THEWILL DOWNTOWN OCT 10 EDITION

THE WILL DOWNTOWN

VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

UTI,

WHO IS YOUR BIG BROTHER?

VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

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THE WILL DOWNTOWN THEWILL DOWNTOWN

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Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Desire Onyema @desire_makeover

EDITOR’S NOTE

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VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

t’s interesting how two incidents this week “opened the eyes” of the world in every sense of the phrase.

First, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook all went offline for four hours! They were the longest four hours, leaving everyone feeling like a tech pandemic had just struck. If you had any doubt as to how much of a hold Mark Zukerberg has over the world, I guess, as we would say in Nigeria, “he cleared your doubts.”

Suddenly we all realised just how much we rely on these platforms, whether it’s for news, connecting with family and friends, business (whatever kind), or just pure entertainment.

The second global revelation was the extraordinary collaboration between 600 investigative journalists working on about 11.9million leaked documents exposing secret offshore interests of several billionaires around the world, including Nigerians. We couldn’t help but notice that one person, who purportedly had a “squeaky-clean” reputation, was on that list. As the Panama Papers of 2016, they expose the lengths that politicians and public office holders, including a pastor, would go to hide their often ill-gained wealth in shell corporations and concealed assets. This lends some credence to a saying I have heard over and over again, ‘there are two groups of Nigerians, those already stealing and those waiting their turn.” And while I wouldn’t subscribe to Naira Marley’s statement, “Ole ni everybody,” it may end up being the assumption until proven otherwise. Leaving me to ponder on the question: how far would I go for money?

Speaking of money, Big Brother Naija Season 6 just concluded, and so we are taking it back 11 years, reminiscing with this week’s Cover talent, and winner of Big Brother Africa 5: All-Stars Uti Nwachukwu.

In this riveting interview, he talks about the opportunities the show exposes contestants to, his new talk show, Behind The Glam, and yes, marriage. You don’t want to miss this one.

Also in this issue, we feature Lara Rawa, CEO of Eventi Cocktails and Founder of Lagos Cocktail Week.

Here, she talks about the cocktail culture in Nigeria and so much more.

As usual, we have an issue packed with exciting content including fashion, beauty, sex, and we review the new James Bond movie, No Time to Die which I had the pleasure of watching! (I wonder why no one is talking about it - it touched me in ways I can’t even explain).

So tell a friend to tell a friend.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

AUSTYN OGANNAH

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Senior Lifestyle Editor: Ayodele Johnson Writers: Kehinde Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Graphics/Layout: Olatunji Samson, Olaniyan John Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown

CONTENTS

COVER UTI, WHO IS YOUR BIG BROTHER?

04-05 FASHION SUNDAY BRUNCH WHAT TO WEAR!

16

WEBSIGHTS DOWNTOWN FROM CITY LIFE TO WILDERNESS

14-15

FEATURE LARA RAWA ON CHANGING THE NARRATIVE WITH THE LAGOS COCKTAIL WEEK

Photography: Godson Ukaegbu Creative Direction: Onah Nwachukwu Safari Suit: Lucky Enemuo Hair- Dread by black Photographer’s Assistant: Kovin Photography

06

ODDBOD & THE CITY EATALY: EATING ITALIAN

07

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL SUGAR BOY: COUGAR ATTRACTION

12

THE REVIEW NO TIME TO DIE

CONTRIBUTORS Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity

- Contributing Editor Odunayo Ogunbiyi is an ex pharmacist with a passion for food and pampering. Writing about her exploits wherever in the world she may find herself is just her way of staying sane in this zany world.

Boluwatife Adesina @bolugram - Contributing Writer Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.

Uzo Orimalade @uzosfoodlabs

- Contributing Writer Uzo Orimalade has a background in Law and Business and spent over a decade working in Corporate America and Nigeria in the management consulting and investment banking sectors. She switched careers to pursue her passion for baking, cooking and home entertaining.

She is content creator and host of shows in various media platforms. She has been recognised by local and international media outlets including a feature on CNN’s African Voices.

13

BEAUTY WHAT’S IN YOUR SKINCARE PRODUCT?

Ifeoma Odogwu @hyperfashun - Contributing Writer Ifeoma Odogwu is an international Fashion consultant and Stylist. She shuttles her time between Lagos and London.

WHAT YOU SAID INSTAGRAM @sisiano

Thank you for having me

Efua Oyofo @efuastar

- Contributing Writer Efua has always enjoyed telling stories.

A writer and cultural storyteller, Efua Oyofo helps clients tell their most compelling story. She focuses on social impact storytelling, and hosts a podcast: This African Love, exploring the culture of dating - and helping people develop more effective ways to navigate relationships in today’s world.

@lolu_fagbule

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VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THE THEWILL WILL DOWNTOWN

FASHION

S U N D AY B R U N C H

WHAT TO WEAR!

BY IFEOMA ODOGWU

S

eeing as going out is officially back in, it’s time to have fun with dressing up again. No doubt Sundays are the perfect chill-out day and when you add a gastro-inspired treat, nothing is more perfect. However, as with all outings, the first thing to conquer is what to wear!

For an easy effortless look, make sure you pick out clothes that communicate who you are without being fussy. Chic accessories are always a good idea and they put the final seal on any look. So whether you’re spending the day enjoying your own company or with your favourite people make sure to do it in style.

TRIBAL TWIST Rich cultural elements are perfect for that easy effortless casual slay.

EARTHY Going for a neutral base is the perfect way to start building up a look. Feel free to accessorize either heavily or minimally depending on which mood you’re channelling for the day.

WOORAWOMAN

MULES Sandalo Raso Cipria GEDEBE

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Mules are easy to slide in and out of, fuss-free and the quickest to reach for if you’re running late. Go for a statement pair to add an instant edge to your look.

Mules VIRGIL ABLOH

LBEAZYWEAR

VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THEWILL THE WILL DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN

FASHION

DAY TIME FRESH

BELLE

Pure poison by Christian Dior is THE daytime scent, long lasting but also soft enough to accompany a day of ease.

A short flirty number bursting with colour says you’re fun to be around and injects the mood with cheer. A billowy silhouette prioritizes the menu in the chicest of ways so you have nothing to worry about post-meal.

Pure Poison CHRISTIAN DIOR

JEWELLERY Keep it chic elegant and simple.

Look out for pieces with interesting minimal detailing that are straight to the point.

NKILI Leather bag with woven top handle NICHOLE BY HAGUANNA

Grey Moonstone Bracelet SHAROKE

BAG LADY Cute purses are the perfect conversation starters especially when meeting up with friends or Family.

Metallic Gold Plated Statement Waves Hoop JONNA LAURA CONSTANTINE

BECCA LAGOS

Aimo Cage Bag Nichole By Haguanna

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VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

ODUN OGUNBIYI

THE THEWILL WILL DOWNTOWN

ODDBOD & THE CITY

Eataly

Eating Italian T

he last couple of weeks have been a bonanza for meme-makers everywhere but especially here in Nigeria. The ripple effects of Brexit continue with England knee-deep in a petrol shortage and the natives going feral.

Queues at petrol pumps, traffic in residential areas, theft from parked cars, and fistfights, it’s all been a mess.

In Nigeria, we are absolute experts at negotiating this kind of inconvenience, and so (as usual) we are finding the humour in the situation.

The HGV driver shortage has also come to roost.

The British government has sent out a global call for qualified people to receive a 3 months’ work visa to help bridge the gap and get the country moving again. No

skilled manual workers equate to not enough turkeys for Christmas, no milkshakes in McDonald’s, and no chicken in Nando’s, leaving them to close down some branches. You cannot make this up!

With all that austerity and pandemonium in mind, please join me for a throwback to a wonderful dinner I had at a new-to-London and highly-recommendedby-me project called Eataly. Smack bang in the East London business district, it is in what was once an impressive office building next to Liverpool Street Station. The property is one of many commercial sites looking for a new lease of life post-Covid, the lockdown, and the more flexible work-from-home culture.

Back in November 2002, Oscar Farinetti’s sketched an idea on a piece of paper. The idea was simplicity itself: “To gather under one roof high-quality food at sustainable and reasonable prices for ALL, celebrate Italian biodiversity, and create an informal, natural, and simple place to eat, shop, and learn.”

The first Eataly opened its doors in Torino on 27 January 2007. Since then, they have opened in 37 other locations worldwide, from New York to Tokyo.

Opening in April this year, this branch is an allencompassing Italian experience spread over two floors with three restaurants, six eateries, and over five thousand Italian products.

An inviting break from the starkly bare supermarket shelves and the general miasma of the pandemic, it was nice to be in this space where you felt spoilt for choice. Every item seemed especially curated for its quality and feast of the senses. The food was terrific, and the service was impeccable. After delicious pizza and pasta with old friends (the best kind) washed down with delicious Italian wine, we took a stroll through the supermarket to stock up on yummy treats to try later. My pasta pesto the next day was an absolute disaster. Still, the good news is that there are classes and special events such as wine week or the prosecco festival to plug in to and improve my condition.

Eataly has a ten-point manifesto, and I wanted to share some that really vibrated in my soul. In the dictionary, the description of “asewo for food” (#IAmShe) could not have been described any better.

And they are:

• WE’RE IN LOVE WITH FOOD - We love high-quality food and drink. We love the stories about it, the people who produce it, and the places it comes from.

• FOOD UNITES US ALL - Good food brings all of us together and helps us find a common point of view. We believe that one of the greatest sources of joy is what happens around the dinner table.

• THE SECRET TO QUALITY OF LIFE? QUALITY PRODUCTS.

Fine.

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VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

Sugar Boy: Cougar attraction

’m not one to compromise my comfort for owambe parties, after parties or dorime nights at Escape NightClub.

I love sleeping far too much to stay up partying and to top it off there’s a serious absence of purchasing funds— if you know what I mean.

But today was different, two of my closest friends who also happen to be brothers, invited me to their dad’s wedding and I had promised to make an appearance after taking an axe to previous invitations.

They had agreed to make the party “interesting” if I agreed to spend an extra day so I did, but deep down I wished I was laying in bed reading a book or something.

I was petrified at the thought changing systems and it repeatedly bludgeoned the comfort castle I had built for myself like elated kids taking swings at a piñata.

But at this point, a reverie about laying in bed watching my cat ricochet around my room was of no use, as I was T-minus three minutes from their dad’s house lodged at the end of the street. The uber driver had arrived at my destination with one whole minute to spare, a crucial minute I rewarded him for.

As we chatted, my peripheral vision caught a beautiful blur. A mature cherry, ripe for the plucking. The only problem was this fruit was in another man’s matrimonial garden. I told the Giacomo Agostini wannabe to keep the change without taking my eyes off who I’d later find out is a mother of two kids.

— Good Evening ma’am, do you look stunning everyday or today is an exception?

Her face lit up and her eyes sparkled as the words rolled down my lips. Bullseye.

Shocked and flustered, she stuttered her response — Me? — Yes ma’am, My name is Tilewa, I’m here to see Fola and Folu.

Still stunned, she immediately deduced I was a friend to her neighbour’s friend and directed me to their flat. She asked if I was here for the wedding which I confirmed.

This wasn’t my first time hitting on older women but I’d never been this direct and concise and I loved it. It was evident that the Mrs. loved it as well.

I followed her directions and I arrived at Fola’s front door. We exchanged pleasantries like bros would, he ushered me in and introduced me to his folks. Folu peeled out from an inner room, we bumped fist and we all disappeared up the stairs.

I told them about crossing paths with a 10 of a woman right at their gate and they

told me everything I needed to know about Mrs. Apparently, her husband dabbled in the dark arts and he wasn’t ready to let go of her. This had been my fear about older women.

A lot is always said about the scorn of a woman and not a man. For sugar boys like myself, as much as I’d like to take a sip from this fine wine, I wasn’t thirsty for death or whatever extremes her husband was going to take. In the wise words of a British born rapper called Dave: “don’t die for buttocks.”

At the party which was as grandiose as grandiose could get, I and the Mrs. crossed paths again, this time it was in an abandoned corridor, so there was enough time for a brief flirtatious chitchat.

She looked 24 years old in her glistening Aso Ebi and I didn’t hesitate to let her know how ravishing she looked. Again, I had drawn a shy high school girl smile from her.

—You this boy, don’t let my husband catch you!

That was the warning sign I needed to recoil. I did right after I collected her phone number. We spent the most part of the party exchanging flirtatious glances at ourselves and towards the end of the party, both under the influence of Rosé, we shared the dance floor. I had heard so many stories about Fola and Folu’s parties being elaborate parties and this one lived up to the hype. As I was in my taxi heading home, I got a text which read: —Thank you for making me feel special. I hadn’t felt that way in years. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need something I’d be more than welcome to help. Godspeed.

Illustration by Victor Asowata

I

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

My Two Cents •

If the role of a Sugar Boy is one you’re serious about, it’s best to go for older women who are unhinged. That way you wouldn’t have police officers or thugs waiting for you outside your home or you wouldn’t run the risk of Magun or Thunderbolt which is worse and more embarrassing than getting harassed by thugs. You could become an episode of Nigeria’s fatal attraction.

• Make your intentions known. This is very important with any woman, not just older women. Laying it out on the table would let both parties know where they stand regarding things like feelings, exclusivity, sexual preferences and such. Cougars usually entertain the idea of younger men if they need a change in sexual scenery and pleasure. If you can guarantee that, then they’ll be willing to keep you around just don’t fuck up!

• A woman’s vaginal lubrication is significantly affected by menopause so this isn’t going to be a walk in the park. Keeping things like lubes around can help improve sensations. A lot of licking and sucking also works here: her collarbone, fingers, etc.

• Being in a relationship with an older woman is like driving a manual car for the first time. Aging can result in decreased tissue density and elasticity in the vulva and vagina so rushing things can cause bruising and you don’t want that. With that said, do exercise some patience and let your tongue do all the talking between her legs. Gently suck on her clitoris in between licks.

• A vital component of arousing a woman of any age is foreplay. It’s crucial to her overall arousal. A lot of older women, or really any woman, can benefit from it. Sex toys too are never a bad purchase. Talk to your partner on which ones work best in getting her to an orgasm.

Try a suction vibrator!

• Spontaneity is also advised. Pay her a visit at her office; she’s most likely the boss so there’s going be some level of privacy. Once you walk in, lock the door behind you, licking two fingers (the more saliva, the better), slide them down her underwear and make gentle circular motions on her vulva, tap gently as well, repeat, then slide your finger into her before going for the main course.

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VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THE WILL DOWNTOWN

COVER

UTI, WHO IS YOUR BIG BROTHER? While the Jara theme song played in my head as we waited to be taken off hold, I remembered how I had tried to cajole my mother to allow me to watch cartoons instead of a show only she liked.

However, repetition sooner rather than later does truly make your heart grow fonder. I too became engrossed in it, setting reminders to avoid missing a beat. For its duration, my childish desire to watch caricatures make fools of themselves was tamed.

The synergy between the hosts was unmatched.

With each episode, the pair had this connection that seemed like they were neurologically linked.

One of the hosts went from strength to strength. He became a force to be reckoned with in everything he touched.

Although winning Big Brother Africa was his big break, he breezed through showbiz like a pro.

It was almost surprising. I would describe his personality, as a classic professional. A professional in every sense of the word. His skilled qualities spread across all his endeavours.

With fame came a necessary evil, critics, and haters, but who doesn’t have them in his line of work? An orator, actor, and model for a fee, the DOWNTOWN duo of Onah Nwachukwu, Editor, and Tilewa Kazeem, writer, talk to Uti Nwachukwu about Big Brother Nigeria, his new show, Behind The Glam, and new movie with Aki and Paw!

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Cover Story Photography: Godson Ukaegbu Creative Direction: Onah Nwachukwu Black Turtleneck: Uti’s Wardrobe Hair: Dread by black Photographer’s Assistant: Kovin Photography

B

ig Brother was what propelled your career and you’ve been very vocal about who you are rooting for. What character traits do these contestants possess that make you throw your weight behind them?

The thing about Big Brother is that it gives you a relatable voice. There’s a false sense of morality that we indulge in, in Nigeria so I’ve always looked at myself as the evident exception in a morally upright society that I find to be very false. Out of a thousand hopefuls, I was the only one selected to represent the whole country which means there must have been and still is something extraordinary about me.

In addition, I do not believe in cancel culture and I do not perpetuate it unless someone does the unthinkable such as murder, child abuse, rape, and certain grievous crimes. With that said, it awes me how Nigerians are quick to cancel people just because they’ve said or done something, that they have done or still actively do when no cameras are watching.

I’m more drawn to people who wear their emotions on their sleeves probably because that’s how I am and Big Brother does a great job at bringing out the social outcasts. My voice will always be used to show support to those people because I see an element of myself in them. There’s no point pouring water in a bucket that is full. That’s why at the beginning of every season, I always let people know who I predict will come out on top when the dust settles. Why? Because these are

the people that need to be encouraged and validated because they are real and true to who they are.

How do you feel when people take jabs at a show not too dissimilar to the one that propelled your career?

Just imagine you are drinking garri in your house with your family. From morning all through to the evening you’re on a strict garri diet. Then one day, a sibling of yours goes outside to drink garri in public and your parents are scolding them: “Why would you be drinking garri in public?

What kind of povertystricken behaviour is that?

This, that, and a third.” You can imagine the hypocrisy.

That is the problem with Nigerians. They attack and attack relentlessly. Nigerians are just upset that people dare to leave their truth in

VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THE WILL DOWNTOWN THEWILL DOWNTOWN

COVER public.

When they take jabs at Big Brother, I’m usually amazed. It’s rated 18. It’s just the same way Nigerians pose as the morally upright and religious.

Meanwhile, if you check the internet for the country that watches the most porn Nigeria tops that list. It’s the same way with Big Brother. The show has helped so many lives.

Take a look at me for example, if I hadn’t won I’d have worked in a bank, telecommunications or behind some boring desk, doing well for myself but I wouldn’t be happy. I worked for a bank for a year. I was efficient but I wasn’t happy. Every human being is an individual, it is your sole responsibility to maximize every opportunity you have. If ten of us got on the show and five of us chose to forget why they are there, that’s on them.

We’re grown-ups, and at the end of the day, we make our choices and we have to live with them. I saw something somewhere and I reposted it on my Instagram account.

It said: It’s when you have money that you realise weekends aren’t for washing clothes. Nigerians come from a place of want, and bash people for having the life that they want. You really can’t pay attention to what the naysayers are yapping about.

Immediately after your victorious spell with Big Brother, you and Helen Paul were chosen as hosts of the TV show Jara.

How were you able to clinch such a huge opportunity right off the bat?

I didn’t rest on my laurels after the show. I had watched previous seasons, I had seen how a lot of contestants would fizzle out after the initial fan attention and media craze. So for me having had a second opportunity, I made a promise to myself not to squander that chance and end up being one of those guys.

A lot of companies and agencies are a bit apprehensive with Big Brother contestants when they leave the house because to a great extent, fan love can be quite overwhelming. And you know how it is with this country, what happens is that some of these brands begin to insinuate things. Although some of these reservations are valid, not all housemates that leave the house a winner or otherwise are proud or filled with self-importance.

However, that premeditated notion prevents them from leaning towards certain Big Brother participants.

For me, I made sure I went to different companies, and agencies: I walked up to directors, producers, and even African Magic asking to have my name down for auditions that had to do with TV presenting and acting. If there was an opportunity, I was automatically interested. I needed to pursue that career path.

After a while, I got the call and at the audition, I saw the major faces

Trench Coat: Kimono Hair: Dread by Black Shoes: Kiing Daviids

you see on TV today of both genders. I wasn’t stifled or intimidated because I’m a firm believer in que sera sera( what will be, will be) so I went in there and gave it my best shot. Seated at the audition was Helen Paul.

It was the first time we met and we hit it off immediately. To everyone’s surprise, we had the connection and synergy of lifelong friends and our tennis-like banter got us the job.

The audience was able to tap into how

People criticising you for not having just one stream of income or career path are all speaking from a place of ignorance. You can’t speak the butterfly language with a caterpillar. They haven’t evolved because these are the same people watching motivational speakers talk about multiple streams of income and coming to that realization.”

natural, down to heart, and unpretentious it felt with us.

That’s why it went on for 11 years and for 11 good seasons. Its relatability to all classes of people added to why it was a huge success.

You were known to be a strong supporter of Pere this season. You even suggested he could win , but he didn’t. How do you feel about that?

Oh no, I knew he was going to be top five. He is a great guy and a good friend of mine. Not to mention a Nollywood colleague.

Pere did absolutely well in the game considering that the odds were really against him at first. His transition was a wonderful thing to watch. Very inspiring. I am super proud of how far he came and I know he’s going to achieve great things.

How do you feel about Hazel Oyeye Onou AKA Whitemoney-Nigeria’s sweetheart- winning this season; do you think it was well deserved?

Ahhh! Whitemoney captured the heart of the nation from the minute he stepped into that house. I predicted he would win from the first week.*laughs*. Nigerians always respond to housemates with very interesting journeys of hustle. I’m also proud of him for winning the show. He knows his nation, he delivered and Nigeria rewarded him. Being picked for BBNaija already means he deserves every good thing that comes with the show including the WIN!

What justice would you say Big Brother Naija has done to Big Brother Africa?

With the latter, the viral sensation was born and I think as Nigerians, we felt cheated considering that we hold a large chunk in terms of viewership and subscriptions, yet we always lost to other countries. So maybe they felt why not give them their show, after all, South Africa has theirs. They gave us our show and it’s working like magic.

In my time, I was the only one who represented Nigeria. Then I think after that, two people were allowed. Now you have 20 Nigerians- what could go wrong? Big Brother Naija has given more people the opportunity at stardom and Nigerians feel it’s their own- they don’t have to share it with anyone else. It’s a platform where Nigerians feel heard, as they don’t have a voice

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VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THE THEWILL WILL DOWNTOWN

COVER Safari Suit: Lucky Enemuo Hair: Dread by black Brown Shoes: Uti’s Wardrobe

In addition, I do not believe in cancel culture and I do not perpetuate it unless someone does the unthinkable such as murder, child abuse, rape, and certain grievous crimes. With that said, it awes me how Nigerians are quick to cancel people just because they’ve said or done something, that they have done or still actively do when no cameras are watching.”

Black Turtleneck and Black Trousers: Uti’s Wardrobe Shoes: Kiing Daviids

anywhere else.

Has it done justice to the initial show Big Brother Africa? Not exactly because they have two entirely different contexts. It was a mix of continental cultures for Big Brother Africa but in Nigeria, you see the mix of national cultures. It’s totally different but we are united by languages which are English and pidgin. So with that said, I wouldn’t use the word ‘just’, rather, I’ll say it complemented it.

Are we ready for Big Brother Africa to make a comeback?

We are so ready. People are hungry and thirsty for Big Brother Africa. We’ve had about six seasons of Big Brother Nigeria now and a lot of people can’t wait for the show.

I posted a throwback video of my time on the show and I had people comment about how much they miss the show.

Big Brother Africa is more about the countries and Nigeria believing they are superior. It’s like watching the World Cup vs watching the Premier League. It’s more like a national pride thing.

Quick question, does the Big Brother franchise have a contract with Nollywood? Is there a gentleman’s agreement between them?

I dare say, Big Brother is an unofficial marketing platform for your talent. It is the biggest media platform in all of Africa. It just so happens that everyone is looking at entertainment as an escape route because of the state of the country. People see actresses and actors buying cars and houses and they want that kind of money. What is the best way to advise and grow your numbers if not Big Brother? Now you have a lot of producers that are relying on social media statistics and traction to sell their movies.

Also bear in mind that a lot of us who are a force to be reckoned with in the industry across different fields came out of the show. It’s an easier way to get your name out there. I’d say they were inspired by us unintentionally.

Nollywood is the second biggest movie industry in the world. Sustainability and remaining relevant is extremely hard in music that makes Nollywood the surest way to remain relevant in the entertainment industry.

Don’t you need some sort of acting experience before you make such a leap?

A lot of people don’t need acting experience to be able to act. Some of the greatest actors didn’t go to acting school.

They were discovered on the street just like models. You sort of grow and mature on the job. My experience was just The Next Movie Star and maybe one or two plays in school. I didn’t go to acting school until 2015 when I went to L.A. You really just learn on the job. For me what is hilarious is knowing you haven’t brushed up your talent and you maintain that level of your skill and remain a laughing stock. You can lie to everyone but the most self-destructive thing you can do is lie to yourself. Self-truth is important.

Previously, you spoke about showbiz being a glamorous life. Is that

PAGE 10

what your show Behind The Glam aims at unravelling? I know it’s self-explanatory but do pray tell in your words what the show is about.

Behind The Glam was created from the reason I support who I support during the Big Brother show. I believe everyone has a story for becoming who they’ve become. I don’t believe in and perpetuate hypocrisy too that’s why Behind The Glam was created.

These are the most misunderstood people in our society and that attracts the most curiosity.

Look at it this way, in Nigeria for example, when you live successfully and you want to keep your life private (and you deserve to keep your life private because you don’t want anyone to publicize everything about your life), that almost irritates the public but they don’t want to accept that there’s a right to privacy. On the other hand, when you are outspoken, you are despised. The reality of life is, you will polarize people with the truth. That’s the God-given truth.

There is no truthful person that has been loved even Jesus was hated because he dared to speak the truth. When you live authentically, it irritates the pretentious spirits of people. That reason birthed Behind The Glam so people can see the human side of those individuals. For them to come onto a safe place and tell their stories because we all know how the media can warp stories to sell papers or as clickbait. Think about it as a show for us by us. It’s a safe space for personalities to come and tell their truths. It’s authentic, it’s real, it’s behind the glam

Is the show just restricted to celebrities alone or personalities from all walks of life?

No, it’s not going to be restricted to only musicians and actors alone but to every notable member of society.

For the new season, we’re talking to multiple pastors, members of the government, and all of that. The most misunderstood people are going to be examined.

You recently hosted the reunion of surprise hit reality show, Nollywood Queens. Is this something we should look out for in your career path? Do you intend to host more reality TV reunion shows?

Of course, this is going to be a path for me. I love it, TV presenting is when I come alive and dazzle. That’s why I can do a show unscripted because my personality sells itself. I don’t have to think too much, I just go with the flow. Even when I do have a script, I present that script with my personality.

I can be whoever I want to be, however I want to be and I can sound and look however I want to look.

From this interview, you can tell by how many words I’ve said that I’m naturally an orator so I love to talk, plus I’m a curious person. Presenting and interviewing are my favourite things to do.

VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THE WILL DOWNTOWN THEWILL DOWNTOWN

COVER Which one of all the stars and talents you’ve been privileged to work with or interview would you say has impacted you positively?

Indirectly, Frank Edoho for sure. To be candid, I never really rated the entertainment industry growing up. We grew up watching a lot of international television. The Americans and the British have always had premium content. Compare that to what we had then on TV and it was laughable. The first time I saw Frank Edoho, I refused to believe he was Nigerian. He was the first man to inspire me. ‘If he can do it in Nigeria, then I want to do this too’ was what I told myself growing up. He still is my mentor.

Frank Edoho for TV Presenting, acting I’d say Ramsey Nouah, Kalu Ikeagwu, and Chidi Mokeme. For the women, Rita Dominic, Omotola Jalade, Genevieve Nnaji, and Dakore Egbuson.

Dakore is the first for me. I loved her acting. Those were the people that inspired me growing up. They made me want to be affiliated with the industry.

Should we expect to see some of your mentors on Behind the Glam?

Hopefully. You know, we just rounded up the first season, and people like that have to be sure they can trust such a platform. We’ve gone through a lot with people coming under a false guise claiming to be innocent and you trust them but you are later filled with regret for not listening to that voice in your head that told you not to do it in the first place.

When the show gains traction and they see it’s one they can trust, I’m sure they’ll want to come on board.

Pink T-Shirt: BALACLAVA KINGS Pink Shorts: Uti’s Wardrobe Shoes: Kiing Daviids

You used to sing professionally, in fact, you released a single titled Go Down in 2010 but 11 years later we still haven’t heard a Wizkid or Burna feature. What happened to that career path? What’s the story behind that?

We are at a time now when we can appreciate different genres of music. At the time I started singing it was just Afromusic that was our main genre and Style-Plus was the only band at the time that sang pop. There wasn’t a rock crowd and I grew up listening to a lot of Pop, Rock, and Alternative music. I still sing, music is my first love and I’ve been recording and storing.

My producer has been urging me to release something but the thing is the music industry is a difficult space ladened with a lot of politics and I’m not sure I have the energy to play such politics. So as a hobby, I’ll continue singing. If people like it, good. If they don’t, swell. I’ll talk with my producer and we’ll put out an EP of the rock singles we have recorded and we’ll see how it goes. To do it professionally...I don’t know yet.

In a dated interview, you spoke about people telling you to focus on one job rather than shuffling in and around several careers. You said you loved having various options available as opposed to one. Is this still your standpoint or have you identified a field you are more comfortable working in?

Yes, that is still my standpoint, and people criticising you for not having just one stream of income or career path are all speaking from a place of ignorance. You can’t speak the butterfly language with a caterpillar. They haven’t evolved because these are the same people watching motivational speakers talk about multiple streams of income and coming to that realization.

As I said, when they can’t understand you, control you or oppress you they’ll criticise you. Everyone knows about the importance of multiple streams of income now. Back then with my dad, while he had his regular 9-5 job, he had a business centre, a gas plant, and a company that supplied drinks. At some point, he delved into cosmetics, and when he retired he was the first person to bring the fast-food joint to our town.

So I came from a household that understood the importance of multiple streams of income and as much as I love TV presenting and whatnot, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy

Pyjamas Set: RheRheFashion

walking the runway or acting or the other stuff I enjoy doing. As long as God permits it, I will keep having multiple streams of income.

The internet has been agog with the new Aki and PawPaw movie and we also noticed that you are part of the cast. Seeing as you are not a comedian, what drew you to the movie, and what are we to expect from your character in the movie?

I couldn’t afford to turn down the role they offered me. When I got the call, I said exactly what you just said: ‘I’m not a comedian why are these people calling me for an Aki and PawPaw movie?’- but I was sent the script and told to come audition for the role.

Apparently, from what I heard through the grapevine, from the moment I stepped in, the producer already tagged me as Panchak.

That happens to be the name of the role I was asked to play. I enjoyed every bit of my character not because I play the antagonist in the movie but also for some of us that are borderline nice, it’s usually more fun to play the villain. I’m not exactly a fan of the good guy roles and the lover boy roles.

That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t embody those roles to perfection, I just love the villainous roles more and Panchak is an animal. He’s going to either make you cringe, applaud or laugh. He is an over-the-top dramatic, selfabsorbed, social media-thirsty wannabe and he wants to make sure he stays on top even if it means knocking down anyone who stands in his way. I can’t wait for the film to come out. I think it’s dated for release in December this year.

I’m sitting here trying to morph my head around how your role would coexist with that of Aki and PawPaw. I hope we wouldn’t be seeing them in capes and spandex?

You’ll never know. It’s Aki and PawPaw, they’ve done everything.

Are there any new projects we should be on the lookout for?

There is always something to look out for with me. I don’t like to speak about my projects before they mature. I like to keep people guessing and surprised. So definitely, expect new projects.

Ok, one final question; we know everyone is dying to know this. Can we begin saving for our Aso Ebi now Mr. Uti: Is there a Mrs. Nwachukwu in the shadows?

It’s not really easy for me to trust people even if I date, you have to earn that trust. When you do, I know I can spend the rest of my life with you and you can meet my family. If there’s going to be a Mrs. Nwachukwu, fine.

If there isn’t going to be one, also fine. There is no need for that validation. I don’t know who sold us that construct that you need to be married with a family to matter in society.

It is one of the reasons there are so many broken marriages because people are getting married for the wrong reasons. People haven’t discovered themselves well enough to the point where they’ve fallen in love with who they are. They fall in love with someone who is in the same emotional boat as they are in. Before you know it wedding invitations are in the mail and a few years later, one or two kids are running around the house. A clash here and there and divorce papers are being signed. Now there are damaged kids in the world and then the cycle continues. So if there’s going to be a Mrs. Nwachukwu I don’t know. You could just wake up one morning to the news, you never know.

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VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THE THEWILL WILL DOWNTOWN

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA Movie Review:

NO TIME TO DIE

Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music)

Playlist for the week

Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga Writer (characters): Ian Fleming Writers (Screenplay): Neal Purvis , Robert Wade,Cary Joji Fukunaga Cinematographer: Linus Sandgren Composer: Hans Zimmer Cast: Daniel Craig as James Bond , Léa Seydoux as Dr. Madeleine Swann Lashana Lynch as Nomi , Ralph Fiennes as M / Gareth Mallory , Christoph Waltz as Ernst Stavro Blofeld , Ben Whishaw as Q , Naomie Harris as Eve Moneypenny , Rami Malek as Lyutsifer Safin , Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter , Ana de Armas as Paloma , Billy Magnussen as Logan Ash , Rory Kinnear as Bill Tanner , David Dencik as Valdo Obruchev

W

hen Daniel Craig’s Bond first popped on our screens in 2006 in the superb Casino Royale, the Bond mythology had become stale and it was known more as a franchise of our fathers or even grandfathers. For a franchise that had been struggling to recapture more modern audiences, Daniel Craig was like a shot of pure adrenaline. No Time to Die, his final outing as the iconic character is a bit of a mixed bag. Directed ably enough by Cary Joji Fukunaga and shot gorgeously by Linus Sandgren, the film starts out strong but flatters to deceive and cannot justify its egregiously long runtime (163 Minutes).

Long gone are the days when a new Bond movie felt like it restarted the character and his universe as a standalone action film. No Time to Die seems cut more from the Marvel Cinematic Universe model of pulling from previous entries to create the impression that everything that happens here was planned all along. You don’t really have to have seen the previous four films, but it will be almost impossible to appreciate this one if you haven’t (especially Spectre, to which this is a very direct sequel).

The key theme of this entry into Bond canon seems to be change; some to the

benefit of the film and others that are just plain distracting. Chief among these changes is a more collaborative Bond than in years past. Whether working more closely with established colleagues like Moneypenny and Q or in conjunction with his ‘007’ replacement Nomi ( played affably by Lashana Lynch), this is a welcome departure from the stoic, lonesome Bond of previous entries.

A strength of this film is the level of performances. Everyone seems to be giving their best, with special praise going to Ana de Armas’ superb 15-minute jaunt as Paloma. The lone performance I was really not a fan of was the usually excellent Rami Malek as the main villain Lyutsifer Safin, (the name just rolls off the tongue) another heavily-accented, scarred, monologuing Bond baddie who wants to watch the world burn. The polite thing to say is that Malek and the filmmakers purposefully lean into a legacy of Bond bad guys, but Safin is such a clear echo of other franchise villains that it became rather distracting. Craig’s Bond deserved a better final foe, one who’s not really even introduced into the narrative here until halfway through.

The robust visual sense that Fukunaga and his Cinematographer often create when they don’t have to focus on the plot is another great aspect of the film. The opening sequence is tightly framed and almost poetic. There is a shoot-out in Cuba that moves like a dance scene, with Craig and de Armas finding each other’s rhythms. There’s a riveting encounter in a foggy forest and a single-shot climb in a tower of enemies that recalls that one-shot bravura takes from True Detective.

Apart from giving Malek next to nothing to work with, the other key error this film makes is hinging the emotional plotline of the film on the relationship between Bond and Dr. Swann (Leá Seydoux). No Time to Die asks us to buy that their relationship which started in Spectre was so eternal that he simply couldn’t live without it? Spectre definitely has its fans, but there are few who position it as an all-time high.

Everyone knew that this was Daniel Craig’s last film as Bond, and so No Time to Die needed to entertain on its own terms, provide a sense of finality for this chapter of the character, and even hint at the future of the spy with a License to Kill. All of these boxes that needed to be checked seemed to drag down No Time to Die, which comes to life in fits and starts, usually through some robust direction of quick action beats from the director, but ultimately plays it too safe. Even as its closing character arcs that started years ago, it feels like a film with too little at stake, a movie produced by a machine that was fed the previous 24 flicks and programmed to spit out a greatest hits package.

6/10

PAGE 12

Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify)

JAE5; Skepta; Rema - Dimension (feat. Skepta & Rema)

Lojay; Sarz - Monalisa

Noizi Neiborz & Melon Superstar (No Style)

Boj - Emotions

Tyla; Kooldrink - Getting Late

Shakka; GoldLink - Solo

Ruger - Bounce

Skales; DaVido - This Your Body

Jessie Ware - Remember Where You Are

Netflix Watch of the Week

Into The Night

A

nd welcome Belgium to the streaming wars.

This intriguing debut original, which blends the contained thrills of a plane hijacking with a broader dystopian sci-fi premise, is a smart opening gambit; at just six episodes, each running less than 40 minutes, Into the Night is binge-ready out of the departure gate and impresses with its tension-building and novel concept.

That concept sees the sun becoming suddenly deadly – not an altogether out-ofthe-box idea in our current climate – and the NATO-affiliated Terenzio (Stefano Cassetti) hijacking a commercial

plane in response. The plane’s pilot, Mathieu (Laurent Capelluto), is under new orders to fly the vessel and its passengers deep into the night, and thus the title makes sense, even if the backgrounds and agendas of those involved remain somewhat nebulous.

This unusual blend of

Kanye West - Believe What I Say high-concept ecological calamity with the tight suspense of a heist thriller is what gives Into the Night its enjoyably pacey rhythm, as the six breezy episodes are largely contained to the flight itself and concern themselves mostly with the backstories, competing power plays, and increasingly primitive instincts of those aboard. Well-stocked with capable actors who help to sell the idea of our only possible salvation as a pinprick of light in an otherwise endless night, some credulity-straining twists aren’t enough to undermine what is otherwise a solidly engaging and refreshingly lean debut.

VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THE WILL DOWNTOWN THEWILL DOWNTOWN

BEAUTY Homemade Skincare

List 2: Ingredients to avoid Certain ingredients belong in your food, Unacceptable not on your face. Using them on your skin may have dire consequences. Homemade products lack preservatives, and may easily develop bacteria which leads to breakouts.

• Sugar or salt scrubs: using these may lead to scabs, scars, infection, and discoloration.

• Raw eggs: using these to tighten your skin or bleach dark spots will only end in breakouts and blisters. These may also contain harmful bacteria like salmonella.

• Lemon or lime juice: these may lead to second-degree burns, and blisters (when exposed to sunlight).

• Cinnamon: this may lead to redness and burns on your skin.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: this has highly acidic levels which could lead to burns, inflammation, or even a cornea burn.

• Baking Soda: this is too harsh for your skin, and may completely throw off your pH levels, leading to dryness, inflammation, and irritation.

Image, iStock

WHAT’S IN YOUR

SKINCARE PRODUCT?

T

BY BLESSING MUKORHO

he skincare industry is fast becoming a huge global market, having various skincare products flood the shelves in every local store. With so many options at our disposal, it has become more difficult to identify which products work best.

What many fail to realize, however, is that there is a science to skincare.

Back in 2007, for example, the Chris Griffiths’ group at the University of Manchester, UK explained “wrinkles are due to a loss of what we call the extracellular matrix. This supplies skin with its tensile strength and elasticity.” To prevent wrinkles, therefore, use a good skincare product to increase the production of this extracellular matrix.

So, how does one know which products provide what their skin needs?

Ingredients List

Image, Courtesy InStyle

That’s easy. They use the ingredients list.

Active ingredients are added in making skincare products to ensure efficacy, and formulations are applied to stabilize the active ingredients until the product is used.

Of course, without a degree in chemistry, it may be difficult to understand what exactly is on the ingredients list. Fortunately, we’ve curated two lists to help you better navigate any ingredients list.

Dermatologist Acceptable

List 1: Ingredients to embrace

• Glycerin: this is a fundamental moisturizer.

• Ceramides/Hyaluronic Acid: these protect your moisture barrier.

• L-Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C): this reverses sunlight damage.

• Retinol: this works to turnover skin cells, and helps to produce collagen.

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): this controls oil, hydrates the skin, and evens out your skin tone.

Now, that you know this, what’s next?

• To further cater to your unique skin needs, you must realize that no skincare solution is one-sizefits-all. You must develop a more individualized routine that caters to the needs of your unique skin type, environment, and lifestyle.

• Pay attention to your ingredients list, the first five ingredients will often account for about 80% of your skincare product.

• See a skincare consultant or dermatologist to identify your unique skin needs, as well as the products that are best suited for these needs.

PAGE 13

VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THE THEWILL WILL DOWNTOWN NEWSPAPER

FEATURE

LARA RAWA On Changing The Narrative With

Lagos Cocktail Week

The Event Convener Is Focused on Three Pillars For The Annual Event: To educate, inform and entertain.

Beverages are key components of our livelihood, especially at our bars and events. However, in this part of the world, a particular type of beverage has been slept on for so long: cocktails. In comes Lara Rawa, a trained lawyer, event planner, and professional mixologist who eventually ignored her call to bar to cater to bars and then ultimately become the convener of the biggest cocktail exhibition in Africa. She had a chat with DOWNTOWN’s Kehindé Fagbule to discuss her journey and how she’s helping to shape the narrative around the bartending profession one Lagos Cocktail Week at a time.

Chapman is a Nigerian cocktail and we need to start owning it as we should. A company in the UK makes it in a bottle and the story around its creation was that they drank it for the first time when they visited Nigeria. I think there should be a national Chapman day, we need to start pushing the Chapman story.”

PAGE 14

Y

our journey into cocktails is interesting for a trained lawyer.

Tell us about the transition.

I’ve never seen myself as an entrepreneur. I was very passionate about Law (I still am), but I started working in a telecoms device company called Anabelle mobile as a Project Audit Officer as soon as I finished my Master’s. Eventually, I left there and it was difficult getting another job. I didn’t want to be idle, so I went into event planning because it came naturally to me. Whilst working at Anabelle, I did different things from PR, marketing, sales to legal, so I discovered that I had a flair for planning events and putting things together; it was an easy transition for me. However, with event planning, you get an event, execute it, then have to wait for the next one; I was still idle in between. I ventured into cocktails and employed a mixologist.

Sometimes we’ll get a job and I’ll end up spending about 90 percent to execute it, so I figured that the model wasn’t going to work and I had to learn about the business myself.

I went online to look for where I could train, then went back to London afterward and took a course.

When you started as a mixologist, it wasn’t as reassuring as working for a law firm. What was the conviction you had at the time to embark on that huge gamble?

To be honest, I can’t put a finger on what it was but I just know that I am a tenacious person and if I take on something, I always make sure that I give 150 percent whether it’s my event or not. I also knew that there were things called “hanging fruits,” so I decided to engage my network, so I realized that I have a lot of people who believed in me and that was what kept me pushing. Every time I want to go higher, there’s always someone at that next level who’s reaching for me like “Yes, you can do it.” There has always been some kind of support and that has helped give me the conviction to go further.

From learning how to mix cocktails to planning an annual event that brings together stakeholders in the beverage industry. That’s such a huge leap, how did it come about?

When I came back from my course in the UK, I realised that based on my training coupled with my law background, I no longer wanted to be just an event vendor, I wanted to work with brands and push limits. The first brand I worked with was Baileys. They wanted more female mixologists so it was quite easy for me to get in there. I worked with a few more brands and felt like that was not enough.

I started thinking about what next I could do, so I started researching, which is one of the qualities I get from being a lawyer.

I started to study what they did in other countries until I stumbled on the London Cocktail Week. I read about it and was intrigued, I figured I had to experience it. I eventually got in as a volunteer and covered all the expenses myself. While I was there, I thought to myself ‘is there anything such as Lagos Cocktail Week?’ I discovered there wasn’t any, so I called one of my seniors at the bar for advice on what to do. When I came back to Nigeria, I still didn’t know what to do, but I called the first edition “Eventi Cocktail Weekend” because I wasn’t sure I could use “Lagos” at the time. Then I had to look for brands to support me. This was at the time the Intercontinental hotel just opened, I was able to get them to give me their solebar to use for the event and Patron tequila and Absolut Vodka to support me. I had an idea of what I wanted but

VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THE WILL NEWSPAPER THEWILL DOWNTOWN

I sensed that people saw it as a means to an end, it wasn’t seen as a profession as it were. In other parts of the world, you would see the joy, professionalism and prestige that comes with the profession and how people can see themselves transcend from just being a waiter to a bar manager or even a supervisor, but not in Nigeria.” wasn’t exactly sure how Nigerians would perceive it. Ultimately, people came and they liked it. We started growing organically because then you see your growth, you have a following, people trust and understand what the event is all about.

Cocktails weren’t always considered beverages. Was this a concern for you?

Initially, we didn’t have a lot of people who enjoyed cocktails. Nigerians preferred bottles or they just stuck with what they knew. If you like your spirit, you want it neat; you don’t think you should have it with other mixers to make one drink. Sometimes it is perceived that it is only women who love cocktails, but people who understand cocktails know that there are cocktails that are quite masculine. I used to say “the emerging cocktail culture” but I don’t use that phrase anymore because we have evolved and there’s so much going on unlike before when the knowledge wasn’t there. Right now, people are aware, they enjoy it and even the profession as well, they see it as it should be. It can only get better.

The mixology industry is another male-dominated field.

What would you say is the biggest challenge female bartenders in Nigeria face?

We don’t have a lot of female bartenders to start with, we see them as waitresses at best. However, I think that the narrative is changing gradually. At least from our competition, two of the entries were from female bartenders. Also, I’ve gone to a few bars, seen female bartenders, and engaged them.

I think what it lacks is encouragement, and it also has to do with the mindset and perception of the profession. Before I sensed that people saw it as a means to an end, it wasn’t seen as a profession as it were. In other parts of the world, you would see the joy, professionalism, and prestige that comes with the profession and how people can see themselves transcend from just being a waiter to a bar manager or even a supervisor, but not in Nigeria. So that narrative has to change and that’s why we have the conference so we can let people see someone internationally speak about their journey firsthand.

Let’s talk about Lagos Cocktail Week. You borrowed a leaf from the London Cocktail Week and did something unprecedented here in Nigeria. What was the first-ever edition like?

The first edition was one day and it was at the Intercontinental hotel. I looked at what London

was doing and decided to tweak it to what Nigerians would like. Also, I was trying to discover my industry because, at that point, I didn’t know a lot of people in the cocktail space. The first edition was quite private, it was strictly by invitation. We had a guest list, invited a couple of people, and put the pictures out in the press. However, most of the elements you see now were also present then. So we had a competition between the two bars that were present. As it evolved, we went back to the drawing board and changed a few elements.

Last year’s edition couldn’t happen because of the pandemic. What are we looking forward to for this year’s edition?

I think this year we’ll have more brands and beverage sponsors. So this year, we’ve decided that more than one person should have a chance at winning cash prizes. We’ve created different challenges and we’re going to do a ballot at the press conference where they will choose what challenges they are going to be participating in. It’s going to be three challenges, meaning one challenge per company, ensuring that at least three different people will go home with cash prizes while the others will get non-cash gifts.

Another thing we’re doing differently is that before, it used to be mixologists from our partner bars that would come up to compete. We discovered that there were people who were interested but didn’t work for our partner bars, so this year we are throwing it open so interested people can send in their entries and the judges will choose who will go to the finals.

With your vast experience in all things cocktails, how often do you have cocktails at events to critique them?

Sometimes when I go out with my daughter, she stares at me and says “Mummy don’t.” *laughs* There are times where I have to say something so I ask for the bartender and we have a good banter before I say what I need to say nicely.

If it’s a good review as well, I meet the bartender and give them their due compliment.

I believe that for people who create something, you have your good and bad days.

There’s no bad drink, people just have different palettes, so you can’t really say that a drink tastes horrible. It’s only a bad drink if it’s a classic cocktail and there’s a way it needs to taste unless you’re doing a variation.

FEATURE

Do you think we have gotten to a point where we start pushing our local flavoured drinks across borders?

First off, Chapman is a Nigerian cocktail and we need to start owning it as we should. A company in the UK makes it in a bottle and the story around its creation was that they drank it for the first time when they visited Nigeria. I think there should be a national Chapman day, we need to start pushing the Chapman story. Also on the topic of flavours peculiar to us, we have dala, agbalumo and zobo. I know that people have also tried palm wine cocktails as well and it’s really nice. I think working with a lot of herbs and spices is also very good, it gives your drink a lot of substance.

Local flavoured cocktails are tourism products. Do you think the Government is doing enough to support the beverage industry?

When you put the machinery to work, you need some other form of support that will come from the government to push that narrative. There’s so far you can go as an entrepreneur but when you’ve taken something to one level and you need to go to a higher level, you need partnership from the top. We have the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism in our case, they have always supported us and we’re thankful. We should be looking at how we can push further to create distinctive made-inNigeria cocktails showcased to the world. They should give us all the support we need to be part of other international events that happen in the beverage industry.

Lagos Cocktail Week is dubbed Africa’s biggest cocktail event. How do you feel about that?

I’m currently doing my MBA at the Lagos Business School and just recently, we had something called “Life projects” where you get to know how you see yourself and how people see you. It’s so funny when you’re doing something and you don’t know how big it is but you’re just doing it because that’s you.

You don’t celebrate your wins because you keep setting the bar each time. It’s not easy but we keep pushing it. I’m thankful for every support that I get and I don’t take it for granted.

PAGE 15

VOL 1 NO.35 • OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 16, 2021

THE THEWILL WILL DOWNTOWN

websights DOWNTOWN

From City Life

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

To Wilderness

BBNaija Departs From Our Screens As GUS Returns Us To The Jungle.

Big Brother Naija Season 6 Ends Another season of the mostwatched African reality TV show has finally come to an end and fans are not exactly thrilled with its spectacle.

Season 6 came less than a month after the reunion of season 5’s ex-housemates aired and that gave a section of the viewers something to worry about as they complained about the lack of breathing space between seasons of the show.

Throughout the season tagged ‘Shine Ya Eyes,’ there were yammers around the boringness and predictability of this year’s edition. Drawing comparisons to the last set at every turn, the audience wasn’t pleased with this set of housemates.

The heavily sponsored show, which lasted for 72 days, featured 26 contestants called “housemates” and had them live together in a specially constructed house that is isolated from the outside world, as they compete for fans’ approval weekly.

The contestants are required to do housework and are assigned tasks by the producers of the show (who communicate with them through an omnipresent authority figure known only as “Big Brother”).

The Shine ya eye Season brought about various twists from the Wildcards to Surprise evictions to Kingsize evictions

PAGE 16

and a game battle on the final six.

Hazel Oyeye Onuo, popularly referred to as “Whitemoney”, emerged as the winner on the final day, having won the heart of millions of viewers across the continent from the first day he stepped foot in the house.

The Enugu-born entrepreneur went home with a cash price of 30 million Naira, additional cash prices from the headline and associate sponsors of the show, a two-bedroom apartment, an SUV, a trip for two to Dubai and other amazing gifts.

Host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, revealed that this year’s edition witnessed a record number of votes as the audience voted a billion times for their favourite housemates with the eventual winner, Whitemoney, responsible for 470 million of them.

Here are some of the reactions to the night.

Gulder Ultimate Search Is Back!

The survival reality series Gulder Ultimate Search, GUS, which dominated the Nigerian airwaves in the early 2000s, is making its triumphant return after a five-year hiatus.

Created and sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc, manufacturers of Gulder lager beer, GUS started in 2004 and enjoyed 11 seasons on air. The show went on to become the most-watched reality TV series in Nigeria before it ended in 2016.

Sade Morgan, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said: “We are really excited to be bringing back the Gulder Ultimate Search for the viewing pleasure of Nigerians who have over the years continued to call for the return of the show.

The planning team has put in place everything necessary to give the fans exactly what they enjoy about the show, and I am confident that everyone will be pleasantly surprised and delighted with what we have in store.”

From the first edition, which premiered in 2004, contestants were camped in different parts of the country to compete against each other in the wild, ending with their search for a hidden treasure that brings the last person standing instant fame and fortune.

The show overcame several challenges in the past before ultimately going on a forced hiatus due to a list of reasons. One of the most prominent reasons for its one-year suspension back in 2008 was the death of a participant during GUS 6, in Jos Plateau State which led to several people, both at home and abroad, calling for the total overhaul or cancellation of the show.

After paying a large sum of money in compensation to the family of the deceased,

the Gulder Ultimate Search show returned to TV screens. In 2016, the show was again suspended, only this time indefinitely.

The MD of Gulder Breweries explained that the Gulder Ultimate Search show was suspended because of the huge sum of money the company was spending in organising the show. Other reasons for the suspension included corruption by the top organising officials and the ravaging BokoHaram terrorism.

The prize rose from N3 million in the first edition to N10 million and a brand new SUV in the last edition. Since it went off air, fans have been calling for its return; and now the show is BACK! The TV premiere of Gulder Ultimate Search: The Age of Craftsmanship is set for October 16, and will run till December 19, when the grand finale will be held.

It will air on Africa Magic channels on cable TV. This news had a lot of people excited. Here are some of the reactions.