THEWILL DOWNTOWN MAY 29, 2022 EDITION

VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

Alaare Wisse Fighting Child Abuse Through Poetry

AGE APPROPRIATE

BEAUTY

VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

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BOARD LISTED

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Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

EDITOR’S NOTE

B

eing a child is quite different these days.

With the advent of technology, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get children to participate in outdoor games. While there is nothing wrong with getting acquainted with the evolution of the world, we must keep a close eye on what these kids view on the Internet.

When did we become so busy that we longer make time to supervise our children and instead leave them to the mercy of the Internet? What we have, in turn, are children who are not being children anymore because of what they have been exposed to online. And it doesn’t stop there. The schools owe it to the parents and children to ensure that the innocence of our little angels is protected.

I have to cite the content of some books posted on social media to educate children about sex and where babies come from. These books were written for four to eight-year-olds and yet were so explicit. They described every minute detail of how babies are made. I could not believe what I was reading. And what was scary was that one of the books was in a school library. Who approved it?

While I am not averse to speaking to children about babies, it must be done at the right time and in a way that that child’s innocence is preserved.

This week, we celebrate children with a special Children’s Day issue. What I have dubbed DOWNTOWN MINI. We ask a logical question in Downtown Confidential; When is the right time to have the sex talk with your kids, and how do you do it?

There comes a time in every girl’s life when she wants to start wearing makeup. For most girls, the interest grows deeper in their early teens, so we put together a guide on easing your not-such-ababy-anymore daughter into makeup with mum’s supervision.

I’ll close with words by our cover personality this week, eight-year-old June Alaare Wisse: “Children are the most vulnerable humans and depend on adults to provide for their basic needs. They are unique, special and beautiful.”

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

AUSTYN OGANNAH

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Writers: Kehindé Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Interns: Sophia Edisi, Abdul Auwal Graphics/Layout: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’ Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown

VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

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CONTENTS 16

COVER JUNE ALAARE WISSE: FIGHTING CHILD ABUSE THROUGH POETRY

REVIEW 6 CLASSIC MOVIES TO WATCH WITH YOUR CHILDREN

15

04-05

CULTURE

FASHION YOUNG, AFRICAN AND STYLISH

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG: 7 NOSTALGIC GAMES WE PLAYED

14

Photography: Insigna Media Production, Oniru (@insignamedia) Clothes: Sleek Cloth (@sleek_cloth) Styling: Wendie Kendabie Wisse (June's Mum) Hair Stylist: Abiola Williams (@habbiewilliams) Hair Exstensions: Lush Hair Nigeria (@lushhairnigeria) Creative Direction: Kehindé Fagbule (@thisiskennys)

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ODDBOD & THE CITY DOING IT FOR THE KIDS

TECHTALK 8 TECH GIFTS FOR KIDS

07

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL THE SEX TALK: WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME?

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LIVING MAKE ROOM FOR KIDS

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

David Nwachukwu @ebube.nw - Contributing Writer David Nwachukwu has always been immersed in fashion from the age of 10, watching a Dior by Galliano show on television.

His work in fashion stretches across media, marketing, brand communications as well as design.As a fashion & lifestyle journalist, David has tracked key industry data for various publications including Industrie Africa, Culture Custodian, Haute Fashion Africa, and HELLO! Nigeria. A Geography graduate from The University of Lagos, David consciously aligns this background in environmental advocacy and sustainable development with the need to promote a more ethical fashion ecosystem. He currently oversees strategic communications at Clean Technology Hub.

12-13 BEAUTY AGE APPROPRIATE BEAUTY

WHAT YOU SAID INSTAGRAM @ablackdiamondgem

So proud of you lady @maisonoggo

Thank you & keep winning

@taiwookhifun

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.

That's @tiannahsplacempire

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VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

FASHION

And STYLISH

BY ABDUL AUWAL

Brielle Alumanah

SHOPPING GUIDE Faizah Bakare

COMFORT IS KEY Choosing comfortable material should not be overlooked; especially for kids between 0-18 months who cannot speak yet. Go for soft, breathable fabrics that will not irritate their tender skin.

COLOUR ME BABY Have a colour palette in mind, just as you would for yourself. Do stick to blue, pink, white, grey, and light brown for everyday outfits and save the bright colours for special occasions. Also, try to avoid colours, cuts and silhouettes that do not complement their age or complexion.

Jamil Balogun

N

othing could be cuter than seeing a child dressed to the nines. Like adults, kids' fashion houses and labels constantly churn out new designs and trends, and the parents are not leaving any creases unironed in seeing that their children look their best.

Sometimes, kids have an innate sense of style, choosing outfits for themselves from a very young age; when they do, guide them, you might have a fashion designer or a stylist in the making right in front of you.

Oluwatenola Jermaine PAGE 4

WHETHER THE WEATHER Always consider the weather when you shop. Avoid very light and peekaboo style clothing on the cooler days; if you do dress them in such clothes, consider adding a jacket to the look.

GROWING UP You may not know this, but allowing your child to pick clothes when you go shopping with them boosts confidence. As they get older, they will want to choose their own outfits; you only need to guide them at this stage.

P.S: Worthy of note is that each trend or style, like adults, says a lot about your child, so choose outfits that match their personality to bring the best out of them.

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VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

FASHION

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VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

ODUN OGUNBIYI

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

ODDBOD & THE CITY

Doing it For

The Kids from the kids.

Children’s day was initiated in Nigeria in 1964 to raise awareness for issues that affect children, a time to take stock of our future in a sense. It is also the perfect time to reflect on the glory days of your own childhood.

With all that in mind, I hope we all took the time on Friday to celebrate all the children in your life. I worry about the world that we are bringing them up in because it’s certainly not where I was raised. In my humble opinion, it has never been harder to enjoy the wonder, innocence, and mystery of childhood.

This world is full of hope and wonder, and opportunity. The 21st century is ripe with promise, and as adults and parents, we get to guide and usher our kids as they build an even better world. The thought is absolutely frightening and awe-inspiring all at the same time.

I wonder if our parents felt that way. If they felt that they were navigating a rapidly changing world while trying to instil rules and values that somehow no longer feel robust or substantial enough to stand against this new scary world. I especially worry because I am bringing up a black girl in a time that has never been more hostile towards women and people of colour.

I

have always enjoyed Children’s Day celebrations.

This year will be the first in over a decade that I shall not be donning some sort of t-shirt and shlepping my way over to some school activity. In years past, I would moan and groan about sitting out in the sun but would soon get carried along with the laughter and joy

It seems we live in a crush of defining moments for Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids—a pandemic, pivotal elections for our country, Brexit, bodily autonomy, etc., all under the glare of social media, where everything is amplified.

There is an incredible amount of pressure on today’s children in some ways.

I envy our parents; in our time,

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we had a payphone in a public space of the kitchen. I really did not have many friends brave enough to run the gauntlet of calling my house and asking to speak to me. Back then, what was I going to talk about with my 6 PM curfew and a room full of adults monitoring my every word? Back then, it was Sesame Street at four in the afternoon, cartoons at five before being banished by the news at six sharp.

I could go on and on about what there is to worry about, but I would like to end positively. It has been an absolute pleasure watching my daughter grow up, develop her own personality and make their own stride in the world.

I have had reason to experience absolute joy and pride in my daughters’ achievements. Today’s youth are a whole new breed, they think differently and hold incredibly strong convictions on how they want to live and how to treat their fellow humans.

As the world changes, I believe and pray that she—and every Nigerian child—will be fully equipped to live a full, rich, balanced life.

VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

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DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

The Sex Talk: When is The Right Time?

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

Whether or not we should include sex education in Nigeria's curriculum has been an ongoing spat between parents and schools for years. While some are adamant that sex education shouldn't be taught, others think that certain aspects should be taught at a certain age. Only a few agree that it should be taught to children.

Before we go any further, it's crucial to realise that this article aims to encourage more people to be more open-minded about teaching their children about sex. While schools dish out the majority of education, it should ideally originate from the family.

Having the "sex talk" with your kids might be trickier in our neck of the woods, but it does not make it any less crucial.

The process of raising children and providing them with safety and care to ensure their healthy development into maturity is Merriam Webster's definition of parenting. Adulthood is terrifying.

There are so many moving pieces, that the consequences of not taking care of one's child should be best avoided. As youngsters grow older, they become more curious and eager to learn. This implies you should expect a lot of questions. If you can't answer those questions and instead place the duty on educators, there will be a communication breakdown as time passes. You will lose control of the information they receive as their attention switches to that source of answers. While you may be tempted to put it off as long as possible, talking to your children about

IMAGE FROM YOUNGWOMENSHEALTH.COM

"I

f any man touches you, you will get pregnant" was the farthest most kids got as far as the sex talk. Whatever else that had to be learnt was left to schools, teachers, and inter-science classes to furnish their minds with everything regarding sex. And in most of these learning establishments, the human reproductive system was all the sex education deemed necessary.

puberty and sex early and regularly is the best approach to ensure that they make good decisions as they grow up. It's vital to be prepared to address your children's questions as they arise, but you don't have to do so in one conversation. As your child grows older, the dialogue will change.

You have a kid, so you already know a thing or two about timing. But when it comes to choosing the right time to tell your kid that no one is allowed to touch their private parts without permission, you need an update on what you already know about timing. From a very young age, and very often, children touch or fiddle with their privates. This is usually their curiosity running riot, not anything about sex. Just make sure they do not repeat it outside the home. Keeping their minds occupied and their attention away is good. But, acknowledging their curiosity and cautioning them from not doing it in public is important. Fight the urge to scold or punish them when they perform these acts. Instead, educate them on the names of these parts. Don't panic; stay on topic.

Getting sentimental and saying something like: "Run away from men, or if a man

touches you, you'll get pregnant," creates more problems as they get older. Curiosity and pubescents aren't always a good mix.

Acclimatising yourself to when puberty is about to hit also helps you know when to have "the talk." From ages nine to thirteen, you'll need to have mini-talks that will all surmount to "the talk" A girl's first period is very significant, and so is a boy's first ejaculation, wet dream and erection.

It's a perplexing and stressful moment in their life. This is quite natural. It helps to start the dialogue by telling them constantly that you experienced it as well. That way, it becomes relatable. Bring up stories and share those with them too. Bring up acne, mood swings, growth spurts, and hormonal shifts, and how these things can happen at different times for different kids and how it is completely acceptable.

More ways to help you are; listening attentively to what they tell you, being respectful, being nice and educating yourself.

Read more books and resort to other resources.

I'd like to recall a story narrated to me about how someone was ambushed by her fiance's son. She had just picked him up from school, and they were having lunch. Suddenly, he looks at her and asks, "what is sex?" She remembers being stunned and taken aback by the question. Her eyes darted across the room briefly before she wittily manoeuvred a response. "sex means male and female. It's the classification of both genders". Her answer quelled his curiosity temporarily, but she knew that wouldn't be the last of his ambushes.

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COVER

W

hen we talk about children, the focus is usually on their future in glowing terms. Words like: 'You can be the president,' 'you can shine brighter than a star,' 'you can be whatever you want to be,' are things we often say to them with all indications pointing at the future. But what do you say to an eight-year-old girl who is already a superstar? For June Alaare Wisse, the options are limitless. Having bagged multiple awards and recognitions, including Little Miss United Nations Nigeria 2021, there is no limit to what June can go on to achieve. The whiz kid chats with DOWNTOWN's Kehindé Fagbule to discuss life as a kid sensation.

June Alaare Wisse

Fighting Child Abuse Through Poetry PAGE 8

For so long, career talks for kids have sounded heavily corporate and white-collared. Most children, courtesy of their parents, only know to follow professional career paths and aspire to become medical doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants, and so on; modelling as a career is not a popular pick. Even though modelling is her reality today, June realises that her future could look very different. Usually, when children are asked what they would like to be when they are grown, they answer with a level of assertion that is admirable. June thinks about that question differently. Her answer to what she wants to be when she grows older is very far from the generic response. “No, I haven't thought about what I want to be in the future because of my mind of imagination. I want to be a pilot. I want to be a doctor. I want to be something when I grow up. When you don't have a job, you end up living on the street and don't have any money. But if you do have a job, you'd have a house, and you'd have kids if you're married,” she said vividly.

Born in Ghana, Nigerian-Dutch model and spoken word artist, June Alaare Wisse, began her journey to stardom at the tender age of three when she started posing for pictures. While we spoke, the saying: You cannot buy experience, came to mind as she talked about her early modelling days. “Yes. At that time, I was a baby, and I kept putting my hand on my waist and doing the peace sign. Also, I used to have my tongue out a lot,” she says as she describes what would be the beginning of her modelling career. But June is not only a model; she is also a brand ambassador and a poet.

VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

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COVER

June plays with words in the form of poetry.

She speaks about life as a poet. “It's been great. I started writing at age seven and I've written six poems so far. I have recited my own personal poems before with some assistance from my mum—I write a little bit of it and just recite most of it. Also, I've recited a poem that was actually by Armanda Gorman and a speech by Mr Joe Biden. I also do mimicking. I feel really calm and relaxed like when I recited the poem on the girl child at the Miss Nigeria pageantry. There are always invisible commas in poems, which gets me really calm. I sometimes get really stressed and I just grab a book and read. Or sometimes I just go on my tablet,” she described how reading poems make her feel. But was it just something she picked up? Why did an eight-year-old, going on nine decide to delve into spoken words? What does she write about? “My poems are mostly about child and women abuse. Whenever I listen to the radio on my way home back from school, they would talk about these things. I would also see kids on the road begging for food or just sleeping on the streets and that inspired me to start reciting poems.”

Child abuse is a topic that June understands through observation. She revealed how she drew keen interest in the subject matter, “it is mostly from listening to the radio.

For example, I have heard stories of kids being raped and tortured. I think about how difficult it must have been for them and their parents. That inspired me to talk about it because so many people are silent about it, and the abuse goes on and on. For me, it is to create awareness of the fact that it is not a good thing.”

June enjoys what she does. Being a model, she loves and owns the spotlight, it's easy with the oomph she possesses. But what could a challenging day on the job possibly look like? “Whenever I get booked on days that I have school. Because then we have to decide if I should go for the shoot and record an absent day in school, that is quite difficult. That is one of the hardest parts for me,” she said.

And what could this eight-year-old like about her job?

“The part I enjoy is when it's like a toy or clothing item I have to model. If it is clothing then yes, I am wearing them. If it's a toy, then I want to buy it. But if it's not a toy, I'm still okay with that. I'm just going to model for them. The fun part is when I meet other people,” she said, highlighting her extroverted nature.

Her impressive modelling career secured her a brand ambassadorship with internationally acclaimed hair extension brand, Lush Hair. And in the build-up to this year's Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, June Wisse had the runway to herself in a special Lush Hair fashion walk also featuring popular media sensation, Denrele Edun, and musician, Yemi Alade.

Of course, June stole the spotlight—she did a full split halfway through her walk. She narrated the night, “it was great, it was an honour to be there. When I walked the runway, I waited till the other model had left, so I could have the stage all to myself and do something fabulous for Lush Hair.” She continues, “The split was not rehearsed at all. When the other model was on the runway, I thought about what to do, and when I started walking on stage, I knew that I had to do a split. Even though it wasn't perfect, the crowd was wowed. I didn't even notice that I did a professional split until I saw the reaction on people's faces after leaving the stage. Backstage, I was screaming, 'I did a split, I did a split, I'm a professional!' People kept telling me I did a great job.

Some of the models were even congratulating me.

I told them it was my first time doing a professional split.” Her mum interjected, “you have done it before.” “I have done it before, but I failed horribly. I could never do a professional split, but I actually did it when I was on the stage. I was so proud of myself, knowing that my mother was watching, and she was proud of me too. Shout out to mum,” she said, stretching a thumbs up to her mother.

But June is not just talking about it; she is also involved—in her own little ways— in tackling some child issues. Having the privilege of a good education and a quality life courtesy of her parents, she has learnt to be grateful and pay it forward through charity. “Yes, I have done charity work. There's a community in my neighbourhood that I donate food items and school materials to. I've also done an ‘SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) 1: No Poverty,'” she said.

June's modelling career blossomed as she hugged the spotlight deservedly after being crowned the 'Little Miss United Nations, Nigeria.' She talked about preparations for the pageantry, “I had to study a lot. Lots of courses.” What kind of courses could kid pageants possibly be studying one might ask? “Some were about SDGs. Some were on 'effective communication.' I studied a lot. I had to focus, sometimes stay up and rehearse my courses with my mum. I couldn't play until I got back from Abuja.”

A quick check into what she was feeling throughout the pageantry on her journey to the crown shows that she wasn't nervous at all. She relived the moment. “I was really confident. I didn't have any stage fright or anxiety. I wasn't thinking negative, I was only thinking positively, and in the end, I was like 'who are they going to crown?'

And then they called a contestant, and I was like, 'is she going to win?' But I won because we had a conference and all of us talked about our SDGs and what we did. I talked about the way I went to a community behind our house to give them some food, supplies and school items. She became the ambassador.”

...I have heard stories of kids being raped and tortured. I think about how difficult it must have been for them and their parents. That inspired me to talk about it because so many people are silent about it, and the abuse goes on and on. For me, it is to create awareness of the fact that it is not a good thing.”

Although most children have inexplicably high energy to do many things, many don't get permission to exert it. “I'm always vibrant. My mum says, 'you talk too much!' but some people think that's okay.”

We talked about school; how is she perceived by her friends? Do they know just how popular she is? She explains, “None of them is actually jealous of me because some don't know. Tamar (one of her friends) knows about it, though, and she wishes she was like me.” That's a typical response. Even for grownups, the feeling of envy is human nature. The result could either be a motivation to be better or grow into jealousy, depending on how it is handled; this is what makes or mars any relationship, so it must be managed carefully. June possesses the required wisdom. When asked what she says to her friend who wishes to be like her, she responded, “I told her she shouldn't panic or think that she wouldn't be able to get to my level. I also told her that she would be able to get there someday and shine like a star. That's what I'm basically trying to do.” She then speaks about the sun, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was admiring its brightness or hoping to shine that bright someday. “But the biggest star in the whole world is the sun because it is super big and bigger than all the stars,” she concluded.

Curious to know what a school day for an eightyear-old is like these days, the conversation tipped in that direction, so she gave an overview of her school experience. “Going to school, I do my work; sometimes, it's a short lesson like 10 questions, then I do that. We do our work mostly on our tablets on

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VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

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COVER But her life at school isn't just fun all day, of course.

She gets down to the main reason for school, and so we talked about her favourite subject. “My favourite subject is math.” Although she admitted to hating math, she revealed that it is the subject that she excels in the most. She siad, “to be honest, every other subject I kind of fluke, but with math, I'm a bit good at it. I like addition, subtraction and multiplication. I'm very good at multiplication.”

June's interests are most kids' interests. She loves doing things like swimming, ballet dancing, and playing the piano. She watches television too. “Let's move on…” She said dramatically when asked what her favourite thing to watch on the TV was. She would reveal in a whisper, “I don't want people to know. Animé.” It is a guilty pleasure of hers for sure; you'd see it on her face as she tried to decide if the world thinks animé—a Japanese television animation—is cool or not. As soon as she could sense a greenlight that animé is, in fact, cool, she said enthusiastically, “Oh my God. Thank you so much! I shall gladly answer if you have any questions regarding me and my obsession with animé.” She continues to speak, and gets even more excited.

“I have some friends in school that are like 'animé is boring', and I get so mad at them. But I have a friend who knows animé. Almost every day, we go to each other and do animé improvisations. It is beautiful, and we love it so much. When she tells me stuff in Japanese, I scream,” she says passionately.

Children are the most vulnerable humans and depend on adults to provide their basic needs. They are unique, special and beautiful. And if their parents notice talent in them, they should support them.” a Dutch app that we learn on. Sometimes we have exams on the app as well. We also have a tradition since we're a Dutch school, some days we basically don't do work for the whole day. I think that is really fun. We have different places we would go to get popcorn and ice cream, swim, and go on the bouncing castle, which kind of burnt my heels. School has been really fun, I love my school. I had all my siblings in that school before, but they all graduated, so I'm alone now.” When asked what part of school she looks forward to the most, she flexed her refreshing sense of humour, “the part where I get to go home.”

She continued, “it's the best part. The second best part is when we get to eat food. Everyone in my school looks forward to it, it's usually after art class. When I'm sitting at my table doing my art, I immediately hear my friends saying, 'I can't wait for art to finish and for lunchtime.' Basically, the first thing my friends say whenever it's playtime is, 'I'm hungry'.

They want chicken, they want food, and that's so funny for me because, in my head, I'm dying of laughter.”

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June learned Japanese from watching animé.

Although not so fluent in it, she has been able to pick pieces of the language to make basic conversations.

“You can watch dubbed animé in English, but when it's in Japanese, their voices are so good. When it's in English, their voices suck.” In addition to Japanese, June—whose articulation of the English language is at the native proficiency level—also speaks fluent Dutch. She took credit for her fluency, even though her dad is Dutch. She explained, “I speak Dutch.

I learnt it myself. My father is Dutch, so maybe I have a blood connection or something; I don't really know. When I joined my school, in Group 1-2-3, I couldn't speak any Dutch. I used to cry when my auntie would drop me off. Then I started listening to people and what they would say, and I was taking notes in my brain, you know. The paper-pen brain, then you just write down everything they are saying.

I just learnt Dutch like that.” She also speaks and understands a little bit of French, thanks to her mum's fluency in the language. “I'm not that good at French, but I can say Bonjour. I'm sorry, French people,” she said. As far as local Nigerian dialects go, Pidgin English is the best June can do. “Wetin you want to chop now? My mum teaches me pidgin,” the Ghana-born said, laughing.

With a large following on Instagram, June's digital presence is very impressive. But her mum, Wendie Kendabie Wisse, wouldn't allow her access to social media. When asked if she ever goes on social media, she responded, “Nope. My mum handles my page. I only go on social media for my Instagram account to look at it. I don't go on any other Instagram account.

Sometimes I have to like posts of myself. Children aren't allowed on Instagram. This is why my mum manages my account instead of me. She does many things for me.”

Her mother ensures that she stays grounded. But she has also created an enabling and expressive environment that ensures her daughter has fun and learns through childhood. June narrates what an average non-school day looks like. “When I wake up, I get vertigo; it is when you feel really dizzy, and then you have to lie in your bed for like an hour. But the worst vertigo is when you can't even get up, and when you do, you feel like the hole inside your world is spinning around you. My vertigo is only when I get dizzy and go back to bed. If I don't have anything to do on Saturdays, then I do not bathe early. I brush

I was really confident. I didn't have any stage fright or anxiety. I wasn't thinking negative, I was only thinking positively...” my teeth and eventually take a bath after my mum insists. After bathing, I have my breakfast. And basically, after my breakfast, I just ask mum for TV or go upstairs and simply watch my tablet.” What else do you enjoy doing? “I enjoy sleeping in my bed, lying down. I enjoy trying to go on my sister's back.

She runs away and says, “June, no, no!” But I keep on jumping on top of her. I also enjoy hugging my mum and snuggling up with her,” she said. You could say she works hard and plays harder.

To celebrate Children's day, June shared some words for fellow kids. She said compassionately, “Children are the most vulnerable humans and depend on adults to provide their basic needs. They are unique, special and beautiful. And if their parents notice talent in them, they should support them. For example, my parents support me, especially my mum, who supports me greatly.

To other kids, I would like to say that you are unique, you are special, and if you have a talent or a dream, go for it—tell your parents, and if your parents can't help you, tell your siblings, and if they can't, then talk to God; or me.”

It looks like we have a little Miss Congeniality.

Perharps in the future, she might also include life coaching to her list of career choices.

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VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

LIVING Fit For A Princess As your girl grows older, she will be faced with a lot of teenage pressure.

In between insecurities and puberty, your daughter's formative years are vital; therefore, your parenting must reflect in their bedroom. You can discuss themes with your daughter as you braid her hair on a shiny Saturday afternoon. She's your girl; you're on the same team.

MAKE ROOM For Kids 8 CHILDREN BEDROOM

Studious Teenager It pays to study, and it must be communicated to kids in every way possible. Read books, and maintain a healthy balance between academic and non-academic. Set up a bookshelf and study tables for your teenager. Nothing beats having a knowledgeable kid.

DECOR INSPO

W

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

e may not be eager to admit it, but our adult lives are shaped by our experiences growing up. And one way you can impact your kid's life without even having to interact with them physically is by setting up the perfect room. Outside of their classroom walls, the bedroom is the next place kids spend most of their time. It is also the only place they enjoy privacy, and because we have no clue what they do with that, it is crucial to be one step ahead and be intentional about making it a safe space. Here's a tip: invest in frames and posters that convey words of affirmation to help bolster your little one's confidence. We put together eight bedroom decor ideas —across four stages of your kid's childhood— that you can recreate for your bundle of joy.

The Right Nursery For expectant parents, choosing a theme and budget for what the nursery would look like is the first step. It is advised to start this preparation 18 to 20 weeks into the pregnancy. Knowing the sex of your baby plays a significant role in the planning, but for parents who would rather wait till delivery to find out, gender-neutral themes also work.

Siblings Bond So what happens when siblings have to share a room? Let's make bunk beds fun again. No, I'm not referring to the ones in public facilities like boarding schools and Universities for adults. If your two boys have to share a room, be sure to make it a fun experience for them.

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VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY

AGE APPROPRIATE

BEAUTY

BY SOPHIA EDISI

M

akeup is a personal preference, and with parents' approval, any teenager looking to try makeup should aim to achieve a particular look. Imagine you are comfortable enough to allow your teen to wear makeup. In that instance, they can start with age-appropriate makeup that is natural-looking, and you must teach them to apply it correctly. Here, we provide some age-appropriate beauty products and tips to help you choose the right product while also introducing a healthy makeup habit.

TINTED MOISTURISERS INSTEAD OF A FOUNDATION A heavy foundation is a big no-no. If your daughter's skin still needs more coverage than a concealer can provide, she can apply a light tinted moisturiser to even out her skin tone and keep the coverage light and well blended. Ensure that the tinted moisturiser is oil-free because it is less likely to clog her pores.

24h Hydrating Tinted Cream ESSENCE COSMETICS

Adorable Nene

SKIN PREP WITH NATURAL PRODUCTS

MAKEUP PRIMER Makeup primers provide light coverage and help herr makeup last longer throughout the day. You can even opt for a primer that includes a moisturiser, which allows her to skip applying a moisturiser.

It’s essential to protect her skin from sun damage with an SPF of at least 15 and keep the skin clean and adequately hydrated.

Go for natural facial skin prep products that don't contain any questionable ingredients which may cause any damage to the skin. It will help her makeup go on more smoothly and naturally flawless.

Shea Facial Mist Cleanser AMILA NATURALS

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Hydrating Face Cream COCO SKINCARE

Face Primer ZARON Pore Minimizer ZARON

A CONCEALER: IF NECESSARY Although it is common for teens to have breakouts, wearing makeup unnecessarily can harm the skin, so choose an oil-free colour-correcting concealer at this stage.

If she has acne or some spots that you want to hide, she can dab concealer just on those spots and blend it with a clean brush. Use a little tinted moisturiser over it to blend onto the skin. A concealer is unnecessary; she should skip it if the face is clear.

Soft Matte Complete Concealer NARS

VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY TRANSLUCENT LOOSE POWDER

CLEAR AND TINTED LIP GLOSSES

Set her face with an oil-absorbing translucent powder that won’t add much colour and coverage for her face to look natural. Apply with a fluffy brush to diffuse the powder, so her face doesn’t look cakey or powdery. Alternatively, you can skip the tinted moisturiser and opt for a powder foundation formula to set her concealer. It offers more coverage than a translucent powder but still light enough to look natural.

For a natural look, choose a shade similar to her natural lip colour. You want to keep her lips as natural-looking as possible. So go for a sheer lip gloss and tinted lip balm.

Avoid lip glosses and lipstick with a lot of glitter, shimmer, or colour. Opt for sheer pinks and peach shades if you must go a little bolder with her lip glosses.

Veil Translucent Loose Powder ZARON

Glazed for Days Lip Gloss Set E.L.F

MaXsheen Clear Lipgloss in "Cutie" ZARON

SKIP EYELINERS & FINISH UP WITH MASCARA

Brow Bang (Clear Brow Gel) ZARON

A CLEAR GEL FOR THE BROWS There is absolutely no need to go over the top with brow fillers or pencils to get the perfect arch. Instead, use a clear gel with a brush to push her brows upwards to look neat. The gel will also help keep them in place, giving her a natural look. If she feels like her brows need some filling in, then swap the clear brow gel for a tinted one that matches her skin colour.

Lash & Brow Gel Mascara ESSENCE COSMETICS

Highlighter Cheek Quad KYLIE COSMETICS

SOFT SHEER BLUSH Peach blushes tend to flatter the face for a little healthier look. A sheer, matte shade will complement her skin tone for a natural look.

Dusk a little blush on her cheeks using an angle brush for easy application, and fade it across her cheekbone.

Your daughter is young and you are trying to achieve a natural look at this stage, so eyeliner is usually too much. Go for a mascara with lightweight formula which can cause less damage to her lashes.

If she feels like her eyes need some extra definition without an eyeshadow, you can teach her to draw attention to her eyes by using a single layer of black or brown mascara for a softer look.

4in1 Wink Mascara ZARON

SHIMMERY NUDE EYESHADOW PALLET Brighten up and keep her eyes soft by adding a little colour to the lids. Apply just a little across them; blend properly, but stay below the crease. Choose a nude shimmering eyeshadow pallet with sheerer colours, so her eyes look soft and subtle.

Teach her to use a fluffy eyeshadow brush or even her fingertip to apply it.

Pink Dreams Pressed Brush Palette KYLIE COSMETICS Snap Shadow Mix & Match Palette FENTY BEAUTY

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VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

TECHTALK

Nintendo Switch Lite Price: N128,000

BY IDOWU LAMI

K

TECH GIFTS FOR KIDS

With access to thousands of games at their fingertips, they will stay entertained for hours.

ids love fancy gadgets.

They love playing with them, and they can also be very beneficial in helping them breed healthy learning habits. But that's not all these gadgets can do; some of them effectively make sure your kids are safe and sound. This Children's Day is an extra reason for you to shower your kids with tech gifts to help them learn more while you are busy with work.

Switch Lite NINTENDO

Apple Watch SE Price:N120,000 -N200,000 Always keep an eye on your kids wherever they are, right from your iOS devices. Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but wouldn’t you want to know where your kids are every time of the day?

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Price: N51,000 It is simple to use and comes pre-loaded with over 13,000 apps, games, books, films, and other activities for kids.

Amazon Echo Glow Smart Lamp Price: N12,400

Fire HD 8 Kids Edition AMAZON

It can read stories, assist children with math assignments, set nighttime alarms, and make phone calls to pre-approved relatives or friends.

Watch SE APPLE

Echo Glow Smart Lamp AMAZON

Verizon GizmoWatch 2 Mickey Mouse Edition (Cheaper Option) Price: N120,000 Compared to the Apple Watch, this offers your safety for less.

Facebook Portal Go Price: N 139,999 - N 200,000

Beats Solo Pro Price: N95,00N100,000 Keep your kids in tune with these over-the-ear headphones.

Solo Pro BEATS

Sony Playstation 5 Price: N400,000 N450,000

It enables you to video call your young ones while you are at work or anywhere in the world.

Unlike the Nintendo Switch Lite, this allows more inclusion if you have more kids.

Portal Go FACEBOOK

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GizmoWatch Mickey Mouse Edition VERIZON

Playstation 5 SONY

VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

CULTURE FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG: 7 Nostalgic Games We Played

BY ABDUL AUWAL

C

hildren want to grow up quickly and do what grownups do, but adults, on the other hand, want to be children once more. With all the challenges that come with growing up, some people find solace in reminiscing about their childhood. Anyone who grew up in Nigeria most likely had the most picturesque upbringing.

We were outside once upon a time; that used to be the standard. But that was a long time ago. We really did have it all, from staying in and playing Tinko or Ayo with friends and family to playing street football on rainy days or Suweh on weekends and long holidays while making sure to keep an eye or an ear out for our mothers’ calls for us to return home.

These days, children do not engage in such activities; instead, we find every youngster in front of a screen, scrolling through TikTok, liking a post on Instagram, or confronting a much larger screen and playing online games.

Traditional Nigerian games were an essential part of our youth; not only were they entertaining and adrenaline-pumping, but they also provided us with a wealth of beautiful memories and fostered child bonding. We take you down memory lane with seven childhood games that will make you appreciate your youth even more.

BOJU-BOJU

It is the Nigerian equivalent of hide and seek. Every seeker begins their journey by singing the playful chant while everyone else goes into hiding, and the person searching begins by singing 'boju boju o...' and then begins to chase.

Whomever they capture will be the next to seek.

After round one

Two circles of children are formed, one with one more member than the other. They start running in opposite directions when given the signal while chanting "there is fire on the mountain, run, run, run" until you hear the words, "fire is over!" The players then try to find their partner from the other circle. After the scramble, the player who does not have a partner is forced to do various acrobatics or crouch in the circle's center. The procedure continues until only one pair remains, at which point they are named the champions. This game has several names in different communities.

MONKEY POST

The Nigerian version of five-aside football is called monkey post.

'Monkey post' is a street version of five-a-side football, which is generally played indoors or on a grass surface.

It's a time-honoured tradition for every football-crazy Nigerian male.

In a densely populated country fascinated with the beautiful round leather ball game, that's saying a lot. The ball is usually very light an popularly known as felele. It is mostly played by those who don’t have the opportunity to play on much bigger fields. When a player gets worked up with excitement and knocks this light ball with his toes, it swerves all over the place. Time stops as it swerves, and monkey post players pray it doesn't hit the window of an expensive automobile.

AFTER ROUND ONE

The game requires at least two players and proceeds as follows: The game has different rounds, and with each round, all participants choose a personal number as their winning number, then they would sweep one of their hands back and forth on a surface, and at the end of the song, each player would have to display a number from 1 to 5 on a flat surface using their fingers. If the player's number reflects on the finger shown, that player gets a point. The player with the fewest point would have to extend their hand in a clapped posture and allow all the other players to slap their hands one after the other.

Suweh

SUWEH

Children play the game in schools and on the streets worldwide.

Depending on the terrain you are playing on, you draw nine boxes in the sand using a stone, sticks, your fingers or a stick of chalk. Everyone would take turns jumping in the boxes while ensuring to place one foot in each box. It was enjoyable to play.

WHO IS IN THE GARDEN?

Everyone forms a circle and holds hands with the leader standing outside the circle, asking questions about the person in the middle while the others respond.

It goes like this: "Who is in the garden?" "A little fine girl. " "Can I come and see her?" "No, no, no, no!" The leader then touches someone on the back and says, "Abeg, my sister, follow me." That individual then follows the leader outside the circle and sings the question along. They continue until just two people remain in the circle. Finally, the last person standing who hasn't been tapped must pursue and apprehend the others. They then begin a new round of the game. In the new round, the one who had to chase everyone becomes the leader.

TINKO Tinko

Tinko is also a game we enjoyed watching. It is based on the song of the same name. A clapping game in which you must clap in ascending order and not miss a single beat of the routine.

Back in school, this game was largely played by girls, but boys joined in occasionally. Throughout the game, the words Tinko Tinko are sung again in a memorable tune. To win, kids must complete ten segments of the sequence without missing a beat. For others, the game was never-ending. To play Tinko, you and your opponent had to be in sync. The beauty of this game is that frienships are born and bonds are made when you find the person with whom you are perfectly in sync.

Who is in the garden

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VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA

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

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

Movie Review:

6 CLASSIC MOVIES TO WATCH WITH YOUR CHILDREN

N

ostalgia is a very powerful thing. Capable of making even the direst of situations seem rosy in hindsight, it's no wonder why older generations keep pining for "the old days". While not always accurate, I do believe that children's movies now have nothing on what we had growing up. These days, the biggest children's films are usually part of an existing franchise (Minions, Despicable Me) or mind-numbingly uninteresting for non-children. So on this Children's Day, I'd love for parents to bring back the good old days and show their kids the absolute classics we had available to watch growing up. With the advent of streaming, you don't have to scour around for a VHS or a DVD player. Just fire up your preferred streaming service and show your kids a great time. Happy Children's Day!

E.T. the ExtraTerrestrial (1982)

Home Alone (1990) Who wouldn't want to spend the holidays in the City of Lights?

The McCallister clan is more than ready to leave the suburbs behind for Christmas in Paris. But things go slightly awry (to say the least) when they realise one very important item has been left at home: their son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin). The youngster has no problem having the house all to himself—especially since he's watching mature gangster flicks, munching on ice cream for dinner and causing chaos. But a pair of burglars set their sights on the gorgeous home, and soon Kevin is left to fend for himself against Harry and Marv, who need a little help in the crime department.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) When a young boy learns about his true identity and magical powers, he soon finds himself on Platform 9 and Three Quarters en route to Hogwarts, a boarding school unlike any other. Adventure awaits our budding new wizard, and from that point on, his life—and the world's—is turned upside down.

It's a simple story, really: Boy meets alien.

Boy and alien become best friends. Boy says goodbye to alien when his outer-space buddy has to go home, causing audiences everywhere to sob uncontrollably. How Steven Spielberg tells it, of course, makes a world of difference, as he infuses this family blockbuster with a childlike sense of awe. If you can think of a more magical '80s movie moment than E.T. and Elliott biking past the moon, I'll personally buy you a bag of Reese's Pieces.

Spirited Away (2001) Revered Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki puts his own spin on an Alice in Wonderland-like story, where a young girl goes on a journey through a world where she doesn't quite understand the rules.

To this day, this is the highestgrossing movie in Japan — beating even Titanic — and after you see its beautiful animation, it's easy to understand why.

PLAYLIST FOR THE WEEK

Blackmagic_ Tems Soon

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Boj_ Obongjayar Action Boyz

Burna Boy - Last Last

IDK - Zaza Tree

Toy Story (1995) When your child watches Pixar's very first feature for the very first time, there's a good chance they'll be shocked to find that the TV's been reading their mind. (Expect lots of very amusing attempts to "catch" toys coming to life after the kid has left their room.) And even as it inspires children's imaginations to run wild, Toy Story also introduces kids to important entertainment tropes like mismatched odd couples (Buzz and Woody, voiced to perfection by Allen and Hanks), wisecracking leading men (Woody again), cultural references (that will go sailing over their heads),and catchphrases ("To infinity, and beyond!"). It's also fast-paced and jampacked enough to reward repeat viewing—a good thing, considering how often they'll want to watch it. Bonus: It's never too early to fall in love with Randy Newman.

The Incredibles (2004) The Incredibles ranks among Pixar's best for how it cannily satirises some of the most iconic genres in cinema history.

Rarely does a minute of screen time pass without an allusion to superhero or spy movie tropes, subtle references that seem to grow in number with every subsequent viewing. But what separates the film from outright parody—and anchors it as a compelling narrative in its own right—is its undercurrent of middleclass, middle-aged angst. It's an incredible mish-mash of genre blockbusters that also happens to have a soul.

WATCH of the Week

Love, Death and Robots Season 3

The premise behind Love, Death + Robots is basically a free-for-all, a blank canvas – and seemingly blank check – for artists and animators to tell all kinds of interesting and provocative stories.

The first volume featured 18 episodes, which was obviously too many, while the second featured eight, which wasn't quite enough.

The third volume offers nine unique stories, which isn't many more, but the upside is that they're all very good – a couple are even truly great.

There are some keys to the show's success. One is its NSFW tone, which doesn't skimp on sex and violence and gives the storytellers the freedom to go as far as they like. Another is its chosen genres of science-fiction, fantasy, and horror, crowd-pleasing sandboxes well suited to metaphor and more malleable in animation than live-action. But the real advantage isn't much of a secret – the show's just made by talented people who have been given enough creative freedom to tell the stories they want to. In an age of brand preservation and sanitised, family-friendly mass-market entertainment, that's perhaps more vital than we realise.

If you watch any single episode from Love, Death + Robots Season 3, make it this one. The season's clear highlight is the second episode, Bad Travelling, a nautical story of heroism and horror from

KAYTRANADA_ GoldLink_ Joyce Wrice_ KAYTRANADA Ari PenSmith_ Eight9FLY - Odunsi (The Engine)_ Tems - Decided - Iced Tea Vex Oh (feat. Eight9FLY)

writer-director duo Andrew Kevin Walker and David Fincher. The Very Pulse of the Machine is a surreal hand-drawn descent into madness, drenched in ambiguity. Night of the Mini Dead is a triumphant stopmotion zombie apocalypse. And Kill Team Kill pokes enthusiastic fun at gung-ho American militarism in a hyper-violent, satirical riff on Predator.

Approaching the end, Swarm is high-minded sci-fi about humanity's greed and arrogance.

Mason's Rats warns against burgeoning technology and impersonal, behind-closeddoors warfare, and In Vaulted Halls Entombed delivers nearphotorealistic CGI in a closequarters, deliberately ambiguous action story.

A daring final episode titled Jibaro, which reworks the siren myth as a sexual assault allegory through the medium of interpretive dance is quite a closer.

Practically all of these episodes run less than 20 minutes, which is an extraordinary accomplishment given how much narrative ground they cover and how much they're able to achieve, especially visually.

Each is distinct and memorable, and the overall collection is another impressive batch of short stories with enough variety to please almost everyone.

Love, Death + Robots Season 3 is now streaming, exclusively on Netflix.

Rexx Life Raj_ Fireboy Zinoleesky - Loving You DML_ Wale - Beauty In The Madness