EDITOR’S NOTE
IPhoto: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron
nya Lawal is a social entrepreneur who has a passion for capacity building and sustainable economic empowerment. She is a beneficiary of capacity building herself, through the Fortune Most Powerful Women’s Mentoring Program, where she was paired with leading executives at Goldman Sachs for a month. It was through conversations with her mentor that she truly understood what sustainable economic empowerment means and how vital it is to growing ecosystems. At the time of the experience, she was already immersed in supporting entrepreneurs and young creatives, but it ignited a more profound passion for the work. As she continued to engage with them, it became clear that providing the opportunity wasn’t enough; it was a must to ensure that all the critical elements were included, such as structures, training, access, and systems. She realised that talent without those foundations remains underutilised, and that realisation ignited her commitment to build capacity, design ecosystems, and create platforms that transform raw potential into sustainable prosperity.
Read Inya Lawal’s inspiring story on pages 8 to 10 of this issue.
Our fashion pages discuss what it takes to have a healthy wardrobe. It isn’t necessarily buying the most clothes or spending a lot of money; it’s more about building a collection that serves you and saves you stress and money. If you are one of those people with a wardrobe full of clothes but still can’t find anything to wear, then this article is for you. Scroll on to pages 4 and 5 to get tips on how to build the perfect wardrobe.
Have you been downloading the playlist on page 16? Let us know what you think of the selection so far. We’d love to read your comments.
Until next week, enjoy your read.
Onah
@onahluciaa + 2348033239132
AUSTYN OGANNAH
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Executive Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa
Writer: Johnson Chukwueke
Design & Layout: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’
Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun
Consulting Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘SunZA’
FASHION #UNSHAKABLE TRUTHS
6 Ways to Create a Healthy Wardrobe
Listen to Your Body Early Warning Signs Not to Ignore 5 Makeup Tips to Look Like a Model Off-Duty Untold Truths The Motherhood
The Beginning Of Us
The Conjuring: Last Rites 8-10
Inya Lawal Powering Africa’s Future Through Creativity
And When It Finally Found Me
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.
Dorcas Akintoye @mila_dfa_ - Contributing Writer
The Balance Game Managing Career Growth With Family Life CAREER @rosekeffas
Dorcas Akintoye is a dedicated writer with more than 2 years prolific experience in writing articles ranging from food, entertainment, fashion and beauty. She has a National Diploma in Mass Communication from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. She loves writing, listening to music and playing scrabble. She is a highly-skilled, enthusiastic, selfmotivated professional writer.
Sally Chiwuzie @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind
- Contributing Writer
Sally Chiwuzie is a non-practising barrister who owns the brand #Unshakable. She is the author of Silent Symphonies, a fictional love story, and the creator of the podcast Chronicles of #Unshakable Truths.
Ada Obiajunwa @aaddaahh
- Contributing Writer
Ada Obiajunwa writes from Lagos about the big truths tucked inside ordinary moments — friendship, self-discovery, and the quiet revolutions of everyday life. She believes in the power of presence, good banter, and decoding the unsaid. Through her fragrance studio, WhiffWonders, she also crafts scents that weave memory and emotion into experiences that feel like home.
@elijahaffi @wipiafrica
Well done nabilaaguele great work great work nabila aguele keep insipiring
LUXURY SILK
6 WAYS TO CREATE FASHION
A HEALTHY WARDROBE
DECLUTTER AND TAKE STOCK
The first step to a healthy wardrobe is cleaning out what you don’t need. Many of us hold on to clothes that no longer fit, are out of style, or that we simply never wear. Start by taking everything out of your wardrobe and going through each piece, one by one. Create three piles: one for items you’ll keep, one for items to donate or sell, and one for clothes that are too old or damaged to keep. This process helps you see what you actually have and clears up space for the clothes that truly serve you.
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
Ahealthy wardrobe isn’t about having the most clothes or spending the most money; it’s about building a collection that serves you well, makes you feel confident, and saves you stress, time, and money. Too many people open their wardrobes every morning and still feel like they have nothing to wear. If that sounds familiar, it’s time to reset and create a wardrobe that truly works for your lifestyle. Here, we show you six ways to build a wardrobe that’s not just stylish but healthy for your mind, budget, and personal style.
Every wardrobe needs timeless basics like well-fitted jeans, neutral tees, a versatile blazer, and comfy flats or sneakers. These pieces form the foundation of endless looks, making dressing effortless. Instead of buying cheap pieces that fade or wear out quickly, invest in durable clothing that stays stylish year after year.
SHOP WITH PURPOSE
Impulse buying is one of the main reasons wardrobes become messy and overwhelming. Before purchasing new clothes, ask yourself a few critical questions: Does this piece fit into my existing wardrobe? Can I style it in at least three different ways? Do I genuinely need it, or am I just shopping out of boredom or emotion? Shopping with purpose ensures that every new addition to your wardrobe adds value and complements what you already have. This habit not only keeps your wardrobe organised but also saves you from wasting money on pieces that you’ll rarely wear.
BUILD AROUND YOUR LIFESTYLE
Your wardrobe should reflect your daily life, not someone else’s. Take a moment to evaluate your routine and the kind of clothes you genuinely need. A lifestylefocused wardrobe keeps you ready for any occasion and eliminates last-minute outfit panic.
EXPERIMENT WITH ACCESSORIES
Accessories are the secret to elevating a simple wardrobe without overspending. Belts, scarves, statement jewellery, and classic handbags can easily transform basic outfits into stylish looks. Investing in a few versatile accessories gives you endless ways to style your clothes, allowing you to get more wear out of every piece you own.
MAINTAIN AND REFRESH REGULARLY
A
healthy wardrobe takes time and regular upkeep. Every few months, review your clothes, repair, replace, or remove what you don’t wear. This habit keeps your wardrobe functional, clutterfree, and helps you spot gaps to fill with purpose.
Creating a healthy wardrobe is not about chasing every fashion trend or filling your closet with new clothes. It’s about being intentional, investing in quality, and learning how to make the most of what you already own.
SALLY CHIWUZIE @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind
UNTOLD TRUTHS THE MOTHERHOOD LIE
Last summer, over a bottomless brunch on the outskirts of Alicante, three girlfriends and I sat with glasses of sangria, laughter bubbling louder than the waiter could keep pace with refills. The sun was hot, the food indulgent, and the conversation — as it so often does when women gather — shifted from light gossip to confessions of the heart. One of the women, radiant and exhausted in equal measure, leaned in with a sigh. She had been blessed with twin girls after years of searching, years of prayers, and endless comments about when she would finally become a mother.
On paper, she had everything she was supposed to want. But in that moment, she admitted something that felt dangerous to say aloud.
She loved her daughters fiercely — they were her joy, her heartbeat — yet she also resented them. Not for who they were, but for what she had lost along the way. A man she once believed to be her soulmate, who walked away because he did not want children.
A version of herself who might have pursued different dreams. The freedom of not having to plan life around two small humans who demanded her every breath. And now, raising them largely alone, the toll weighed heavily. She smiled through it all, but her untold truth was this: maternal love and personal regret can exist side by side.
Her words gave the second woman food for thought. She had no children. Not by tragedy, but by chance and circumstance. Life had given her adventure instead — a passport full of stamps, a career she loved, a freedom that allowed her to follow whim and wonder. On most days, she felt fulfilled. Yet, as she listened, she felt an ache she rarely admitted: the sense of missing out on one of life’s greatest promises. People spoke of maternal love as incomparable, transcendent, the very purpose of existence. And though she never bowed to pressure, she sometimes wondered if she had denied herself the one experience that would make her complete.
The third woman sat back, smirked, and sipped her drink. She was the one everyone called “the weirdo.” She had declared, early and often, that she would never have children. Not because she couldn’t, but because she
didn’t want to. She loved her figure, her freedom, her selfishness — yes, she used the word without apology. She adored being a godmother, an aunty, the fun grown-up who could step in for cuddles and then step out when the chaos began. To her, it was simple: she was too honest with herself to take on a role she did not desire. And yet society looked at her sideways, as if choosing not to mother was the strangest choice of all.
It left me wondering: is the desire for motherhood truly a natural instinct in every woman, or is it the loudest script society has ever written for us? And if women thought through the sleepless nights, the sacrifices, the ways life bends under the weight of responsibility, would some make different choices? Or does the void of never knowing become its own kind of sacrifice?
The untold truth is that motherhood is not a one-size-fits-all calling. For some, it is joy beyond words, a purpose that completes them. For others, it is a duty laced with resentment — love wrapped in loss. And for others still, it is a path they never wished to walk, no matter how strange that may seem to outsiders. What struck me that afternoon in Alicante was not which of them was right, but how brave each had been to admit her truth. Because motherhood is one of those things you cannot do halfway, you must go all in — or not at all. And yet even going all in does not silence the ache of what might have been.
So, who is the weirdo? The woman who resents her children yet loves them with her whole heart? The one who lives adventurously but still wonders what she is missing? Or the one who has chosen a childfree life and dares to say so aloud? Perhaps none of them. Perhaps the bravest, most #Unshakable act is to own your choice, whatever it is, and to live it without apology. To say yes to motherhood with both eyes open. To say no with clarity and without shame. Or to admit, in the messiness of it all, that you can love your children deeply and still grieve the life you might have had. Because at the end of the day, motherhood — like womanhood — is not a single story. It is many stories, many truths, some untold until the sangria flows on a hot afternoon in Alicante.
‘See’ you next week.
Three women. Three truths. Each reflecting the complicated reality of womanhood.
INYA LAWAL
Capacity building and sustainable economic empowerment are more than just buzzwords; they are powerful tools that change lives, open doors, and create lasting opportunities. Across Nigeria and Africa at large, we have seen how knowledge, skills, and access to resources can lift individuals out of limitation and position them for greatness. When people are empowered, they don’t just transform their own lives; they become catalysts for change in their families, communities, and industries. It is this ripple effect of empowerment that is driving a new generation of Africans toward innovation, creativity, and global impact.
At the heart of this movement is Inya Lawal, a visionary social entrepreneur who has dedicated her life to building ecosystems where women and youth can thrive. As the founder of Ascend Studios Foundation, she is behind some of Africa’s most transformative initiatives, from the Africa Creative Market (ACM) to Global Tech Africa (GTA) and many more. Her story is even more inspiring because she was once a beneficiary of capacity building herself. In 2019, she was one of only 19 people in the world selected for the Fortune Most Powerful Women’s Mentoring Program, where she was paired with senior executives at Goldman Sachs for a month. That experience didn’t just shape her; it propelled her into becoming the passionate and intentional leader she is today, one who now creates opportunities for thousands of others.
In this interview with THEWILL DOWNTOWN’s Executive Editor, Onah Nwachukwu, Inya Lawal discusses her journey as a social entrepreneur, the challenges and triumphs of building Africa’s creative economy, and her passion for empowering women and youth. She shares the inspiration behind her highimpact programs, her vision for the future, and the lessons she has learned along the way.
Can you take us back to the moment or experience that ignited your passion for capacity building and sustainable economic empowerment?
I was a beneficiary of capacity building myself through the Fortune Most Powerful Women’s Mentoring Program, where I was paired with leading executives at Goldman Sachs and mentored for a month. That experience leapfrogged me. It was through conversations with my mentor that I truly understood what sustainable economic empowerment meant and how vital it is to growing ecosystems. That experience came at a time when I was already immersed in supporting entrepreneurs and young creatives, but it gave me a different level of passion for the work. As I continued engaging with them, it became clear that it was not enough to simply provide opportunity—it was a must to ensure that all the critical elements were included: structures, training, access, and systems. I realised that talent without these foundations remains underutilised. That realisation ignited my lifelong commitment:
to build capacity, design ecosystems, and create platforms that transform raw potential into sustainable prosperity. For me, empowerment isn’t charity—it’s infrastructure for independence.
Many people have great ideas but struggle to execute them at scale. What personal principles or strategies have helped you consistently turn your visions into reality?
I operate on three principles: clarity, discipline, and ecosystems. Clarity means every idea must have a measurable impact; if I cannot see the end-users’ transformation, I don’t pursue it. Discipline means I commit to timelines and follow through, even when resources are scarce. And ecosystems mean I never build in isolation. I weave governments, private sector, and communities into every initiative, ensuring that what I start doesn’t end with me but becomes self-sustaining. Execution at scale is about mobilising others to carry the vision with you.
market becomes the place where Africa’s major investment gaps are closed—not over years of scattered initiatives, but during one powerful convening where the entire ecosystem aligns. Africa Creative Market (ACM) sits at the intersection of creativity and technology. How do you see African creatives leveraging technology to compete on a global scale in the next 5–10 years?
“I operate on three principles: clarity, discipline, and ecosystems. Clarity means every idea must have a measurable impact; if I cannot see the end-users’ transformation, I don’t pursue it. Discipline means I commit to timelines and follow through, even when resources are scarce.”
Technology will be Africa’s equaliser. We are not merely emerging—we are accelerating. African creatives have already begun embracing tools like blockchain for intellectual property protection, AI for storytelling, VR for immersive cultural exports, and fintech for cross-border monetisation. The next 5–10 years will be about building on these foundations and advancing above and beyond. Our creators won’t just be participating in global markets; they’ll be setting trends and shaping them. ACM is designed as a launchpad for this—ensuring Africa doesn’t just consume technology but adapts and reimagines it to suit our unique creative DNA.
The Women Empowerment Program for Trafficked Persons (WEPTAP) tackles a sensitive and complex issue. What approaches have been most effective in restoring confidence and economic independence for these women?
As someone who works with governments, corporations, and communities, what has been your biggest challenge in bridging the gap between vision and execution in Africa?
The biggest challenge is alignment. Governments often think in political cycles, corporations in profit margins, and communities in survival. My task has been to align these timelines—to show policymakers that creative industries can accelerate GDP, to demonstrate to corporations that impact can drive profit, and to remind communities that they are not mere beneficiaries but co-creators. That bridge-building requires patience, diplomacy, and the courage to insist on a long-term view in a region conditioned to short-term wins.
“Technology will be Africa’s equaliser. We are not merely emerging—we are accelerating. African creatives have already begun embracing tools like blockchain for intellectual property protection, AI for storytelling, VR for immersive cultural exports, and fintech for cross-border monetisation.”
The Africa Creative Market (ACM) has become a highly recognised platform in the creative space. What was your original vision for ACM, and how close is it to what it has become today?
What I envisioned for ACM wasn’t just another market - but a convening platform, a place where the entire value chain of Africa’s creative industries could come together. I saw the need for a single marketplace that didn’t just showcase talent but actively connected creators, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders. A place where conversations lead to contracts, and creativity meets capital. We are not yet at the full scale of that vision, but we have made significant progress. Today, ACM is creating pathways for collaboration across film, music, fashion, art, and tech. My goal is that, in time, the
Within our partnership with the U.S. Government on the Academy for Women’s Entrepreneurs, I introduced a second cohort specifically for formally trafficked persons. The program was so successful that one of the key learnings from it inspired the creation of WEPTAP—an incubator and accelerator model that holds survivors’ hands for a full year. We start with dignity: psychosocial support, community reintegration, and safe spaces. From there, we layer in capacity building, entrepreneurship training, and financial literacy. But the most transformative tool has been mentorship. When women who’ve rebuilt their lives return to mentor others, they demonstrate that survival can be rewritten into success.
You recently secured a $1 million grant to train 3,500 creatives in Nigeria. Beyond the numbers, what impact do you hope this program will have on the long-term growth of Nigeria’s creative economy?
The Africa Creative Blueprint was designed to be far more than a training program—it is a blueprint for transformation. Our goal has always been to empower creatives with not just technical skills but the business acumen, global exposure, and networks required to build sustainable enterprises. Beyond the numbers, the real impact lies in seeding a generation of creatives who understand how to scale their art into viable industries. What makes this initiative unique is that training is immediately followed by the production of a TV series, which creates direct job opportunities and practical experience for participants. These individuals will go on to become producers, distributors, entrepreneurs, and policy influencers—multiplying impact across the ecosystem. We are now preparing to roll out the next phase of the Blueprint in Kenya in 2026, building a continental movement that positions Africa’s creative economy as both globally competitive and locally transformative.
What are the most pressing gaps in Africa’s creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem, and how can they be addressed?
The pressing gaps are threefold: infrastructure, financing, and policy. Creatives lack access to world-class facilities, financing models remain risk-averse, and policies often lag behind innovation. Addressing these requires public-private development coalitions. We need governments that legislate for the future,
investors who believe in creative returns, and institutions that fund the ecosystem like they do agriculture or oil. Creativity must be recognised as an economic sector, not a pastime.
As President of Women in Film and Television Africa (WIFT Africa), what shifts have you noticed in the representation and visibility of women in Africa’s film and TV industry?
The shift has been seismic. Ten years ago, women were often tokenised; today, they are directing, financing, and distributing major projects. But beyond visibility, what excites me is the diversity of stories— women are telling narratives that reflect the full spectrum of African womanhood, from rural resilience to corporate leadership. Through WIFT Africa, we are not only amplifying these voices but also ensuring they are compensated and recognised globally.
If you weren’t a social entrepreneur, what other career path do you think would have captured your heart, and what might your life look like today?
I would have been a diplomat. I am naturally drawn to bridge-building, negotiation, and global engagement. In another life, I’d probably
be at the United Nations shaping international policy. But in many ways, I already live that life— only my diplomacy happens through the lens of creativity, trade, and empowerment. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade this path for anything.
ADA OBIAJUNWA @aaddaahh
AND WHEN IT FINALLY FOUND ME
If ageing sneaks in quietly, perimenopause kicks the door open, dumps her suitcase in your living room, and says: “Hi, I live here now. What’s for dinner?”
The first time I heard the word wasn’t from a doctor, a book, or even the internet. It was from my aunties — women in their late 50s and 60s, glamorous, accomplished, passports heavy with stamps and handbags perfumed in Dior.
I wish I could tell you they introduced it gently.
But no. They traumatised me.
They sat gisting, laughing about “the journey” — dry, scaling skin, night sweats, hot flashes, depression. They laughed like it was funny, but in between the laughter were confessions that it was not funny at all.
One aunty said she’d travelled the world searching for answers. Every test said she was fine. No cancer, no rare illness. And yet she felt like she was dying.
It wasn’t until a doctor in Eastern Europe listened and said, “Oh my dear, that’s menopause,” that she realised this wasn’t a mystery illness — it was a stage of life.
She nearly fell off her chair. This casual name for something that had made her feel like a ghost in her own body?
That night planted a fear in me. Because the way they described it, menopause didn’t sound like a chapter in life. It sounded like a hostile takeover.
So I started reading. Obsessively. I wanted to be ready. I wanted sanity when my time came.
And then… my time came.
One week, I was fine. The next, I was crying at a detergent advert — you know the one where a mother hugs her child in slow motion because the clothes smell fresh? Tears. Streaming. Down. My. Face. Suddenly, every sad thing that had ever happened to me came rushing back, like NEPA had taken the light in my soul.
microwave.
Makeup sliding, blazer off, water bottle empty. Pretending you’re “just a bit warm” while your bones burn like Third Mainland traffic at noon.
Then came the itching. Not arms. Not legs. Too simple. Everywhere.
The kind of itching you cannot scratch in public unless you want HR to schedule a meeting.
And yet — life didn’t pause. Work still had deadlines. Bills still came.
Family still expected me to function. Meanwhile, my insides were hosting a weather forecast, a telenovela, and a construction site — all at once.
So I adjusted.
• Moisturising like it’s my side hustle (sometimes with WhiffWonders butters, because even chaos deserves quiet luxury).
• Carrying a mini fan in my bag, though these days my supplements have tamed the worst of the heat.
• Practising selective hearing — not every comment deserves a reaction.
Then my period — the same one that arrived every 25 days like a tax collector — went rogue. Sometimes skipping months. Sometimes showing up like a surprise party I never wanted. And when it did? The cramps arrived like they’d been lifting weights.
Sleep? She abandoned me. She now visits only at 4 a.m. — just to watch me overthink every decision since 1999.
And the hot flashes.
Listen, nothing prepares you for a hot flash. One moment you’re in a meeting, nodding politely. The next, your body has turned into an inside-out
• Saying no more often, because energy is now a luxury item.
• And most importantly, talking about it. Because women aren’t crazy. We’re just in a new season. One friend of mine came crying one day, begging me to take care of her kids if anything happened to her. She was convinced she was dying.
The petty in me took pictures for “documentation,” then handed her supplements and said: “Relax. This is perimenopause. Give it two weeks.”
She thought I was joking. She even started putting her affairs in order.
Two weeks later, she was back to herself.
Here’s what I want every woman (and every man who loves a woman) to know: Perimenopause isn’t an ending. It’s a transition.
Yes, it’s messy. Yes, it’s uncomfortable. But it’s also a reminder that our bodies are powerful, adaptable, and worthy of kindness — especially from us.
Na only God I dey please now.
And if perimenopause wants to tag along? She’ll sit in the back, keep quiet, and behave herself.
A MODEL TO LOOK LIKE OFF-DUTY 5 MAKEUP TIPS
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
The “model off-duty” look is all about effortless beauty, the kind of makeup that makes you look naturally fresh and put-together without trying too hard. It’s the look models wear when they’re off the runway, heading to brunch, or just running errands, and the best part is, you don’t need to be a pro or own expensive products to pull it off. Here are five easy makeup tips to help you achieve that chic, model-off-duty look.
START WITH A FRESH, GLOWY BASE
You can’t have the model off-duty look without having healthy-looking skin. Start by moisturising your face so it feels soft and smooth. This helps your makeup sit nicely. Instead of a heavy foundation, opt for something light, such as a BB cream, tinted moisturiser, or a light foundation that allows your natural skin to show through. If you have spots or dark circles, just dab a bit of concealer on those areas instead of covering your whole face. This keeps your skin looking natural and radiant, like you woke up glowing.
KEEP YOUR BROWS FULL AND NATURAL
Brows are the secret to that model vibe. Brush your brows upward with a spoolie or a clean mascara wand to make them look neat and full. Use a brow gel, either clear or tinted, to hold them in place. If you have gaps in your brows, fill them lightly with a brow pencil using small, hair-like strokes. Don’t overdraw them; the goal is natural and fluffy, not too sharp or fake-looking.
USE CREAM PRODUCTS FOR A SOFT NATURAL GLOW
KEEP THE EYES SIMPLE AND BRIGHT
The eyes in a model-off-duty look are soft and natural. Use a nude or light brown eyeshadow to add a bit of depth to your lids without making them look heavy. If you like a little sparkle, dab a tiny bit of shimmer in the inner corners of your eyes to make them pop. Curl your lashes and apply a thin coat of mascara to open up your eyes. If you want to define your lash line, use a brown eyeliner instead of black for a softer, everyday look.
FINISH WITH A NATURAL LIP COLOUR
No model-off-duty look is complete without natural-looking lips. Start by applying lip balm to keep your lips soft and smooth. Then, pick a nude lipstick or gloss that’s close to your natural lip colour; brown, peach, or pink shades work really well for most Nigerian skin tones. To make your lips look fuller and fresher, add a layer of clear gloss or a glossy balm on top. Models love cream products because they melt into the skin and give a natural glow. Use a cream blush in a peachy or soft pink shade and dab it on the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards for that fresh, youthful look. Add a bit of cream bronzer along your cheekbones, jawline, and forehead to give your face some warmth and shape.
The model off-duty look is about enhancing your natural beauty, not hiding it. It’s perfect for everyday life, from running errands to brunch dates or casual outings. With these tips, you can look effortlessly stylish and beautiful.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
EARLY WARNING SIGNS NOT TO IGNORE
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
Your body is like that friend who drops hints instead of saying things outright. Sometimes, those hints come in the form of subtle aches, unusual changes, or odd feelings you might be tempted to shrug off. However, here’s the thing: ignoring these signs can mean missing the early warning signs of something more serious. Listening to your body isn’t about being paranoid; it’s about being smart. Here are five body systems and the red flags they might send your way.
Heart and Circulatory System – Shortness of Breath and Chest Discomfort
If climbing stairs suddenly feels like climbing Mount Everest or you notice tightness in your chest, it’s time to check in with your doctor. These could be early indicators of heart or circulatory issues.
Digestive System – Persistent Bloating and Unexplained Weight Changes
Occasional bloating is normal, but constant discomfort, sudden weight loss, or frequent stomach pain could point to digestive disorders or food intolerances.
Nervous System – Frequent Headaches and Sudden Weakness
Headaches happen, but when they’re frequent, severe, or paired with numbness or weakness, it might signal neurological issues that need immediate attention.
Musculoskeletal System – Joint Pain and Stiffness
A little morning stiffness is fine, but if pain persists or limits movement, it could indicate arthritis or other joint-related conditions.
Skin – Unusual Moles or Persistent Rashes
Your skin often shows the first signs of internal changes. New moles, changes in existing ones, or rashes that won’t go away may warrant a dermatologist’s opinion.
Your body is your lifelong partner; it sends whispers before it screams. Pay attention to changes, even small ones, and don’t brush them off as “just stress” or “nothing serious.” Catching a problem early often makes it easier to treat.
CAREER
THE BALANCE GAME
MANAGING CAREER GROWTH WITH FAMILY LIFE
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
Climbing the career ladder while keeping family life running smoothly can feel like trying to juggle flaming torches on a tightrope — possible, but it takes skill, patience, and a little bit of strategy. For many professionals, the challenge isn’t just about excelling at work; it’s about ensuring that family doesn’t become an afterthought in the pursuit of success. The good news? You can have both — a thriving career and a happy home — without burning out. Here’s how to win at the balance game.
Set Clear Boundaries And Stick to Them
Boundaries are the secret weapon of successful work-life harmony. Create a clear separation between work hours and personal time. If you work from home, have a dedicated workspace and resist the temptation to “just check one more email” during family dinner. Communicate these boundaries with both your employer and your loved ones so expectations are clear.
Leverage Flexibility Where Possible
Many companies now offer flexible work arrangements, including hybrid schedules, compressed workweeks, and adjustable hours. If your role allows it, take advantage of these options to free up time for school runs, family breakfasts, or mid-week quality moments. Flexibility can also work in the other direction; sometimes, family life may require you to adjust your work commitments temporarily.
Learn the Power of Prioritisation
Not every task at work or at home is equally urgent. The key is knowing what needs your immediate attention and what can wait. Using tools like a priority matrix or even a simple to-do list helps you focus on the high-impact tasks first. At home, this might mean focusing on quality moments with your kids instead of trying to multitask between parenting and spreadsheets.
Share the Load at Home
You don’t have to do it all alone. Whether it’s co-parenting responsibilities, hiring help for household chores, or delegating family errands, sharing the workload is essential. This not only reduces stress but also creates space for you to recharge. It’s not about doing everything yourself; it’s about ensuring everything gets done while protecting your time and energy.
Protect Time For Yourself Too
Here’s a truth many forget: You can’t pour from an empty cup. Career growth and family life both demand your best self, and that requires rest, hobbies, and personal care. Whether it’s an early morning workout, reading a book, or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, carve out “me time” to keep yourself mentally and physically refreshed.
Balancing career growth with family life isn’t about achieving a perfect 50-50 split — it’s about creating harmony between your ambitions and your relationships. By setting boundaries, prioritising what matters most, embracing flexibility, sharing responsibilities, and making time for yourself, you can thrive at work and at home without losing your sanity. After all, the ultimate success is not just in titles and promotions, but in the life you enjoy while earning them.
cassy’s chronicles THE BEGINNING OF US
Ihad almost convinced myself that dating apps were a waste of time until I met Kunle. From our first chat, I felt something shift. He was easy to talk to, he was funny, thoughtful, and not in a hurry to impress me with empty lines. Days turned into weeks of endless conversations, voice notes, and late-night calls. It felt like he was slowly becoming part of my daily life without even trying.
When we finally agreed to meet, I didn’t hesitate. My heart said yes before my brain could even list a hundred reasons why it was a bad idea. I wore a simple black dress, nothing too loud but enough to show effort. The moment I walked into the restaurant and saw him rise to his feet, tall with a warm smile, I knew the pictures hadn’t done him justice. Dinner was effortless. We laughed, teased, and
spoke like we had known each other for years. However, the real moment occurred later, in his car, as he drove me home. Lagos traffic lights painted the night in soft glows, and the music played low, almost fading beneath the weight of silence.
By the time we got to my street, I didn’t want the night to end. When he leaned a little closer, his scent filling the space between us, my body wanted him. I wanted him badly. But I held myself back. Instead, I smiled, thanked him for the evening, and stepped out of the car. Walking into my apartment. I felt a mix of relief and regret.
The days after that were filled with even more calls, longer chats, and deeper confessions. We spoke about our dreams, our fears, and even silly childhood memories. The more we talked, the more I realised it wasn’t just attraction; I
was genuinely drawn to his mind, to the calm way he handled conversations.
So when he asked me to come over to his place one Saturday, I didn’t hesitate. I told myself I was just going to hang out, maybe watch a movie, eat, and laugh like always. But deep down, I knew the walls I built on our first date might not hold up this time.
His apartment was warm, smelling faintly of vanilla and fresh laundry. He had cooked jollof rice and chicken, and we ate while teasing each other about who danced worse to Burna Boy. Later, we settled on the couch, a movie playing but barely watched. My head found his shoulder, and his arm wrapped around me naturally, like it belonged there.
When I looked up at him, our eyes locked, and the air grew heavier. He leaned in, and I met him halfway. Our lips met, soft at first, then hungrier, deeper. My mind screamed at me to slow down, but my body betrayed me. Every nerve lit up, every touch pulling me closer to him.
One thing led to another, and suddenly, it felt like I was caught in a storm I didn’t want to escape. His hands traced fire along my skin, his breath warm against my neck. I let go of all the fears I had carried, letting myself drown in the moment. It was intense, almost overwhelming, yet so right. When it was over, I lay there, catching my breath, listening to the rhythm of my heart slowly return to normal. He looked at me with a smile, one that wasn’t rushed or demanding, but gentle, like he knew exactly what I was feeling.
In that quiet moment, I realised something: it wasn’t just about the physical part. It was about connection. It was about finally finding someone who made me feel seen, wanted, and alive.
I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring for Kunle and me. But that night, I knew one thing: this was only the beginning.
BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA
The Conjuring: Last Rites
MOVIE REVIEW: CHIEF
Fittingly for a movie about demonic possession, The Conjuring: Last Rites feels crowded from the inside out: it’s as if an earnest domestic drama and a horror flick were thrashing around, trying to occupy the same running time. Neither one is able to cast the other out.
To be fair, there’s always been something sappy about this series, which is designed to flatter its protagonists — the married paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) — as loving, salt-of-the-earth types: Mom and Pop exorcists, criss-crossing the U.S. with Bibles in their hands and their hearts in the right place.
In real life, though, the Warrens — devout Catholics given to spreading the good word about the Church — were reviled by sceptics as scam artists, deftly peddling pseudo-science and parlaying their clients’ superstition (and their own gift for parlour tricks) into a lucrative and headlinegrabbing hustle. The piece de resistance: an occult museum containing all of the “evil” trinkets confiscated during their adventures. Their rationale was that it was better to keep all these dangerous items in one place, under lock and key; for a price, of course, visitors could come by to look (but not touch).
A wittier, more subversive movie could play all of this metaphysical smooth talk for satirical comedy, casting the Warrens posthumously as poltergeists manipulating credulous filmmakers into burnishing their image, one cheesy B movie at a time.
Obviously, Last Rites is not that project: rather, it’s been conceived as a grand sendoff for the characters, centring on the one case that (allegedly) they could not crack. The action is set mostly in 1986, with our heroes contemplating retirement. Lorraine is feeling the spiritual drag of having communed with the dead for so long, and Ed’s health is on a downward turn. The vibes, as they say, are bad, and even followers have stopped taking them seriously.
During one sparsely attended university lecture, a sarcastic undergrad asks Ed and Lorraine if they’ve seen Ghostbusters, and is disappointed to learn that they never have. It’s a loaded reference in a movie that doesn’t skimp on period signifiers and is the closest Last Rites comes to intentional comedy.
In the absence of any compelling motivation to continue with their nineto-fives, Ed and Lorraine are focused on the fortunes of their adult daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson), who’s so charming you’d never guess she was born under a bad sign. Since childhood, Judy has suffered from hallucinations tied to the fraught conditions of her delivery, which involved a near-death experience (Lorraine suspects something evil may have been involved.)
Nevertheless, she’s determined to live a normal life with her new boyfriend, Tony (Ben Hardy), an ex-cop apparently unafraid of marrying into some spooky stuff.
This material is all reasonably engaging, if a bit on the pokey side; it’s intercut with the travails of a Pennsylvania family being terrorised in their home by sinister forces. The ostensible culprit: a massive, ornately fashioned mirror acquired for a song at a local swap meet. (It’s not a good sign that the seller was apparently very motivated to get rid of it.)
The question of how these two plot lines are connected — and the role that Judy will play in bridging them — is unpacked at a decidedly leisurely pace. There’s plenty of ominous portent, but fewer jolts than one might expect given the mechanical effectiveness of the film’s predecessors.
The first Conjuring was junky and derivative, but it was also genuinely freaky, with expertly staged set pieces courtesy of genre specialist James Wan, who has a real gift for rhythm and tone. Last Rites is directed by Michael Chaves, who doesn’t have much of a visual style, and no sense of humour — a problem when you’re working almost exclusively with clichés.
There’s nothing particularly frightening on offer here, and no really original imagery: a clogged drain overflowing with blood nods to The Shining without much in the way of passion. Meanwhile, the script tries to pass off all of the demonic craziness as authentic, complete with docudrama-style title cards that should be taken with extra-large shakers of salt.
In the end, it’s clear that the movie’s heart is with the Warrens (or its sanitised, sanctified idea of them), and it’s hard not to smile or giggle at a late wedding sequence that brings together minor characters from previous instalments for the cinematic equivalent of a group hug.
All’s well that ends well in the Conjuring Cinematic Universe: if only they had cut to Annabelle the doll sitting in the front row with a tissue, dabbing her painted eyes, the movie would be a camp classic.
Rating: 5/10
YAWN
Scan this with your camera or click to access the playlist (Youtube Music)
Ka’iana (Jason Momoa) is a mighty warrior, wherever he is.
In the opening sequence, he is fishing with family members off the coast of Kauaʻi, Hawaii, late in the 18th century. When, in essence, he wrestles a shark underwater so that he can feed everyone, we know he is no ordinary warrior.
Scan this with your camera or click to access the playlist (Spotify)
Indeed, whether on land or sea, Ka’iana exudes fearless power, sleek agility, and incredible strength. A force to be reckoned with, he is the unquestioned leader of his loyal family, including his wife and his two brothers. They are all devoted to him.
Thus, when he is summoned to return to his native island of Maui from peaceful exile on Kauaʻi, his entire family holds their collective breath. Why did he, a mighty warrior, leave his native island? And why would he return?
The questions are bound up in the culture and traditions of the native Hawaiians who inhabit the islands, hundreds of miles away from outside interference. Upon Ka’iana’s return to Maui, it is revealed that he was the head of the war department — so to speak — under Chief Kahekili (Temuera Morrison), a merciless leader.
Chief Kahekili wants Ka’iana back as his war chief because of a prophecy that everyone in the Hawaiian islands believes: someone will rise up to unify the islands, which have been in a state of war against each other for many years. Chief Kahekili says he is the one who will fulfil the prophecy. But not everyone agrees, leading to many battles to come.
Created by Thomas Paʻa Sibbett and Jason Momoa, who also wrote all nine episodes— seven in collaboration with fellow producer Doug Jung— the series is madly ambitious and spectacularly successful.
The first two episodes, directed by Justin Chon to excellent effect,
feature a plethora of loincloths and gratuitous Hawaiian-onHawaiian violence, executed with spears, slings, knives, and machetes. Everyone is grungy, constantly clamouring for attention as they engage in mortal combat. Then the survivors happily share meals with each other.
The second episode concludes on a surprising note that is a hallmark of the nine-episode series, which continues to incorporate surprising notes that I found to be consistently entertaining. Action sequences unfold in ways and with methods that I’ve not seen before, which makes watching each episode a treat for action fans.
Episodes 3-8 are divided between directors Anders Engstrom and Brian Andrew Mendoza, and they follow the template established by Justin Chon, utilising the incredibly scenic locations (chiefly
Hawaii and New Zealand) as backdrops to the action sequences and extended family drama that unfolds.
Much of the narrative centres on Ka’iana and his family, as well as the belligerent chiefs, Kahekili and Keōua, portrayed by Cliff Curtis, meaner and nastier than I’ve ever seen him before; he’s great!
We also see the rise of a new kind of chief, Kamehameha (Kaina Makua) and his bride, Kaʻahumanu, essayed by Lucianne Buchanan in a luminous performance. As individuals and as a couple, they forge new paths in leadership for their people.
Jason Momoa directs the concluding episode of the season, which is highly accomplished, far beyond my modest expectations. That also sums up my feelings about the series as a whole: I expected a respectful historical drama that would present events from an indigenous perspective.
Instead, Chief of War distinguishes itself with engaging storytelling and galvanising action sequences, making for a highly recommended series.
Amaarae - S.M.O.
BenjiFlow - Go
jsilos; KALLITECHNIS - SOFT LIFE - jsilos remix
PRESSPLAY SMG; Yunos - In my heart
Safiyyah - Let You In
Barney Artist; Tom Misch - Stay Close
Justine Skye; KAYTRANADA - Oh Lala
Ragz Originale - cold case
Maeta - Come Again