SUNDAY 19TH APRIL 2020

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In the third leg of STYLE’s COVID-19 series, we feature a special edition of The Morning Show conducted

by CHARLES ANIAGOLU of ARISE TV, that focuses on the impact this pandemic has had on the economy. He spoke with the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed where she speaks about government’s plans to cushion the economic effects of the ongoing lockdown, the looming recession and the general effect of Covid 19 on the Nigerian Economy.

Transcribed by KONYE NWABOGOR.

Open to health care entities.

Fashion

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THE SURVIVORS

PG 5

-FAT SHAMING! -TONYE COLE: HOW HUNGRY ARE YOU? PG 6

with the CBN Health Sector Loan Enjoy: Up to N500 million loan for Working Capital and N2 billion in Term Loans 5% interest rate until 28th February, 2021 Maximum tenor of 10 years

CONTENT BOOKS TO ESCAPE INTO WHILE YOU’RE STUCK AT HOME PG 4

boost your business

-5 WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED IN SOCIAL ISOLATION -TWICE AS NICE PG 7 -PLEATED SKIRT IS BACK -BASIC QUARANTINE SELF CARE GUIDE

PG 8-9

YOU BE THE JUDGE

360 ON THE POSITIVE

PG 19

Contact us to get started.

TREND OF THE TIMES

PG 20

WHEN YOU TEE TALKS!

PG 21

CORONAVIRUS- ON THE GLOBAL SCENE

PG 22

PG 10-11

THISDAY STYLE FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR RUTH OSIME

08111847085

EDITOR PRINT OLUFUNKE BABS-KUFEJI EDITOR DIGITAL KONYE NWABOGOR

08111847086

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SENIOR ART DESIGNER MATHIAS ARCHIBONG 07054965500 CONTRIBUTORS RUKY SALAKO ISIOMA USIADE IYANU AYODELE PHOTOGRAPHER TY BELLO DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196

With the Corona virus at hand, there is uncertainty in the land. Day in, day out, we are bombarded with videos on social media of people complaining of hunger and lack of food due to the lockdown. Their major complaint is that the government is not making adequate provisions for their needs at this trying times. Whether the situation is being exploited or not, we cannot ignore the abject poverty and worse still...hunger in the land! All they hear are the billions being raised by government with no proper explanation given to them on how it translates to food on their table and provision for their welfare. So who better to give us clarity than the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed. In this informative interview conducted by Charles Aniagolu in a special edition of the Morning Show at ARISE TV, Zainab answers the various questions Nigeria citizens have been asking for a while now concerning the impact of Covid-19 on the economy.

The Minister spoke elaborately about the programs and policies being put in place for paliatives for the welfare of poor Nigerians during this pandemic.

Our prayer is that all donations and monies being raised by public and private sectors are properly utilized and beneficial to those who need it most...the poor. This, is by no means, an easy feat, but the channels used for procurement and disbursements should be managed vigilantly. It should not be abused nor should the beneficiaries be short-changed so people do not resort to desperate measures. Zainab’s interview is encouraging and will no doubt throw more light into the steps the government has taken to make life somewhat bearable for the populace.

We therefore, must Stay Home and Stay Safe.

To read STYLE online every Sunday, go to www.thisdaylive.com

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FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

O

STYLE & DESIGN

THE

SURVIV BOOKS TO ESCAPE INTO

While You’re Stuck at Home ‘’THE STAND’’ BY STEPHEN KING

What would happen in America if 99.9% of the world population was wiped out by a new disease? That’s the premise behind “The Stand,” and the exploration of that situation is absolutely phenomenal. This book makes you attached to normal people in their normal lives, often doing nothing that’s explicitly interesting, but the way King writes draws you in with every single word.

“1984” BY GEORGE ORWELL

“1984” paints a bleak dystopian picture of a future surveillance state, oppressed by an all-powerful government that controls every aspect of life, including your own thoughts.

The story follows a standard Party member named Winston as he falls into a life of ‘thought-crime.’

“LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA”

BY GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ

This quarantine period is your opportunity to revisit the classics you missed in high school and college; this is the perfect book to start with. Or, if you want to say things like “Literature in the time of coronavirus” with more knowledge of the source for your clever reference, read this. In fact, it is about more than just cholera. It’s about love and relationships that span decades, and it asks if maybe love isn’t the real disease.

“GOOD OMENS” BY NEIL GAIMAN AND TERRY PRATCHETT

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more fun and entertaining read about the end of the world. With their signature darkness, satire, and clever twists on mythology, Gaiman and Pratchett created a wild tale of apocalypse.

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By Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru

There’s never been a better time to pick up a book than now. Finding ways to entertain yourself while secluded at home is the name of the game for folks these days. Books about devastating outbreaks, books that offer hope, and especially humour.

“Laughter is the best medicine,” and while it might not be a coronavirus cure on its own, it can certainly help lift us on some dark and stressful days.

This list spans a variety of genres and themes, from pandemic novels to mental illness memoir to nonfiction science books to cosymysteries. Whether you’re looking for hope for the shut-in, fascinating facts, or some good old escapism, you’ll find something to love on this list.

BY USIADE ISIOMA

“TYPHOID MARY” BY ANTHONY

BOURDAIN Mary Mallon was a cook for wealthy families in New York from 1900 to 1907. She was also an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever, and though authorities pursued her through several jobs with several families, it took them years to detain and quarantine her. By that point, she had infected dozens of people and earned the nickname “Typhoid Mary.” If a nonfiction case study of carrying a disease sounds like your perfect quarantine read, you won’t want to miss this.

“VIRAL” BY JD EDWIN A short story about coronavirus in Wuhan right now. Though fiction, it draws heavily from accounts from the author’s family friends, who are currently enduring the Wuhan quarantine. As fun as it can be to have extra time to read, it’s also important to pay attention to what’s going on around us in the world.

This story offers a window into what quarantine looks like in the most heavily impacted areas.

“STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND” BY ROBERT A. HEINLEIN

This sci-fi classic is about a man who was born on Mars and returns to Earth. He can’t quite adjust to the culture, social norms, and prejudices of humanity, which I think we can all relate to. Especially in this new age of “social distancing,” when isolation and alienation are real challenges we’re navigating.

“STATION ELEVEN” BY EMILY ST. JOHN

MANDEL Station Eleven is amazing and timely. It’s not about a pandemic but the world after one.

Super feminist, smart, thought provoking. This book follows a roaming theatre troupe in an uncivilized world where ordinary people have to figure out what it means to be human. But what sets it apart isn’t the plot, it’s the dark, quiet, litfrom-within feel of it all.

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

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COVID-19: WARIF RECORDS A 64% INCREASE IN CALLS MADE ABOUT DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL ABUSE CASES AS IT RE-OPENS THE WARIF CENTRE Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), an NGO focused on reducing the prevalence of gender-based violence in Nigeria, has re-opened its centre to cater to survivors of sexual violence. This decision was made after the NGO observed a 64 percent increase in call cases, during the 14-day lockdown mandated by the Federal Government, to help curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

As the lockdown period continues, WARIF states that it will continue with skeletal operations at its centre, with opening times on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm.

Dr. Kemi Da-Silvia Ibru, founder of WARIF, reiterated all safety measures put in place to prevent cross-contamination between survivors who visit the centre on these days. She also remarked that WARIF has provided personal protective equipment to ensure the safety of its frontline workers.

“During this period of lockdown we have observed that the number of calls received through our 24hr confidential helpline to report cases of domestic and sexual abuse had increased by 64% compared to the time before the lockdown.

72% were from women under threat of violence, who have been forced into isolation with their abusers. This is a growing concern for us as the mandatory

Dear Reader, Welcome to the WARIF Survivor Stories Series, a monthly feature, where stories of survivors of rape and sexual violence will be shared to motivate and encourage survivors to speak their truth without the fear of judgement or stigmatization and to educate the public on the sheer magnitude of this problem in our society. The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) is a non-profit organization set up in response to the extremely high incidence of rape, sexual violence and human trafficking of young girls and women in our society. WARIF is tackling this issue through a holistic approach which covers initiatives in health, education and community service.

WARIF offers assistance to survivors of rape and sexual violence through the WARIF Centre a safe haven where trained professionals are present full time, 6 days a week including public holidays to offer immediate medical care, forensic medical examinations, psycho-social counselling and welfare services which include shelter, legal aid and vocational skills training. These services are provided FREE of charge to any survivor who walks into the Centre.

This is Ngozi’s story“My name is Ngozi and I am 13 years old and the 2nd to the last born of 8 children. When I was 3 years old my father convinced my mother that I and all my siblings had to leave the village so our lives will be saved from those who wanted all my father’s children dead. My mum refused to yield to his suggestion until two years later, her refusal cost her two of her children.

Two of my siblings were taken to Abuja, one was taken to Lagos, one was taken to Akure and I was taken to my mum’s elder sister’s place at Port Harcourt. By this time, I was 5 years old. I really liked my aunty she treated me like her last born. Uzo who is 7 years older than me happens to be her only child. Things went on fine till Uzo got into SS1 and I got into primary 2.

lock down in effect may extend as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must continue to practice social distancing and encourage all to stay at home who do not fall under essential services, as these are important precautions against spread of the virus, but we must also remember that for some, home is not the safest place to be. Everyone is encouraged to check up on their family and loved ones to ensure they are safe,” said Dr. Kemi.

“We are also calling on individuals and corporate bodies to assist in our fund raising campaign to enable us continue to stay open at the WARIF Centre and to provide more PPE kits for our frontline workers who are at the WARIF Centre as first responders to walk -in cases of rape and sexual abuse during these trying times”, she added.

The NGO also works closely with other NGOs in the gender based violence space and the Lagos State Police to ensure that survivors of gender-based violence are protected and given adequate attention during the COVID-19 period. Everyone is encouraged to call the WARIF 24- hour confidential helpline (08092100009) in emergency cases or to report a suspected case of GBV around them.

Sometimes, I believe he was negatively influenced by his friends at school because Uzo sometimes told me about their discussions with girls. He told me his friends made fun of him because he had no girlfriend. While we were talking one day, Uzo told me he didn’t like any girl in his class so I asked him why and he went on to say because the really liked me. I was confused as to what that meant. I really like Uzo as a brother and he liked me the way I liked him.

Uzo then started trying to kiss me and insert his finger into my privates while requesting that I touch his penis. He always assured me that it’s because he really liked me and he pleaded with me never to tell my aunty. I was also afraid that if I told my aunt she might send me back to the village. This continued every day except on weekends. I never looked forward to after school anymore. I knew what he was doing was wrong, but I had no idea how to stop it or inform my aunt. As the days turned into months and years, I became a shadow of myself and my school report dropped to the rock bottom. This was because once it’s 12noon, I lost concentration and entertained fear from the thought of being stuck in the house with Uzo till my aunt returns. I became very quiet and believed my other mates were better than me.

I was 10 years old when Uzo finished from secondary school and gained admission into the university. I was excited after he left but Uzo continued to find me any time he returned from school and we were alone together in the house.

Two years ago, when I turned 11, he taught me how to do all kinds of oral sex and sex games. I would plead with him to stop but he only threatened me the more.

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Nigeria, the Government asked all schools to close. This meant that Uzo returned back home. This made me sad. As I expected, Uzo returned back a few days after the Federal Government ordered a lock down of schools.

As soon as he returned, my aunt said she needed to

travel to Lagos to see a family member who is sick. I pleaded to follow her but she rebuked me.

Unfortunately, Lagos placed a ban on travels two days after she got to Lagos. She called us to check up on us and asked Uzo to buy food stuffs into the house so we won’t be stranded. Uzo was excited about the new development and I was broken. Uzo started calling me his wife. Every night he would come into room and ask me to carry out sex on him. If I refused, he would threaten not to give me food or threaten to convince his mother to send me back to the village.

Two weeks ago, my aunt was still stuck at Lagos. On that day there was no power supply and I turned on my aunt’s radio so I could hear sound in the house to reduce the negative thoughts in my mind. Luckily for me, there was a talk on sexual assault and domestic violence going on. I listened through the program and I jotted down the number dictated on radio. The following day, I went to my friend who had a phone and I used her phone to reach out to that phone number; The lady mentioned that they were in Lagos and spoke to me for a long time.

She said she will contact a sexual assault centre close to me in Port Harcourt to help me.

What she said was true. Social workers found me and took me to the shelter and contacted my aunt and also informed the police. She was informed that I will be at the shelter until she returns.

I am safe now. The number I called was 08092100009, they are called WARIF and they really helped me.”

Dear survivor, please know that you are not alone and it is not your fault. Help is available.

If you have been raped or you know someone who has, please visit us at The WARIF Centre - 6, Turton Street, off Thorburn Avenue, Sabo, Yaba or call our 24-hour confidential helpline on 08092100009.

For questions or more information please contact: info@warifng.org *Real names of all mentioned have been changed for confidentiality.

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Fat SHAMING!

Watcher

STYLE & DESIGN

Dear

6

TIMES… OF

BY DONU KOGBARA

BATTLE OF THE BULGE - PART 4 Recap and vital statistics: I started this weight loss programme in March when I weighed a whopping 120kg and measured 49-47-51 (chest-waisthips) inches.

I did pretty well in weeks 1 and 2. I pursued a largely vegetarian low-calorie diet. I totally jettisoned sugar, sweet drinks, desserts and alcohol. And I lost 5kg, an inch from my waist, half an inch from my hips and my double chin. But I reverted to boozing, sugar-bingeing and overeating in weeks 3 and 4 because of coronavirus-related angst; and I regained 2 of the 5 kilos I had worked so hard to lose.

OK, so I started week 5 feeling incandescently furious with myself because coronavirus angst is NOT a good excuse for letting oneself down on the gluttony front, particularly since doctors are saying that obese coronavirus patients are more likely to die than slim ones.

But there’s no point crying over spilled milk. What is done is done. And the worst thing you can do is dwell on ANY failure to the point where you are so paralysed by shame, remorse and low self-esteem that you do nothing to rectify your error and continue to mess up.

Furthermore, it’s always good to look on the bright side. So, I forced myself to remember that I was still 3kg lighter than I’d been at the beginning of this dieting journey, to shrug off my 2kg gain as a silly temporary blip and to ferociously focus on getting back on track.

I’m delighted to report that I’ve succeeded.

When you have been addicted to food, drink and sugar since childhood and need to lose at least 35kg, you need all the help you can get. And when I decided to lose weight, I planned to try different types of diet, so I could find out which were the easiest to stick to.

Knowing my extremist, perfectionist, impatient streak, I suspected that I’d feel highly motivated by super-strict diets that delivered the quickest results and would therefore find them easiest to stick to.

I was wrong!

In weeks 1 and 2, I ate almost nothing most of the time and only had 4 modest-sized normal meals during that 14-day period.

But, looking back, I didn’t abandon this diet in week 3 ONLY because I was worried about coronavirus. I abandoned this diet in week 3 because even though the 5kg weight loss it delivered thrilled me, the self-imposed starvation was unsustainable.

Lesson learned: The spirit may be willing but the flesh is weak; and compelling yourself to tolerate near-constant hunger is counterproductive.

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

If you are too hard on yourself, chances are that you will snap like an elastic band that has been stretched to its limit and find an excuse for liberating yourself from bondage and going crazy and descending into mindless gluttony.

This week, I tried a considerably less stringent type of intermittent fasting that is known as the 16:8 regime….whereby I didn’t allow a morsel to pass my lips before 9am or 5pm, then ate whatever I wanted to eat (within reason!) during this 8-hour window.

I was able to discipline myself to eat just one modestsized normal meal a day. But I couldn’t be bothered with meticulously weighing or calculating the calories in every liquid or solid that entered my mouth. I just listened to the numerous nutritionists from Harvard Medical School, etc, who keep saying that the ideal meal comprises small amounts of protein plus wholegrains and plenty of veg.

My reward for being sensible was a 1.5kg weight loss. Not quite as exciting as the 2.5kg I shed in both week 3 and week 4. But more sustainable. I am now 15.5kg.

“ONWARDS AND DOWNWARDS!” is my new motto.

Someone very wise once said that: “When the pain of remaining the same becomes greater than the pain of changing, we will change.”

After years of wallowing in an unhealthy comfort zone, the pain of changing – doing without favourite food and drinks – has been exceeded by the pain of remaining the same…which is physical as well as emotional in my case.

In addition to being filled with painful selfloathing because I let myself down by becoming so grossly fat in the first place, I have long suffered from obesity-related breathlessness and obesityrelated knee pains that have severely restricted my mobility.

Knee pains that were absolutely hellish when I was 120kg have significantly reduced. And I’m finally read to get off the couch.

My friend Ladi recently established a walking group to combat the boredom of the coronavirus lockdown. I’m a member and it’s very inspiring to read about other members’ energetic exploits on WhatsApp (most walk alone for at least 5 kilometres a day). But I must confess that there has been zero action from my side so far.

I promise to do better next week!

DONU KOGBARA IS A VANGUARD NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST. Please feel free to share your thoughts about her weight loss journey on donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk

TONYE COLE

HOW HUNGRY AREYOU?

The lady looked innocuous and timid sitting quietly at the corner of the long dining table but unknown to many present was the raging fire of conviction that ran deep within her spirit. I had been told about her a few years ago and was intrigued to finally get the chance to meet this diminutive woman that had transformed the lives of thousands of rural women in the heartlands of sub-Saharan Africa so once the opportunity arose, I cornered her for an expose into her life’s journey. “What drove her conviction to leave the comfort of a cozy life in France and a well paid job to return home and work with women in the hinterlands?” I inquired.

As she outlined her story, I was amazed by the fierce determination that drove her to embark in country on a 700km journey from the capital Dakar, which ordinarily should take 8 hours but took 21 hours because the roads were extremely bad in search of shea butter, where she discovered one of the best qualities in the world but zero quality control. She told of one expedition into the depth of Guinea for palm oil only to send the sample to the lab ahead of export and find traces of human excrement in it. The village had no toilets nor potable water and the women, carrying their babies wrapped to their backs, performed the duties of mothers cleaning after their wards while in the process of extracting the oils from the kernels. With each new search she encountered challenges but here was a woman whose driving force was to find solutions, never running away from the problems she faced.

The Almighty God, knowing that man’s fall at Eden would bring untold hardship upon mankind, determined to endow humans with the creative mentality to solve problems. Undeterred by the challenges she faced, teaching the women how to create value from the preparation of shea butter for export, she built a laboratory for quality management and created a $2m profit per annum generating business that saw increased revenues retained in the locality. Meeting the President one day, after being decorated with the country’s Medal of Honor, she pushed for better roads thereby cutting the travel time by half. Refusing to be defeated by the shock of human waste in the food chain, she returned to the forests of Guinea, built toilets, provided potable water and educated them on hygiene effectively establishing an exportable commodity she ships weekly to Europe. Her hunger for impact lifted thousands of women out of extreme poverty and all this she did before she even turned 40. What are you hungry for?

May we each be driven to solve critical problems that impact everyday living daily.

For your comments, contributions, connect with me here: @TonyeCole1 on Twitter.

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

Ways to Stay Connected in Social Isolation The social distancing and self-isolation policies of COVID-19 are totally unprecedented. We’ve never, as a society, encouraged isolation. That’s because it goes against human nature and runs contrary to our deepest needs. We are social creatures. We need one another. This is true in our family and social life. The human brain is wired to connect with others. It’s also true in a work context – we need the social interaction of colleagues. 43% of employees rate ‘teamwork’ as a very important part of their job satisfaction. In every area of life, relationships have a profound impact on our mental health. So, how can we protect these important connections while working from home? Find below some helpful tips.

1. Set up regular video calls with friends So, Sunday brunch is cancelled, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see and talk to your pals! Set up regular video calls to keep in touch and stay connected with the people you love. They need to connect and feel supported just as much as you do.

We’re all going through this together.

You might already have a preferred way of video calling, but if you don’t, some of the most popular apps are Skype, Google Hangouts and House party. The latter allows you to bring additional fun to the table with Trivia, games, and more.

E C I TW AS E C I N The social distancing and self-isolation policies of COVID-19 are totally unprecedented.

We’ve never, as a society, encouraged isolation.

That’s because it goes against human nature and runs contrary to our deepest needs. We are social creatures. We need one another. This is true in our family and social life. The human brain is wired to connect with others. It’s also true in a work context – we need the social interaction of colleagues.

43% of employees rate ‘teamwork’ as a very important part of their job satisfaction. In every area of life, relationships have a profound impact on our mental health. So, how can we protect these important connections while working from home? Find below some helpful tips.

STORIES BY KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR

2. Do a movie night with friends

There’s nothing quite like sitting down together to watch a movie with friends and a big bowl of popcorn.

You can’t all be on the same couch, but plugins like Netflix Party for Chrome organizes a stream session so that you’re all watching the movie or TV show at the exact same time. And there’s a built-in chat feature so you can still talk and annoy that one friend that just wants to watch the movie.

3. Learn a new skill and find a new community

When you are self-isolating, staying connected with friends is important, but this can also be an opportunity to make new friends too.

For those of us feeling a little alone and looking to connect with others, a great way to do that is to find people with mutual interests and hobbies. Start a new skill or hobby and check for online communities.

Start a new Twitter, Instagram, Reddit account or YouTube channel for your new hobby and start talking to other people. Not only will you be able to speak to other real humans, they might even help you learn a skill faster than you would on your own.

CAUSAL LOOK

Knowing that polka dots and denim are a true American fashion combination, she effortlessly created a chic fashion girlnext-door vibe that is perfect for a causal date. This time she created an off the shoulder look with her polka top making the sleeves more voluminous and showing some skin. She accessorized with strap sandal heels to elongate her legs.

CHIOMA IKOKWU

SMART CAUSAL LOOK

A small polka dot blouse, when paired with skirt promises a remarkably stylish look.

To add a retro feel, CHINYERE paired her top with a check high waisted skirt and a pair of high boots.

This style is suitable from casual to street style.

4. Did someone say fashion show?

Speaking of getting dressed, don’t you have one or two (or 10) items of clothing hidden in the back of your wardrobe you’ve always meant to wear but never did? Try them on and show them off! Start a fashion show with friends while video calling and maybe you’ll discover that outfit you never wear receives glowing reviews from friends and becomes part of your everyday outfit rotation.

5. Go to a concert

A lot of artists are feeling the isolation too and are performing live from their homes. A public gathering isn’t an option anymore, so musicians are hosting performances on YouTube or Instagram Live, so make sure you keep an eye on your faves. Davido and Asa are amongst a few who are already following this trend.

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STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

PLEATED SKIRT

IS BACK LIKE IT NEVER LEFT

BLACK ON BLACK

BY USIADE ISIOMA

CROP TOP

You can wear a cropped top and still maintain a modicum of sex appeal with tipping over. Some peekaboo don’t hurt

STATEMENT TEE

Pairing your statement pleated skirt with a statement tee is a stylish way to pull off this trend without breaking any fashion rules.

WITH A BLAZER

Add a certain level of elegance to your ensemble by rocking a lovely blazer with your skirt.

This look would go for a stylish workwear.

STYLE & DESIGN The Pleated skirt is forever a classic piece and has successfully dominated the fashion scene for some years. It was off the radar for a moment only for it to return and explode! The pleated skirt is a perfect blend of street style and sophistication. You need to know how to wear it well. With the variety of lengths and cinched waist, the skirt flatters all shapes and body types. Let’s look at different ways to rock this trend.

A PUFF SLEEVED TOP

Pleated skirts are feminine by nature, so they’re perfectly suited to matching up with puffed sleeved top. In this case, a puffed-sleeve white shirt, paired with a swingy pleated maxi skirt in muted hues.

To look sophisticated and fierce, you can pair your black pleated skirt with a black top. This look works for occasions, from creative job interviews, client presentations to art gallery hopping or cocktail events.

A STATEMENT BELT

You can rock your pleated skirt with a statement belt while maintaining a sleek look. Simple can be more fun with this style.

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

TWO PIECE NUMBER

Rocking a two piece skirt suit isn’t a bad idea. You don’t have to wear a different top all the time. Stand out at your next party with this amazing

look.

SWITCH TO SNEAKERS

Step into that party with this statement pleated skirt and classy look. These heels can also be switched for sneakers if you need to run errands or play down the outfit.

MILLAIR DAIRE

LERATO SHIRLEY TIBILIA

VERONICA ODEKU

SHARON OOJA

MILLIAR DAIRE

LOLA AKINULI ADENIYI

CHIC AMA

ALEXANDRIAH SHO-SILVA

BASIC QUARANTINE SELF CARE GUIDE It’s been a little more than two weeks since we’ve all been asked to practice social distancing and quarantine in our homes, which means the responsibility of grooming yourself has fallen completely into your hands no more trips to the salon. Here are a few ways you can treat yourself from the comfort of your home, from practicing nail art to trying on new face masks because if there was ever a time to be kind to yourself, it’s now.

BY USIADE ISIOMA TAKING CARE OF YOUR HANDS AND NAILS cracking. A simple nail brush You’re probably washing your hands excessively right now you should be.

That might be drying out your skin though, so you should follow up with a moisturizer.

De-Stress with a Manicure With all that extra time spent on your hands, don’t forget about your nails. There are a lot of prepackaged manicure tool kits you can get to keep your nails looking clean also try a cuticle oil and keep your hands moisturized to avoid

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for cleaning out under your nails if they get grimy. Lastly, buffers smooth your nails and make

them shiny, which is a nice touch to an at-home manicure.

False Nail Fix If you typically wear acrylic or other false nails, you might need to fill in the gap from where your nails have grown. if you feel comfortable doing your own nails try KISS FILL KIT.

RELAX WITH A BEAUTY MASK AND MOISTURIZER Sheet masks are good for temporary problems, like when your skin is desperately in need of extra hydration.

They’re usually best used as a part of a regimen but they’re also just

You might feel like the world is ending, and people on the internet are talking about ways to be DON’T FORGET HAIR productive during this CARE pandemic.

Just like your skin and But your nails, your hair needs mind will some love. try out its benefit hair perfector and from any bond maintenance time you shampoo and conditioner put aside for for at home use. peace. You FIND PEACE FOR YOURSELF don’t need to If grooming and face masks aren’t work out every what you need right now, try to find day, write good some time to relax in whatever way novels or learn a works for you, whether that’s two new craft. Just let bubble baths a day or relax in bed. yourself be ok. plain fun and relaxing. If you don’t plan on using a mask at all, at least remember to moisturize your skin. Even if you’re oily, you still need to moisturize and hydrate.

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STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

YOU BE THE JUDGE THE HIP ACCENTUATING PEPLUM

CHICHI

IDIA AISIEN

BEVERLY NAYA

FUNKE BABSKUFEJI

RUKY SALAKO

I’m a big fan of three quarter dresses and this three in one dress is very trendy. I love perfect mix of coldshoulder, high neck and peplum style brilliantly merged to create this stylish dress.Though I will have preferred the dress to be a little more fitted but it still looks good on her. 8/10 Less is more. I like how this dress shows off a bit of skin yet remains sophisticated and elegant. .

8.5/10

I like a woman well dressed and put together. From KONYE NWABOGOR her hair to her shoes, she nailed this office chic look. 8/10

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

FUNKE BABSKUFEJI RUKY SALAKO

I not sure about this dress on Chichi, perhaps it because I have seen her look a lot better. The dress is a bit too overwhelming for me with too much on display 5/10

FUNKE BABSKUFEJI

This dress in my opinion will have looked better on some more svelte, but Chichi being a stylish lady has pulled the look off with her choice of shoes and her striking pose. 7/10

RUKY SALAKO

She looks comfortable, which I think is the most KONYE thing when it comes to dressing up. Not NWABOGOR important my personal favourite of hers but she has made it work for her.

6/10

LINDA OSIFO

Idia is such a diva! Dressed up or down, she time looks the part. It’s timeless and chic and reminds me of the 80s. A pair of gloves will add that 50s feel to her look. 8/10

FUNKE BABSKUFEJI

Idia looks office chic ready and I can see this look going from day to night in a flash by just adding a pair of strappy sandals and a nice clutch. 8/10

RUKY SALAKO

I’m so for the chic office look. The ponytail also KONYE NWABOGOR compliments her outfit. Idia sure is a style star.

8/10

KO NYE N WA B O G O R

This look is chic and uber stylish. Exaggerated sleeves and peplum waist, gives Linda the balance to pull the look off. 7.5/10

POWEDE AWUJO

FUNKE BABSKUFEJI

It’s safe to say Powede has a thing for sweet girly looks. But no matter what colour she’s wears, she shines brightest in looks that play up her girl nextdoor image. This look is well executed. 8.5/10

Linda is fast becoming a style star and I love how she seems to be coming into her own. This look is no exception. Lush gold and clean white, it a colour combo that makes a look standout. 8.5/10

RUKY SALAKO

I agree with Ruky that Linda is one star making a

KONYE NWABOGOR dress look amazing on her.

KONYE mark on the Nigeria fashion scene these days and NWABOGOR she cannot be missed with her ebony skin. Always

stylishly dressed and making a statement, this gold and white peplum dress not only suits her perfectly but compliments her beauty ebony tone.

FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

Powede is a style star in this dress, I love her matching bag and shoes which gives the dress the right sophistication of a very simple yet stylish look.

9/10

R U KY S A L A KO

TONI TONES

FUNKE BABSKUFEJI

Toni Tones is never stuck in a style rot. The actress knows what it truly means to play dress up. She is elegantly striking in the purple number which hugs her curves highlighting her hour glass figure

9/10 RUKY SALAKO

I love this dress, from the ruffled shoulder to how it hugs her figure ever so much but yet delicately.

She gets my stamp of approval in this number

8.5/10

Powede keeps her style simple and elegant, this

8.5/10

The key to a look is in the details and the details on KONYE NWABOGOR this dress is simply exquisite. The ruffles gives the

outfit some originality not to mention striking pose in it. 7/10

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COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

The tragic health hazards and human consequences not to mention the economic uncertainties and disruptions that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, have come at a significant cost. For us as a country, the odds of sliding into a downturn have heightened as the global coronavirus outbreak and drop in oil prices puts severe pressure on the economy. In the third leg of STYLE’s COVID-19 series, we feature a special edition of The Morning Show conducted

by CHARLES ANIAGOLU of ARISE TV, that focuses on the impact this pandemic has had. Aniagolu states that a lot has been happening in Nigeria since the outbreak of the COVID 19 as the Nigerian government continues to increase efforts towards stopping the virus. According to him, and rightly so, the news appears to be that all hands are on deck. And the best way to find out how all that is going is from someone who is at the very pivot of the fight against COVID 19, the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed. In this interview, the Minister speaks about the government’s plans to cushion the economic effects of the ongoing lockdown, the looming recession and the general effect of Covid 19 on the Nigerian Economy. Here are some related excerpts from the interview, transcribed

by KONYE NWABOGOR.

S E R U S A E M S U L U M I T S L A C S I F

S R E W G S F : N 9 A 1 D D E & I M S H COV A N B A O N I I A T Z S H E T I U W Q 20

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COVER

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First of all, will it be fair to say that Nigeria’s resources to cushion the economic effects of this lockdown on the business community and on individuals are very spare?

It is correct to say that Nigeria at this time, has a very tight physical space and this was so even before the breakout of the pandemic. This incident has made it even more difficult for us.

We are trying to maximize the resources we have and use them as best as possible, to provide immediate response locally while we are also seeking to source for additional resources from the external multilateral institutions.

Is Nigeria flexible enough to adapt because this country has weathered not just the very recent recession, but many years of corruption, infrastructure decay, development challenges at the best of times and all this is also manifested in the Health Care industry, in the business community across the board in Nigeria. Can it weather this latest economic storm?

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Certainly, we can, and we will. We have to because it is our country and we need to put things right.

Things are not in the best of form right now.

The pandemic is our first priority so we are putting every resource that we need to put in the Health Care sector. Because if it gets bigger and the crisis becomes more complex, it affects the economy even more. So, our first priority is improving health infrastructure, making sure people are protected and also helping out the weak and the vulnerable from the impact of this pandemic.

3 help.

We have just heard from someone who is a member of the medical community.

We have also spoken to innumerable doctors and they are not seeing this

Well the NCDC, the centre for disease control supervised by the Ministry of Health, is the lead agency for the response on this pandemic. The President has put together a presidential task force which is chaired by the secretary to the federal task force. I am not a member of that task force. I am a member of the Economy’s team. The key ministries that are responsible for response in health care side are all in that community. They made an assessment of what is required, and funding has been approved.

NCDC has requested for two different batches of funding and they were given everything they asked for. Lagos state government which the epicentre of the crisis also requested for resources and the President approved what they asked for and not only did he approve, we released it to them immediately.

So, there are resources available and we have seen also the medical community really coming up to being in the front and responding to the crisis. I can say that the record that we have of loss of life is low, though every life is very important but so far, the health care system has been able to minimize that and that is a success.

The UN secretary general recognized that as something positive that we should not just push aside. It is a reflection of how well the medical system is able to cope despite the challenges that we have.

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I understand the IMF has the Covid-19 rapid credit facility. Is Nigeria going to seek assistance of the IMF?

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

Nigeria has already made a request to access 3.4 billion which is our contribution to IMF, and which is what the IMF is now offering to member countries as funds that we can access. That is our contribution to IMF; like our shareholding. We have made the request, there are no conditionalities attached to it, it is not an IMF program we are entering into. We are taking that as a right just as any country that is a member of the IMF. Up till today, about 80 countries have applied to access their own funds because it’s our resources that is there. We need it here now and the IMF is making it available.

Now let’s talk about the excess crude account which I understand had a balance of two billion dollars in 2015 when President Buhari first assumed office. From what I understand, correct me if I am wrong, the account has now been reduced to $71 million dollars as at last month. How will that fund be replenished going forward?

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The excess crude account as the name implies is funded from revenues that are in excess from what is in the budget. We make a budget for example, at $60 per barrel, so over the course of the year,

The pandemic is our first priority so we are putting every resource that we need to put in the Health Care sector. Because if it gets bigger and the crisis becomes more complex, it affects the economy even more. So, our first priority is improving health infrastructure, making sure people are protected and also helping out the weak and the vulnerable from the impact of this pandemic.

Oil prices have dropped dramatically over the last few weeks as crude oil prices are falling once again. Part of the reason for that volatility is the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia and also the meeting that was postponed and perhaps, more importantly, collapsing the bonds.

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

How much does that concern Nigeria?

It does concern us a great deal in the sense that we had projected the crude oil price of $57 per barrel.

Now, we have to work with an average at $30. We also have to adjust the volume from 2.1 million barrels per day to 1.7 million barrels per day because the demand is very slow. The market is not buying crude, Nigeria’s crude included. In the past couple of weeks, we have had cargos of crude that are not moving because Europe is literally shut down and that is where we have our biggest market and India is also shut down, so the demand is very low.

We have seen countries planning to shut down production or at least part of their production but we hope it doesn’t get to that. We are happy that the price has adjusted at least to within the $30-dollar range now. There were some days it went low for as low as $17.5 per barrel. What we are doing is, we are re-accessing our plans, we are deferring anything that is not vital as things that can wait. We also need to make sure we re-direct resources. First of all, address the health crisis before anything else. The President has also directed that we must make sure we protect salaries and pensions so that people have basic recourses. Our plan is to be able to do that in the course of 2020. So, we have reviewed the plans and we will be discussing inside with the National Assembly on the review before it formally delivered to them.

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On a personal level this must be a tremendously challenging time for you.

Yes, it is. It worries me that our economy is in crisis, it worries me that when we made an assessment, our own assessment shows that we could go into recession in 2020 and the numbers we have from the NBS looks like a -3.4 and that’s very disturbing. Even the multilateral institutions place us at a much higher number. So, we have to do some things that are very radical, bold and very different and maybe even unusual so that we don’t slip into a recession.

Do you feel like the future of this country rests on your shoulders? The decisions that you make will obviously go down in history because this is a very profound moment for you as Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning essentially in many ways, someone who is in charge of the Nigerian economy.

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maybe the average price is $75, so that difference between what is budgeted and what is realized, goes into the excess crude account as savings. In 2015, the balance was over two billion, but the states and the federal government approved a one billion disbursement for security in 2017 to over 2018/19. Various security procurements were made from that fund. Also, in December 2019, the national economic council approved a disbursement of $250 million to the NSIA, in 2017 another $250million was also approved. So that’s how the ECA is used.

It’s an account that is owned by the whole of the Federation so decision to use the fund is a collective decision of the Federation. Because of the $250million we paid in January to the NSIA the fund was depleted to $70million, we were in the process of building it up before this crash. So, when we are in a situation like what we are in right now and the revenues are not what we planned, there will be no attrition to the excess crude account.

COVER

The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is not one person. I just want to remind us that there are two Ministers, myself my colleague Clement Agba. We have three Permanent Secretaries between us, and we supervise about 18 agencies.

In addition to that, we also have the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, which is an external group and we are part of their meetings and their processes. We also have the Ministry of Trade, which has two Ministers and a whole panel of agencies.

We have the Central Bank. We are a central part of that too, and I take full responsibility for whatever it is that we don’t do well but the credit when it goes well is to all of us.

Let’s follow up on a question about the federal government stopping the collection of taxes from corporations to give them breathing space as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to take hold. You said there were no such plans to do that. Don’t you think it will be a prudent move by government considering strain on

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corporation at this time?

On the contrary, what I said is the opposite. I said it was fortuitous that when we did the finance bill of 2019, we were looking at how to strengthen the economy and enhance the growth of small medium businesses and we made a provision that now allows by law, for small businesses to pay no company income tax so they pay zero tax and the mediumsized business pay a reduced tax of 20%. These are actions that other countries are taking now, but this is something we had planned not even knowing that there was going to be an economic downturn.

Then I said for the big corporates whose company income tax is at 30%, we are looking at options of deferral, not reduction of taxes, so we could defer their taxes and we are also we’re encouraging corporates and even individuals, to support the Covid-19 response. Any support you provide will be tax-deductible so it’s also a tax relief. We are also engaging various sectors of the economy to find out what they need to be able to perform better because just reducing the tax may not necessarily have the effect we designed. So, some might require import duty waivers and bring in the new equipments they need. Others might require a different kind of support from government other than tax. We have a committee that is chaired by His Excellency, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. They have mapped out those sectors and are reaching out and engaging them to find out what they need. What does the industry require, what do the hotels require, what do the pharmaceutical firms need? That’s how we are approaching it, but we thought just reducing the tax might not get us to where we want to be.

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In fairness to you, obviously this pandemic happened and took the world by surprise, but it just seems like Nigeria never really has a plan for situations that arise such as this?

Well nobody plans for an extreme crisis but as a country, you are supposed to have fiscal buffers so that when you have a crisis you are able to respond more quickly. Our fiscal buffers are low and that means the fiscal space is tight. Though the growth we have been attaining before this crisis has been consistent, we kept saying it’s still not strong because of any external shock we can have and that is what has happened now. So, we need find ways to increase productivity in the country so that our growth is not centred around one or two

Nigeria has some of the richest people in Africa. Private sector industries and corporations that are absolutely huge.

What Cyril Ramaphosa has done in South Africa is to bring those people on board and access a lot of the money from them. Is that something that Nigeria is doing?

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So, there are resources available and we have seen also the medical community really coming up to being in the front and responding to the crisis. I can say that the record that we have of loss of life is low, though every life is very important but so far, the health care system has been able to minimize that and that is a success.

revenue streams. We need to grow small businesses because any country that can grow in a manner that is sustainable is through strong small medium enterprises. That’s the segment of the economy that employs the largest number of people, it’s not government, it’s not the large coverage, it’s the small businesses. That’s why when we did the Finance Act, we did several things apart from the taxes, we made sure the VAT also had less impact. We did a lot of exemptions even on the increased VAT to protect the small businesses and the weaker side of the population. We want to grow in a manner that is inclusive not just growth that is driven by one or two revenue streams or by the activities of one or two large corporates. We need to grow small businesses as well.

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Now the last GDP forecast in the 2020 budget was 2.93%. Following your downward revision in the benchmark oil price production, have you revised your GDP forecast for 2020?

We are looking at the numbers and that’s about –3.4%, without any of this stimulus, that is what will happen. Now, we are going to make a re-assessment to take in the impact of this stimulus that will drive the economy and the idea is for us not to get into recession. That’s the focus. We don’t want to go into deep recession because the deeper you go, the more difficult it is to come out. It also all depends on how long all of these lasts, and also on what actions you take to protect the local economy.

There is already a very good level of support from the private sector. There has been a lot of donations realized. So far, up to about N32 billion has come in from different corporates and different high net worth individuals. But beyond aid and donations, we also want to make sure businesses don’t collapse.

And not only that they grow, but also that that they can employ people too. Remember the President’s commitment that he made in June 2019 to Nigerians was to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty over 10 years. How do you do that? You do that by making sure that the productive sector is active and is actually producing because that’s where they get the employments from. It’s not just giving stipends that will do it, it’s about putting people to work.

I try to understand how you actually deal with issues like this in Nigeria because there are very few statistics in this country that accurately measure the levels of poverty, the number of people who are doing various things because you’ve got an enormous informal sector. The number of people who are living below the poverty line. Nigeria doesn’t have a current census that gives you those statistics. How difficult does that make your job?

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You know what? We actually doing a disservice to the National Bureau of Statistics. The NBS is recognized as one of the best statistics in Africa today. We need to do a census, and that is done by the National Population Commission but the NBS does an assessment of employment data. There is one currently going on household consumption that will tell you the level of poverty that is within the country. It will tell us how many small traders or enterprises that we have. We are doing this with the limited resources we have, if the NBS has more resources, we can channel out more.

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14. Does that mean the figures are inaccurate?

No, they are not inaccurate. We are not

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COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9103 9110 Sunday, April 12, 19, 2020

That’s an interesting one and that is something we are willing to make an analysis of and see how that works because like I said, the oil revenue has been a significant component of our budget at both the states and the federal level. At the federal level the contribution of the oil revenue to the budget is about 40/45%. By 2015 it was about 60%.

So, we are working gradually towards reducing that dependence. Well it’s like the process is slow and this has to be ramped up because if there is anything that has happened out of this pandemic, it’s providing us an opportunity that is actually compelling us to do things differently. Now we have to depend on non-oil revenue and for me. I say that this is an opportunity that we must not waste. We must take advantage of it; we must do things differently.

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able to do some of the surveys but the ones we are able to do they are very good surveys and they are very high quality and credible. I can tell you that the multilateral actually depends on NBS when they do surveys for the World Bank, the IMF and for the Multilaterals in this country. Then you sit back and say we don’t have data? We do have data and I want to urge people to visit the website of the National Bureau of Statistics and see the array of data that we have there. What we don’t have is the current census and that’s is the responsibility of the National Population Commission. A census is a very large exercise. Towards the end of last year and early this year, we have been engaging with the National Population Commission. The President had directed us to work together to make an assessment of what they require for a census and we have made that requirement. Unfortunately, it was done after the budget had already gone to the National Assembly so we couldn’t fit it in because what is required is a very large size of money and it is an exercise that is over a period of three years.

Now what lessons are there for Nigeria in this tanking of oil prices and the fact that being dependent on a one crop system is clearly something that will affect this country detrimentally every single time it happens?

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The lesson that has always been with us, is that we must have a Nigeria that is not dependent on just oil. We must grab the non-oil sector of the economy.

Not only that, we must also work the talk about using and consuming Made in Nigeria products.

For example, we are looking at a position where we do a policy to say our roads will be constructed locally. That is, we stop importing bitumen and build with cement which is material that is almost 100% available. We have to take that decision that if we build social houses, all the materials must be sourced locally. We must consume Made in Nigeria. We must make all the product that we need. We should stop depending on imports except the ones where we absolutely have no choice.

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We hear these glowing words from members of government that we must develop the local industries but there appears to be a massive disconnect

This pandemic and this economic downtown is a huge wake up call for all of us as Nigerians. We now have to actually work that talk because now it is a matter of survival.

We have to protect the local industry, we have to consume what we produce, we have to stop imports of anything that is not absolutely necessary so that we can strengthen the local economy. That’s the only way we can become insulated from external exogenous shocks.

between the things that are said and the things that actually happens. For instance, cars and Jeeps are being made in Nigeria but l don’t see government officials like yourself driving these cars. I don’t see President Buhari talking about this industry when he goes to African Union meetings when easily Nigeria can use its leverage to dominate that manufacturing scene within Africa. What’s your take on this?

This pandemic and this economic downtown is a huge wake up call for all of us as Nigerians. We now have to actually work that talk because now it is a matter of survival. We have to protect the local industry, we have to consume what we produce, we have to stop imports of anything that is not absolutely necessary so that we can strengthen the local economy. That’s the only way we can become insulated from external exogenous shocks.

If Nigeria saved all its oil money without spending it, will it survive as a nation?

In other words, the issue is to try and see how much work has been done with diversification and the dependence on oil money.

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With all the donations that are being given and tax deductable, does this not mean a reduction in the revenue that is accruable to the Nigerian government?

Yes, it is, but also if corporates are using their resources to build out on health infrastructure which government would otherwise have used its revenue to build, then it is even to speak. But the benefit is that the works gets done quicker and in fact, more efficiently by the private sector. They, in return, get some relief for their expenditure in terms of deduction from their taxes. By the way, this is not yet finalized. The next stage of stimulus we are working on, is to look at how we can use tax to provide stimulus to businesses.

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What about the subsidy on petroleum products, people have said that it sucks a lot of money out of Nigeria. Is it time to stop subsidizing petroleum products?

We have stopped subsidising petroleum products.

The announcement made of price modulation is actually a full deregulation. Government is not fixing prices; government is going to allow the marketers to fix the price and then the deregulators will do the work to ensure consumers are not exploited. In the adjustment we are making to the budget, there is no provision at all for under recovery.

I think we have already agreed that the Government has a big problem with revenue at the present time given the pandemic and all the other things. Is there any consideration in trying to cut down on the size of government?

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We are not going to let go of workers. This is not the time to put people out of work. If anything, what we are trying to do is get people employed in any shape or form so that they have some means of livelihood to take care of themselves. If we had a lot of resources, this is the time to actually employ more people, but we are not able to do that, and the President has directed that we must make sure we are paying salaries. He has also directed that every new employment is stopped and that we go back to the Oronsaye report that has reviewed the size of government and look at how to implement it. This will mean collapsing some agencies and reducing cost in the process of doing that. But we still abide by the principle of no job losses. We will streamline the agencies, compress them so that at least we will be saving on overheads capitals.

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

360

ON THE

t

POSI IVE

DR IFEYINWA NWAKWESI

LIVING A PHENOMENAL, HEALTHY, HAPPY AND FULFILLED LIFE.

CORONAVIRUS, FEAR , ANXIETY & DEPRESSION These are very challenging times for all of us, as this Coronavirus Pandemic has threatened our very existence It is mind boggling and a wake up call for us to prioritize our affairs. Many of us are caught up in the rat race of eking a living, looking for money and building a career that we forget to focus on the things that matter most in our lives. We can’t go to work, we can’t attend social events such as weddings and burials. We can’t even go to church. Many people who depend on their daily income for sustainance are finding it difficult to feed their families. Many women who look forward to dressing up, looking their best to socialize with friends and family, no longer have the oppurtunity to do so. Couples who are having a good marriage are observing social distancing so no love making and kisses . Couples who are always quarreling with each other are now forced to stay together in the same space 2/4/7, yelling at each other with their children as observers. The man cannot leave the house to cool off . You can’t go to visit relatives and friends to share memorable moments. Singles are not having it easy as many of them are lonely and keep looking at the phones wishing someone will call them just to say “How are you today”? We cannot pursue our daily aspirations. We are not making Money neither are we accomplishing our daily tasks which are some of the things that make us happy and fulfilled. The fear of how we can get money to feed our families if our savings are depleted, worrying when will all these end, will our lives ever be normal again? People that have lost relatives can’t give them a befitting burial . A friend lost her sister and she could not attend her burial as only one family member was allowed to witness the burial.

Every day we hear about the death of one person or the other from corona virus . Indeed our world is severely threatened so a lot of people who are not proactive about managing their spiritual , mental , emotional and physical lives may not be able to cope with the coronavirus challenges . Many people are dealing with the fear, depression , mood swings , anxiety . The above stated are some of the reasons I am advocating people imbibe the principle of CANI - constant and never ending improvement in all spheres of our lives.

Some people who make the mistake of not connecting to the source of life to spiritually energize themselves are the worst hit . Prayers help people to build their faith and get rid of fear from their lives. Let me tell you about my personal experience. One day I woke up and was paralyzed with fear of coronavirus . It was in my thoughts for hours and I started feeling unwell .

Thank God for that day’s Anglican devotional , “FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR BUT OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF SOUND MIND “. It impacted me so much that I got out of

the fear of coronavirus. I use faith affirmations to to put my seif in an empowering emotional state so I do not worry over coronavirus or any other challenges . I pray ten times in the morning , ten times in the afternoon and ten times at night - coronavirus will not come near me, my family my friends my associates . Coronavirus will be uprooted from Nigeria, Africa and the world, in the name of the FATHER SON AND HOLY GHOST AMEN .

The human being is spirit , mind and body so it is important that we find time to constantly improve all areas of our lives so we can better handle unexpected challenges.

The CANI principle can help many people deal with the depression , mood swings anxiety and fear that come from dealing with the coronavirus and its effects in our lives .

Many people who normally go to the church or mosque still go around with negatively programmed mindsets. They allow beliefs, thoughts, that cross their minds to enter and they do not question if the beliefs and thoughts are empowering their lives or destroying their lives . They do not stand guard at the door of their minds and sanitize the beliefs and thoughts that come to them . They are living in bondage to those beliefs and thoughts so they are often living in fear , focusing mostly on all the negatives in their lives , enlarging them and dwelling on them all day . No wonder these sort of people most often will be depressed , moody and anxious at this time . These sort of people do not make very good Marital patners as they often create negative energy in the home giving their patner additional stress .

Human beings move towards pleasure and move away from pain so don’t be surprised if the patner is with the person physically but disconnected spiritually , mentally and emotionally . It is very important especially at this time for people to learn how to manage their mindset so they can cope with the stresses that are bombarding us from coronavirus. People that are not normally proactive about their physical health may not be able to cope with the challenges of coronavirus. Healthy diet and water rich foods like vegetables and fruit juices that will help provide the vital nutrients required by the body to strengthen the immune system improve energy and help improve the moods are vital.

Regular healthy exercise can also help with improving mood and alleviating depression .Adequate Sleep is also vital .People that are dealing with chronic preventable diseases are more prone to depression and anxiety in these challenging times . It is important that many people sign into our on- line health enhancement programme to learn how to manage their health proactively so they will be better equipped to deal with the depression anxiety of Coronavirus, keep away chronic

preventable dieseses , strengthen the immune system .

Fortify their cells , tissues and organs and have a better chance of recovery from chronic preventable diseases.

Depression can either be due to poor spiritual life , poor mindset management or due to physical cause in form of nutrient deficiency or organ dysfunctions . Some people have a negative mindset which may have started from childhood so they focus mostly on all the negatives in their lives, enlarge them and become paralyzed by their negative emotions.

These are the sort of people that are mostly affected by the coronavirus lockdown and it’s attendant challenges.

It is important to connect to the source of life so the individual can be spiritually energized to have the faith to cope with the challenges of the day Dwelling in fear, anxiety and depression are very debilitating to health and infact weakens the immune system. As an integrative care practitioner we manage those conditions in a holistic manner. The following will be my advise to anyone dealing with depression especially in this coronavirus times. As soon as you wake up make sure you say your prayers, because when one is depressed, it is difficult to stay focused to pray as the mind will not be able to concentrate.

Listen to some spiritual videos and prayers. This will help you to cope better and will help you reprogramme your mindset from negative to positive.

Make sure you do one form of exercise or the other. Brisk walk in a secured estate is good.

Walking up and down your stairs gradually up to 10 times Morning and evening. If you have a threadmill do 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week . You can also stand and sit on a chair in your home. Exercise is very good in improving the circulation and improving the mood. There are aerobics videos available on-line that you can accesss. Please note that health and fitness are not the same. You can be healthy but not fit and you can be fit and not healthy. Many people in their quest to keep fit, inadvertently damage their health by exceeding their target heart rates in their excercise routines. Please be mindful of these as some people have dropped dead while over exercising.

My next write up will focus more on what you can do to remain in a positive mindset , improve your health, your energy and be able to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Stay home, stay safe, smile and laugh more, be prayerful and positive.

Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi Stress, Nutrition, Cell- Revitalization, Personal Development, Genotherapy, And Integrative Medicine Specialist, The Phenomenal Woman By God`s Grace

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STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

THE ERA OF COVID

TREND OF THE TIMES

BY USIADE ISIOMA

It hasn’t taken long for coronavirus mask fashion to actually become a trend. With the global outbreak of the coronavirus, the surgical mask has not only turned into the weapon of choice but is today’s most coveted accessory.

Fashion can be used in passing a message and also to believe that fashion heals, prevents and tells a story the world is yet to hear about even in dark times.

Fashion influencers have taken their time to create statement outfits with the ‘stay safe’ message. Here are a few inspired statement pieces.

“Fashion prophecy.”

S T Y L E “Fashion & DESIGN

heals, prevents and tells a story the

world is yet to even hear about in dark times.”

ANJY LUMINEE

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

WHEN YOUR

TEE TALKS!

INI DIMA-OKOJIE

BY USIADE ISIOMA

Just because time is precious, sometimes it pays to wear your heart on your sleeve or across your chest, with a carefully chosen phrase that communicates everything. Depending on the context, it can be challenging, fun, silly, ignite a smile if not an outright giggle. The expression T-shirt quote is valid and relatable.

It sometimes tells exactly how you are feeling at that moment. Our favourite graphic tees to do the job.

ANNIE IDIBIA

TRY A SKIRT

NANA AKUA ADDO

Wearing a skirt with your graphic tee helps dress up your look and put a fashionable twist on it that automatically helps you appear more put-together.

TOKE MAKINWA has shown the world how grateful she is to have a big God even as a big girl.

STEPHANIE COKER ADENIROKUN

KEEP IT SIMPLE

BEJEWELED MASKS

“Life throws us challenges,

and every challenge comes with rainbows and lights to conquer it” MERCY EKE

Hidden behind jewelled masks, the models walked down the runway with two very different concepts to the new Couture collection of Maison Martin Margiela for this Fall 2013-2014. Firstly there were the aesthetics based on ‘street wear’ hence more of a casual and laid back look an everyday wear made from t-shirt and latex jeans, the second concept was more extravagant, glitzy and delicate with noticeable echoes of the East.

Maison Martin Margiela creative team started the collection by recovering vintage clothing with a result the reassembling and transforming the materials into a ‘one of a kind’ dress, use of marble gemstones or curtains dating back to the 20s and a stage costume dated 1930 transformed into an elegant coat. A very fresh and visionary approach by Maison Martin Margiela.

“History has repeated itself again. In the 1919 pandemic, everyone wore

face masks to save their lives and the government didn’t restrict anyone from moving around.”

TOYIN LAWANI

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NIMI NWOFOR

When you wear a graphic t-shirt, it should be the statement piece of your outfit. Don’t try to wear several different patterned pieces at once to avoid an overcrowded, too-busy look. Instead, keep the rest of your outfit simple and let your t-shirt do all the talking.

Even though MILLIAR DAIRE is trying to tell us what year she was born, she keeps it simple.

MILLIAR DAIRE

CHOOSE ACCESSORIES CAREFULLY When you are super proud of your country, your tee tells the world your opinion. Stay away from any statement piece.

ANNIE ADIBIA

PRISSY SAVVY

ADD HEELS

Heels add instant glam to any outfit, and your graphic tee look is no exception. PRISSY SAVVY’s tee shows that graphic tees and heels are a match made in heaven. It makes the look more interesting with the cool red heel.

PROFESSIONALIZE WITH A BLAZER

A good blazer on a statement tee can make anything and everything look amazing and instantly help your look appear more professional. NIMI NWOFER’s tee says be fabulous.

TOKE MAKINWA

TV HOST STEPHAINE COKER ADERINOKUN

Spotted wearing a shirt dress with a piece of advice “Raise boys and girls the same way”. The best tee to rock as a mom.

HOW ABOUT A JUNGLE PARTY?

From Snake to Tiger to Leopard when it comes to fashion, every print is kind. NDIDIMA-OKOJIE has left us with a question, who is the boss?

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

Corona Virus

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9110 Sunday, April 19, 2020

BY KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR

On the Global Scene

True religion files for bankruptcy - again - as Corona Virus hobbles retail industry Designer jeans company True Religion has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in three years, citing difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a bankruptcy filing, the company said that business has been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged closure of brick-andmortar stores across the nation. It said this has “accelerated” the liquidity constraints it already faced. The company said that bankruptcy was the only way to maximize value for

shareholders and stay in business once stayat-home orders are lifted and non-essential retailers can reopen. The company had already furloughed all non-essential employees, according to court documents.

This is the second time that True Religion has landed in bankruptcy. It last exited from bankruptcy in 2017 in just four months, after shedding over $350 million in debt, closing stores and investing in e-commerce.

TRUE RELIGION

LVMH Cancels 2020 Prize Final, Launches Fund for Previous Winners This year’s LVMH Prize will have no winner. The final leg of the young designer competition, slated to take place at the Foundation Louis Vuitton Paris on June 5th, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, finalists Ahluwalia, Casablanca, Chopova Lowena, Nicholas Daley, Peter Do, Sindiso Khumalo, Supriya Lele and TomoKoizumi will share the €300,000 (approximately $328,000) prize money equally.

LVMH has also pledged to support previous winners of the prize with a new fund. Eligible brands, including Thebe Magugu, Doublet, Marine Serre, Wales Bonner, Marques Almeida, Thomas Tait and Miuniku will be able to apply for grants. The size of the fund was undisclosed.

The six previous winners of the LVMH Special Prize - a cohort including Hood

by Air, Jacquemus and Kozaburo - will also be eligible for support.

The initiatives may prove a vital lifeline as store closures, crashing consumer demand and supply chain disruptions leave a growing number of independent fashion labels facing existential challenges.

Condé Nast announces salary reductions; Anna Wintour to take a pay cut These are unprecedented times. It’s the phrase of the moment, but it still rings true. Every day, the news offers another reminder. Roger Lynch, the CEO of Condé Nast - a publisher once known for inflated budgets and shiny employee perks - sent a memo to its staffers across the globe announcing pay cuts for high earners and reduced hours for others due to “significant financial pressure” in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. Effective May 1st, those earning more than $100,000 will have their salaries reduced between 10-20% for a period of five months.

Of course, Vogue Editor-In-Chief, Anna Wintour, one ANNA WINTOUR of the most powerful and highest-paid people in the company, is included in this category. At the same time, Lynch said he will take a 50% reduction in his salary. So, will the members of Condé Nast’s board who are not employed by the company but receive compensation.

Condé Nast would be one of the first major publishers to use government programs that have created funds for those affected by the pandemic but is not alone in its cost-saving measures. Other media outlets have also announced salary cuts, furloughs, and layoffs, and some publications have even folded entirely.

Rihanna Gives $2M to Domestic-Abuse Victims in Quarantine

Hermès store in China rakes in $2.7 million on the first day of reopening after the Corona Virus outbreak

Rihanna has donated $2.1m (£1.67m) to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles to assist victims of domestic violence affected by the Corona Virus lockdown. The singer’s Clara Lionel Foundation joined with JACK DORSEY Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey, to donate matching sums to the drive. Their donations will cover 10 weeks of support, including shelter, meals and counseling for families experiencing domestic violence during the pandemic in greater Los Angeles.

Hermès is said to have brought in at least 19 million renminbi, or $2.7 million, in sales on the reopening day of its flagship store in Guangzhou’s Taikoo Hui. Rare bags, including a diamond-studded Himalayan Birkin, were shipped to the location. VIPs from across the Guangdong province, the wealthiest area in China with Guangzhou as its capital, descended on the store to purchase tableware, shoes, furniture and leather goods.

HERMES BIRKIN The single-day tally, believed to be the highest for a single boutique in China, offers a confidence boost for luxury brands who are eager to get tills ringing again after the Corona HERMES STORE Virus outbreak.

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RIHANNA

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