to the educational skills they need to thrive in a digital world.

How do you unwind when you’re not working? How do you “balance” it all? Family? Work? Life?

I love to dance, which I do at any chance I get.

Achieving balance also requires work and discipline. I try to maximize the time I have to get as much done as I can. It is important to prioritize and invest in relationships that can help when required, because the fact is it is not possible to get everything done by oneself.

Career tips for ladies who want to build a career in tech?

I know that everyone’s life circumstances are different, but the common thing is that everyone wants to succeed in their career. I would not say we have one-size-fits-all tips to be successful, but here is a list of tips I suggest for ladies pursuing a career in tech to embrace:

1. Embrace continuous learning – the tech industry is everevolving and requires continuous learning.

2. Set a goal for yourself – setting audacious personal goals keeps you focused and motivated as you have things you are working towards.

3. Get a mentor – mentoring is critical to a successful career journey, and much more important in the tech industry. But, ensure you get a mentor in line with your set objectives.

4. Network – join tech communities related to your career aspirations, but don't just be a passive member. Make it a point of duty to contribute to any community you are part of, as this helps you grow and gives you an opportunity to be visible.

5. Stay current -- ensure you are up to date on trends and future opportunities in the industry. Subscribe to and follow tech organizations that are relevant to your career objectives on social media. Subscribe to newsletters and journals on technology.

6. Participate in industry events – make sure to attend industry events to get more insight and keep up to date on emerging events in the industry. Industry events are also a great opportunity to grow your professional network.

7. Celebrate your successes – every step towards achieving your goal is worth celebrating. Learn to give yourself a pat on the back for every significant achievement and learn to tell your story.

8. Don’t be afraid to fail but seek to learn from your failure.

9. Be patient – be mindful that it takes time for you to achieve your career growth. Run your race, draw inspiration from other people’s success but refrain from measuring your success by the success of others. With focus, commitment, and tenacity, you will get to your God-given destiny.

10. Be grateful – being grateful and having a positive attitude helps to manage stress during challenging situations, and can help increase creative ability and problemsolving skills.

11. Speak up – it does not matter if you are the only woman in the room, if you have an idea, share your views. Your view is as important as that of any other person in the room.

12. Embrace constructive criticism – do not dwell on negative feedback in a manner that will hinder you from taking risks in the future but build on it and let it propel you to overcome your next challenge.

I WOULD HOPE TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN 2023 BY SCALING MENTORSHIP AND PROVIDING A PLATFORM TO SUPPORT WOMEN'S CAREER GROWTH IN THE TECH FIELD.”

Solape Akinpelu’s

Sight Is Set On Financial Inclusion For Modern African Women

BY OLAMIDE OLAREWAJU

You talk a lot about inclusive finance. What should the average African woman know about it?

I believe that by establishing the "what" of inclusive finance, the "why" becomes acceptable. And I encourage institutions and women, especially, to get on board. Because when one woman wins, every woman wins.

Inclusive finance refers to financial services or products that are designed to help low-income individuals. Finance becomes inclusive when a given beneficiary, such as a family, farmer, or young entrepreneur, is able to access a product or suite of services, sometimes personalized, that respond to a specific need.

Those products or services can be financial, for example, credit or insurance subscriptions. But they can also be non-financial: training or support in launching a business. Inclusive finance takes into account all the actors of a value chain, so not only the final beneficiary but also donors and even the environment are positively impacted.

This is our approach at HerVest; through our impact investment opportunities, everyone can participate in inclusive finance and contribute their quota in driving shared prosperity.

You are passionate about empowering women; at what exact moment did this become something that turned into a tangible product, HerVest? When did you have that aha moment?

Honestly, it wasn’t just an AHA moment. It was a series of lightbulb moments. It was urgent to step into a lingering assignment.

Having spent over a decade marketing financial brands, I was surprised and sad that women were not targeted recipients of wealth-building initiatives.

It wasn’t that women weren't interested, as months of surveys and personal inquiries revealed. If the financial messaging were simplified, with customized products and services, women would invest and explore various possibilities for economic growth. And this was the need that birthed HerVest. From the farmland to the boardroom, we are leaving no woman behind in our quest for gender financial empowerment.

What is HerVest about?

HerVest is an inclusive fintech that provides easy access to target savings, credit, and impact investment opportunities for women.

By connecting retail female investors who want to build wealth with female farmers and traders, HerVest reinforces its mission to be the inclusive financial services provider for the advancement of African women regardless of creed, economic status, or belief.

With a thriving community of over 30,000 women, HerVest is committed to improving women’s lives through greater access to and use of financial services. Learn more about HerVest at www.hervest. ng. HerVest is available on web, Android, and iOS devices.

You authored a book about finance recently. What inspired it?

Yes, you are right! On December 1, 2022, "Stripped: An African Woman's Guide to Building Wealth" was unveiled to the world. It’s a volume of work that is dear to my heart, and thousands of women across the world have been impacted by the genuine insights and life lessons shared.

I was inspired to write this book to change misconceptions about women and wealth. I also wanted to give the next woman a road map and a support system as she walked this uphill journey toward financial independence. Stripped is an

answer to the many questions and gaps that African women face on their journey to building financial stability. It tackles budgeting, investing, saving, estate planning, and even the money mindset because wealth starts with the mind.

Most of the financial books out there are either not tailored for the Nigerian financial system or provide generalized insights. Stripped does what it says. It strips away the quagmire and tackles the foundational issues of building wealth.

Women have always been wealthy. I did a historical sojourn in my book to show that we have always been money smart. Where did it go wrong, and how can we change the culture? Stripped encapsulates all these insights, so women never feel left out of the equation. It’s a kaleidoscope of my experiences working in wealth management and even as the CEO of HerVest.

I also wanted to project a balanced view of wealth. Wealth is relative. It is a unique journey to financial stability. Your wealth should not end with you as well. But some principles and structures must be in place.

How can we begin to close the gender finance gap in Africa?

I believe the first line of action should be determining the drivers of financial exclusion. By this, I mean eliminating the bottlenecks that hinder women from accessing affordable and relevant financial services. In Nigeria, for instance, gender financial exclusion is largely rural and agrarian. Most of these women lack the capital, the monetary wherewithal—to purchase land, labour or even basic farming inputs like quality seedlings and fertilizer. If they are not economically viable, how can we begin to talk about saving or insurance? Financial services are broad!

So the starting point is economic inclusionby meeting these women where they are. This is what we do at HerVest. We provide easy access to credit for smallholder women farmers and traders. But we don’t just stop at lending; we also connect these women to training and premium markets.

If we are to close the gender finance gap, economic inclusion should be prioritized. Other steps include providing financial education and training, as well as improving the availability and accessibility of banking services.

Additionally, governments and financial institutions can offer targeted financial products and services that address the

unique needs and challenges

faced by women entrepreneurs and business owners. By leveraging our mobile app technology and USSD code (*7213#), HerVest provides relevant financial information at low communication costs so that the rural farmer without access to a smartphone can also participate in financial services.

Finally, we should address cultural and societal norms that may limit women's access to finance. By working to remove these barriers and increase opportunities for women, we can help close the gender finance gap and promote greater economic equality and growth in Africa.

Share 5 smart financial tips for the modern African woman.

As a modern African woman, it's important to have a solid understanding of financial management. Here are five smart financial tips that can help you achieve financial stability

1. Budget wisely: Create a budget that takes into consideration your income, expenses, and savings goals. Stick to it as much as possible and adjust it when necessary.

2. Invest in yourself: Take advantage of learning opportunities that can advance your career or business. This can help you earn more money and increase your financial stability.

3. Save for emergencies: Life is unpredictable, so it's important to have a rainy-day fund. Aim to save enough to cover at least six months' worth of expenses.

4. Diversify your investments: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Spread your investments across different asset classes to minimize risk.

5. Plan for retirement: Start thinking about retirement early and aim to save at least 10% of your income. Time is your greatest asset here, so the earliest you start, the better.

Please remember that financial management is a journey, so be patient and consistent. With the right mindset and habits, you can achieve your financial goals and live the life you want.

Solape Akinpelu is a highly accomplished business leader and gender finance expert. She is a certified financial education instructor and a member of the Personal Finance Speakers Association (USA). She is also the CEO and co-founder of HerVest, a fintech company that provides inclusive finance to African women through goal-oriented savings, impact investing, and credit options for smallholder women farmers and women-led SMEs. We spoke with her recently...

GRIEF- Losing Your Loved One

BY DANIELLE ANENE

Have you ever heard that “time heals all wounds”? This word is usually said to us when we are deeply hurting and feel as if we will never be whole again, like a sharp pain every time we try to breathe, making it difficult for us to inhale and exhale.

The death of a loved one can take that toll on us; some deaths may be sending you signals that they are about to take that person, so you train your heart to welcome the idea, you mentally start adjusting to a world without them, you start crossing off everything on your checklist and telling them everything you have ever wanted to tell them, and here comes some sort of closure and acceptance of the inevitable. When they leave, you grieve for them and cling to the memories you made with them. Then there's the one who doesn't tell you; you might have just gotten off the phone with them, or carried them in your arms while kissing them goodnight the night before, or it could have been as simple as a flu or a headache, and then you hear they're gone, and your world crumbles. Here comes the kick because you did not prepare for this, death did not drop the memo that they were coming to visit. Like a thief, death came and departed with your loved one, leaving you crushed. This is a pain you have never felt in the same

measure, regardless of the number of times you have experienced it. There will always be reminders of their existence, from laughter, to a sound or even a spot. Then someone comes along and tells you, “You will be okay, time will heal your heart,” and you wonder how? Here are some things you should know to help you get through the grieving process.

THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO GRIEVE

Grieving is a personal experience that only you can really feel. With different personality types, there is no set way to grieve. There are numerous factors that can influence your grieving process, including your closeness to the person, your emotional level, your last moments with the person, and so on.

BASK IN THE MEMORIES YOU MADE WITH THEM

Playing out the happy times you shared with your loved ones has been shown to help people cope better with loss because the brain is not focusing on the negative aspects of the loss but on the positive aspects, which are the happy times you shared with them.

TURN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Receiving all the comfort you can from your loved ones can greatly help you in your grieving journey; they give you an outlet to talk about your feelings and are also there to

comfort you when you cry. Spend time with them. While isolation can be beneficial, basking in the warm support of friends and family is highly recommended.

TURN TO YOUR FAITH

If you have a practicing faith, you might not have the strength to pray on your own. Speaking to a higher member of your religious circle for words of comfort and understanding can also help you come to terms with what is currently going on with you.

PRACTICE SELF CARE ROUTINES

You might not feel like it, but actively and consciously taking care of yourself and your mental state can help you become emotionally stable. Eating appropriately, exercising, and sleeping well will also keep you in a better state of mind. Little things can make you remember them, it could be their birthday, a song, a saying, or even the anniversary of their death. You need to ensure that you are not alone during this time. Time does heal all wounds, and while you are working your way through this loss, you will stop in your tracks one day to realize the ache in your heart is now numb, and you can actually breathe better now when you think of them. You might sigh out of sadness, but your eyes will not water anymore one day.

If you have just moved into a new home, glamming it up can be a hassle, especially if you have no idea about interior design. One thing is certain: you want your new space to be colourful, artsy, and spacious. Functional interior décor items are those that can serve multiple functions while still serving their primary function, and in this edition, we'll show you some functional piece ideas for a more colourful yet spacious look.

FUNCTIONAL INTERIOR DÉCOR IDEAS FOR YOUR NEW HOME

BY DANIELLE ANENE

A BOOKSHELF

Rather than getting a traditional book shelf, why not get a bookshelf that won't just cater to protecting your books but also beautify your living space. A bookshelf is the perfect item to fill out a living room, den, office, or other space. It offers organization, easy access, and gives your friends and family a bit of your own personality. Simply put, bookshelves and bookcases offer a “stylish” and "functional” element when used in your home.

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In spaces without any natural lighting, mirrors can also be used to reflect artificial light, and they can help you light dim corners of a room. Having more light in your home will lift the whole atmosphere and make each and every room feel inviting. Being able to quickly and conveniently check your own reflection is always useful, and you shouldn’t limit mirrors to your dressing room or your bathroom. Getting a functional mirror not only illuminates and gives you reflection but also beautifies your living space or hallways. There are also mirrors that are intelligent, packed with mood lights, sounds, and demystifiers.

Getting a storage basket where you can store things is good, but would it not be a more splendid idea if you could get the functional type that could double as an art piece? This could be situated in the corner of your living room, or bedroom.

BEDFRAME WITH STORAGE

Who doesn’t want to take advantage of extra storage space? This is a big one for people who live in small apartments. You can store items that you need but don’t frequently use here. Buy a bed frame that has builtin drawers, or get containers with wheels that you can easily store underneath.

If you have kids, you can create a reading area for them by providing a loft bedframe with a study table. This is the perfect solution for small or large kid's bedrooms, teen rooms, as well as apartment living.

Whether you're looking for a statement piece to entertain guests or just a functional and stylish addition to your space, the table's compact size makes it ideal for smaller living rooms while still providing ample space for entertaining guests.

A STORAGE BASKET ART PIECE

A WALL MIRROR

A CENTERPIECE TABLE

1

Makeup Myths

THAT YOU ACTUALLY BELIEVE

BY DANIELLE ANENE

There are some makeup statements that leave you either speechless or laughing hard, and this is because you know deep down that it is all wrong. There are, however, some statements made that are taken down as the truth; they sound really right, so they must be the truth. Some of these statements unfortunately come from people we look up to as experts, and so we expect that they know their onions and therefore will not mislead us. In this edition, we will be debunking some makeup myths and giving you the actual facts behind these myths.

WATERPROOF MASCARA IS THE BEST!

Ever gone into a makeup store and only looked out for the waterproof mascara? Could it possibly be that at one point you were made to believe that the water mascara was superior to the regular mascara?

FACT: Both mascaras are perfect; however, the waterproof mascara is for people who easily tear up in the eye. The regular mascaras are also perfect and less drying than the waterproof types, and they remove easily, so you do not need to worry about your lashes falling out. Another fact about mascaras is that they expire after 8 months, so be mindful not to use an expired mascara to prevent an eye infection or your lashes actually falling out.

PHOTO: HELLO BEAUTIFUL AHAMEFULA IZUIKE

TESTING YOUR FOUNDATION AT THE BACK OF YOUR HAND TO GET YOUR RIGHT SHADE

Wrong! For many years, this was actually a belief, people would go into the store and test the foundations on their wrists, sometimes this worked, but not every time. Our skin shade differs in different parts of our bodies, and sometimes your wrist will be lighter or darker than your face.

FACT: The best part of your body to test a foundation on is your jawline; if it blends perfectly on your jawline, then it will be a great match on the entire face.

RED LIPSTICKS DO NOT SUIT SOME PEOPLE

Yes, we have heard this; some people believe that red lipstick should only be reserved for people with lighter skin complexions, which is far from the truth. You just need to find the perfect undertone of the red lipstick to realize how far from the truth this is.

FACT: The colour red would look amazing on anyone, you just have to play around with the shades to find the tone that is a match for you.

WEARING MAKEUP ALL THE TIME WILL DAMAGE OR AGE YOUR SKIN

This is one myth that has become so famous that it almost looks like a fact, but it is in fact very false. It is believed that wearing makeup all the time could destroy your skin and make it look saggy.

FACT: This is the truth, makeup is not the enemy; it beautifies the face. Not having a great skincare routine is what damages the skin and ages it in the long run. Ensure you remove every last trace of makeup on your face, then cleanse, use your toner, and moisturize. You also have to ensure that your makeup brushes are clean. Wash your brushes regularly to avoid makeup building up on them, which would lead to germ contamination.

WEARING FOUNDATION IS FOR HEAVY MAKEUP ONLY

This sounds like it should be the truth, but it actually is not. Like the name implies, foundation is the base and the starter of your makeup steps.

FACT: If you use the right foundation shade, it blends perfectly into your skin and gives a nice finishing touch to your light makeup. A very good “no makeup” makeup look starts off with foundation in the perfect shade. So for a flawless, light makeup look, you should invest in a foundation that is your perfect shade.

PHOTO: BLACK NEWS

COOKBOOK: How

To Make A Decadent Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream

BY DANIELLE ANENE

This cookbook edition is specially dedicated to all our in-house chocolate lovers, if you are a chocolate lover then it automatically means you are a lover of all things good, tasteful and classy. Here is a fun fact about the Chocolate flavour, the smell of chocolate stimulates the brain into the state of relaxation and when perceived in a book store increases the sales of romance books, generally anything regarding chocolate is the best comfort meal anyone would need but we digress. This is not to talk about the amazing features of chocolate but how to actually make the ice cream at home. You have to admit that the portions sold at the ice cream stores are way too small for chocolate lovers like us, at some point we have to decide if we want to save money or binge on huge portions of ice cream. Today we are going to give you the recipe and the steps for making your own tasty, delicious chocolate ice cream, which will help you save money and have as many portions as you want. Now some of the item you need to make this are things you might already have in your kitchen, but if you do not have them, you should think of it as an important investment (happiness investment) and buy them.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Ice cream maker/ Ice cream churner

• Whisk

• Mash Strainer

• A non-stick sauce pan that has a cover

• A mixing bowl

• A bowl to store the ice cream

INGREDIENTS

• 3 large eggs (yolk)

• ½ tablespoon of vanilla extract

• ¾ cups of granulated sugar

• 1 ½ cup of whole milk

• 6 oz. of dark or milk chocolate chips- If you want your chocolate to come out sweeter then use the milk chocolate, but if you want the dark taste then use a dark chocolate using your preferred unit of measurement

• ¼ cups of unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 cups of heavy cream

• 1/8 of Sea salt (just a sprinkle)

STEPS

1. Whisk 1 cup cream and cocoa powder together. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and boil/simmer for 30 seconds whisking constantly.

2. Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth. Add remaining 1 cup of cream and whisk to combine.

3. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and position a fine mesh strainer over it. Set aside.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks.

5. In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk, sugar and sea salt.

6. Once the milk mixture is slightly warm, add ½ cup of warm milk to the beaten egg yolks and whisk to combine. Add the milk/egg mixture back into the saucepan, whisking every step.

7. Continue to cook the custard over medium heat, and stir the mixture constantly with a spatula until it thickens and lightly coats the spatula (it does this when it reaches about 170 degrees F).

8. Pour the thickened custard through the metal strainer into the other ingredients in the bowl. Stir until combined. Discard any custard residue left on the strainer.

9. Add the vanilla and stir to combine.

10. Place a lid on top and let the mixture cool in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or overnight. To speed up the cooling process, you can place the container of the chocolate ice cream liquid base into an ice bath and stir it often.

11. Once the ice cream mixture is cooled to just below room temperature, churn it in an ice cream maker until thick and frozen (30-40 minutes).

12. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 6 hours.