THEWILL DOWNTOWN MAY 08, 2022 EDITION

VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

THE ENCHANTING WORLD OF

OKOYA

VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

8

CONTENTS 16

COVER THE ENCHANTING WORLD OF SHADE OKOYA Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

W

VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

hile it was commonplace to think a young woman being married to a wealthy older man is just for, well, status symbol, some women are breaking this bias.

One of such women is our cover personality for this week, Shade Okoya. As we all know, she was young when she made the bold move to marry Chief Rasaq Okoya, and while most people expected her to be the trophy wife, Shade Okoya now heads his business empire, proving she is anything but a trophy.

In this interview, Okoya shares intimate details about her work, what the government should be doing with the fashion industry to generate funds for our beloved Nigeria, and areas where the Nigerian garment infrastructure needs improvement. We also speak about motherhood and raising her children in the metaverse age.

Talking about motherhood, in this issue, we pay homage to our readers who celebrate Mothers Day; today with some movies to watch with mum, wellness tips for new mums, and gift ideas for lastminute.com shoppers.

We also feature some cocktail recipes for you to try at home, and of course, my favourite cocktail, Strawberry Daiquiri (shaken), gets a spot —it makes for a good breakup drink.

Speaking of breakups, have you ever heard the words: It’s not you; it’s me? Our relationship page discusses those dreaded lines in an article titled, Let’s Take a Break.

While some breakups end sourly with exes never speaking to each other, others end in friendships that could bring opportunities. The latter is true for our SoroSoke personality, Olaitan Ademola A.K.A Demo Uk, who was motivated to take his storytelling seriously after a conversation with his ex-girlfriend.

Rings are not just fashion accessories anymore; you can track your health, share business cards, and some rings even serve as a key to your door —yes, you read right; a key. Page 15 tells you all you need to know about Smart rings.

Let me say a big thank you to Ohimai Atafo for being such a great Guest Editor throughout April; we can’t wait to have you with us again soon.

REVIEW MOVIES TO WATCH WITH MOM ON MOTHER’S DAY

04-05

15

FASHION YES! ANOTHER MET GALA!: CELEBRITIES SHOW OFF AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME IN EIGHT MONTHS

TECHTALK PUT A RING ON IT

14

LIVING

WINE & WHINE 4 EASY-TO-MAKE COCKTAILS FOR A GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT

COVER STORY IMAGES BY : TY BELLO @tybello & FELIX CROWN @felixcrown

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RELATIONSHIP LET'S TAKE A BREAK: THE KISS OF DEATH?

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SOROSOKE DOWNTOWN OLAITAN ‘DEMO UK’ ADEMOLA

11

BEAUTY MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS FOR LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS

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.

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

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 WELLNESS WELLNESS TIPS FOR EVERY NEW MUM

WHAT YOU SAID INSTAGRAM @naijaonnetflix

Love to see it. Keep Winning @officialosas

So Proud of youuuuu!!!

@bolanle

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.

e enter

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VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

FASHION

Another Met Gala!

Celebrities Show Off Again For The Second Time In Eight Months

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

F

Teyana Taylor wore Iris van Herpen, styled by EJ King

Theme: In America: An Anthology of Fashion (Gilded Age)

Lenny Kravitz wore Chrome Hearts

ashion’s biggest night returned last Monday as our favourite celebrities stunned in custom designer looks on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the 2022 Met Gala.

This year's event marks the second instalment of the American-themed exhibition, called ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion.’ Part one, ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,’ took place in September 2021 after the Met Gala took a hiatus in 2020 amid the pandemic.

Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds served as cochairs for the event as well as Oscar-winner Regina King and actor, composer and director Lin-Manuel Miranda. Designer Tom Ford, Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, and Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor-in-chief, served as honorary co-chairs for the event—all of whom were briefed on the “gilded glamour” dress code.

Here are some of our best looks of the night.

Alicia Keys wore Ralph Lauren paying homage to New York City

Gunna wore Thom Browne

Kid Cudi wore Kenzo by Nigo

Megan Thee Stallion wore Moschino, styled by Eric Archibald

Kerry Washington wore Tory Burch, styled by Law Roach Gabrielle Union wore Versace, styled

by Thomas Christos

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Ciara wore Michael Kors Dwayne Wade wore Versace, styled

by Jason Bolden

VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

FASHION

Winnie Harlow wore Iris van Herpen Naomi Campbell wore Burberry

Lizzo wore Thom Browne, styled by Jason Rembert

Chloe Bailey wore Area

Erykah Badu

Future wore Boss

Anderson .Paak wore Gucci

Giveon wore Chanel

Nicki Minaj Janelle Monae wore Ralph Lauren

PAGE 5 Cardi B wore Versace, styled by Kollin Carter

VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

RELATIONSHIP

run around with a sharp object, someone could get hurt. If you don't define "taking a break," that break can quickly turn into breakfast, er, a breakup. And who's to say that taking a break resulting in a breakup is a bad thing? It's a good thing to end a relationship that isn't working for you.

ORIGINAL IMAGE FROM ALAMY

THE

KISS DEATH? of

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

I

f we were to put together a playlist of the most terrifying things you wouldn’t want to be told in a relationship you'd have; “ we need to talk, who is…, I don't think we can continue, It's not you, it's me, and topping that list would be “let’s take a break”. But why does it top that list? Surely, we all understand what a break means right?

We've heard it constantly in our lives, so much so, that it's a factory-installed app in our memories. Break. However, once it is mentioned in the context of a relationship it becomes synonymous with “it's over or I'm afraid this relationship just isn't working out.” It might not sound as much but it sure feels as much. It is branded as the kiss of

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death of every romantic endeavour; the calm before the storm if one may put it that way and pop culture also actively preaches the same gospel.

What then, does it mean when stripped of all its many meanings? Maybe two parties trying to reassess where they both stand in the relationship or an individual party trying to reassess their position in the relationship; what (s)he wants out of it and is it something (s)he still wants to pursue. The intricacies of why the break is on the table at all depend on who suggested it. What most instigators of the break fail to address is what happens whilst the break is ongoing. Are they allowed to see (sleep) with other people, etc, etc? You can't leave it all in the open... open to translation. It's like letting a kid

But this can't be something that started from thin air like light famously was and there's research to back it up. One 2009 study of on-again, off-again relationships among college students discovered that on-again couples were more likely to report negative experiences, such as communication issues and uncertainty, and less likely to report positive feelings, such as love and understanding from a partner than other types of couples. Although research isn’t on team ‘let’s take a break’, there are healthy ways to approach it and come out better for it.

Reaching an agreement on what ‘taking a break’ really means is a good place to start. I can't reinstate how important this is. Sit down and hatch it together like adults.

Circle out what and the why and understand why taking time apart is the best-case scenario. Then discuss logistics; communication structure. Is the relationship still exclusive or is it open? Who gets what during the temporary time apart, who gets the puppy, who pays for Netflix, or should you both just get separate accounts? The whole point of the break is to work on yourselves and hopefully come back together stronger. So the duration and the agreement of what ‘break’ means is what matters. People take breaks, see other people and then come back when they feel more secure in whatever area they felt insecure about. Would that be your relationship or it's another one that bites the dust? It's all up to you and you.

VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

SÓRÓSOKE DOWNTOWN

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

Olaitan ‘Demo UK’ Ademola clashing with my job, to which I got queried severally. Although what I was earning from the business wasn't up to my salary at the time, I decided to quit and focus on content creation and my honey business.

Storytelling is a phenomenon that is prevalent across several art forms but is quickly wilting.

Once upon a time, ‘Once upon a time’ was all that was needed to get people's attention. The power that telling tales holds, whether completely made up or based on real-life events, was huge; but not anymore.

One person is on a mission to bring folklore back to mainstream media.

This week's Sorosoke features Olaitan Ademola, popularly known as Demo UK, as he tells his story of how he started telling stories for a living.

L

et's talk about what you do. You're becoming one of the biggest storytellers in the country thanks to your unique approach to skit-making. When did you know that you were going to be on social media making people laugh?

I have been doing this since way back in 2011. Back then, I used to create memes with my face and make them into picture collages. It was more of posting funny reactions on my Twitter.

You started it and then left the scene at some point. Why did you leave?

I took a break in 2014 after I had gathered the audience I needed.

At that time, to be honest, there was nothing like brand influencers, and content creation, so there was no money. Maybe people were making money, but I wasn't. I just had the audience; the followers. I was finishing school at the time and doing my NYSC. It was as soon as I finished school my parents stopped fending for me, so I had to fend for myself. I wouldn't just wake up and say I want to make people laugh when I had nothing in my bank account, so I decided to leave the internet and focus on reality. I deactivated all my accounts, and so I was away for about a year or two before making a comeback.

I came back when my ex-girlfriend, who we did something similar back then on Twitter, told me how much she was making. While we were together, she was constantly getting calls for influencer jobs and it was just endless. I saw my potential and the talent that I have, so I quit my 9-5 where I was working with MTN, created new accounts, and came back to creating content full-time.

It must have been tough leaving the job security at MTN for something as uncertain as social media content creation. How did people around you take that transition?

I feel like the question should be ‘how did I take the transition’ because it wasn't an easy game [laughs]. You know when you want to make that decision and then you think about home. I was basically at home, with no more work and so no more expectations of a monthly salary. This was what gave me shivers as I began to second-guess the decision. In retrospect, I think it was a good decision. When I was working 9-5, I was selling honey as a side business. I had made a few customers online and so it was

When did you then get on Kraks TV? How did your affiliation with them start?

It happened after my comeback. I made content around a story that was trending online. One thing about my content is that although I often write them down, I hate to read. And I'm a mass communication graduate. I feel like there are so many people like me who don't take the time out to read, especially if it is a long epistle.

Personally, I usually just skim through. I asked myself how I would communicate with people who want to get the whole tea but hate to read. So I coined a genre that I called 'comedy journalism'. The idea behind that is you get a news story in a comedic way. I jumped on the already-trending story by reporting it with memes. It went viral on Twitter and Instagram people picked it up.

It was so hilarious that it made all the big blogs, and people didn't even know who the author was. Kraks posted it as well but didn't give me credit. So I had to fight for it in the comment section. They would later reach out to me asking me to make that kind of content regularly, and exclusively for their blog. At the same time, another blog reached out to me, and they were willing to pay me for my content but I stuck with Kraks because they had a better audience reach that I needed to leverage. I placed the exposure over the money even though I was still broke at the time. At the end of the day, I had a meeting with them (Kraks) and they offered to pay. That was how the Kraks collaboration came about.

Aside from getting jobs from business owners and brands who came to me for work, I also worked for Boomplay as a content creator, and they paid about a 500% increment of what Kraks did.

All of that served as a propeller to this point. You created a niche for yourself in comedic journalism.

Just how important do you reckon it is that Nigerians ought to pay attention to storytelling?

Storytelling is an important factor. Like I said earlier, Nigerians barely read, they don't want to see long write-ups. They prefer if it's being acted out. And that's what I transitioned to. I realised that I could appeal to more audiences if I acted my stuff out than just putting it in write-ups. So far so

good, I feel like Nigerians love storytelling, but it hasn't really blossomed, as it should. I wish I could have people in my field so we can be a force. I want people to give light and attention to storytellers the same way they would rate skitmakers.

Oftentimes we see skitmakers go ahead to feature in movies. Are we expecting that same trajectory from you?

What I would like to try out is putting my stories on bigger screens. One day I would like to premiere a collection of my stories in cinemas where people can then go to watch.

That is my goal. Storytelling is quite different from skitmaking because, with storytelling, it could be fiction or nonfiction. I want people to not mistake them for each other. I just don't know how to create that impression with people.

A lot of skitmakers are also standup comedians. Are you?

No, I'm not. The sad part is that I cannot even face the crowd. I'm so shy. I was supposed to have been in front of the camera for so long, but because of my shyness, I'd rather be behind the camera, and that's why I did a lot of writing. But because I needed to step up and change the game, I figured I had to appear more, and so during the pandemic, I got on Tiktok and was shooting more content. At the time when I was writing, people knew the work but didn't know the brain behind them, and so some people didn't know me until I introduced myself. But since I started making more video content, it has helped a lot with referrals. People now see me and say ‘this is the storyteller guy.’

Seeing how you almost gave this up when you deactivated your social media accounts, before making the u-turn, do you have any messages for people who have dropped their interest at some point or plan to?

The message basically will just be about finding themselves. They have to find themselves first because if you don't do that and are working towards a direction because other people are, you might just miss your way. You need the conviction that you're good in that field and if you have that, you need to start working endlessly and be consistent with it.

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VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

COVER

The Enchanting World of

Shade Okoya

Yes, my grandma raised me, but I am just naturally blessed at being able to recognize people’s needs... You must have a flair for it to be able to do the same.”

IMAGE BY : TY BELLO @tybello

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VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

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COVER Apart from my family, my work is my life. I can’t have anyone mess around with it… Planning ahead, analysing the general state of things, and overseeing daily affairs properly. ”

F

or ages, young women married to wealthy older businessmen were seen as trophy wives but in recent times, more women have shown that they are not just ornaments to be displayed; they too can be astute business leaders.

For Folashade Okoya, because she was always business-minded —her plethora of awards for business excellence attest to this— it made her marriage to Industrialist, Cheif Rasaq Akanni Okoya a match made in heaven.

Most young women face a lot of prejudice; having to prove themselves before older, more experienced staff when it comes to running their husband’s business, but not Shade Okoya. Armed with grit and under the mentorship of an excellent businessman in her husband, Rasaq Okoya, she has been able to reposition the company into a world-class empire, while gaining the respect of the team, and bringing up her children.

But how does she do it without so much as a glisten of sweat on her brow? In this tell-all interview with DOWNTOWN Editor, Onah Nwachukwu, she divulges this and much more.

When it comes down to running her husband’s dynasty, the question of respect comes to play. So how did she manage to get the respect of her team? She simply did what any natural leader would; take charge. “By being in a leadership role, planning ahead, analysing the general state of things, and overseeing daily affairs properly,” she explained.

Running a business empire is no small feat; it comes with people management, in Okoya’s case, over 3,000 people. And for someone who is ever so graceful, you can’t help but wonder what her pet peeves are when it comes to working. For Okoya, it’s majorly three things in a staff member, “unorganized staff, dirty staff, or staff who lie,” she emphasised. You can’t blame her, can you? After all, being organised is a much-needed skillset that will help you wade through the ocean of challenges in a working environment, as is being truthful.

As such, a solid character is certainly a quality good leaders look out for; and most businessmen or women have a particular character they are recognized for.

While some are more easy-going than others, in Okoya’s case, she is very passionate about her work, and she doesn’t mince her words, “Apart from my family, my work is my life. I can’t have anyone mess around with it.” This comes as no surprise considering she comes from a family of hardworking women, and for this Managing Director, it seems that her children are already following in hers and her husband's footsteps.

According to her, “All my children work in the factory during their holiday or spare time. They are all following up on the family business line.”

Having been brought up by her grandmother, Okoya grew up with some traditional values, one of them being respect. Anyone who knows or has seen her at public events would have observed her humble nature. A trait she was once known to have said 'takes nothing away from you, so why not?' Regardless of her achievements and social status, she does a full curtsy to elder friends of her spouse in public gatherings. In line with this, our conversation toed the line of how the new generation is quite fixated on social media and seems to have lost the kind of values people from previous generations were brought up with.

When asked what she does to keep her daughters grounded, as opposed to being enthralled in the world of social media, her response about the subject is rather impressive, “My girls know what they want and they have their priorities right.

God willing I pray all they want they will get in life in abundance. We’re very real in my family, and do not get caught up in social media noise.” You could say the adage that an apple does not fall far from the tree is true for Shade Okoya and her girls —they all know what they want.

Being married to someone for a little over twenty-four years means you must have built memories with him or her. For some people, it’s the many adventures they’ve had, but for Okoya, it’s her family. “Over the years a lot has happened but I’ll say the fondest memories involve looking back to how this generous man gave me four wonderful children.” And are there lessons this 45-year-old has learnt over those years? “Some lessons I have learnt in my marriage are to be more loving and tolerant. As love conquers all.” Indeed it does, but how, you might ask, was she able to seamlessly step into the role of being married to Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya? Could being raised by her grandmother —meaning she lived and associated mostly with senior citizens— have prepared her for her role as Mrs. Okoya? She clarifies, “Yes, my grandma raised me, but I am just naturally blessed at being able to recognize people’s needs and gain attention. You must have a flair for it to be able to do the same.”

Living with her grandmother must have exposed her —to some degree— to what a relationship should be like with a husband. Although it has been widely said that being disciplined by a husband

IMAGES BY : FELIX CROWN @felixcrown

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VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

COVER —for clarity, being beaten— was commonplace in the past, did that mean tolerating it? Social media was inexistent at the time, and as such, we are unable to ascertain if or how common domestic violence was. However, with the advent of social media, we have now come to see how common it is in Nigeria and the world at large. Okoya shares her opinion on this topic, “Nobody deserves to be in an abusive marriage for the sake of love. Treat yourself better and know you deserve better.

Help has to be rendered to such partners before they can be a better person.”

The Okoya family is fast-growing, one of their sons recently got married, and the lyrics to the age-old nursery rhyme, Kissing, come to mind: First comes love.

Then comes marriage. Then comes baby in a baby carriage. It is safe to say steps one and two, according to the rhyme, have been fulfilled. Following the sequence of the nursery rhyme, the next step for him would be, ‘baby in a baby carriage’, and the title grandma isn’t exactly something you think of when you see Shade Okoya. But she is quite comfortable with it. —That is when the time comes.— While explaining whether she is looking forward to being called grandma, she said, “Yes, family makes me happy. Having my children early didn’t limit or stop me from working so I’ll be happy to be an early grandma. It will be another of God's wonderful gifts to me. I am always grateful.”

For most grandparents, a child is a blessing regardless of the sex, and seeing as this business mogul seems poised for 'grandmotherhood', naturally the question of whether she would prefer a particular gender over the other for a first grandchild arose. She responded saying, “Not really, I am always open to what comes my way. Any addition is a blessing to me.” What a fashionable grandma she would make.

Speaking of fashion, Shade Okoya's fashion sense as we have come to know and love is quite elegant. When it comes to turning heads, she does so without even trying, and for the right reasons too. 'It would be interesting to know what her fashion rules have been from the onset', I thought, and so asking about her earliest fashion rule was inevitable. ”I wear only what I am comfortable in, I don’t follow fashion to inconvenience myself.” It comes as no surprise that someone as fashionable as she is would be a patron of Fashion Designers Association of Nigerian (FADAN).

In holding such a position, it is expected that she would know TOP IMAGE: FELIX CROWN @felixcrown | BOTTOM IMAGE: TY BELLO @tybello

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where the Nigerian garment industry’s infrastructure needs improvement. “All industries in Nigeria need help with basic infrastructure which is hardly limited to the fashion industry only. Most factories are closing down because of the hardships they endure to continue daily.

The fashion industry is one area that is neglected and this industry can make a lot of revenue for the country in terms of importation and the like. Nigerians are highly fashionable, there are lots of upcoming designers and if they get the basic support, it will turn the country around for good.” Being one of such many fashionable people in a country like Nigeria with many upcoming designers, and several established ones, the curious case of which is Shade Okoya’s favourite Nigerian designer, needed to be settled. She certainly wears Nigerian brands, but which ones? “There are lots of good designers in Nigeria; the list is endless. I am a promoter of made in Nigeria products and talent.” It is safe to say that she patronizes a lot of them.

For this relentless businesswoman who also happens to have kept a svelte figure without surgical enhancements, turning fortyfive is a milestone worth celebrating. For many women, attaining that age comes with some changes but for Okoya, “Being 45-years-old doesn’t change anything. I’ll always be me, I know what I want, and I always go for it. Nothing has changed with me so far.” And like everyone else on earth she also has wishes and desires for herself at this phase in her life, which include, “God’s abundant blessings and favour. I pray for long life to me. Amen.”

What more could a woman who seems to have it all wish for?

Nobody deserves to be in an abusive marriage for the sake of love. Treat yourself better and know you deserve better. Help has to be rendered to such partners before they can be a better person.”

VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY

GIFT IDEAS FOR LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS

I

t’s Mother’s Day; the perfect time to celebrate your mum, biological or not, with some lush beauty gifts. While making the perfect choice can be overwhelming, knowing that it’s all about appreciating mum is a good place to start. So think about getting gifts that make her feel beautiful and loved.

Whatever choice you make; whether scented candles, a skincare range, or a luxe scent, for

SKINCARE Get a product that will act as an antioxidant, remove blemishes and increase radiance.

That’s the whole idea behind skincare, isn’t it? On the other hand, going the natural route is also a great option.

mums and mother figures, it's really the thought that counts.

Whether you choose to splurge, and get her a beauty box filled with goodies or go for something simple, our Editor Onah Nwachukwu makes a few suggestions for all you last-minute shoppers.

We must confess though, that going the luxe route always works.

SCENTS An ode to classic scents is a sure way to make her all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Trust me, she’ll love the feeling of nostalgia that these fragrances give.

Mon Guerlain GUERLAIN

Opium YVES SAINT LAUREN

Argan & Carrot Botanical Body Oil MAKARI

Gucci Premiere GUCCI

CANDLES

N°5 CHANEL

212 CAROLINA HERRERA

Whether a new mum or working mum, you can’t go wrong with a lavender fragrance or any heavenly scent for that

Lavender Vanilla Fragrance DÉKÉ

MAKEUP Surprise mum with a classic red lipstick.

For a young mum, include something with a little bit of glitter.

Pink Champagne Fragrance DÉKÉ

MaX Sheen Lipgloss ZARON Iconic Red Lipstick REVLON

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VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

WELLNESS

WELLNESS TIPS FOR EVERY NEW MUM L

ife as a new mum, unlike anything else, can be undoubtedly tedious. In between the many sleepless nights, running errands, or fulfilling doctor's appointments, taking time out to breathe and relax is just as important for you. While you may be busy with learning the ins and outs of caring for a new-born, this Mother's Day is a perfect time to allow a little break to care for yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Here, we put together some handy tips to help ease your day-to-day challenges and make your life as a new mum a lot more comfortable.

BY SOPHIA EDISI

Mekdes Kissi

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY DIET

A THERAPEUTIC SHOWER

GET ALL THE SLEEP YOU NEED

Sasha Exeter

A simple way to relax, and show some love to your body is by having a nice hot bath with bubbles from your favourite luxe bath care set. Add essential oils that aid stress relief, and scented candles for a fresh aromatherapy atmosphere. You'll be sure to have the best quality of sleep afterward.

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You may be a super mum, but you definitely need to find time to take a nap when the body begs for it. While waking up in the middle of the night for feeding and diaper changes are inevitable, if you can increase the total hours you spend sleeping, you will store up enough energy to get you through your day without feeling burnt out.

We know the cravings are extremely outrageous at this time which in turn, can cause an imbalanced diet. Drinking enough water and feeding your body with the right amount of fruits and vegetables will boost your body's metabolism. Take a moment and make a list of healthy foods and keep them close by, for when you're too tired to think of what to eat.

VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

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WELLNESS BEAUTY HOME CARE KIT A beauty care kit may include things like bath soaks, bath bombs, body wash, belly lotions, and oils, foot creams, sleep masks, nipple cream, nipple cooling pads, silk pillows, These few cute little at-home care kits, carefully put together, is necessary for all new mums.

Beauty Set SKIN BY ZARON

INVEST IN YOUR LOOK It’s time to let go of the maternity look and get back in the game of looking your best beautiful self. Do what will make you look and feel good such as getting a mani-pedi.

GET A POSTPARTUM MASSAGE

A postpartum massage is a heavenly way to pamper yourself as a new mum. Learning how to breastfeed and holding your baby in new ways could give you slight discomfort in your arm, neck, or shoulders. Getting a postpartum massage is a wonderful way to relieve all the tension and changes your body is going through.

EMBRACE SOME “ME TIME” Do one thing a day that focuses only on you.

It could be listening to nice soul-soothing music while sipping a hot cup of tea, reading your favourite lifestyle magazine, or anything you consider fun.

Find the time to do whatever whatever hobby puts a smile on your face; even if it’s just for a few minutes in the day.

CONNECT WITH OTHER NEW MUMS

Connect and socialize with other new mums that share similar experiences with you. Having someone to talk to and getting yourself out of the house to socialize with other mums who are in similar situations like you could be a major lifesaver.

REGULAR HEALTHCARE VISIT

As a new mum, you need to see the doctor just as much as your baby does.

Although keeping track of the baby’s wellness checks is already challenging, prioritizing your own health and taking supplements or medication that’s prescribed by your doctors or a trusted healthcare provider will serve you well in the long run.

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VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

LIVING

4 EASY-TO-MAKE COCKTAILS FOR A GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT

W

hen 'Time 100', and 'Bloomberg 50' honourees, Damilola Odufuwa and Odunayo Eweniyi announced their monthly support group ‘Wine and Whine’ in 2018, it felt as though they had filled a void that was begging to be filled. The foundation which served as a safe space for women to support each other, complain, think up solutions and drink wine, was eventually discontinued and morphed into the Feminist Coalition. We are yet to see if the fight for patriarchy can be won in the nearest future. However, whatever battle strategy we have to shake up the norm, wines and cocktails have been proven to be good ammunition to have in our arsenal.

Drinks are perhaps the most important facilitators of any healthy social gathering.

Whether on a girls’ night out, exploring your city one location at a time, or hosting an otherwise introverted sleepover with the cast of your sorority, one thing you don't ever want to run out of is drinks; wine, cocktails or mocktails. When next you hang out with your female friends, whether to fight the patriarchy, talk about motherhood or just share gossip, here are four easy ‘DIY’ cocktails or mocktails you should consider making, courtesy of ace mixologist and Lagos Cocktail Week convener, Lara Rawa.

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

SEX ON THE BEACH Ingredients • Ice cubes • 50ml of vodka • 50ml of peach schnapps • Dash of freshly squeezed lemon juice • 100-150ml of cranberry juice • 100-150ml of orange juice • Lemon slices, fresh or maraschino cherries and mint sprigs, to serve

STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRI

IMAGE FROM FITFOODIEFINDS.COM

For an extra fruity flavour make this cocktail with strawberry vodka and replace half the orange juice with pineapple juice.

Ingredients • 4 fresh strawberries, plus ½ strawberry to garnish • 2 teaspoons of white sugar • 35ml of white rum • 1 tablespoon of strawberry liqueur • 25ml of lime juice

IMAGE FROM MASTERCLASS.COM

How to make…

• Fill two chilled highball glasses with ice cubes. Place the vodka, peach schnapps and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker and shake well or pour into a jug and stir well. Divide between the two glasses.

• Top up each glass with equal measures of cranberry and orange juice. Add a slice of lemon and a cherry to each glass and serve decorated with fresh mint sprigs.

How to make…

• Place the strawberries, sugar, rum, strawberry liqueur and lime juice into the base of a cocktail shaker and mash (muddle) with the end of a clean rolling pin. Or use a blender • Place the lid onto the cocktail shaker and shake well.

• Strain the mixture into a Martini glass and garnish with half a strawberry.

COSMOPOLITAN Ingredients • Ice • 45ml of lemon vodka • 15ml of triple sec liqueur (or any orange-flavoured liqueur) • 30ml of cranberry juice • 10ml of lime juice • For the garnish, orange zest, or a lime wedge on the rim of the glass.

APPLETINI

How to make…

• Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

• To make the garnish: hold a 3cm round piece of orange zest about 10cm above your cosmo and very carefully wave it over a lit match or lighter flame. Bend the outer edge of the zest in towards the flame so that the orange oils are released, then drop the zest into your drink.

How to make…

• Shake the vodka, cloudy apple juice, lemon juice and maple syrup in an ice-filled shaker until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.

• Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a slice of apple.

APPLETINI GETTY IMAGES BY HUNGRY FOREVER

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IMAGE FROM MASTERCLASS.COM

Ingredients • 50ml of vodka • 50ml of cloudy apple juice • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice • 1 teaspoon of maple syrup • A slice of apple to serve

VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

TECHTALK

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

O

ver the last few decades, we have witnessed many everyday items getting smarter and doing a lot more for us daily. There are many such items as hats, phones, TVs, and speakers that make our lives easier and lowkey made us addicted to this way of living.

Nowadays, we cannot imagine a TV that will not bring us multiple streaming channels or a mobile phone that cannot serve our voice commands. On top of all the smart devices we all know, the feature of being smart is spread to the tiniest objects we didn’t think could do the job.

One of the most unique of them all, for instance, is smart rings. Smart rings, the lovechild of jewellery and fitness trackers, are designed for anyone who longs to log health metrics without the bulk and annoyance of a notificationhappy computer on their wrist. You can unlock your door, track your oxygen levels, and do much more with them!

Despite how small it is, it's not just a piece of stylish jewellery on your finger but it also acts as an electronic gadget to keep you company depending on your needs. We narrowed down four of the best to finally get you to put a ring on it.

RING Get Familiar With The Four Best Smart Rings

1. Alotm R3 Smart Ring (from #12,000) Besides how cool and smart it looks, Alotm will almost act as your personal assistant as it covers most of the small details for you in your day. Alotm R3 can serve you as a key to your personal phone, and even a key to your door. On top of that, it can replace all of your RFID-supported cards to enter your parking lot or local gym and many more places that require a membership card. It is also equipped with precious metals such as a volcano magnet and FIR energy stone to help you balance your body’s ions, raise oxygen levels in your body, remove harmless toxins and relieve joint and muscle pain. With just a touch, you can share pictures, business cards, or website links with anyone you want.

3. BodiMetrics CIRCUL Sleep And Fitness Ring (#83,000) The CIRCUL is designed to track and record your blood oxygen levels, record your exercise heart rate, steps, and calories burned. You can also track your sleep oxygen saturation, heart rate, and sleep stages, as it alerts you via your CIRCUL mobile app according to the oxygen saturation levels you set for your personal tracking. To keep track of your entire bodily health, you can share your sleep and workout statistics with your partner, trainer, physician, caregiver, or family member.

4. Oura Ring Generation 3 (#124,685) Alotm R3 Smart Ring ALOTM

2. Dhyana Meditation Ring (from #58,000) Dhyana created this smart meditation ring to assist you in enhancing your general well-being, motivation, and everyday mindfulness exercises and rituals. It's not only easy to charge, but it's even easier to charge up and carry around with you, thanks to safe HRV (heart rate variability) sensors, an astounding seven-day active battery, and wireless charging features.

The Dhyana meditation monitoring software generates a full report after each session including breathing, times your mind strayed away, and when you focused.

BodiMetrics Sleep and Fitness Ring CIRCUL

Dhyana Meditation Ring DHYANA

The Oura Ring might look like your average piece of jewellery, but it’s loaded with sensors for your heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature.

It also features a 3D accelerometer for detecting movement. It’s available in four different metal finishes, but you’ll need to use a sizing kit to find the proper fit. While the sizing process is a little tedious, it’s essential to fitting something you’re supposed to wear 24/7. Speaking of 24/7 wear, the Oura Ring only needs to be removed for charging every 4-7 days. It’s waterproof and protected against soaps, oils, or other elements your fingers may come in contact with.

Oura leads the pack as the best makers of smart rings to date, but with Movano promising slightly better features at a cheaper price, and with Apple's announcement of their smart ring patent, 2022 is shaping up to be the year of finger-worn wearables.

Oura Generation 3 Smart Ring OURA

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VOL 2 NO.19 • MAY 08 - MAY 14, 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:

10 MOVIES TO WATCH WITH MOM ON MOTHER’S DAY

The relationship between mother and child is beautiful, but it's also...complicated. Though you love your mom and know she loves you right back, she's probably the person in the world most able to make you crazy. And for just about as long as there have been movies, there have been filmmakers set on capturing this bittersweet, nuanced, joyful, frustrating relationship. And, to be honest, sometimes they nail it . Below, here are 10 movies that explore every angle of the complex mother-child relationship you can binge with your mom this Mother's Day.

Lady Bird Greta Gerwig wrote and directed this semi-autobiographical stunner about a chatty Sacramento teen (an arresting Saoirse Ronan) who yearns to be anywhere but home and spends her days quarrelling with her equally strong-willed mother (an invincible Laurie Metcalf).

The Color Purple Based on the Alice Walker novel, this 1985 period drama follows the harrowing life of young Celie as she faces racism, sexism, and domestic violence. Her life is completely transformed when two strong women help her find her self-worth.

Brave Mums are fiercely protective and, sometimes, have a hard time communicating with their daughters. Pixar's Brave takes those two truths and turns them into literal plot points in this fairytale about a princess who has to reverse an accidental curse she places on her mother that turns the queen into a ferocious bear.

Room

The Blind Side

Brie Larson, who won an Oscar for her performance in this film, stars as a kidnapped young mother whose son knows nothing beyond the small room in which they are held captive. Witness the maternal strength it takes as she guides her son through their imprisonment, escape, and transition to the real world. Inspired by a harrowing true story, it's a testament to a mother's true love.

Mother and son relationships take all different shapes. In this football film, Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is a homeless teen who has struggled to stay in school.

When Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) discovers this, she decides to help him out and along with her husband (played by Tim McGraw) they take the teen under their wing to get him through school and beyond. Based on a true story, it’s one of the more touching motherson movies.

Mamma Mia! You'll love this classic for the ABBA soundtrack alone, but the story also pulls at the heartstrings. A woman (Amanda Seyfried) preparing for her wedding invites her three possible fathers to the ceremony without telling her mum (Meryl Streep). Meanwhile, her mom has brought her former backup singers.

You'll tap your toes and hum all the way to the finale.

Mother’s Day

Tully

This 2016 romantic comedy, featuring an all-star ensemble cast, centers around the annual holiday it’s named after. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts, Jason Sudeikis, and Shay Mitchell (just to name a few), this movie follows the lives of strangers as they celebrate Mother's Day in their own way, uncovering the multitude of ways their lives are actually intertwined.

For its somewhat uncomfortable portrayal of motherhood, Tully reminds us just how exhausting being a mum is. Watching a sleep-deprived (and maybe even mentally ill) mum-of-three played

by Charlize Theron will make you grateful for your mom — we hope.

In this 2018 film, Tully is a nanny who helps Theron, but you never actually see her; and that in itself will give you thriller-y vibes. Wait until you see the twist in the end!

PLAYLIST FOR THE WEEK

•2Pac - Dear Mama

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•Asa - So Beautiful

Lion When five-year-old Saroo gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of miles from home, he has to survive on his own.

Later, he's adopted by a couple in Australia—and when he grows up, he sets out to find his family. Dev Patel plays older Saroo, searching for his family, Nicole Kidman plays Saroo's adoptive mother, and Priyanka Rose plays Saroo's biological mother.

The Incredibles 2 Working mums will especially relate to this sequel to the popular superhero family flick that came out in 2018, The Incredibles. When Helen gets a new gig, her husband Bob takes over full-time parenting for the first time. But when a new villain threatens their city and their family, it takes the whole clan to save the day.

•Prince Nico Mbarga & •WizKid - Mummy Mi •Bruno Mars_ Anderson .Paak_ Silk Sonic - Leave •Dipo Sodipo - Iya ni Wura •Kacey Musgraves - Mother •Kanye West - Hey Mama *Meghan Trainor ft Kelli Rocafil Jazz International Trainor Mom Sweet Mother The Door Open