THEWILL DOWNTOWN November 06, 2022 EDITION

VOL 2 NO. 45 • NOVEMBER 06 - NOVEMBER 12, 2022

TRAVEL PLANS? 9 Perfect Outfits For Every Occassion

VOYAGE READY Beauty Tips That Really Work

The

Travel Issue

Our December Tour Guide You Didn't Know You Needed

VOL 2 NO. 45 • NOVEMBER 06 - NOVEMBER 12, 2022

Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

EDITOR’S NOTE

I

t’s not very often that someone is tagged a child prodigy. For Valerie B Lawson, that was her story when at 20 years old, she secured a job as the process engineer in the UK. It would interest you to know that she has travelled the globe working and at every organisation, brought her A-game. However, one thing remained constant— bias. A young woman of African descent holding a prominent position in a male-dominated space certainly didn’t come without her eventually learning the importance of alliances in every job and country she has worked. But that wasn’t really what caught my attention with her story; she, as young as twenty, already knew how to match energies. The funniest to me was how the men continued to mistreat her and, in one case, purposely—even when it was clear that she wasn’t, he decided she was her boss’s secretary.

Her method of handling such situations, as she travelled the globe working for several top corporations, is one I think we can all learn from.

You have to read this three-part series on page 6 this week.

Nigerians are known for travelling the world, and while many people might have already made plans to go abroad—USA, UK, Paris, etc.more people are last-minute dot com travellers.

And if like me, the thought of filling out those forms spoils the process, there are breathtaking countries worth visiting that don’t require a stressful visa process. For that group(last-minute dotcom travellers), we have put together, with the help of a travel guide, Chiamaka Obuekwe, a list of ten countries in our continent— Africa, that you can visit this coming festive season or any other time in the year.

I still believe that Africans should not require a visa to visit any country within the continent.

Imagine a continent where you wake up one morning and decide you are off to Seychelles or Zanzibar without thinking about getting a visa. I dream of and hope for that Africa. That should be part of the African Union agenda.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa +2349088352246

AUSTYN OGANNAH

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Writer: Kehindé Fagbule Graphic Design: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’ Social Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown

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CONTENTS 16

COVER THE TRAVEL ISSUE OUR DECEMBER TOUR GUIDE YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU NEEDED

MOVIE REVIEW HALLOWEEN ENDS

15

04-05

THE SCENE DOWNTOWN AN EPIC NIGHT OF EXCITING BAR BATTLES, SME EMPOWERMENT & A FUN FINALE AT LAGOS COCKTAIL WEEK 2022

FASHION 9 OUTFIT IDEAS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAVEL ACTIVITIES

Cover, Pages 2 & 8 Image : David Guillory @safdav872 Cover Image: Approaching Mnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania Page 2 & 8 Image: Mnemba Island , Zanzibar, Tanzania

06

SANS FRONTIERS MY CAREER STORY PART 1

07

14

12-13

THE SCENE DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN BEAUTY PROSPER SUMMIT CONFIDENTIAL GATHERS INDUSTRY 8 BEAUTY TIPS FOR STAKEHOLDERS FOR A TORRID AFFAIR TRAVELLERS PRACTICABLE WORKLIFE SOLUTIONS

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.

Dorcas Akintoye 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.

Valerie Lawson Nigerian born,Valerie Lawson is a 20-year Oil & Gas Industry veteran, currently a Products & Technology Leader with Baker Hughes an Energy Technology Company, headquartered in Houston, Texas.

In 2002, she began her career in the United Kingdom as a Process Engineer in the Engineering Procurement & Construction segment of the Oil & Gas Industry. She has since worked with such companies as TechnipFMC, KBR and Worley Parsons. She also spent over four years with TOTAL E&P playing a pivotal role within its largest Deep-Water Field Development project.

Valerie has a Chemical Engineering (BEng) Degree from the University of Bradford, U.K, a MSc. From University College London (UCL) & London Business School (LBS) and expecting a Global Executive MBA from IESE Business School, Spain.

She’s passionate about, health, knowledge, cycling and traveling – and has lived, worked, and conducted business in over 15 countries across several continents.

She currently lives in Houston, Texas, USA.

WHAT YOU SAID INSTAGRAM @p_outfit_

@black.ab.19

@shinee427

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FASHION

Outfit Ideas FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAVEL ACTIVITIES

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

T

he holiday season is right around the corner, and almost everyone is ready and prepared to travel with different kinds of activities in mind. Whether you are headed to the beach to have a nice time, the art gallery to discover creative artworks, or the theatre to watch a play, you’ll need amazing outfit ideas for all your travel activities or plans.

(2) Family Get-Together You can wear a nice pair of jeans paired with a fun top and stylish sneakers, sandals or flats. There is no doubt that relaxed vibes are great, but don't get too comfortable; try to put some effort into your look.

(1) Beach

Pair a one-piece cut-out swimsuit with wide-leg linen pants for a stylish beach look.

Better still, you can put on a strappy bikini top with an asymmetrical midi skirt for an instantly chic fit; the style is perfect for hanging out on the pier or taking a dip in the water.

Remember to carry good sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or an umbrella to protect you from the sun.

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(3) On A Cruise

Depending on the weather, pack all you would for a warm or cold beach vacation. Pack stuff like shorts, breezy shirts, sundresses, skirts, sneakers, bathing suits, and so on for a warm-weather cruise ride. While for a cold-weather cruise ride, pack stuff like jeans, leggings, sweaters, sneakers, winter coat, boots, flats and so on.

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FASHION

(4) Dinner Date

For a dinner date, anything goes. Have fun with a statement necklace or earrings that wow. Then pair it with a colourful dress, a jumpsuit, or an embellished top paired with a fun midi skirt or palazzo pants. You can even go as far as rocking textured embellishments like feathers, tassels, lace, sequins, beadings or bow.

(6) Art Gallery

Try as much as possible to put on comfortable footwear. You can put on chic closed-toes shoes, kitten heels or ballet flats. Pair the shoes with a light sweater and leather pants, or a skirt and slingback heels for an utterly chic style.

(8) Walking Tour

Some people advise wearing walking shorts but depending on where you're going, a comfortable pair of pants with a versatile top made out of lightweight material and similar synthetic fabrics works just as well. When it comes to shoes, remember to get a waterproof shoe that fits you well and is easily adjusted, or go for sneakers.

(5)Movie Date

You shouldn’t dress formally for a movie date, but that doesn't mean you should show up in yesterday’s T-shirts and shorts. Try to make your outfit choice more casual than covertly formal. Go for an outfit that is comfortable but flirty and well put together. Remember to add appropriate accessories and opt for minimal makeup.

(7) Aquarium

The best way to dress for an indoor aquarium is to wear something comfortable and easy to move in. Just think of any dress that serves the purpose, but avoid wearing intense bold hues like orange, red, neon and more. You can keep it casual or, better still, wear classic marine hues like blue and lake greens.

(9) Amusement Park

To strike the perfect balance between cute, comfy and practical. You can wear shorts or anything comfortable for you— loose pants, simple dresses, etc.

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SANS FRONTIERS

VALERIE B LAWSON

My Career Story (Part 1) Start From The Middle or Where You Are The first time I decided to craft a story about my career, I was in a state of transition; at least, that’s how I perceived it. And so I thought it’d be better when there’s less transition. I’d like to say at this point that, like a river, things could slow down (albeit barely), but there is always movement and change— transition, shake-ups etc. are always imminent.

Therefore, I will begin from wherever — in this story, it is the middle.

I do not remember the exact dates, but it was in my final year— at least the second semester, when I got the call from the HR Recruitment specialist of MW Kelloggs (now KBR) that I got the role of Graduate Engineer – should I still be willing to accept. I was with my friends and classmates in the computer room, where we got together to collaborate often. To say that I was ecstatic would be an understatement and my friends with and for me. This was the season we were all getting calls from the hundreds of applications we had sent out in the hope that we would get employment before graduation— to crown our late nights of red bull and coffee with a job— more work, really, but we did not care— the reward for hard work, I now know, is more work.

Journey to Belonging Today, over 20 years into my career— I wish I could tell you that I feel a sense of belonging 100% of the time or that it gets easier— no, it does not. Not even if you leave the professional career for your own business, not even if you get what you believed was your dream job. This is the case because we are human, living in a world we share with others who are different from us, moving around with bags of learned behaviours, untruths that we hold on to, and ill-informed biases. Bias— of course, I’m going to go there; I’m a woman of African origins navigating a world design such that its benefits are skewed towards people who look different from me. So yes.

The journey continues; we get wiser, stronger, more creative and find ways to live a life of the utmost enjoyment; at least, that’s what I do.

I experienced my first notable discrimination within my first week of being an engineer— from an over 50-year-old Caucasian male, who frankly should have known better. At the time, I was 20 years old, and the head of engineering branded me a child prodigy

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(in his words); he thought it admirable that I graduated so early top of my class. I guess this made the said ‘aggressor’ feel some kind of way, so he decided to bring a weirdness my way. Honestly, I did not even have the tact to address it at the time— I acted the way I knew best. When he stopped saying good morning to me deliberately, I returned in kind until he decided to come by my desk to say, ‘good morning’. I also noticed how helpful he was to a young Caucasian colleague, but he ignored me.

Hey, I hope you’re not feeling bad for me; I did not feel bad for myself. I am Nigerian, and I, for the most part, was raised to push back. I was matching energy long before I knew what that meant. I’m not advocating tit-for-tat—ok, maybe I am a little, but this is just how it happened.

It is crucial that we all understand these situations will arise, like the new engineer (oh wait, he was also Caucasian), who happily assumed I must be my boss’s assistant (even though the assistant had her desk with a sign that read Project Secretary) and would leave drawings for my boss on my desk, in a very dismissive way. I enjoyed this foolishness because I knew what was going on; until we had the kick-off meeting when I introduced myself as the process engineer— oh, the look on his face— guys, I was twenty, living my best life. I was not anyone’s aunty, so I did not take the time to educate anyone – I guess we all learn somehow. I was courteous, always have been, and always will be. He later tried to be friends, but the gate was closed forever— the proverbial ‘olive branch’ is not available in all situations, I’m afraid. I wonder what happened to all those drawings, though!

I learned how to build alliances. I’m not sure if this will apply to all of us, i.e., Nigerians, women of African origins, and historically marginalised groups etc.,—but I learned to work the relationship building from a pretty young age.

Now that I reflect, I think I had this same attitude in boarding school, with seniors, with teachers, at

home— with aunties and uncles, and at university, I found that with classmates and professors alike. We all need a tribe.

I have, so far, navigated at least seven different organisations across all the continents of the world, am seasoned in ‘the owning’ of my journey and my story, and so eager— always— to share it as I still forge toward uncharted waters.

As a person belonging to a historically marginalised or underrepresented group— in various human-made institutions, people always want to know how I perceive belonging. How do I fit in to the ‘boys club’—how do I deal with the microaggressions and ignorance that come from all over?

I get the need to flag myself up as a case of diversity. I share my experiences; they’re mostly different because no matter how similar we look or sound, we’re invariably different. And for me, that difference is what binds us—our never belonging.

In the following three parts of this series, I will share some fun ways I have dealt with the unbearably ambiguous task of being.

For now, I’ll end with one of my favourite quotes on belonging, by Maya Angelou: “You only are free when you realise you belong no place —you belong every place — no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great”.

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DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

A TORRID AFFAIR

BY AKINTOYE DORCAS

I

stomped off in a huff, muttering under my breath. “Are you really walking out on me?” He yelled. I turned a deaf ear to his threat as I drove off.

That evening, I collapsed on my bed and started to cry; I felt used and cheated by his actions.

Sam and I were in a peaceful and intimate relationship until he met his ex after so many years. I noticed he was getting too close to her, and I told him to stay away from her, but he said I was too paranoid.

Before I knew what was happening, my Sam completely changed and was suddenly overly protective of his phone, hardly spent quality time with me, and always came home late at night.

Sometimes he wouldn’t come home at all and blamed it on impromptu meetings and unfinished projects at work. I believed him; I honestly did until the day I borrowed his phone to make a call to my aunt.

My phone battery went flat in the middle of an important call with my aunt, so I borrowed his. Just as I dialled her number, he received a WhatsApp message.

Seeing as the number wasn’t on his contact list, I initially ignored it, but you know how a woman’s instinct works; something triggered me to check who the person was. Opening the chat, I realised it was his ex. I started scrolling through their conversation and found that Sam had been spending the night in her apartment, buying her things, and they’d been on several dates.

That evening, I angrily accused him of cheating, but to my surprise, he laughed it off and told me it was a baseless suspicion. I got so annoyed that l left his house without listening to whatever he had to say.

Since giving each other space was the best option I could think of then, I decided to heed my friend’s advice to spend some weeks with her in Ghana to reflect and refocus.

When I stepped foot in Ghana, I knew I would enjoy every bit of my stay there. Within a week, I was open to a lot of new adventures. I met new people, tried out new foods and even did charity work with my friend’s group. I had so much fun that I forgot I had issues back home in Nigeria.

My friend and I decided to party hard together for the last time before my departure to Nigeria. We got to the venue; everything was going smoothly, and we were all drinking, dancing and having fun. Then I noticed this guy walking in; he was tall and boyishly handsome. We made eye contact several times, and he came over and started talking. My friend had to excuse us since we were not carrying her along. We drank, talked, smoked some shisha, drank some more, and some more.

I started to get turned on, so I excused myself and went to the restroom. A couple was making out when I entered, and I couldn't have been more

turned on. I felt like a voyeur. I had to leave the restroom when I realised I was spending so much time.

Controlling myself, I went back to meet him, and we started dancing. It was a dark and crowded dancefloor. He was standing behind me while we danced when he unexpectedly slipped his hand down the front of my pants(trousers) and began to rub my clit. Since I was so horny, I couldn’t get myself to stop him, and since I didn’t stop him, he moved his hands lower, and his fingers were inside me. Feeling his soft hands inside me got me out of control, and I let out a soft moan. Ok, maybe it was louder than I thought because we noticed people were stylishly staring at us, so we left the dance floor for a room in a short let apartment across from the lounge.

We started kissing, and the kissing turned into pushing and pulling on each other. Then, pulling my pants down, he slipped them off my feet, dropped them on the floor, and leaned over to lower my knickers. We returned to our kissing position on the bed; his fingers were between my legs and mine on his rockhard ‘ego’ wanking him off. He then put it inside me, missionary position with my legs wide open, thrusting in and out as slow as he could. Seeing the pleasure in my eyes, he started to tease me; we’d be going at it, and then he’d suddenly pull away, then penetrate me with only the first inch or two of his cock, over and over. By the time he penetrated me fully again, I was begging for it. The tingling and warm temperature building in my body became intense as his joystick

went in and out of me. By this time, I was moaning uncontrollably from the intense pleasure. That night, we both came crumbling and collapsing with so much passion.

I woke up the following day without him beside me; he was gone. Even though we had a strong connection, we didn't get to know each other’s names. I was unsure whether to be happy or sad because I enjoyed everything that had happened the night before. I was supposed to feel guilty for cheating on Sam, but I was not sorry for what I did; after all, he cheated too.

We’re now even, I thought.

A few days after, I returned to Nigeria, intending to end my relationship with Sam and focus on my business, but when Sam found out I was around, he kept coming to my house. I wouldn’t let him in. I decided to listen to him one day since he wouldn’t stop coming. I still loved him, so we made up. Everything was going smoothly; our love grew stronger than I thought. Then one evening, Sam told me his brother, who lives in the United Kingdom, would be coming over to spend Christmas at his place, and he couldn’t wait for him to meet me.

The day finally came, I heard Sam’s car drive in the driveway, so I went outside to welcome them; they were already out of the car. His brother was on the phone call; it must have been private because he was backing us. By the time he turned to greet me, I was shocked, and I wanted the ground to open up and devour me. Our eyes met, and I knew my life was about to turn for the worst. I had unknowingly slept with two brothers.

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COVER

The Travel Issue

Our December Tour Guide You Didn't Know You Needed

BY ONAH NWACHUKWU AND KEHINDE FAGBULE

W

Mnemba Island , Zanzibar, Tanzania IMAGE BY DAVID GUILLORY @safdav872 PAGE 8

e are approaching that time of the year again when most people can take a breather from work.

The always-welcomed 13th-month bonus, coupled with the usually jam-packed recreational activities clustered around the festive period, is something to live for. The festive period holds a major significance for some people who, more often than not, have piled up their leave days for this special time of the year—the festive period holds a considerable significance. In Lagos especially, there is usually a short-term mass emigration as many people abandon city life for a few days to return home—the village or, in some cases, a vacation abroad.

Characterised by every single tourist attraction you can think of, December remains the most travelled month on the calendar. While, as aforementioned, many

people come home for Christmas, many have also made plans to jet off to different parts of the world. Be that as it may, a group of people remain, pondering where to go.

To discuss December destinations, DOWNTOWN’s Editor, Onah Nwachukwu, reached out to award-winning Tourism Expert and Experience designer, a selfacclaimed Queen of Tours, Chiamaka Obuekwe. Chiamaka brought her wealth of expertise as the Co-founder and CEO of Social Prefect Tours, an African tourism company that seeks to connect people across the continent through tour guides within Africa. She was gracious enough to be our travel advisor for this travel edition, sharing some countries that, in her opinion, everyone should consider visiting this festive season.

VOL 2 NO. 45 • NOVEMBER 06 - NOVEMBER 12, 2022

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COVER First on her list is Tanzania.

Tanzania is home to some of the world’s most treasured national parks and game reserves, including the Selous Game Reserve, the world’s largest game reserve and home to more than 120,000 elephants, 160,000 buffalos, and 2000 rhinos. For most tourists, Zanzibar island is a popular destination.

Although there is a lot to do and see in Zanzibar City, there are other exciting places in Tanzania, such as Arusha. Renowned as the safari capital of Tanzania owing to its wildlife offering, the town has numerous first-class restaurants, bars, and markets. It is the ideal place to spend a few relaxing days before embarking on a safari or attempting to scale Kilimanjaro. For those who may be unaware, Nigerians now require a visa to visit Tanzania—this has been a requirement for the past four years; however, securing one is extremely easy.

Many people may not expect this, especially after the war they suffered, but Rwanda is one of the countries recommended for a good time in the festive season. So shocking was this suggestion that even the Editor had to ask if she was sure about it, but Obuekwe was very confident in this suggestion.

Over the years, Rwanda has gradually gained its reputation as a top tourist destination. This year, you too can ‘Travel Rwanda.’

Kigali, the capital city, is the central arrival point for tourists visiting the national parks and tracking mountain gorillas. It has its sites of interest, such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial and ecotourist facilities, as well as bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. The city is also famous for its nightlife offerings. On your trip to Gisenyi, Western Rwanda, you will find Rwanda’s most enormous and sixth-largest lake in Africa, Lake Kivu. The lake, which flows across Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is surrounded by magnificent mountains and has deep emerald-green waters covering a surface area of 2,700 km2.

According to our travel advisor, Rwanda’s affordability makes for a good tourist bargain.

The Rock Restaurant, Zanzibar

Geography: Central/Eastern Africa Places to visit: eco Lodges in Kigali, Lake Kivu in Gisenyi Selling point: Nightlife, Lake View, Eco-friendly. “

Geography: Eastern Africa Places to visit: Arusha, Zanzibar Selling point: Wildlife, Beaches Lake Manyara National Park, Arusha

Bisate eco-Lodge, Rwanda

Next on the list is Mauritius.

When the Editor asked Chiamaka the question, “why Mauritius?” she responded with a confident “because Mauritius is Mauritius; it is known for its beautiful resorts.”

In acknowledgement, the Editor stated that her sibling had spent her honeymoon there over seven years ago. Many prominent Nigerians have also chosen it as a place to celebrate special moments.

Only recently, ex president of the NBA(Nigerian Bar Association), Olumide Akpata, tied the knot with his bride on the island of Mauritius in the presence of close friends and family.

Known for its beaches, lagoons, and reefs, Mauritius is an excellent destination for couples. The Indian Ocean island nation scooped three leading destination awards at the 2022 World Travel Awards for Indian Ocean Region. It is the perfect honeymoon destination this Christmas.

Black River, Mauritius

Pereybere Beachfront, Mauritius

Eco-lodges Rwanda

Lake Kivu

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COVER

The list then comes close to Lagos, Nigeria, with Ghana.

If you want a relatively short trip, Ghana is a worthy shout.

More and more people are visiting Ghana, especially during the mid-year festivals, but Chiamaka cites Afro Nation as a reason to visit during the festive season. It returns for a highly anticipated follow-up to the debut edition in Accra in 2019. With most of the biggest names in Afrobeats, including Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid, billed to perform, this 2-day concert is destined to be, as the kids will say, litty!

Geography: Western Africa Place to visit: Accra Things to do: Concerts (Afro Nation)

Afro Nation

Another country worthy of visit during the festive season is Seychelles, which boasts some of the most beautiful beaches worldwide. Amongst them, Anse Source D’Argent, located on the island of La Digue, remains one of the most photographed beaches in the world with its pink sand. Its stunning topography of coral reefs, dro-offs, wrecks and canyons, coupled with the rich marine life, makes it one of the best scuba diving destinations worldwide.

Also in this geographical sphere of Eastern Africa is Kenya. It is known for being the world’s best safari destination, with 50 epic national parks and reserves home to diverse wildlife, including the ‘big five’ – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo.

On the other hand, Mombasa is Kenya’s most popular tourist destination and second-largest city—it is famous for its beaches, worldclass beach resorts, and historical significance.

Nairobi, the capital city, is renowned for its nightlife offering.

Diani has beautiful beaches.

Geography: Eastern Africa Places to visit: Diani beach in Mombasa beach, Nairobi Selling point: Beaches, Nightlife

Ali Barbours Cave restaurant, Diani beach, Mombasa

Eka Hotel Nairobi

Geography: Eastern Africa Selling point: Beaches, Scuba Diving

Anse Source D'Argent IMAGE BY @flyingprod

We then moved north to Egypt, home to Sharm el-Sheikh, a resort town between the desert of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea, known for its sheltered sandy beaches, clear waters, and coral reefs. Today, luxury resorts, restaurants, and nightclubs line the coast. The area’s clear water and extensive coral reefs have made Sharm el-Sheikh a popular site for snorkelling and scuba diving.

The best time to visit Sharm el-Sheikh is spring or autumn (22nd of September to 21st of December). There’s an average temperature of 25°C, which is very warm but not overly hot or humid. The waters are milder in the summer but remain warm throughout the year. The Red Sea won’t let you down if you love to swim.

Ras Muhammad National Park

Geography: Northern Africa Place to visit: Naama Bay and Ras Muhammad National Park in Sharm el-Sheikh Selling point: Beaches, Nightlife, and Resorts Naama Bay Seychelles Outer Islands Scuba Diving

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COVER

Also visit-worthy in North Africa is Morroco. She explains that there are atleast five sites to visit, citing Chefchaouen, also known as ‘the Blue Pearl’ of Morocco, for its traditional houses painted in blue and white.

Chefchaouen used to be a hidden gem in Morocco, but since the rise of Instagram and Pinterest, it has become a very touristic place. Suppose you only have a limited amount of time in Morocco. In that case, one full day should be enough to discover the ‘Blue Pearl’ as the old medina (Moroccan word for ‘city’) of Chefchaouen, often considered one of the best places to visit, isn’t very big.

On the other hand, Marrakech is known as the city of luxury, thanks to its famous palaces, 5-star restaurants, luxury spas and hammams and charming riads (traditional houses) in the medina. Amongst others is the Mamounia and its enchanting gardens, the luxurious Royal Mansour hammam and the refined cuisine of Namaskar Palace. Surrounded by a vast palm grove, the medina in Marrakech is called the “red city” because of its buildings and ramparts of beaten clay, which were built during the residence of the Almohads.

The heart of the medina is Jamaa el-Fna square, a vibrant marketplace.

Geography: Northern Africa Place to visit: Chefchaouen, Marrakech Selling point: Colour-Code Architecture, Luxe Hospitality

Perhaps the shortest and closest trip you might make on this list, the proximity—three hours from Lagos—that Benin Republic offers makes it the perfect destination for a road trip. Because we will never lead you in harm’s way, our professional travel advisor vouched for the safety involved in travelling across borders by road. She mentioned travellers check out Ouidah—also spelt Whydah— beaches. It is in a town in southern Benin that lies along the Gulf of Guinea. The town’s infamous slave trade history can be found in the Ouidah Museum of History, with the beaches offering a relatively calm atmosphere. It connects by road and railway to Cotonou, the commercial hub of the Benin Republic.

Last and certainly not least on this list is Lagos, Nigeria. The city that never stops partying needs no introduction. Although her art and craft products are more appreciated by the people they are made for—tourists, her residents also appreciate them. Nigeria’s megacity has gained a reputation as Africa’s cultural and entertainment headquarters, and the city is packed with activities throughout the festive period. If leaving the country is not achievable, you’d be surprised just how much fun it is to spend quality time in a beach house with friends and family. After all, ain’t no party like a Lagos party.

Geography: Western Africa Place to visit: Lagos Selling point: Concerts, Beaches, and Nightlife

Chefchouen

Amanjena Resort

Jara Beach Resort IMAGE BY @the.alfe

Ouidah Beach IMAGE FROM @inger.avalon

Geography: Western Africa Places to visit: Selling point: Road Trip, Good Food, and Beaches

“The resorts (in the tourist destinations across all ten countries as mentioned earlier) are always alive during the festive period because they have daily entertainment. If you go full-board on your accommodation, you will get breakfast and dinner in your package, so you don’t have to spend on meals when you get there,” advised Chiamaka Obuekwe, who then explained her decision to omit Cape Verde and South Africa from her travel list, for now. “Getting to Cape Verde might be a tough one for Nigerians right now. And I would have said South Africa as well, but for visa and xenophobia, although that has reduced.”

PAGE 11 Ouidah

VOL 2 NO. 45 • NOVEMBER 06 - NOVEMBER 12, 2022

8

BEAUTY

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

I

t is an indisputable fact that travelling can be stressful to the extent that it changes our appearance, regardless of whether you are travelling by plane, train, or car. However, looking your best while on a trip is a MUST for every gal, and taking a few steps and precautions, can help you face your next vacation, business trip, family get-together or even that weekend getaway with a smile.

(1) Moisturise

Apply moisturiser on your skin the night before your trip. Doing this will help increase the hydration in your skin before you get exposed to the dehydrating effect of cabin pressure and others.

(2) Forgo The Foundation

On the day of your trip, try as much as possible to avoid wearing foundation.

Instead, wear only a moisturiser for a fresh and healthy look— go for a tinted moisturiser.

If you are the type that can’t do without foundation, make sure you put on a primer first before applying your foundation. This will help make your foundation and blush last longer and help keep your skin from becoming dehydrated.

Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu & Bolanle Olukanni

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VOL 2 NO. 45 • NOVEMBER 06 - NOVEMBER 12, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY

(3) Blot Out Oily Skin

To keep your oily skin from getting out of control while travelling, you must get your blotting papers or rice papers, then begin to dab the “T” zone as often as possible. By doing this, you will arrive at your destination looking fresher.

One fantastic thing about the bloating papers is that they help dab the excess oil on the face without stripping out its moisture.

(6) Avoid Bright Nail Polish

Try as much as possible to avoid brightly coloured nail polish. They chip too easily and leave you looking unfinished.

Experts recommend buffing and polishing nails to a natural sheen for a clean and crisp look. Better still, you can apply a neutral sheet colour that won’t call attention even if it eventually chips.

(7) Keep Your Hands Off Your Face

While you travel, try to avoid touching your face to minimise breakouts.

By touching your face too much, you can pick up any number of unknown bacteria that can result in skin problems after you arrive.

If you are going to reapply makeup while travelling, try to use an antibacterial hand wash on your hand first to protect your skin before applying your makeup.

(4) Mist With Mineral Water

Not packing water mist is a mistake almost everyone makes when trying to refresh their makeup while travelling. In refreshing your makeup, never try to glob on more foundation or blush.

Instead, use a mister of mineral water and add a dab of moisturiser to your face. This process goes a long way in keeping your face fresh throughout your trip.

(5) Skip Long-Lasting Lipsticks

If you want a lip colour that will last through your trip, avoid the longlasting lipsticks, they do nothing but dehydrate and parch your mouth.

Instead, colour your lips with several coats of lip stain, let it dry for a while, and then top it with a clear gloss. You can always reapply the gloss throughout the trip, and your lips will look ‘just - made-up’ fresh.

(8) Take Your Cleanser With You

If you can only take just one skincare item on your trip, let it be your cleanser. An abrupt change in cleanser can disrupt your skin acid balance and even go as far as causing a vacation breakout.

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VOL 2 NO. 45 • NOVEMBER 06 - NOVEMBER 12, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

THE SCENE DOWNTOWN

Prosper Summit Gathers Industry Stakeholders For Practicable WorkLife Solutions

L

eading family-oriented platforms, LagosMums and Mother Honestly recently hosted Lagos to the biggest family-oriented conference of the year, the Prosper Summit.

Positioned as Africa’s largest work-life career and parenting conference geared towards proffering viable solutions to individuals and institutions seeking to manage their caregiving journeys, Prosper Summit converged parents, employees, and employers for an intensive learning and solution-based experience.

The summit's theme was Work and Life: Realities Of The Modern Family, and in attendance were industry leaders, policymakers, and employers from the FMCG, Banking, Health and other sectors.

Tomilayo Aluko, a certified Life and Strength Coach and CorporateBrand Strategist, hosted the event in sequential segments. The summit kicked off with an interactive Yoga and wellness session where scores of early birds were taken through relaxing and soul-lifting routines amid stations of juice bars, serving organic blends, refreshing the participants.

In their respective opening remarks, conveners of the summit Blessing Adeyisan, Founder, Mother Honestly, and Yetty Williams, Founder, LagosMums highlighted how imperative it is to have worklife balance and caregiving conversations.

The keynote conversations segued into a series of plenaries on how participants can prosper in various aspects of their lives. Crucial subjects such as Mental and Physical Health, Finance, Work, Policy, Parenthood, and Global Representation were facilitated by sector experts. Distinguished speakers included the Head of Pinnacle Health, Dr Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, author and TV Producer, The Smart Money Woman, Arese Ugwu, Author-Disability and Inclusion Advocate, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal and many more.

Blessing Adesiyan and Yetty Williams

L-R_ Ife Durosinmi -Etti, Tosin Olaseinde, Arese Ug wu, Halima Rabiu with Yetty Williams & Blessing Adesiyan

yan and Yetty Blessing Adesi the h Compere of Williams wit yo Aluko event Tomila

The Prosper Summit has indeed successfully heralded fresh perspectives and practical templates for all to attain work-life balance.

ers Dance

h Dream Catc

Fona Williams, Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, Nankling Danfulani with Blessing Adesiyan & Yetty Williams

L-R Adeola Kingsley-Jam es, Adaorie Udechukwu, Bamike Ola wunmiAdenibuyan & Bukie Ak inmade

PAGE 14

L-R_ Dinma Nwobi, Tay o Opatayo, Hamisha Darya ni & Adaora Mbelu Seriki-Ay eni, Nankling Danfulani wit h Blessing Adesiyan & Yet ty Williams

Group

f Kadiri, Tosin Dr Maymunah Yusu event with a guest at the

Olaseinde

Adebola Williams

muel, L-R Excel Adeleye Sa aorie Olusegun Adeniyi, Ad ngsleyKi Udechukwu, Adeola nkling Na ni, James & Seriki-Aye esiyan Ad ng Danfulani with Blessi & Yetty Williams

Yeside Olayinka-Agboola, Bunmi George & Joycee Awosika

L-R - Dayo A derugbo_ Bol anle Ibitola_ Mar y Aderinola Ojulari_ Ifea nyi Orabuch e with Blessing Ad esiyan and Y et ty Williams

VOL 2 NO. 45 • NOVEMBER 06 - NOVEMBER 12, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

THE SCENE DOWNTOWN

AN EPIC NIGHT of Exciting Bar Battles, SME Empowerment & a Fun Finale at Lagos Cocktail Week 2022

BY KEHINDE FAGBULE

L

agos Cocktail Week has become one of West Africa’s landmark events, celebrating the craftsmanship behind mixology and the cocktail culture in Nigeria through events, seminars and training since its inception in 2014. This year marked the 8th edition and celebrated the amazing individuals and organisations “Behind the Bars, Drinks & Brands.”

Angel 'Style C

onnoisseur' O

The 9-day event started on October 14th with an exhilarating Mastercard-sponsored Bar-Hop activity in which cocktail lovers enjoyed unique African-infused signature cocktail creations across top bars in Lagos and ended with a two-day seminar and grand finale.The Cocktail Village, a two-night event, was truly epic, as guests enjoyed complimentary cocktails from partner brands. Attendees also enjoyed networking, music, games, and the most anticipated activity, the Bar Battle, which took place at the grand finale that Friday. Notably, several female bartenders participated in the bar battle activities this year, which was amazing to witness, as the bartending industry in Nigeria is mostly male-dominated. Mastercard awarded cash prizes to three restaurants for their cocktail creations: Slow Lagos, Noir Lagos, and 355 Lagos. The sponsoring drink brands also gave the winners of each Bar Battle Challenge cash prizes.

Lara Rawa

basi

Chef Alex

In addition to the eclectic guests that attended the event, celebrities and influencers were also in attendance, including Toolz, Daniel EtimEffiong, Diane Russet, Alex Unusual, Denola Grey, Mimi Onalaja, Uriel Oputa, and more.

Elizabeth Anthony, Tonya Alonge and othe r sponsors

White Money

Toolz Demuren

Uriel Oputa

Lara Rawa and Lagos State Commissioner of Arts and Tourism, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf

Daniel Etim Effiong & Efa

Mimi Onalaja

Iwara

Omowunmi D

ada

Erica Nlewedim

Jeff Banks

Elozonam

winner, Fayrouz Challenge Blessing Thompson receives cheque

Denola Grey & friends

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VOL 2 NO. 45 27 • JULY NOVEMBER 3 - JULY 069,- 2022 NOVEMBER 12, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

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

MOVIE REVIEW:

Halloween Ends

it’s not busy unleashing its masked monster on the luckless community of Haddonfield, Illinois. The new film isn’t a particularly persuasive portrait of grief or an examination of the darkness residing within the human soul — and even more lamentably, the all-important kill scenes are rarely horrifying.

B

illed as the final instalment in a franchise which began 44 years ago, Halloween Ends takes a stab at crafting an appropriately grandiose conclusion, offering up one last showdown between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers, the serial killer who has tormented her for decades. Getting to that much-anticipated face-off proves a bit of a slog, with director David Gordon Green exploring the psychology of evil and the psychic trauma experienced by those who have superficially survived Michael’s violent assaults. Jamie Lee Curtis brings a regal bearing to her performance, but the prevailing feeling is of a cinematic series that’s probably best left for dead.

Universal will unveil this cinematic swan song on October 14 in the UK and US, hoping to capitalise on the horror audience that has just made Smile a surprise hit. Halloween Ends could do even better numbers, especially with marketing promising that this 13th chapter — and the third edition in a trilogy Green started with 2018’s Halloween — will be the last. Expect dismissive reviews, but longtime fans will probably show up to see how the franchise resolves itself.

Taking place a few years after the events of 2021’s Halloween Kills, the new picture stars Curtis as Laurie, the teenage babysitter from the 1978 original, now a grandmother mourning the death of her slain daughter and writing her memoir.

Living with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak), who barely made it out alive after her own battles with Michael, Laurie is trying to find peace now that the killer has gone into hiding.

But Michael never stays in the shadows for long — and once Allyson develops a crush on Corey (Rohan Campbell), a troubled young man still reeling from the accidental death years ago of a boy he was babysitting, Michael will reenter Laurie’s life, taking a special interest in Corey.

The 2018 Halloween reboot was an arresting reinvigoration of a property which has struggled to remain relevant in recent times. But like the laboured Halloween Kills, Halloween Ends strains to deliver social commentary when

PAGE 16

Curtis is meant to convey Laurie’s jagged nerves and endless sorrow, her entire life defined by the terror she experienced in high school. But since Halloween Ends doesn’t give the actor much to work with, she’s forced to try to wring pathos out of undernourished dramatic scenes. Similarly, Allyson resents her grandmother for the misery she has brought to the family, but Matichak can’t make this young woman’s rage and sadness believable — especially when the character too quickly falls for the one-dimensional bad boy Corey, who will forge an unlikely kinship with Michael that borders on farcical.

Collaborating again with cinematographer Michael Simmonds and editor Tim Alverson, who both worked on the first two chapters in this trilogy, Green has a knack for capturing the humming unease that belies suburbia’s seemingly pleasant surfaces — a domestic calm that Michael’s imposing figure and sharp knives tear apart. (For the third straight film, James Jude Courtney plays the hulking serial killer.) But whether it’s the egregiously loud jump scares or the unimaginatively staged murder sequences, Halloween Ends lacks the killer instinct of Green’s first instalment — to say nothing of John Carpenter’s brilliantly conceived 1978 original. (Carpenter co-composed the icy score, with Green further paying homage to the horror master by including a brief scene from his superb The Thing.)

Some may forgive the picture’s shortcomings in exchange for a finale in which Laurie and Michael square off for one last time. There’s no denying their showdown’s emotional resonance, but even so, the characters’ brutal hand-tohand battle doesn’t quite live up to the expectations such an epic altercation would promise. Over the franchise’s many iterations and reinventions, what has made Michael Myers such a gripping boogeyman is his menacing unknowability — how he can represent any number of unspoken societal fears. Halloween Ends suggests that such evil can be contagious, inspiring others to follow in its footsteps.

It’s a disturbing thought, but Green doesn’t give it enough room to grow and spread like a virus, infecting every scene that follows. Who ultimately survives Michael’s rumble with Laurie does not matter since the film shows such little signs of life.

RATING: 4/10

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

ON OUR RADAR

FLAWSOME Flawsome revolves around the lives of four friends, portrayed by Bisola Aiyeola, Ini Dima-Okojie, Sharon Ooja and Enado Odigie, as they navigate their personal and professional lives. At the same time, they are bound by the flawed yet unbreakable ties they share.

Bisola Aiyeola takes on the role of Ifeyinwa, a hard-working heiress who has spent all her life preparing to become the CEO of her father’s company after his demise, only to find out she isn’t her father’s chosen candidate. Ini Dima-Okojie plays Ramat, who has a seemingly perfect marriage, a perfect middle-class life and a great career, but her reality isn’t as rosy as it seems.

Sharon Ooja plays Ivie, a wide-eyed young woman who abandoned medicine and surgery for a career in fashion design with hopes of living the big city girl life, while Enado Odigie plays Dolapo, a careerdriven woman who continues to beat the odds as she moves steadily up the corporate ladder with the biggest clients in her portfolio.

Compelling, flawed and heartbreakingly human, these young women work hard, scheme, fall in and out of love and nurture dreams both big and small. As their individual circumstances shifts, one thing remains constant: their loyalty to one another and their devotion to the hustle.

Dice Ailes - Zombie

Dumelo, Baaj Adebule, Iretiola Doyle, Toyin Abraham, Chris Attoh, Ali Nuhu, Joselyn Dumas and Shine Rosman.

DJ Khaled_ Rick Ross_ Lil Wayne_ JAY-Z_ John Legend_ Fridayy - GOD

Flawsome joins Showmax’s growing line-up of local content and premieres on the 10th of

Duncan Daniels - The Rhythm

Falz - Parampe

Lucky Daye - Feels Like

Moelogo_ Blue Lab Beats_ Kold AF - Waiting

Runda - Monaco

Zinoleesky - Call of Duty

BNXN fka Buju; WizKid - Many

The 13-part drama series, created and directed by Tola Odunsi, also stars Gabriel Afolayan, John