DTNOW

SELLING

AFRICAN STORIES

TO THE WORLD

Mo Abudu Abudu

Content EDITOR'S LETTER

COVER

Selling African Stories to The World

Mo Abudu's payoff lines on her show "Moments With Mo." She probably had no idea how those powerful words would come to shape a lot of people's lives when she signed out. I remember thinking to myself while watching her interview with Hilary Clinton, "wow, she's so cool." I wasn’t wrong! The Hollywood Reporter named Mo Abudu one of the "25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television," and she has been dubbed "Africa's Most Successful Woman” by Forbes.

5 6 15

PEOPLE & PLACES

Creed III premiered at Filmhouse Cinema

IMAX Lekki, Lagos and it was such an interesting event. The red carpet started at 6pm with beautiful boxing themed outdoor decorations. Celebrity guests started trooping in at 7:30pm...

FASHION

Welcome To a New You

GREY MATA

How To Transform Your Home Into a Tech Dome

PUBLISHER

Rita Dominic

CONSULTING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Onah Nwachukwu

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Olamide Olarewaju

WRITER

Danielle Anene

PAGE PLANNERS / GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Johnson Okafor King Remus

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."

DTnow_1 www.dtnow.ng

It’s a rebirth! Hello and welcome…

Because I lost my mum unexpectedly, the last few weeks have been difficult for me. I was too weak to do anything, but the thought of finishing this first edition we've been working so hard on has given me the push I needed to get through this grief one day at a time.

Especially because my mum was excited that I was working on an actual magazine again. (My journey into media started in print but that’s gist for another day).

So I am beyond thrilled to present the first issue of DT Now. A brand new 16page digital rebirth of the Daily Times newspaper, which has been in print since 1926.

It’s been a long time coming but it’s finally here. Oh, I am also excited about the plans we have in the offing for you, dear reader. If you got a sneak peek at what we have in store for you, you wouldn't miss a beat!

This first edition has taken a lot of work, and we are excited to finally share it with you. I hope you will come along with me and my team for the ride.

Our first cover story is about media powerhouse Mo Abudu who graciously indulged us despite her extremely busy schedule. The Ebonylife TV, Films and Lifestyle HBIC is continuously shattering stereotypes.

She wears many hats, including changing the face of African TV and film production through global collaborations and providing free film school education to people in collaboration with the Lagos State Government. The gist is in our cover interview with her.

We have a bumper issue packed with fashion styling tips, beauty and skincare recommendations, and food hauls. Our in-house foodie, Danielle, is dishing on K-foods, and she's even sneaked in reviews you'll love, complete with a food plug.

This issue contains health tips, red carpet tea, and an all-white 50th birthday bash to keep you wanting more. We promise you an exciting edition each time.

So, let us rewrite history and invite you to join us on this exciting journey. We promise it will be worth the ride.

Do enjoy reading our content-packed debut edition. See you in the next one

Elemdee

Creed III - The Premiere

Olamide Olarewaju CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Big Five-Oh Onyinye’s M

BY DANIELLE ANENE

rs. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka's fiftieth birthday party was the place to be as she celebrated the beginning of the golden chapter of her life in grand style.

High society guests attended her party elegantly dressed in various shades and styles of white, while she was adorned in a lovely golden gown to symbolize her new age.

This party drew celebrities from various entertainment sectors, including Nollywood, music, fashion, and comedy. Akah Nnani was the MC for the birthday celebration, and Okey Bakassi, a Nigerian comedy legend, also took the stage to make the celebrant and her guests laugh.

The hall was themed as an airport, and the ushers dressed as flight attendants.This was to show her love of travel.

The three-course meal was served in turns while the evening was winding down. The after party began right away in a separate section of the hall, with Psquare singing and dancing with the celebrant and her friends.

It was a lovely evening filled with laughter and dancing.

Akah Nanni officiating cutting of birthday

Celebrant with friends

Celebrant with friends

Celebrant with friend

Mr & Mrs Emeka

Celebrant with friends

Celebrant with friends

Kate Henshaw

Celebrant(Oyinye), Rita Dominic & Fidelis Anosike

Mrs. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka

The Premiere Creed III PEOPLE & PLACES

BY DANIELLE ANENE

Creed III premiered at Filmhouse Cinema IMAX Lekki, Lagos and it was such an interesting event. The red carpet started at 6pm with beautiful boxing themed outdoor decorations. Celebrity guests started trooping in at 7:30pm, catching up with their colleagues and taking pictures

There was a boxing ring set up for people to challenge each other to a boxing match and the celebrities took turns getting on it to a friendly fight. Guest celebrities like Chidi Mokeme, Uti Nwachukwu, Shawn Faqua, Efa Iwara, and some Big brother housemates showed up.

The movie which kicked off at 9pm had the air thick with excitement and expectation, and one could hear the friendly cackle going on while everyone got comfortable in their seats which were already prepped up with snacks and drinks per person.

At the end of the movie there was howling and shouts of excitements which was a

Saga Adeolu Simi Drey

VJ Adams Bakare Mubarak

Allysyn Audu

Uti Nwachukwu

Lanre Aileru - Head of Marketing EntertainmentFilmone

WELCOME FASHION

It is not uncommon for a lady to become a "little fuller" over time. In recent years, this has been attributed to a sedentary lifestyle, particularly in the work from home (WFH) era.

As a result, it's not uncommon to see fewer ladies wearing extremely fitted clothes and instead gravitating towards clothes that flatter their new shape. Without a doubt, all body types are beautiful. So, to embrace these new bodies, which is common as a lady grows older, check out styling tips for the brand new plus-sized girl.

GET INTO SHAPEWEARS

Remember when everyone used to think shapewears were as uncomfortable as waist trainers? Wait till you try some really seamless ones, we can tell you for free that shapewear is yet another gift from the fashion gods to ladies! They will always make you feel great in your outfits, whether you're going to a party, the office, or a date night. According to research, they also improve or correct your posture and relieve pain from your abdominal muscles, among other great benefits. Just make sure you get the right size for your body.

To A New You

BY DANIELLE ANENE

DO IT BLACK

Black should be every girl's best friend. A wardrobe is not complete without a black item in various types of clothing, such as skirts, gowns, shirts, trousers, and so on. Nothing makes you look trimmer than black. You will appreciate the colour black even more as a result of the elegant chic ways it can help make you appear a size

GO THE HIGH-WAIST JEANS/MOM JEANS WAY

High-waisted jeans create the illusion of a longer, leaner silhouette while also providing support for the stomach and back muscles and elongating the legs, giving you a slimmer appearance. To achieve that fit-looking appearance, choose a pair that fits well and is comfortable to wear.

POSTURE

It's like an optical illusion: when you scrunch up your face, you appear shorter and wider, whereas when you stand straight and tall, you appear taller and thinner. If you believe you have a bloated stomach, you may simply be standing or sitting incorrectly. If you notice that it has become a habit, try reminding yourself to stand tall, pull your tummy into your spine, and it. Imagine yourself standing or sitting with good posture all of the time.

FASHION

OVERSIZE OR BOYFRIEND SHIRTS ARE A HIT

As a woman entering the plus size era, these are a musthave in your wardrobe. Oversized shirts draw attention away from your tummy, so make sure the shirt, while oversized, is not too big for you, or you'll have a fashion disaster on your hands. A size or two larger than your original size should do the trick. Another thing to look for when purchasing an oversized shirt is a V-neck. The understated chic look you'll achieve with. these wardrobe musthave is definitely worth it.

GET INTO STYLING YOUR HAIR

After you've found the perfect outfit for your new body, think about your hair. A well-coordinated hairstyle can make you appear more appealing.

Here's a little known fact: Your hairstyle can make you appear trimmer than you actually are.

Consider hairstyles such as updos, high buns, long bobs, soft waves, wavy curls, and others.

A short, clean cut like "Anita Baker's" is ideal if you want to go for a more daring look.

Toolz Credit: Instagram

AFRICAN STORIES TO

THE WORLD

SELLING Mo Abudu Abudu

BY OLAMIDE OLAREWAJU

As “Africa’s most successful woman” and “one of the most powerful women in global TV” what drives you?

As a media professional, I have a strong passion for storytelling and an unwavering commitment to showcasing the rich and diverse narratives of Africa on the global stage. My drive to succeed has been fueled by a deep desire to break down barriers and pave the way for other women, particularly women of colour, to excel in the industry. I have faced numerous challenges in my career, but these challenges have only strengthened my resolve to succeed and make a lasting impact in the global TV industry. Ultimately, my motivation comes

from a belief in the power of storytelling to connect people, inspire change, and drive social progress."

Some have compared you to Oprah. We know Oprah has severally spoken about her challenges as a woman in the industry. What would you say have been your challenges while rising in the industry? What challenges did you face as a woman building a media business of this magnitude?

I respect Oprah and everything she has done. I can acknowledge that women in various industries have faced challenges related to gender bias, unequal pay, and limited opportunities for advancement. These challenges can make it difficult for women to break through barriers and achieve success. It's essential to create an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusion, where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

EbonyLife TV was a refreshing take on TV… What was the dream behind EbonyLife? Why did you finally decide to morph this into a production company?

“Ifyou can think it, you can do it…”!

I remember those were Mo Abudu's payoff lines on her show "Moments With Mo." She probably had no idea how those powerful words would come to shape a lot of people's lives when she signed out. I remember thinking to myself while watching her interview with Hilary Clinton, "wow, she's so cool." I wasn’t wrong! The Hollywood Reporter named Mo Abudu one of the "25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television," and she has been dubbed "Africa's Most Successful Woman” by Forbes.

She chaired the 47th international Emmy Awards gala, which took place in New York on 25 November 2019. She went on to build EbonyLife TV, Africa's first global black entertainment and lifestyle network. A refreshing take on TV like I call it. It was a game-changing moment for lifestyle television.

EL TV aired in many countries across Africa, as well as in the UK and the Carribean to a pan-African audience. It was an impressive feat. She founded EbonyLife Films and served as executive producer on her debut feature, Fifty. She also produced The Wedding Party, which became the highest-grossing title of all time in the Nigerian film industry!

She’s partnered with Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks, Lagos State Government, Netflix and more. She launched Ebonylife Place, a lifestyle and entertainment resort in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos. She has gone on to do many things, the most notable of which is changing the face of TV and film production in Africa, where she continues to tell African stories.

There's no stopping this Amazon, and I'm thrilled to share her interview with you in this first edition. From what I can tell, she's just getting started. One thing I learned from this is that anyone can be unstoppable if they dare to dream and put in the work...

dream behind EbonyLife TV was to be the preferred global network for premium African entertainment by creating original, premium and inspiring content with an African soul that showcases the best of Africa for a global black audience. My vision for EbonyLife TV has always been to create content that speaks to the continent’s most important demographic –the youth, the custodians of the present and the future.

UNFAILINGLY, WHEREVER I AM IN THE WORLD I START MY DAY WITH GOD BECAUSE WITHOUT HIM I WOULDN’T HAVE COME THIS FAR, I GIVE HIM ALL THE GLORY.

We became a fulltime production company in order to tell Authentic African stories as opposed to the image of Africa that was being represented. It started as a quest to change the global perception of Africa, but now it has turned into a passion. But as you know EbonyLife TV has morphed into EbonyLife Media which encompasses EbonyLife Studios and EbonyLife Films. We currently have the largest slate as an African production company with some of the most respected production companies in the world including Sony Pictures Television, Lionsgate, Starz, The BBC, AMC, Will Smith's Westbrook Studios, Will Pack Productions and most recently we just announced our partnership with the super talented Idris Elba and his production company Green Door Pictures. We are very excited about the future.

When you’re not working, what’s a normal day like for you, sunrise to sunset?

There is no such thing as a normal day for me. My days vary so much. But unfailingly, wherever I am in the world I start my day with God because without Him I wouldn’t have come this far, I give Him all the glory. I am pretty much addicted to my laptop, so next are my emails. I catch up with the HODS of EbonyLife Media, The Creative Academy and EbonyLife Place should I need to. I always have a mountain of scripts to read, stories and projects to develop. Meetings to attend, events, speaking engagements, and travelling the world based on my itinerary. I do my best to get a bit of exercise in my day. Some days I spend with my grandkids playing Nana. As I said, no two days are the same.

Holiday. Can you tell us 3 of your favourite holiday destinations and why?

The Maldives, Spain, Cape town. When I’m able to get away, these are some of the destinations I am partial to. Anywhere beautiful with great laughs, great restaurants, and great people. There is just something about being in a place that makes you feel relaxed and at peace while there and rejuvenates you to focus on your plans.

There are those who believe at some point, Mo Abudu will go into active politics, and there are those who believe she should. Should we be expecting to see or hear more of you in politics sometime soon?

I love my country, I have from time to time toyed with the idea of getting into politics, but I have never really taken any active steps towards achieving this goal, simply because I give whatever I am doing 100%. I have not been able to successfully drag myself away from EbonyLife, and before then it was Inspire Africa and before then it was Vic Lawrence. Right now, I am really enjoying what I do, but who knows, an opportunity may present itself. Never say Never as they say! What inspired creating projects like the free creative academy? What is the big picture? What other projects are in the offing? Setting up a creative academy has been an obsession of mine for a very long time. I have over the years pitched the idea to every federal and Lagos State government. But the only Governor that truly bought into the idea and the dream was and is His Excellency, Governor Babajide SanwoOlu. He understood the importance of empowering our youth and investing in our creative economy. So I pitched the idea to him, and he bought into the idea. We are now in our third year of operation. We run 8 courses over 4 semesters every year. Our courses include directing, acting, screenwriting, cinematography, post-production, art direction, and sound design. We graduate 480 students a year who

are all going on to do great work in the industry. The big picture is to roll out more academies across Nigeria and the continent, and this we will do in partnership with Idris Elba based on a new agreement and partnership that was recently announced.

Words for the girl child?

And every woman/anyone who looks up to you professionally and in other ways?

My 8-Point Guide for Girls and Women:

1. Believe in yourself: Always remember that you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. Believe in yourself and your abilities.

2. Embrace your uniqueness: Don't try to be like anyone else. Embrace your individuality and celebrate what makes you unique.

3. Stand up for yourself: Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself and your beliefs. Speak your mind and be confident in your opinions.

4. Never stop learning: Keep learning and growing as a person. Take advantage of every opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills.

5. Build strong relationships: Build strong relationships with people who support and encourage you. Surround yourself with positive influences.

6. Take care of yourself: Make sure to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Prioritize selfcare and make it a part of your daily routine.

7. Follow your passions: Pursue your passions and interests. Find something you love and make it a part of your life.

8. Be kind and compassionate: Treat others with kindness and compassion. Practice empathy and put yourself in others' shoes.

Remember that you are valuable and have a unique contribution to make in this world. Stay strong, confident, and true to yourself, and you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Remember - "If you can think it you can do it"

I HAVE FACED NUMEROUS CHALLENGES IN MY CAREER, BUT THESE CHALLENGES HAVE ONLY STRENGTHENED MY RESOLVE TO SUCCEED AND MAKE A LASTING IMPACT IN THE GLOBAL TV INDUSTRY

Easy Steps TO BE A BOSS GIRL -Lifestyle Edition 5

WELLNESS

BY DANIELLE ANENE

When Beyoncé said, "I'm too classy for this world, forever I'll be that girl, feed you diamonds and pearls,"she was definitely referring to a boss babe with flourishing skin and a crazy work life under control. You don't become a boss girl overnight; it takes time, effort, and discipline. Here are 12 steps to becoming a boss girl.

1

Start With A Good Sleep Pattern

As a girl who wants to get her life back on track, getting enough sleep is just as important as eating a balanced and nutritious diet, exercising, and participating in other activities. This gives the body time to recover from the strenuous activity it experienced during the day. This entails taking a step back from those late nights and early morning rushes to work. Try not to be that girl, and start putting your body first.

Drink More Water

Cut down on soda and sugary drinks. Did you know that there is no universally agreed upon amount of water that must be consumed daily but there is agreement that water is essential for the kidneys and other bodily functions, and that dehydration makes the skin more vulnerable to skin disorders and wrinkling? Should skin disorders and wrinkling be a boss babe problem? No! because you may have 99 problems, but that should not be one!

4 5

One Hour Away From The Noise

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health in terms of weight management, disease prevention, and bone and muscle strength. Regular exercise may help ease depression and anxiety by releasing feel-good endorphins, natural cannabis-like brain chemicals cannabinoids)(endogenous and other natural brain chemicals can improve the mood. Taking your mind off worries to break the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression and anxiety. Taking 20 minutes out of your day can help you build a healthy lifestyle.

Make Time For Friends

Friendship does more than just provide a shoulder to cry on; it also has a positive impact on your health. Healthy relationships actually help with physical health. Having a close circle of friends can reduce your risk of developing some health issues because you get more active. Good friends teach you about yourself and push you to keep improving. They motivate you to keep going when things get tough and celebrate with you when you succeed.

Hanging out with your friends allows you to get to know yourself better because you see yourself in your daily interactions and hang outs with them.

Do not be that lady who is all work and no play; instead, learn to cultivate friendships, as this is one of the most important ways to indirectly improve your wellbeing and social interaction skills.

One Final Note

ZEROID FOAMING CLEANSER

This cleanser is a mild, hypoallergenic foaming cleanser that helps normalize the skin's PH balance. It’s a rich, thick foam that cleanses effectively without the use of a washcloth or a bath sponge.

It is made with natural surfactants to reduce the possibility of skin irritation. The moisturizing ingredient includes ceramides, which allow the skin to remain supple and soft even after cleansing.

KOREAN BEAUTY Secrets

BY DANIELLE ANENE

f you are a skincare enthusiast or an aesthete, you are probably aware of the new craze for Korean beauty products, which people swear by! Despite concerns that it may contain bleaching agents, some Nigerians claim their products are the best thing since Creme de la Mer. We've compiled a list of Korean skincare products that are available in Nigeria. You're

BEAUTY OF JOSEON GLOW SERUM

This serum is formulated with traditional Korean ingredients and has a rich, honey-like texture that provides ample moisture to the skin, leaving it dewy and glowing without being sticky. In addition to controlling sebum production (excess oil), it refines pores and brightens the skin for a youthful, flawless appearance. It is an anti-acne, anti-inflammatory, brightening, and pore-reducer cream. The cream also contains tea tree extract, which is commonly used to treat acne, athlete's foot, lice, nail fungus, and insect bites.

I’M FROM MUGWORT CREAM

The I'm From Mugwort Cream is recommended for skin that is sensitive, red, irritated, rough, or dry. The moisturiser contains 73.5 percent pure mugwort extract from Ganghwa, Korea, which will hydrate and nourish the skin for a healthy complexion, as well as soothe and calm it. It comes in the form of a gel that transforms into a soothing cream upon contact with the skin, allowing it to penetrate deep into the skin to purify and cleanse the complexion for clearer skin. It is primarily useful for relieving, soothing, refreshing, and cleansing the skin.

COSRX ADVANCED SNAIL 96 MUCIN POWER ESSENCE

This is a lightweight essence that provides long-lasting hydration, helps improve skin’s elasticity, soothes sensitive skin, and more. It’s packed with 96% snail secretion filtrate and suitable for almost all skin types; sensitive skin types should use it with caution.

The mucin (used in the formulation) is produced by snails in response to stress and contains properties such as glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid, all of which are beneficial to the skin.

BEAUTY 5

INNISFREE PORE CLEARING CLAY MASK

This creamy clay mask helps reduce the appearance of large pores, absorbs sebum, and gently exfoliates to improve skin texture.

Loaded with absorbent, mineral-rich clusters, this innovative mask uses Jeju volcanic cluster technology to unclog pores, while minimizing their appearance for a ‘tighter’ look.

As it sinks into every crevice, it absorbs excess sebum, leaving only clean and soft skin in its wake. Alongside its unrivalled cleansing powers, walnut shell powder and an AHA are added to the mix for gentle exfoliation to bring blemishes to the brink of extinction and let brewing ones stay dormant.

BELIF MOISTURIZING EYE BOMB

This lightweight, refreshing eye cream smooths fine lines with a refreshing burst of incredible moisture that lasts for up to 26 hours. It boosts elasticity and increases the resilience of your skin.

Formulated with hydrating herb, comfrey leaf, and elasticity-boosting pennywort herb, this eye cream is packed with everything you need to target the delicate under eye area.

A little goes a long way. Dab on your eye area and enjoy smooth, supple-looking skin.

You can get all these products from any online K-beauty store.

SCRUMPTIOUS

It’s K-FoodSeason!

BY DANIELLE ANENE

What comes to mind when you think of Korean content? Lee Min Ho and Gu Jun Pyo from the famous Boys Over Flowers? The men who appeared on screen and won the hearts of both young and old Nigerian ladies. But that is only from their movies, there is much more…. Let us introduce you to two other Korean things that have infiltrated our lives in the world of Korean content: K-beauty and K-food. Korean dramas will make you fall in love with the men, and their beauty will make the hearts of single girls beat like an 808 drum!

Image: Korean Food Surfing TikTok, you might come across a Korean virtual restaurant right here in Lagos! A quick look at their Instagram page will reveal a Korean lady selling Korean food in Lagos! You'll place your order and be in Korean food heaven in no time. We tried some:

SOJU

Soju is a colorless grain-based distilled liquor with an average alcohol level of about 15 percent. Traditionally made with rice, soju can be distilled from other types of grains. It can be taken neat but is best accompanied with ttoekbokki, hotpot soup, and chicken.

JJAJANGMYEON

Jjajangmyeon pronounced as Cha-Jhangme-on is a Korean- Chinese noodle dish made up of black bean sauce using thick udon noodles that are smothered and tossed together in a silky smooth, savory black bean sauce with diced pork, zucchini and onion. The noodles are chewy and soft at the same time, once you put it in your mouth you can taste the soft and chewy noodles and the black beans. This was good!

MAKGEOLLI

This is a traditional Korean alcoholic beverage made by combining rice, yeast, and water with a starter culture called nuruk. It’s milky-white, fizzy, and refreshing. It is full of carbohydrates and was traditionally served to farmers as part of a midmorning snack or with lunch, giving them the strength and energy to work the rest of the day. Makgeolli is a better drink option for people with a sweet tooth, and although it is an alcoholic drink, its alcohol content is still lower than that of Soju.

YANGNYEOM AND GANGJANG CHICKEN

HANG OVER SOUP

There is something Nigerians have in common with Koreans, and that is their drinking habit, according to WHO. Nigerians rank second on the list of African countries for heavy episodic drinking. This is a no judging zone, but after that long night of drinking and in an attempt to beat the fatigue, you might want to try this hangover soup, also known as haejangguk, it is known to help chase away alcohol induced headaches and fatigue.

HOT POT SOUP

This is the Korean version of our pepper soup, it has different varieties but the same base. It comes with its own style of consumption. Traditionally meant to be eaten communal style, a big pot filled with simmering broth is placed at the middle of the table, accompanied by plates of various meats, vegetables, noodles, condiments, and dipping sauces. The ingredients are to be placed in the broth, cooked, and then taken out and dipped into the chosen sauce before eating.

TTEOKBOKKI

Tteokbokki -pronounced as it is spelt-, also known as simmered rice cake, is a popular snack in South Korea. This is an unpaid actor in every Korean drama.

It is a spicy stir-fried dish that usually consists of cylinder-shaped rice cakes, sweet red chili sauce, and fish cakes.

While Korean fried chicken is available in a variety of different flavors and textures, I have only tried two types of Chicken and that is the crispy fried Gangjang chicken and the Yangnyeom sauce chicken. With its perfectly succulent tenderness, incredibly crispy skin, and trademark glaze that's equally sticky, sweet, and spicy, it just begs to be devoured, especially when it’s hot. My secret delight is eating it with a bowl of soaked Ijebu garri, ice, and lots of milk, delicious!

How To Transform Your Home

INTO A TECH DOME

BY DANIELLE ANENE

So you want to upgrade your home to a smart home, and despite having no idea how, you know which comforts or parts of the house you want automated. With smart homes becoming more popular, it is understandable to seek

ways to make the home more automatic rather than manual. We're not talking about robots here, but rather machines that automate certain tasks in your home; we've mentioned a few interesting tech items that can help you automate your home.

Amazon Echo devices are small smart speakers that are ideal for small spaces. With the downloaded app, you can use voice control to play music, ask questions, read the news, check the weather, set alarms, control compatible smart home devices such as door locks, and control your lights.

This is a multi-room audio speaker that connects to your existing hi-fi speakers or audio components, bringing them into the Sonos system. This is a great amplifier that you can control via the app, and it permeates through walls and ceilings wherever you are at home.

This is a 15.6-inch smart display that can be used in landscape or portrait mode. Its primary function is to keep you organized by displaying shared calendars, personal sticky notes, to-do lists, shopping lists, and assigned reminders all on one screen. Alexa controls the device via voice commands, which makes it the perfect AI for home organization.

The Govee light is an automated home lighting system that illuminates your bedroom, living room, or kitchen or anywhere around the house using a smartphone app or voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The app allows for control of the lights, setting of timers, and creation of customized lighting scenes and animations, and can control multiple LED strip lights at once.

This smart lock allows you to control your door from anywhere, share access via the app, and generate unique keypad entry codes. Simply connect it to your existing deadbolt, and it will connect to your phone via an app. You can also use touch-free settings; with Bluetooth, your lock can detect when you approach the door and unlock it for you. You can keep track of who comes in and out and grant guests access keys for a set period of time.

1.Amazon Echo and Alexa Devices

2.Sonos Amp

3.Amazon Echo Show Display

4.Govee Smart WiFi LED Bulbs

5.August Smart Lock

VOYAGE Easter

Easter A LONE RANGER'S Guide To HOLIDAY

So Easter is fast approaching and it’s that time where people take a brief break from work to spend time with their loved ones and friends, so they plan activities around this holiday. Some even take extra time to travel to see their loved ones, but if you have no family nearby, are shy, have no friends, or are new to the city, this may not be the case for you. So here are some ideas we put together for those of you who will most likely be spending the holidays alone.

PAINT AND SIP

This is an activity that does not require you to come with anyone; you can choose to socialise when you arrive or focus solely on creating a masterpiece on your canvas.

STAYCATION AT LANDMARK

Spend your holiday in a different environment by booking a day at a beach resort with fun activities like Landmark and enjoying the tourist experience without the stress that comes with leaving the city.

GAMES ARCADE CENTRE

Take the opportunity to unwind at a games arcade centre, this is all the interaction you