VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
DEAL or NO DEAL
Ayuli Jemide, The Law’s Most Detailed Negotiator
VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
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VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
Photo: @HairByUgo
EDITOR’S NOTE
4 DIFFERENT THINGS…
I.
Happy 60th Birthday to Actor and universally-acclaimed *Zaddy*, Richard Mofe Damijo popularly known as RMD. I’m miffed that I wasn’t at your glamorous shindig but it won’t stop me from acknowledging your contributions to the Nollywood industry and the Nigerian entertainment space. Cheers to many more years to come!
II.
I’m particularly disgusted by the actions of actor Yomi Fabiyi, who last week, released a movie on YouTube called *Oko Iyabo* which glaringly takes its name from fellow actress Iyabo Ojo, whose voice has been leading the charge alongside Princess in standing against Baba Ijesha and his supporters like Fabiyi. For clarity, Yomi Fabiyi is the friend and apparently, most trusted ally of alleged rapist and actor Omiyinka Olanrewaju A.K.A. Baba Ijesha- who was caught on tape and confessed to improper sexual acts with the underaged adopted daughter of comedienne, Princess. In the said movie, a teenage actress takes advantage of the actor, portraying Baba Ijesha as a victim set up by a close friend. To thicken the plot, one of the controversial scenes in the movie is a reconstruction of the viral CCTV footage that nailed the case against Baba Ijesha so pray tell why someone of sound mind and spirit would think that any of this sordid business deserves a place in a movie right now with the case still ongoing and the verdict yet to be determined? What kind of zoo play is this?
III.
Our Cover personality Ayuli Jemide is a highly intelligent and charismatic individual. Our team’s visit to his stunning office was met with a breakfast spread (for me, which I shared with my ‘sons’) personally ordered by him. That stuck with me because in all my time of meeting and interviewing important people, I can count how many have treated me with basic decency and humanity. In addition to his personal legacy as the solicitor to call when there’s a deal to be negotiated- he doesn’t know it yet, but he has a fan for life and his new book which he talks about in the interview, has become my pocket companion.
IV.
Take care of yourself, there’s a new variant of the dreaded COVID-19 virus that’s been detected in Nigeria and you’ll see us next week.
LATASHA NGWUBE @latashalagos
8
COVER STORY: DEAL OR NO DEAL AYULI JEMIDE, THE LAW’S MOST DETAILED NEGOTIATOR
CONTENTS 04
O D D B O D & TH E C ITY
Lost in the Mail
05
EFUA EXP LOR ES
Let’s Talk About What Chimamanda is Talking About
06-07 FA S H ION
Women’s Sneakers You Should Have
11
M OVIE R EVIEW:
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
12-13
B EAU TY
The Language Of Beauty - Continued from last week
14-15
WEBSIGHTS DOWNTOWN
We Wanted Drama, We Got Drama Pro Max
16
TH E SC ENE DOW NTOW N
Zaron Cosmetics Launches Skincare Line
AUSTYN OGANNAH
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor: Latasha Ngwube Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Beauty Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Contributing Editor: Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity Senior Writer: Chisom Njoku @inchisomwetrust Contributing Writer: Boluwatife Adesina @bolugram Uzo Orimalade @uzosfoodlabs House Photographer: Rachel Seidu @rachelseidu Graphics/Layout: Olatunji Samson Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Interns: Kehinde Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown
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VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
FASHION
ODDBOD & THE CITY
ODUN OGUNBIYI
Lost in the
Mail T
his little story starts way back in March—I had broken my glasses, and research had led me to some super cute and affordable options, unfortunately only available in the
States. Next up was a little pouting and begging to the big sister. She got the order sorted and decided to throw it in the mail to Lagos. I was a little alarmed but hopeful because my bestie has safely sent me parcels in the past from Hong Kong. A couple of months pass, and I take myself to my local post office to make frustrating inquiries about my parcel’s whereabouts to no avail. I then practised the art of letting go. Then, out of the blue, I get a phone call from my uncle. Long story short, the package notice had been delivered (next door, same surname). The kind NIPOST lady tracked me through my sister’s surname to tell me what had happened. Three-anda-half months later, I am finally living my best life with my new frames. I literally rescued them the day before they were getting shipped back to the States and had to pay demurrage (the cheek) even after I tried to point out that THEY sent it to the WRONG address. All is well that ends well, I guess.
Black Pepper Steak House It’s been about four years since I passed through the random blue gate at the curve of Ahmadu Bello way that leads to Eko Atlantic. Up until last week, it had just been this abstract pile of sand in my mind. I was not prepared for all the progress and signs of life that I encountered when I ventured there searching for good food. I don’t know how I will pull it off, but this girl has to see what the apartment life is like in all those sky rises. These Lagosians must be living a whole other reality. We ended up at the Black Pepper Steakhouse, located at the Eko Pearl towers. I could not do my usual amebo walkaround as I am currently recovering from a knee injury—let’s just say tequila and high heels were involved. I usually don’t enjoy alfresco dining, but their cabanas are a fun option, and we were high up enough for a refreshing breeze. With all my ashewo-for-food activities, it may shock you to know that I have never been somebody who has learned to appreciate a good steak. This is a situation I have now vowed to resolve. The menu is a steak lover’s dream with all the cuts you would expect on there for
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the meat connoisseur—ribeye, T-bone, sirloin, and there was definitely talk of aged beef. We went for the lamb, which I had with a lovely creamy mash potato and mushroom sauce. He went with chips and pepper. My verdict is that I had the better combination with a medium-cooked lamb done to perfection. Juicy, tender, and the aroma…it brought on the Santi in me. I learned this Hausa word when I was doing my A-levels, and my friend Mohammed noticed that when my food hit just right, I would do a little dance. Definition of Santi: Odd behaviour while eating due to food or drink deliciousness. Luckily, I was in a safe space and received no judgement. I paired my meal with some excellent red wine, bypassed dessert to order a strawberry shisha, and ended the night by polishing off the bottle. I shall return as I observed some sort of mobile tableside-grill action with lots of dramatic fire, etc, that has made it to my to-eat list.
VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
RELATIONSHIP
EFUAEXPLORES EFUA OYOFO
Let’s Talk About What
Chimamanda is Talking About
and touches on the breakdown in their interactions with her. These people, she posits, are more interested in the showmanship inherent in performative activism, than they are in rendering fair and balanced opinions. She calls out the trend several behavioural issues - mainly all centred around a lack of authenticity being the standard practice in many interactions, particularly. There was fire in Chimamanda’s words. A large literary dragon, breathing fire across the privileged world of African literature. To many minds, Chimamanda’s fiery words undoubtedly were too abrasive. This, in and of itself, is a serious thought to unpack; and, after listening in several rooms to understand why, the thing most clear to me is that people are hearing the message on different levels. To some others, this fire felt cleansing. They felt Chimamanda’s letter ravaged through the superficial plains inherent in the modern-day rhetoric around topics that deviate from populist opinion. Yet Chimamanda isn’t the story, here. Nor is this piece discussing the identity of the people whom she’s referencing in her letter. What I’m looking forward to discussing today is the perceived devolution of individual opinions, and the tyranny of the cultural hive-mind. There is no question, that people should enjoy the right to feel free and happy in their minds, selves, and bodies. The quest for embracing ourselves as individuals and as a collective is a largely personal one, and everyone has the right to own that journey in any way they can, or wish to. Surely, there must be a middle ground available. A place where non-populist opinions aren’t immediately beat down in favour of what is easiest, of what perhaps doesn’t make us think - but makes us think that we sound like good people. There also needs to be a conversation around privilege, and its place in our understanding. After collating feedback from various communities, I noticed something: the perception moved in layers. Some questioned the tyranny of liberalism, observing that, to them, Chimamanda’s letter served as a tipping point and call-toaction, for those that feel culturally peer-pressured to imbibe opinions that they don’t intrinsically agree with. Some others pushed back, making the argument that the only real way to effect change is to force people to make room. Yet, no-one could answer the question about the best way to get to this
Chimamanda’s letter potentially provides an opportunity for more in-depth and honest conversation. It also discusses the impact of privilege.
Recently, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (CMA) - author, mother, wife, feminist, human being - wrote a piece that went viral. The bullets she shot, reverberated round the world. Her open letter: “It is Obscene: A True Reflection in Three Parts” detailed CNA’s frustrations with some of the people in the African literary scene. In it, she discusses some individuals whom she notes espouse strong opinions about topical issues affecting our culture, today. She details some interactions she’s had with them,
hallowed middle ground. There’s space, still, to discuss the changes that need to be made, in the way we treat differing opinions. The ways to speak, that further progress and help bring about resolution. And acknowledging the very real fact that, in any scenario, the people closest to the centre are the ones who have the fewest adjustments to make. Enter: the cultural hive-mind. The hive is the populist opinion that prevails at that time. The hive-mind can be a good thing. People can be convinced to adhere to viewpoints and perspectives that they might not harbour, otherwise. They’re exposed to new experiences, and get to honour our differences and celebrate our similarities. There’s something almost curious, about the ways that the hive-mind culture and mindset is framed and expressed. When used properly, it can be amazing. It’s helped right some of the loudest societal wrongs. It’s given a voice to the marginalised. Naturally, this makes me wonder. If the hive-mind pushes back so - well, liberally - against unpopular opinions, that suggests that, in order to get heard, one merely has to understand the best approach for navigating any opinion. This dance isn’t about how to defeat the tyranny of the left, or the right; instead, it’s noting that, for some, the quest to not be marginalised means that anyone in disagreement with their viewpoint must face marginalisation of their own, through the consequence of cancel-culture. Perhaps there’s something to be said, for listening to opposing viewpoints and attitudes in a way that allows for disagreements not to be combative and disrespectful. Maybe we should focus on having honest discourse, with minimal rancour. Because if one knows how to navigate or manipulate the forces that drive opinion-forming, then, arguably, one understands the factors that influence the process behind demagogical thinking. More than that, it allows for the quieter voices to be heard.
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VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
FASHION
Women’s Sneakers
You Should Have BY TILEWA KAZEEM
S
neakers have evolved unhurriedly from your regular athletic-looking shoes to more fashion-forward pieces; giving much room for interpretation. They’ve become as essential as owning underwear and it has become a wardrobe staple. Whether you’re matching that maxi dress with a pair of Pumas or combining the all-white retro Air Force 1’s with a pantsuit, its versatility ensures
your look stays refreshing with an ultra-sleek and comfortable edge. So if you are torn between high tops, the iconic classics, the futuristic-looking or the timeless white sneakers to add to your wardrobe then I’ve got you covered, and for those who are just window shopping, there’s something in here for you too.
Kamala Harris
Blast From The Past We have the icons in this category. Those shoes that belong in the sneakers hall of fame and have been around for as long as you can remember but that doesn’t diminish their awesomeness as a comfy fashion statement.
Veronica Sither- RETRO NEW BALANCE Converse’s Chuck Taylor All Star (this has the Kamala Harris seal of approval), Adidas Originals Stan Smiths and the New Balance 624 are good timeless options to strongly consider adding to your collection. Priscilla Ajoke (AIRFORCE 1)
Athleisure No better time for those your gym kicks to walk on new terrain than the present. Brands like Puma, Nike and Adidas have paid close attention to the street-style aesthetic and have meshed that with their high-performance technology and a ton of eye-catching colours to create athleisure.
Air Force 1’s New-balance
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Bisola Aiyeola in Adidas Sneakers
VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
FASHION Platforms or Exaggerated Soles The thick-soled sneakers are a sure way to bring back the 90’s. They’re a strong alternative to the hightopped, leathery counterpart. They look amazing with just about any outfit.
Temi Adigun
Asa wearing Alexander Mcqueen A style that has broken the borders of what your traditional shoes look like; Nike’s Space Hippie 04 and the Onitsuka Tiger EDR 78 sneakers are some examples that personify athleisure.
Inidima Okojie in Fila Disruptor
Fila Distruptor
Alexander Mcqueen
DerinfromIsaleeko
2 Hacks To Clean Your Sneakers
EyeCandies! Nike Space Hippie 04
All-White Kicks Nancy Isime in Alexander Mcqueen
There’s not much to be said about all-white sneakers aside from them being the solution to all fashion problems. Whatever the kind of shoes you opt for, having an all-white pair is as ageless as it is ubiquitous, making it the right fashion investment.
Nike React Vision Colour, texture, and pattern lovers will love these futuristic, maximalist Nikes.
Adidas Ozweego These sneakers are playful without becoming too distracting thanks to their mostly neutral colour scheme.
Toothpaste If it’s good enough to keep your teeth clean, then it’s just as good for your kicks. Add some white-gel toothpaste to an old toothbrush, sprinkle a little water and scrub the dirty area of your leather, canvas or mesh shoes, then wipe away excess with a damp cloth.
Toilet paper and water Do not use this method if you plan on wearing them in 2 or 3 hours prior. This hack works best for getting stubborn stains and marks off your canvas shoes. Soak sheets of toilet paper with water and cover your sneakers with the paper like Papiermâché. Leave to set and dry for 12 hours. Peel of paper and - presto chango! Clean white shoes. What yellow marks?
Puma Rs X3
Linda Osifo wearing Gucci
Soneya. C (Adidas All White)
The series was recently relaunched with improved cushioning for the millennial generation.
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VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
COVER
DEAL OR NO DEAL Ayuli Jemide, The Law’s Most Detailed Negotiator
Practising Law in Nigeria comes with mixed reactions from its practitioners. Just like with every other industry in the country, lawyers face various challenges. Ayuli Jemide encountered these early in his career and took an unprecedented route - he ditched the courtroom for the deal room and became a solicitor. An uncommon way to practice the profession, Jemide is a trailblazer and pioneer. Last year, he was named Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (SBL), having also served as a non-executive director of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The World Finance award recipient for “Best Lawyer in Nigeria, 2013” is regarded by his peers and clients as an excellent negotiator. This is evident in the transactions he has completed over the years on behalf of his establishment, Detail Commercial Solicitors(DCS), for clients such as the Beloxxi industries whom he helped raise 80 million US Dollars in equity. In February, Jemide added another feather to his already brilliant hat as he wrote a book simplifying soliciting in the simplest form possible. The author launched his book titled ListenEveryHow - How Negotiations Work to critical acclaim as it rose to number one on New Releases on Amazon. THE DOWNTOW N TEAM sat with the man, myth and legend to discuss his journey so far and his new book.
Alistair Englebert Preston Photography
W
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hy law? Did your dad being a lawyer influence your decision to study it? It is an interesting story which my dad, now 87, still tells frequently. He says he had tried to influence my three older siblings to study law, but they all turned him down. I am the fourth child and he had made up his mind that he would not have that same conversation with me because he did not want a fourth rebuff. I was unaware of these three conversations, but I had made up my mind independently that I wanted to study law simply by logic and elimination. As a pure art student through school, I was horrible in Chemistry and Physics. I dropped Physics in form 4 without my dad knowing and did a no-show for school cert Chemistry. With all this in mind, becoming a lawyer just seemed a natural choice as a top professional course for an art student at the time. As it happened, I was not scholarly enough to make the JAMB scores to study law but I was offered sociology at the University of Benin. I accepted that and switched to law after year 1. The switch to law faculty was a daunting task because for some reason the HOD (Head of Department) of sociology at the time refused to release me. My dad who had finally found a lawyer to follow in his steps stepped in; he drove from Warri to Benin to speak with the head of the sociology department. When I asked him how he convinced the head of department to sign the release, he asked me to go and read a book in his library titled – The Art of Persuasion.
VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
COVER You were in Port Harcourt for a long time where you started a loving family as we know it. Tell us about that phase of your life. I moved to Port Harcourt after a year of practice in Lagos with GM Ibru and Co at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja. I got an offer from the Chairman of Deutag Drilling, Late Chief Humphrey Idisi, an icon in the oil and gas space at the time. He taught me a whole lot about being firm and resolute in the 12 months I worked with him directly. The pay was six times my salary at GM Ibru & Co, so I moved to Port Harcourt for the money, but my heart always resided in Lagos. Port Harcourt at that time was nice and easy, very safe with a small circle of good people. There were no mobile phones at the time, but you could traverse the city in 15 minutes. I could play golf every evening because there was no traffic. After I left Chief Idisi, I was making plans to move back to Lagos but kept getting legal work from banks in Lagos who were just opening branches in Port Harcourt at the time and that kept me busy. So, I stayed back in Port Harcourt running a small law practice for years. Then I met my wife who was from a Port Harcourt family, got married, started a family, and technically became a son of the soil. After 13 years of trying my hands at law, business, and several side hustles, I became hugely discontented. The idea of Detail Commercial Solicitors(DCS),was at that time brewing in my belly, with some certainty that the concept of a non-court room law firm would thrive better in Lagos as the commercial hub. So, the move to Lagos began. You practised courtroom law for a while and described it as drudgery. Tell us about that transition from the courtroom to the deal room. Going to court five times and taking five consecutive adjournments was drudgery. I sometimes felt that my life was wasting away with unproductivity because it took years to finish one case for which the reward was far from handsome. I was also frustrated with the court antics of lawyers who locked your client up in court with preliminary objections all the way to the supreme court. I thought the lawyers’ wig and gown was the most uncomfortable outfit for the Nigerian climate. The ponytail of the wig never stopped caressing the back of my neck irritatingly. I cut it off after a while but the heat the wig generated in the court room sometimes made my scalp feel volcanic. What was worse was, the wanton corruption in the court system. I remember one judge who I appeared before told me in open court to stop trying to tender a document which was key to my case and he said it was because the lawyer on the other side will object. He then asked the lawyer in open court – or won’t you object? And the lawyer said ‘’Yes I would object my Lord’’. The judge then went on to advice me that since my colleague will object, and he would have to write a ruling, it is better if I do not waste the courts time by tendering the document. When I insisted on tendering the document, the judge struck his gavel and adjourned the case for months. When I left the court room a senior lawyer called me aside and said: “Ayuli, it is obvious, you have not been to see the judge”. And I asked him – “See the judge for what?” Then he smiled and said this judge once told him that ‘’A good lawyer is one who conducts his case in such a manner that the judge benefits, the client benefits and the lawyer benefits’’. After this event I set a terminal date for stopping court room work and when that date came, I wrote to all my clients (Chevron being the most illustrious of them at the time), and returned their case files. I lost money or so it seemed because I had to forfeit some legal fees due at the next milestones of all the cases. I knew however, that I gained something more valuable than money – the freedom to decide what I did not want to do and to do only that which I enjoyed doing. You got tired of practising law and picked up a few businesses. Why did you leave the business field? After law school it was never my dream to be a top lawyer in any shape or form. I just wanted to make money and find fortune by some legal means and I did not think law was that shortcut. I was 22 and at that age you would love short cuts. At that age I was looking for sprints and not marathons. I therefore ventured into many things as a ‘’businessman’’. However, all my forays into the world of business did not open any fortune cookie. I was broke, poor, haggard, and tired. Then one day I went to see my dad and he told me to my face that I was looking weather beaten. He gave me 5,000 naira and told me that I was being very foolish abandoning the legal profession that costs me only my brains, a pen and paper to earn my keep. He advised me to start a law practice and do business as a side hustle. I obeyed him. It made sense. In
All my forays into the world of business did not open any fortune cookie. I was broke, poor, haggard, and tired. Then one day I went to see my dad and he told me to my face that I was looking weather beaten. He gave me 5,000 naira and told me that I was being very foolish abandoning the legal profession that costs me only my brains, a pen and paper to earn my keep.” any case, I had nothing to lose because the world around me seemed bleak anyway. When I think about it, I remember several trips to the US to have meetings with oil service companies at the great expense of trying to set up JVs to bid for work in the oil industry. Nothing clicked as they say. Detail Commercial Solicitors. You Identified your strength, trusted your guts and started something unconventional. As expected, that must have been difficult at the start. What was it like putting a team together, sourcing for clients and convincing them to leave their traditional courtroom law
firm for your start-up? We hired people who were attracted to the business model and it did seem that many lawyers like me were seeking non-court room work. Our interview process was designed to pick people with certain characteristics individuality and positive attitudes were key. Many potential clients gave us an opportunity to make a pitch because the idea of a non-court room law firm piqued their curiosity. We used such opportunities to sell our value proposition and build relationships. Some signed rapidly but other relationships cooked slowly and took years to convert to clients. In all situations, we took a long term view. So in layman’s terms, what does DCS do? We help our clients stay focused and proactive to achieve their business objectives. How many partners does the firm have presently? Five What is your biggest deal to date? Its confidential. I wish I could tell. As a Detail lawyer in a country where everyone is trying to pull a fast one on you, how do you keep all parties
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VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
COVER My mom was half Lebanese, so lounging is in my DNA. I love to lounge – most times alone as I enjoy my own company, sometimes with a small group of friends who love to laugh about nothing, other times alone in a place where I can people-watch eating and drinking alone watching people go by.”
satisfied? I have learnt over time to be fair, yet firm. It is the best way to manage people’s expectations. I almost always end up being friends with people I meet in a deal room because they realize that Ayuli just wants to do what is right at the end of the day. You became the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (SBL) last year. You also served as a non-executive director of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Could you tell us what that entails? Central Bank of Nigeria was an independent non-exec director role, so it was simply attending board and committee meetings. The SBL however is very hands-on with strategic goals to achieve, events and council meetings and more. It takes ample amount of time, but I will summarize it the way my little son did when he was much younger. He said: “daddy does not work all he does is attend meetings”. If you could change one thing about the law industry in the country, what would it be? It is a difficult ask to just say one thing. So many things need to change. The wig and gown should change. The non-court room lawyers need to be recognized and rewarded like the SAN’s. We should have SSN (Senior Solicitors of Nigeria). The law school curriculum needs to change to churn out lawyers who are more entrepreneurial, administratively savvy, and emotionally intelligent. What is an average day for you like nowadays and how is it different from when the firm just started? DCS started in Lagos in 2005 with three of us - me, one lawyer and one support staff. At that time, I was CEO, head of HR, head of client service, head of accounts. I planned and executed everything. I remember the first few people I employed, I asked to draft their employment letters themselves and we reviewed it together. I just had to be creative to survive. Now DCS is blessed with an admin team of six people and templates for almost everything. Now, I spend more time on client origination, servicing major clients, transactions and strategic input at the management committee made up of partners and two representatives from the admin team. As you know, vacuums are not healthy, so thankfully any lag time I have has now been taken by writing books, speaking engagements, my Gurus & Griots Fellowship at the IE University, board meetings and service to the profession via the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law. How do you relax? This is the most important question you have asked me today. My
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mom was half Lebanese, so lounging is in my DNA. I love to lounge – most times alone as I enjoy my own company, sometimes with a small group of friends who love to laugh about nothing, other times alone in a place where I can people-watch - eating and drinking alone watching people go by. My lounging venues can be in bed in my man cave, a nice hotel lobby, my boat (my favourite actually), or seating anywhere close to nature – particularly water, sunset, greenery. I am a foodie, eating and drinking is an important part of relaxation. I do not compromise that. Sometimes I use an app called Open Table to locate restaurants I have never been to when I travel. Outdoor sports also helps me relax, I swim, kayak, play tennis and take long walks. You designed your law firm yourself and it might be the most aesthetically pleasing law building in the entire country. Are you cheating on the law with architecture? Yes indeed. Maybe I am cheating. I really love designing buildings and spaces. The problem with versatile people like me is that because we know a bit about many things, we want things done in a particular way even when it is supposedly outside our specialty. I have always envisioned all the spaces I have been involved in curating long before the architect holds their pencils, I am very hands-on. In this case, I spent hours sketching in my fowl scratch exactly what I wanted – natural light, easy functional flow, lots of space with minimalist furniture, a mix of pastelcoloured backgrounds and bright toned furniture. I think transactional law and architecture have a lot of creativity in common. Transactional law gets different parties to reach amicable, mutually beneficial decisions for a common objective whilst architecture finds a way to make different components co-exist in a manner that looks aesthetically pleasing, yet functional. Let’s talk about your new book. Congratulations on its rise to number one on New Releases on Amazon. What are your major takeaways from the book and why is it so important that everyone gets it? The most important thing I like to say is that the book is not a textbook. It is
a story book that tells my experiences closing deals over the years, what I have learnt in bite size nuggets. The book is titled ‘’ListenEveryHow – How Negotiations Work’’. An important message in the book is that listening is a very important aspect of negotiations. Our ability to listen (ears, eyes, guts, body language, inflections, symptoms, etc.) to our counterparty is the best inroad into the minds of our counterparties. The most important thing to listen out for is not what people are saying but what they are not saying. Once we can situate their value mindsets and the prisms through which we engage them, we can marshal our pawns skillfully in a tailored manner. For example, if in conversation it slips out that your counterparty is in a hurry, you may choose to play the patient game. Or if you discern that a buyer is emotional about a purchase, then you know that their price point will be higher. Emotional buyers price higher than intrinsic or tangential buyers. Your book is so refreshing as it breaks down negotiation to everyday people and not just lawyers. We’re already looking forward to the next one. Are we expecting more books from you? A series maybe? Thank you. ListenEveryHow is a first amongst the many other books I hope to birth. I am already working on another book. I love writing. Released in February, your book has garnered a lot of positive reviews online. However, there’s not been an official book launch. Will there be one? When? The official launch will be later this year. The book was published on Amazon in February 2021 but the paperbacks only arrived Nigeria in May 2021. I will announce the book launch in due course. Congratulations also on getting the book on OkadaBooks, a local online bookshop. What’s the hardcover distribution like though? Is it available in physical bookstores across the country? I am working on the most efficient way of distributing the paperback book with a local bookshop and this will be rolled out shortly and announced. The sketches give life to the book and make it very fun to read; in both a refreshing and informative way. Were you ever worried that it might come off as less “professional” or was that the plan all along? I actually did not want a professional book. My book is a story book that tells real life stories and what I learnt doing the deals I have done. It is in simple English with easy to grasp concepts. So the illustrations are deliberate to make the book expressive, light and easy to read for anyone at all. A lot of young people practising law aren’t particularly enthusiastic about doing it in Nigeria and they have been quite audible with their complaints. What advice do you have for them? Law practice in Nigeria has its setbacks. However, for those who understand that it is a marathon it can be very rewarding eventually. The downside with law practice outside your country is, more often than not, there is a ceiling to your level of success and relevance.
VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
FASHION
BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA
Movie Review
Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music)
Playlist of the Week
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
T
he first movie, The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017), without “wife’s” in the title, was a delightful buddy action comedy. The drop-off of this sequel is monstrously precipitous, making it a huge disappointment-in-waiting for fans of the predecessor. How can a cast of Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Gary Oldman and Morgan – freakin’ – Freeman go so wrong? It appears that so much was spent on the stars, and a slew of lovely European locations, that there was nothing left for the screenplay or editing. It winds up a hyperbolic mess with only occasional laughs to reward the viewer. In THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD, bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) is stressed out by the continued suspension of the bodyguard license he lost in the first movie. He’s haunted by dreams (literally) of winning industry honors, just like his dad. The last thing he wants is to see hitman Darius Kincaid ( Samuel L. Jackson), newly married to con artist Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek). But the demented duo decides they need him to defeat bad guy Aristotle Papadopolous ( Antonio Banderas), a wealthy, mad Greek who wants to restore his country to its ancient glory by destroying the European Union. As if that makes sense. Also in the cast, in smaller roles, are Morgan Freeman, Tom Hopper, Richard Grant, Frank Grillo and Gary Oldman.
The plot is just an excuse for everyone to run around to deal with an assortment of threats and foes. Hayek and Banderas, particularly, overact to the point of cartoonishness – seemingly on purpose. The bond between Reynolds and Jackson that evolved so charmingly in the first is reduced to ashes. Instead of a comedy, this plays out almost as a spoof on the first film, missing even that mark. Rarely has so much bankable talent been put to such poor use. The film references early James Bond and other action films, and specially calls out the 1987 comedy OVERBOARD, but little comedic use is made of the references. Often after some spectacular CGI explosion, there is a pause to insert a witty quip, but all we get are gems like “I hope they are OK” after a boat explodes. Tom O’Connor was the sole credited writer for the first. For this sequel, he was joined by brothers Brandon and Phillip Murphy. Two heads may be better than one, but this is evidence that three can be worse than either. Patrick Hughes directed both, causing one to wonder how he lost so much of his comedic sensibility in the four intervening years. I’m guessing that the cast had a lot more fun horsing around on the sets than most of us will have watching the result. This pointless sequel is a veritable poster-child for unnecessary and bad sequels, a total waste of a good cast and a total waste of viewers’ time. The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is now in cinemas. RATING: 1/5
Netflix Watch of The Week:
Lupin Season 2
Created by: George Kay Cast: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Soufiane Guerrab Streaming on: Netflix the titular hero that inspired the anti-hero LSy,ikeinisNetflix’s Lupin, Assane Diop, played by Omar expected not to kill his opponents.
If he does, it would be a great disservice to the fictional mastermind he grew up idolising: Arsene Lupin. This no-kill policy gets tested on multiple instances across the 5-episode successor of this prestige show that introduced us to the ‘gentleman thief ’ in January. The second part finds Assane in a very vulnerable position. The risk of being cornered by bad guys and the law keeps increasing with each passing hour, and you often wonder whether Assane will deviate from his most guarded philosophy and take the extreme step. Like Batman in The Dark Knight, Assane not only has to keep himself hidden from the whole of Paris but also has to juggle the responsibility of protecting his loved ones from danger. Like the events that led Bruce Wayne to become Batman, everything in Lupin started with an act of injustice to a parent that caused Assane to embark on a
Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify)
Dimension - JAE5 , Rema , Skepta
Feeling - LADIPOE, Buju
Outside - Buju
Rock - Olamide
Euphoria - Houdini, VIctony
Cameras - SuperJazzClub
journey of revenge. The stakes are much higher in Part 2, which begins where Part 1 ended: the kidnapping of Assane’s son at the behest of the primary antagonist, Hubert Pellegrini (Hervé Pierre growing more despicable with every episode). The first episode finds Assane at his most vulnerable. But the intense ordeal becomes an opportunity to present a potential ally in the form of Youssef Guedira (Soufiane Guerrab), a cop and fellow Lupin fan who has been successful at getting close to Assane. Guedira is the show’s ‘Ganimard’, the investigator from the books. It’s a moniker that Assane himself accords with Guedira. Part 2 also explores a potential love interest, considering the rift between Assane and his wife, Claire (Ludivine Sagnier). Part 2 not only delves deeper into the background of the elusive protagonist but also those around him. I liked how even its supporting characters manage to be memorable despite not having strong character arcs. They make a strong impression nonetheless, given their notable personalities, expressed wonderfully by all the right actors. But then Lupin is about Assane’s journey and how each of these characters, good or bad, play a role in his evolution. As in the first part, Assane often looks into the past for inspiration. The tricks he learned and perfected during his school days with his best friend, Benjamin Ferel (Antoine Gouy), often come in handy. Part 2 also drops references to the Lupin-Sherlock Holmes crossover books, and the result is something that reminds us of all the things we enjoyed in a Batman, Jason Bourne, Mission Impossible, or Daniel Ocean movie. At times, the tension is heightened by cross-cutting between events in the past and present. Every plot development leads to a grand finale at an opera house that pays homage to the likes of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, and recently, Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much. Despite the familiarity of some plot points that feel like callbacks to crime films we grew up loving, both parts of Lupin work largely due to Omar Sy’s charming presence and the way he sells Assane’s larger-than-life aura and his vulnerability at once. By the time the end credits roll, we get everything we hoped for, but we are also left wondering where the character goes from here. The ambiguity may not work for some, but it reflects the
1985 - Juls, Tay Iwar, p-rallel
feeling of Assane’s loved ones and fans in the story, and it carries the promise of Part 3. I’m already a fan, and I’m waiting to see if Assane would go global or face a new adversary next time. For now, this will do.
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VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021 VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
BEAUTY FASHION … Continued from last week
BY ONAH NWACHUKWU
Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer OLAY REGENERIST
Retinol
saubhaya.com
Also known as Vitamin A is a great ingredient for tackling fine lines and wrinkles by promoting skin renewal and collagen production.
u P
THE LANGUAGE OF BEAUTY
Quiff
A haircut (originally for men), which features long hair on the top, usually in front, and trimmed at the back and sides.
Rihanna In A Quiff
Superprimer Universal Face Primer CLINIQUE
Oils
L’Huile Jasmin CHANEL (Body Oil)
No we don’t mean cooking oil. Beauty oils are specially formulated oils for the skin to either moisturize it by trapping moisture on the skin or soften the skin. The Renewal Oil LA MER (Face Oil)
PAGE 12
Primer
The first step in applying your makeup. It is applied throughout the entire face, and it helps minimize pores and wrinkles.
VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021 VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
BEAUTY FASHION
Hair Volume _ Image; igbocurls.com
Jackie Aina , YouTube Beauty Vlogger
Volume
YouTube Beauty Vloggers
To add fullness to something, especially hair, to give a thicker fuller appearance.
Makeup artists, and beauty enthusiasts in general who share step-by-step beauty tutorials using videos.
Top Secrets Makeup Setting Spray YVES SAINT LAURENT
Setting Spray A liquid product (usually clear), in a spray bottle that is used at the end of applying makeup to lock-in the makeup so that it lasts longer and help your makeup look more natural. It may also work as sweat-proof and waterproof.
u T-Zone
The area of the face that consists of the forehead, nose, and chin. It forms the shape of the letter T and is usually the oiliest part of a person’s face.
Sunscreen
Winged Eyeliner Flicking out the outer top end of your eyeliner past your eye in a triangular shape. Usually done using a liquid liner.
Acne Control Face Wash SKIN BY ZARON
Zaron Cosmetics A Nigerian owned cosmetics company; their products are quite popular with makeup artists, and have distributors across 12 countries. They recently launched a skincare line.
Ultraviolet Rays
UVA (Ultraviolet A) and UVB (Ultraviolet B) Rays: The ultraviolet rays that reach the Earth’s surface; basically the sun. UVA is deep-reaching rays doing damage to the skin and UVB is superficial, sun-burning rays. Exposure to either takes a toll on the skin, so be sure to wear sunscreen even on a cloudy day.
Tiffany Haddish _ Image From IG @sosheargenius
“X”
The crisscrossing bobby pin method to keep hair locked in place.
BrownSkin by Zaron
PAGE 13
VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
websights DOWNTOWN
We Wanted Drama,
We Got Drama Pro Max
Here’s Everything That Went Down At The Just Concluded Big Brother Naija Reunion
Laycon
Dorathy
Kiddwaya
Erica
Eric
Nengi
Praise
Prince
Lucy
Ka3na
Kaisha
Brighto
Neo
Ozo
Tochi
TolaniBaj
Trikytee
Vee
Wathoni
Lilo
BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE
A
nother season of Africa’s most-watched Reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, ended last year and as is customary, a Reunion show aired a few weeks ago. Hosted by our Father’s Day issue cover personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, this year’s reunion served way more drama than we bargained for. Here’s a recap of what went down in the 12 thrilling (and highly controversial) episodes.
The Love Triangles
There were several love triangles in the house; some of them intentionally set up, others were a result of just vibes. During the first week in the house, Ozo tried to set one up. Before he became so heavily involved with Nengi to the point of following her around like they were conjoined twins, he tried to keep Dorathy close too. As soon as it became evident that the whole arrangement was morphing into a triangle, Dorathy ended it with him. However, according to my interpretation of what happened, it looked like Dorathy liked Ozo to a degree but saw that he was unavailable, so she did the smart thing in cutting him off. In a shocking revelation during the second episode of the Reunion show, she denied ever having feelings for Ozo. We’re just going to take her word for it. Ozo on the other hand seems like he enjoys being in triangles as Ka3na uncovered his ruse to be close to her to make Nengi jealous. Ozo denied outrightly. With Tbaj, it got feisty. She had a brief connection with Prince and the pair immediately got their celebrity couple nickname “Pribaj.” Tolanibaj revealed she observed Prince and Lilo kissing behind the bus as they prepared to return to their hotel rooms after their all-white party early on in the House, and she claims she saw them kissing in front of her. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the act. Lilo defended herself by admitting that she kissed Prince at the time, but that she did so while inebriated and unaware of what she was doing; nevertheless, their kiss did not last five seconds since Prince cut her off on time.
I said “the kiss” wasn’t up to 5secs. KISS!” - @LiloAderogba
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Things however would go south anyway after Tbaj discovered Prince had a thing for Nengi all along and she came to the conclusion that she was just a second option. Instead of moving on like the boss lady she claims to be, she decided to flirt with her close friend’s (Vee) boyfriend, Neo. Turned out Prince and Tbaj had dated after they left the House. Although the relationship was short-lived, he revealed that she was his life’s biggest mistake. Dorathy however in a weird aftermath was mad at the fact that Prince got in a relationship without informing her. She expressed her dissatisfaction by blocking him on all social media platforms. He reciprocated the gesture. Just like with how she had her guard up with Ozo, we are inclined to believe she might have felt something deeper than just friendship for Prince; all of Ebuka’s efforts to purge her of her true feelings were futile. If I were a clinical psychologist, my best bet would be that she’s not capable of being vulnerable around people she’s into. Okay, now that one felt like an octagon, whew!
Nobody is perfect... while we throw stones and turn judge and jury let’s remember that we are all human beings if put in the same situation you might do worse” - @trikytee In another triangle that should have never happened, Wathoni claimed to be using o in the house whilst also alleging that Dorathy, who was in the triangle at the time, gave Brighto oral sex; a story Dorathy corroborated with her full chest. It was never going to develop any further than that, however, as Dorathy ended it because Brighto completely ignored her the following day. Brighto defended himself by claiming that he told both Wathoni and
Dorathy that he wasn’t seeking anything serious in the residence and he made every effort to avoid harming any of them. Wathoni and Dorathy were on the same page at least, agreeing that Brighto was cold-hearted to them in the House. A visibly disgusted Dorathy was subsequently seen yanking out a couple of Dollar notes from her breasts (?) and flinging them at Brighto. What was that?
She gave me a blow job, and the next morning I had a swollen D*ck, I gaz japa.” - @TheBrighto Let it be known that Brighto picked the money Dora threw at him & slid it into his suit. One man, got a blow job Got his bedsheet washed by another lady. Still got paid in dollars & still got cleared & accused of being the used one. Omo, Brighto is bad gan” - @ugonwanne4
confess to asking her out in the house. This got Kaisha so mad she stormed out of the set. Neo, a proper Warri boy giving us Peterdenying-Jesus vibes.
I be somebody baby oh ..!!!!!” - @NeoAkpofure Jesus, we are ready. Be coming.” - @VeeIye If I open my mouth now, Thunder go strike... Tables go scatter Biggie please fast forward to VIOLENCE” - @official_ka3na
Did Praise Really Last For 5 seconds?
One of the most hilarious revelations of the reunion show was when Ka3na exposed Praise for lasting only 5 seconds when they both had sex. In an act we all witnessed at the time and mistook for an aggressive cuddle session, she revealed that it was in fact more than just cuddling. Pretty sure it took you more than 5 seconds to read this bit.
5 secs don suffer for this life oh” - @PraiseNelson_
You can’t shame the shameless!” - @WathoniAnyansi Neo and Vee’s relationship was once again tested when Kaisha accused Neo of once liking her well enough in the house; he was willing to throw away his relationship with Vee. According to Kaisha’s account, Neo was all over her despite being publicly involved with another housemate. Neo denied all the allegations against him and refused to answer affirmatively when Kaisha tried to get him to
Abeg Make Ebuka no ask me question again oh” - @PraiseNelson_
Throwpillows, A 21st Century Weapon.
A disagreement between Lucy and Kaisha over an incident that occurred outside the house escalated into a violent altercation. In a quick turn of events, Kaisha meddled in Lucy and Ka3na’s business and somehow made it about herself. She then warned Lucy against mentioning her mum or referring to an event that happened outside the house, to which Lucy was
VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
websights DOWNTOWN having none of. This led to her throwing a pillow at Lucy who instantaneously pounced on her. That episode was a lot to unpack.
if you disrespect my mum consciously or unconsciously you will see craze period!! My family over everything..” - @kaishaofficial_ Things got heated up between Vee and Tbaj when the former became confrontational about the latter flirting with her man. Tbaj who showed absolutely no sign of remorse had it out for Vee as she kept going at her with insults, making threats of beating her up when they got back to the hotel… until she decided to step things up a notch and threw a pillow at her.
I went to the hotel and slept like a baby. Then the next week, I signed a sweet deal.” - @VeeIye Just like David’s sling to slay Goliath, the show producers were completely oblivious to how much violence throwpillows could be used to propagate.
All these pillows. Lord, what are you trying to tell me?” - @VeeIye “You Can’t Afford Me…” “Are You For Sale?” A common theme throughout the reunion show was the majority of the women trying to flex some sort of “high maintenance” persona in a bid to broke-shame their male counterparts. “You can’t afford me” or “You can’t pay my bills” are statements we heard from TolaniBaj, Ka3na, Wathoni and so on. An ideology that however is common amongst men as a lot of their self-worth and even society’s perception of them heavily depends on their bank account. Tochi and Brighto were heard discussing Nengi and Prince’s closeness in a video that was shown. Tochi thinks Prince won’t be able to date Nengi since he doesn’t have the financial means to do so. “Prince couldn’t have afforded to date Nengi,” Brighto said on the reunion program, because of her fine lifestyle, expensive trips, and shopping, which they believed he couldn’t afford. I mean yes, it’s nice to be able to purchase nice things for a person you are seeing but what does it even mean: You can’t
afford me? It did eventually get the perfect response when Erica responded to Wathoni’s “Kidd can’t afford me” utterance with “Are you for sale?” During a time when feminism preaches that women be providers and self-sufficient, connoting that because a man can’t meet your immediate needs, he has no shot at a romantic relationship with you feels very counterproductive. It also suggests that perhaps you’re property with a price tag that could only be owned by the affluent. It is giving off vibes; this is 2021.
Pure unscripted entertainment. I SWEAR.” - @VeeIye
expressed regret for ever trusting him and believing he had her back. She stated that she is unwilling to have a conversation with Laycon regarding the future of their relationship because it will be full of lies and pretence and nothing positive will come of it. In response to Erica’s claims, Laycon stated that he is much more interested in watching his followers talk about his music career and his recently released album than he is in talking about issues that have arisen as a result of where he went to promote his music. Perhaps the most coveted and discussed drama on the show, this sit-down and resolution of the conflict made picking beans seem fun.
The show eventually came to an end with all of its toxicity. Ozo, who had been quiet for most part of the show, took to social media to pen an open letter to his fellow housemates in a bid to celebrate his counterparts and unite the crew.
Ozo’s message It all just hit me now.” - @tolanibaj Ebuka, as expected, delivered another masterpiece from start to finish and was applauded by the audience for always understanding the assignment.
Boss Lady, Rest
It became apparent that most of the housemates came to the reunion show with something to prove. The women especially wasted no time to remind their fellow housemates - and Nigerians, by extension - that they are not to be messed with. During Tbaj’s altercation with Vee, Prince, Neo and everyone she fought, she kept reiterating how she’s levels above her counterparts.
All I’ve ever done was be a bad bitch. Why y’all mad?” - @tolanibaj Subsequently, Ka3na was highlighted to have a bossy attitude, to which Ebuka inquired why the housemates see her that way. She responded by stating that her housemates’ perceptions of her were erroneous, but she conceded that she was domineering at times, which she says is her natural behaviour.
If anyone of you is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her” Otherwise! Chill in your sitting room and enjoy the show. #Ka3naTheBossLady - @official_ka3na This claim of power at some point became tiring to watch as they all took turns calling themselves “The boss lady.” What does that even mean really? Why are we gender-specific with what type of boss we are? You are either a boss or not; it doesn’t matter if you’re a man or lady. Ultimately, that isn’t an excuse to be uncouth, autocratic and unruly. Tbaj and Ka3na, please rest.
Be humble!!!! Sit down ” - @ Tochi_Oke
Erica And Laycon Serve A Drab Sitdown
Since they left the House, Erica has yet to speak with Laycon, according to her. She described Laycon as a serpent and
Bittersweet Finale
The final episode was a bit more emotional and lax.
Only one hug so far since we started 2 weeks ago. God abeg o” - @Ebuka To kick things off, the housemates discussed their journey before and after the competition. For the next activity, each male lockdown housemate was asked who they felt would win in the first instance. Apart from himself, Brighto believed Prince would win because of his demeanour throughout his stay at the BBNaija house. Trikytee predicted that Prince, Ozo, or Eric would win. Laycon stated he didn’t realize he’d won until the host, Ebuka, mentioned his name on stage. He had planned on staying at the residence for just two weeks. Attention shifted to the women; Nengi and Vee stated they were closer to the guys because they were laid-back and didn’t judge. Dora commented that the boys were fine, but just as far as the Head-of-House position was concerned; they didn’t cook. When asked if the ladies had each other’s backs in the house, Dorathy answered that everyone had someone close to them, and they all had each other’s backs.
That house sha! I don’t think I’ll ever have that much fun again” - @veeiye
Thanks to every single member of the #BBNaija Lockdown gang for such a brave run. Definitely won’t be forgetting this bunch in a hurry ” - @Ebuka How @Ebuka sits calmly during these chaos in #BBNaijaReunion is a skill I have to learn. Guy man ears don hear everything.” - @TimiDakolo PAGE 15
VOL 1 NO.22 • JULY 11 – JULY 17, 2021
THE SCENE DOWNTOWN Nkiru Anumudu, Ruth Osime & Yewande Zaccheus
Adenike Ogunlesi
Vivian Oputa & Yinka Fowora
ZARON COSMETICS Oke Maduewesi
LAUNCHES SKINCARE LINE BY ONAH NWACHUKWU
Mary-Jane Ohobu & Omawunmi
Olanike Idowu & Kate Henshaw
Bukky George & Oke Maduewesi
Z
aron cosmetics recently launched her new skincare line. The product which has been in the works for some time now was launched at Radisson Blu, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event had different sessions including a live demo session, and an interactive Q&A session panelled by beauty bloggers and beauty experts. It was well attended by media and industry giants like Ruth Osime, Bukky George, Vivian Oputa, celebrities like Omawumi, skin care experts, beauty bloggers, and influencers.
Busola Dakolo & Chinonso Arubayi
Azuka Ogujiuba
Chigurl
Ijeoma Ubosi
Ezinne Alfa
Derenle Edwards
Feyitola Bada, Mobo Biobaku & Moyo L-R Angel Anosike, Keside Anosike, Ozinna Anumudu, Kamsi Nnamani
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Nina Nkechi
Pamela Shodipo
Tolu Aribisala
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