THISDAY STYLE MAGAZINE 2ND MAY 2021

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SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021

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E T B S R U OM N W NAD T A S T U S J E B S I IR E G H AT

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5 7 @ A W I -G

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...NOT IN THISDAY STYLE? THEN YOU’RE NOT IN STYLE

CONTENT Society PREMIER OF ‘THE WAIT’ MOVIE PG 6-7 AZUKA OGUJIUBA CLOCKS 50 PG 8

Fashion EASE INTO GOING OUT WITH THESE KEY TRENDS PG 10-11

• CAPSULES • COLOURS OF LIFE PG 17 5 STYLE LESSONS YOU CAN TAKE FROM INSTAGRAM PG 18 FAT SHAMING PG 19 TRENDS NOW ALREADY IN YOUR WARDROBE PG 20-21 While taking each day at a time, former Senator, Florence Ita-Giwa remains resilient in her quest for a better Nigeria. Her contributions and fights in various sectors in the country are all evidence of her relentless efforts towards justice for the people of Bakassi, who were displaced following the ceding of their land to Cameroon.

Florence is also promoting arts and culture through the annual Calabar festival, she’s also an advocate for war against sex and child trafficking among others.

AZUKA OGUJIUBA reports...

THISDAY STYLE FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR RUTH OSIME

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EDITOR PRINT OLUFUNKE BABS-KUFEJI EDITOR DIGITAL KONYE NWABOGOR

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SENIOR ART DESIGNER MATHIAS ARCHIBONG 07054965500 CONTRIBUTORS ISIOMA USIADE GUEST CORRESPONDENTS AZUKA OGUJIUBA ZINA ANUMUDU JOANNA MACGREGOR SEYI ALAWODE PHOTOGRAPHER TY BELLO DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196

THINGS TO KNOW BY THE TIME YOU ARE 40 PG 23

When you see Senator FLORENCE ITA GIWA, the phrase ‘age is just a number’ springs to mind. I am first to admit you can’t cheat nature and defy the aging process but what resides within you is what determines whether you age gracefully or not as it reflects on the outside. Many a time, some women tend to ‘close the curtains’ or ‘throw in the towel’ when it comes to taking care of their looks. They feel that since they have accomplished everything thing on their bucket list, marriage, children and their careers, looking fit is the least of their problems. They embrace their evening by letting go and indulge in guilty pleasures.

This should not be so because your evening is when you should really begin to enjoy the fruits of your labour. I’m a fine one to talk considering l have been fighting a losing battle the bulge! But the truth is, no matter what size you are, you should always put your best foot forward when it comes to dressing your size. Aunty Flo, as we all call her, is by no means a slim-framed woman but she looks fabulous in anything she adorns because she dresses appropriately and what makes her more interesting is how she is not afraid to embrace younger friends. She is versatile like that which makes her popular with people from all works of life in varying age brackets.

To still wear your heels, adorn your wigs, wear figure hugging clothes with a dash of makeup at 75 is proof that you are as young as you feel inside. Learning to embrace life with the right frame of mind, forgiving yourself for your shortcomings and those of others, is one way to live long and well, not comparing notes and highlighting inadequacies also helps. Learn to love yourself.

Whatever makes you happy as an individual should become paramount. As long as it does not hurt your fellow man, then feel free to embrace it. Always remember that it is not how long but how well.

Instagram: @thisdaystyle | Twitter: @thisdaystyleon | Instagram: @thisdaystyle | Website: www.thisdaystyle.ng

FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR

TEE, TAMI BOLU & IRETIDAYO ZACCHEAUS

EKUA AKINSANYA, JIMMY ODUKOYA & SUBU GIWA-AMU

BIMBO AKINKUGBE & TITI OSHIN CHIMEZIE IMO & MICHEAL FOLARIN

IJEOMA UBOSI & PAMELA SODIPO

YEMI FILMBOY MORAFA & FIYIN GAMBO

AKINWANDE & JEJE MARK OBABA

ARINOLA KOLA-DAISI & AKINYINKA AKINNOLA

REMI WILLIAMS & MOJI AWOKOYA

KOFO ODUSOTE & KAYODE ODUSOTE

INIDIMA OKOGIE, NSE IKPE ETIM & MEG OTANWA

LOOKMAN & ANIOLA DUROSINMI-ETTI

TENIOLA ZACCHEAUS & DENOLA GREY

MO ABUDU & YEMI EDEKI

FISAYO & FUNKE BEECROFT

ROLI OLUMIDE & RENI FOLAWIYO

AYOMIDE DOKUNMU, IFY IGHODALO, OMOEHI IGHODALO & ASUE IGHODALO

SUNMBO ODUNSI & ESOSA ANENIH

AYO & YEMISI SUBAIR

PREMIER OF ‘THE WAIT’ MOVIE The long awaited movie, THE WAIT took place at the IMAX Filmhouse on Sunday April 11. The movie is inspired by the series of books, God’s Waiting Room Books 1-4 written by Yewande Zaccheaus, who is also the Executive Producer .

The film is directed by Yemi Filmboy Morafa and Fiyin Gambo and features a star studded ensemble cast including Nse Ikpe Etim, Deyemi Okanlawon, Ini Dima Okogie,Jimmy Odukoya, Meg Otanwa and featuring industry icon Joke Silva as well as Kate Henshaw. The Special Guests of Honor at the event were H.E Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice President and H. E Bamidele Abiodun, wife of the Ogun state Governor. The story follows the lives of two couples, a doctor and a job seeker... all waiting desperately for something they believe could change their lives... but will it fulfill the purpose for which they were created? The film is an inspirational , moving story of love, hope and redemption and appeals to a wide variety of audience given the very relatable subject matter of waiting. The movie will open at cinemas nationwide From Friday APRIL 30. The premiere was sponsored by Ecobank, LIRS and Eventful Ltd.

YEWANDE & TENI ZACCHEUS

HE OLUDOLAPO OSINBAJO

PATRICK & EVA AKINWUNTAN

OLAMIDE BALOGUN & IBUKUN AWOSIKA

BOLANLE AUSTEN-PETERS & MAHMOOD ALI-BALOGUN

SEYI & OMOBOLA JOHNSON

SEYI ROBERTS

BISOYE FAGBADE

CHARLES OTUDOR

TEMI

AYO ANIMASHAUN

LANRE DA SILVA

FIDELIS ANOSIKE

CHIKE OGEAH DELE MOMODU HELEN PREST

ABIKE DABIRI

INI EDO, ITA GIWA & RITA DOMINIC

NNAMDI OKONKWO

ITUAH IGHODALO

ALIBABA & MARY AKPOBOME

AZUKA OGUJIUBA CLOCKS 50 Recently Azuka Ogujiuba turned 50, and the best of the entertainment and media industry were on ground to celebrate with her. The event, which held at the Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, was a fun and colourful outing, reminiscent of Azuka’s personality something anyone who has met her can attest to.

Azuka Ogujiuba started her media journey as a rookie journalist with the late May Ellen Ezekiel of Classique Magazine. From there, she moved on to THISDAY newspaper, where she gained a reputation as one of the best entertainment and lifestyle journalists in Nigeria through her hard work. She has since launched her own media platform, called MediaroomHub, while still maintaining a contributor role with THISDAY newspaper.

Happy Birthday, Azuka. We on the Style desk wish you more of Gods grace and the best of everything yet to come.

AZUKA OGUJIBA & CHIDERA EDOZIE

MO ABUDU

EFE TOMMY ADABAMU

EFEX

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STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9488 Sunday, May 2, 2021

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9488 Sunday, May 2, 2021

BALLET PUMPS

Stepping out again in heels might be a little shaky since we haven’t been partying in heels or even wearing them that much. Try Channel’s Audrey Hepburn with the instant chic comfort of ballet pumps and ease yourself gently into heels as the weeks roll by.

WIDE LEG PANTS

It’s time for a style rebirth. The skinny/narrow leg pants days are over and although leggings reign eternal, wide leg pants are taking centre stage.

LISA FOLAWIYO

ANGEL OBASI

MI OLAWUNLE ADEWA

ANGWI TACHO CHIOMA IKOKWU

CLASSIC SHIRT

Synonymous with corporate office workers, the stripped shirt is a style classic.

Whether you dress them down, or add polish with heels, this is a chic staple that is sure to serve you for a very long time.

SEA OF YELLOW

From neon and buttercup to mustard, the colour yellow is everywhere. It’s the right colour to lift our moods.

MARII PAZZ

Put a headband on!

Yes, a headband is still THE No. 1 key hair accessory trend for 2021 that you must follow blindly.

KEY TRENDS

EASE INTO GOING OUT WITH THESE

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HEAD BAND

Things seem to be looking up and we are all slowly getting our groove back. For those who will love to gently ease into society and mingle again. Here are some key trends to help make the process a lot easier.

GOLD CHAIN

The gold necklace trend is making a home in the fashion world now. Layered, chunky, link, and chains, whatever you prefer, the time is now.

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We are faster, closer and safer With our scale, expertise and deep desire to satisfy your needs, we will deliver exceptional experiences for the moments that matter the most to you.

Africa | Asia | Europe | Middle East

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9488 Sunday, May 2, 2021

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9488 Sunday, May 2, 2021

E C N E R O L F .

N SE

A W I G ITA @75!

ER! B M U N A T S U J AGE IS

While taking each day at a time, former Senator, Florence Ita-Giwa remains resilient in her quest for a better Nigeria. Her contributions and fights in various sectors in the country are all evidence of her relentless efforts towards justice for the people of Bakassi, who were displaced following the ceding of their land to Cameroon. Florence is also promoting arts and culture through the annual Calabar festival, she’s also an advocate for war against sex and child trafficking among others.

The Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), Ita Giwa sat with AZUKA OGUJIUBA and spoke about the challenges facing her Bakasi Children Foundation, the feasibility of having a first female president in a male-dominated political space such as Nigeria, she also discussed possible ways to convince Nigerians to take the covid-19 vaccine, her turning 75 and much more.

Your late husband, Dele Giwa was very vocal against bad governance during his time as a Journalist. Do you think journalism is getting better with time compared to his era?

My husband Dele practiced journalism in a different era. There were no search engines and fancy high technical toys to work with. He also practiced at a time just before our second Republic was overthrown by a military junta. I recall glancing at him banging away on his manual typewriter through the night when working on a story. The great journalists of that time, Stanley Macebu, Dan Agbese, Ray Ekpu who succeeded the generation of great journalists like Sam Amuka and Peter (Pan) Enahoro, did outstandingly well in spite of the absence of high tech tools. Infact, their output compares favourably with what our journalists of today churn out with the aid of google and all the fancy high tech support at their disposal.

It’s been almost two decades of you running the Bakassi Children Foundation, what has been the most challenging aspect of that as well as the most rewarding part for you?

The foundation for the children of Bakassi has always been a labour of love for me, so I don’t dwell on the challenges of running it. That said though, funding it to meet it’s objective of catering for the welfare of the greatly deprived children of the creeks of Bakassi has been a source of concern. Nigerians have not fully embraced the concept of charity and selfless philanthropy so I have had to shoulder the bulk of the financial burden of the work thereby limiting the number of children’s Iives I can affect.

However, I have derived unspeakable joy from the transformation of the extremely deprived children into first rate graduates of the best universities in Nigeria and abroad. Today we have qualified mechanical and petroleum engineers, computer scientists etc as beneficiaries of the foundation.

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Kamala Harris became America’s first black and

Kamala Harris and other women who have attained high political offices didn’t get there by appealing to the sentiments of men, they got there by giving as good as they got.

female Vice President, making her the highestranking female official in U.S. history. Do you think this is feasible in Nigeria seeing how male dominated our political terrain is? Up till now we haven’t had a female Governor let alone a President. How do we get more women to participate in politics?

You are right about the political space being dominated by men and it would be naive to expect them to voluntarily create space for women.

Kamala Harris and other women who have attained high political offices didn’t get there by appealing to the sentiments of men, they got there by giving as good as they got.

Men can be extremely ruthless in politics, except when providence churns out the rare gendersensitive political leaders like George Weah and President Biden. In politics, women have to be equally ruthless to make any headway. Also politics in Nigeria is heavily capital intensive. When society starts to produce very wealthy women, we will begin to see female Governors and even Presidents in Nigeria.

You recently turned 75 and you are still looking glamorous. What’s the secret to your youthfulness despite your political and business

busy schedules?

I can only say God especially blessed us as Calabar women. We are not too age conscious, instead Calabar women are healthy lifestyle conscious. We don’t consider ourselves to be old or young, we pursue agelessness like the Jane Fondas and Meryl Streeps of this world. Above all, like most Calabar women, I don’t habour malice, that, my dear is the secret.

Are you open to getting married again even at this age?

Thanks for the compliment. Unless l am lucky to find someone my age, it is not something l think about.

As a respected and elite political figure, have you been able to inspire younger people into the foray of politics?

It would be immodest of me to name names, but suffice to say I have come across hundreds of women who walk up to me all the time to thank me for inspiring them. I do not take the glory for this because I appreciate that it is the grace of God upon my life.

You brought Calabar dishes to Lagos with your restaurant, “Echoes of Calabar”. Does this come from your passion for cooking? Why the name Echoes of Calabar?

Echoes of Calabar is a tribute to my Efik heritage. As you know, Efik Cuisine is iconic and cherished by all Nigerians so I was obliged to provide a comfortable environment where discerning people can savour it. Besides, in my traditional role as Mother of the women of Efik Kingdom, it is my duty to be an ambassador for all things Calabar.

What does the State government stand to achieve with their annual Calabar carnival?

The Calabar Carnival is fittingly billed as Africa’s biggest and most exciting street party, that alone

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COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9488 Sunday, May 2, 2021

Alero Adollo aleroadollo@yahoo.com

brings international accolades to the state. Beyond that, it puts the state and Nigeria firmly on the global social calender in addition to stimulating the local economy of citizens of the state as residents engage in frantic economic activities in the run up and during the carnival.

Your Seagull band is instrumental to the Calabar carnival, what extra efforts do you put to make it stand out?

The Seagull Carnival Band of which I am proud to be the leader, has consistently done well in the carnival. The preparation for each carnival is painstakingly detailed and I spare no cost in ensuring that we excell at every carnival. We engage professors to research themes, employ the best choreographers and produce elaborate costumes.

We have taken trips to understudy other carnival bands in Brazil as well as Trinidad and London. In short, we go all out to prepare for each carnival.

CAPSULES

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

Last year was a tough year for everyone especially with the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic and you lost some close friends such as Chief Harry Akande and Doctor Ketebu. How are protecting yourself as an elderly person who is more prone to the virus knowing that it’s still much out there. Also, have you taken your #Covid-19 vaccine? How do we get Nigerians to take it seeing how many people still think it’s a killer vaccine and worse still, others who don’t even believe that covid is real?

Nothing short of the grace of God and God alone, has seen me through the horrors of this pandemic that has taken the lives of some of my cherished friends. This pandemic has made me rely on God for protection more than ever before. I have, as strictly as possible, implimented all the Covid 19 protocols while relying on God for divine protection. I haven’t taken a vaccine jab yet but I fully intend to do so soon. My message to Covid 19 skeptics is simple, if you are wrong about it, the consequence is for you to loose your life, even if you believe it truly doesn’t exist, you lose nothing by obeying the protocols.

You have also interacted with loads of actors and even done some projects with them. If given a movie role, would you consider it?

Actors have been very supportive of my carnival band and every year I have relied on them to add glamour to our carnival performance. I will not hesitate to make a cameo appearance in a movie if asked to.

As you well know, there’s a movement of empowerment of women through the ‘Me Too’ movement. This has given women more courage to speak out against any form injustice or sexual abuse meted out at them. Have you ever been a victim to any of these acts?

I have never been subjected to the whims and caprices of any man so the possibility of sexual violence is out of the question. Besides, I have lived my live on a strict code of decency and built my career around my person and competences, I have never seen the need to leverage on my gender or sexuality.

As a former lawmaker, what advise would you give the government in ensuring deserving punishment is given to suit the crime so justice will prevail for rape victims?

My view on rape and sexual crimes against women and children is very radical, I advocate the cutting off of the penis of rapists! That way we can be sure that they never repeat the offence even while they are in jail.

The first time we had a group of school children being kidnapped was during the #Chibokgirls

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9488 Sunday, May 2, 2021

STYLE & DESIGN

I can’t imagine life without my high heeled shoes. I simply love high heeled shoes because they give a woman the required additional poise and elegance. I pray and do all I can to pamper my ankle muscles so I can continue to wear high heeled shoes for as long as humanly possible.

and with all the drama and efforts put into looking for them, we thought that such won’t happen again. But as we speak, the abduction of children in the Northern part of the country is becoming more alarming by the day. If you could sit one on one with the President on this issue, what would you suggest to him as the way out of the disturbing situation?

The epidemic of kidnappings of school children we are currently witnessing is the result of the total breakdown of our national security architecture. My take is that the introduction of nepotism, politics and

corruption into purely millitary command decisions, has led to this breakdown. My advise to Mr. President will be to remove the twin evils of nepotism and corruption from millitary issues and all will be well again.

You are very fashionable, what’s that one fashion accessory you can’t go out without and why?

I can’t imagine life without my high heeled shoes.

I simply love high heeled shoes because they give a woman the required additional poise and elegance. I pray and do all I can to pamper my ankle muscles so I can continue to wear high heeled shoes for as long as humanly possible.

What was the best gift you remember receiving as a child?

I remember that my mum once gave me a life size teddy bear when I was around five years old and another one many years after. I was very attached to both teddy bears and considered them the best gifts ever. My youngest kids and grandchild have however, ensured that the teddy bears will never be passed to another generation as they have finally vanqished them. But I am still collecting more.

Are there things you still desire?

The two things I desire to still do is to transform the lives of many more children of Bakassi and ensure the proper and successful resettlement of Bakassi refugees in a fitting coastal location where my people can continue with our traditional vocation as fishermen without hindrance or molestations.

Friendship is not a ship you attempt to sail in without checking your sail, the winds and the tide or you will crash and burn. If you ask any captain they will tell you the emotional investment they put into putting their ship out to sea and their relationship with the sea.

Do not under any circumstance build a friendship without investigation and discernment, or like our people quip, you must shine your eye. The street no laugh at all and you only know your heart, not everyone who laughs with you or shows you concern is a fan thus the birth of the word frenemy. I brought out a knife the other day and took a long hard look at it, and imagined how anyone can stick it in another especially, someone they have figuratively shared wine with.

Is it impossible to care about another without conditions precedent to drawdown? Can we not feel “true” affection for people we have hung out with over the years and wish for their success and even facilitate it if need be. How does anyone sit comfortably and watch a friend unravel and wither, and respond by spreading their gist or shrug and walk on by unconcerned, why are we like this? When did we become so mean and cruel? then we wonder why karma has it in for us, we cannot keep wounding others and drawing blood from their hearts and think our journey will be seamless. The law of harvest does not deceive, you actually truly reap what you sow.

The good book enjoins us not to kill and we think we actually have to take a life to commit murder when we leave many living dead with our antics.

What happened to loyalty, what happened to being “Godffectionate”.... Why is it so difficult for those climbing up to pull their “friends” up with them, but rather than do that, many turn them into errand boys/girls to eat from the crumbs that drop from their table. Another thing I have noticed is how “sweety nicey”people can be when financially challenged, give them few coins and they turn to demons right before your eyes.

A big sis once told me that in life you have to be careful of the 3 siblings as they do not take prisoners, they are: Those who know you and are always prepared to tear you down (Amoniseni) Those who do not even know you but will “scatter your own” all over the earth (Afaimoniseni) Those who know you, pretend as if they care, even help sometimes with solutions but meanwhile they are the brain box behind the original problem (Asenibanidaro) .....I tell you (like the Yoruba adage says) the nose is wicked because it does not afford us the opportunity to “smell” evil people.

It kills the soul when we are betrayed by our nearest and dearest, so much so that we choose a solo walk through life and decide from then on not to expose our vulnerability to people who will trash our essence.

Man was not created to walk alone though, but what do you do when loyalty is a rare commodity in a world where it makes the difference between life and death. There are people who are professional back stabbers, it’s their way, how do you survive them and not bleed out...

You step out of your luxurious cars and homes whilst your “padi” lives in the ghetto, pray tell, what kind of friendship is that ....then there are those who look down their crooked noses at others, they graduated summa cum laude from the school of “pepper dem” and you wonder if people really know what life is about and that it comes in seasons. iLife is turn by turn ooooo?...

Walk with me down memory lane for a second, do you remember yesterday’s men and where they are today?

The people that “world people” are applauding today were nobodies when those ones held court, it is life, she owes you nothing. It is therefore critical that in all we do we water and grow our conscience, we cannot afford to sear it as that is what enables us navigate without getting lost.

We must divorce pride and ensure that there is no hope of reconciliation, as a relationship with pride will lead us to the pit. We should not in good conscience watch an acquaintance suffer let alone a friend if we are in a position to help, we must get up and help at every given opportunity because we don’t know if this same person will be the vaccine to your corona virus tomorrow, it’s not always about money, be guided, be human. Be as Jonathan was to David and not as Judas to Jesus.

Colours of Life with Koko Kalango

JESUS IN NUMBERS My daughter takes us on a study through the books of the bible, enjoy.

Halfway through Numbers, I messaged two of my friends (who are following the same Bible reading plan) to complain that I hadn’t ‘seen’ Jesus in the book yet.

Well, the reading for the following day included a passage from which Jesus literally referenced Himself in the book of John: “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.” – Jesus, in John 3:15, quoting Numbers 21 To set the scene: When the Israelites complained and mumbled against God over and over again, He sent poisonous snakes amongst them. Many of them were dying from the bites of the snakes and they cried out for salvation. God instructed Moses to fashion a bronze snake to which they would look and be saved. That’s the story Jesus mentions in the verse above.

I read this on a day when I was behaving a lot like the Israelites; complaining to God about the same things over and over again, not learning from how He had answered me in previous times. My friend, Eniola, figuratively dubs this ‘spiritual amnesia’.

Spiritual amnesia is dangerous because it leads to mumbling and grumbling. That might not seem like a big deal to us, but it is a very big deal to God. In fact, the Israelites did it so much that finally, God put His foot down, and sent them into time out – for 40 years. All because they were ungrateful.

So let’s talk about ungratefulness; the wandering Israelites are a perfect case study.

We are often ungrateful about the present because we either: (1) fantasize about the terrible past, or (2) forget the good past The Israelites were slaves in Egypt. They were oppressed, their innocent baby boys were murdered, and they were given back-breaking, unattainable tasks. Because of this they cried out to God for freedom, and when He did free them, what did they do? Reminisce about how their lives in Egypt weren’t actually that bad, about how they had better food compared to in the desert, and how they’d rather go back to bondage than be free. It’s ridiculous to hear, but I reckon many of us think just like them.

It’s like excessive drinking. In the moment you want to get drunk and are enjoying it. But the next morning, when you’re throwing up or your head is pounding and you feel sick, you regret it and swear you’ll never do it again.

How long does it take you to forget? For the weaker amongst us it may be a few days, for the

stronger a few months. But we mostly end up back at the same place.

The same goes for the second cause of ungratefulness. You would think that after God performed unbelievable wonders in Egypt (ultimately parting the Red Sea), brought out water from a rock, and sent them food from heaven every single day, the Israelites would have faith that He could enable them win wars in the Promised Land. Instead, they focused on their weaknesses and forgot the miracles of days gone by.

So, how do we stop ourselves from doing the same things?

Just like the Israelites looked to the bronze snake, I believe we get our cure when we look to the Jesus on the cross. We should constantly remind ourselves of His sacrifice and of what drove Him there in the first place – our sin. This deals with the first cause; it’s hard to romanticise something which you are constantly reminding yourself is bad.

But the cross also deters spiritual amnesia.

Of all the good things God has given you and me, the best is the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. When we consider that, it’s hard to believe that same God will not continue to give us good things. In fact, He’s always doing that.

We may be so used to it that we take them for granted.

I’d like to challenge you. For the next week, start each day by articulating something you’re grateful to God for. Meditate on it during the day. Say thank you again before you go to bed. If you struggle to come up with something on any day, remember the cross. Remember what God saved you from, and what He’s saved you for.

I guarantee you will find yourself in a better place with God. Gratitude is, after all, His will for us.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Tarari Kalango The Colours of Life show.

Our Colours of Life show runs on you tube on Sundays at 5 (WAT). Last week we had Sam Kputu and Charity Dondo-Iolarmen of Calvary Ministries, show us how every Christian can get involved in missions. Today, join us for a riveting chat on drinking, with Edi Ekhomu. Next week we round of season two of our show with the testimony of Clem Emekene, who narrates his incredible journey to the gate of heaven and the gate of hell. You don’t want to miss any episode.

Keep in touch – contact@coloursoflife.org, @koko. kalango

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Fat SHAMING!

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9488 Sunday, May 2, 2021

STYLE & DESIGN

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So why did I lose control to that extent?

A big comfort-eating binge brought on by financial worries.

In a nutshell, someone owed me a substantial sum of money and broke a promise to pay me at a time when I had loads of big bills to pay, so I was in a tizz and ate like a madwoman to ward off the panic.

Comfort-eating is ultimately ineffective and counter-productive.

Sure, the cheesecake or egusi soup or whatever you shovel down your throat in ridiculous quantities will definitely cheer you up and soothe your sore soul when you are at rock bottom emotionally.

But you only feel better fleetingly.

And when you emerge from the comfort-eating daze, you feel even worse than you did before.

Anyway, I compounded my gluttonous binge by doing hardly any exercise. But no use crying over spilled milk. Just dust yourself down, get back on track and focus on getting to where you want to be.

I will look too haggard at this advanced age if I push myself back down to my heyday weight of 70kg. I’m not even sure it is possible to ever be 70kg again! So I’m settling for a more realistic target of 85kg.

My new motto is TEN YEARS ON, SIX MONTHS OFF…meaning that I intend to shift in 6 months fat that took 10 years to accumulate.

MARCH

@ARISEPLAY

Movie Recommendations for the Week

LOCKED AND LOADED

BY DONU KOGBARA

WAR ON FAT PHASE TWO: PART 3: MAY 2021 Most oldies (I’m 61) nostalgically cherish flattering photographs of themselves in their youths; and I am no exception.

I love to remind everyone around me that I was once super-slim (please see my favourite archive photograph below, a black-and-white portrait that was taken when I was 28 years old and about 70kg…a weight I maintained until I was about 50).

But I don’t deceive myself.

I know I can never look so dewily unblemished and mega-svelte again.

But I’m still determined to look a lot better than I’ve looked since obesity started to enter my life about 10 years ago.

Ah obesity! My enemy.

The fat came slowly at first, silently creeping up on me like a thief in the night – as in a few kilos of middle-aged spread that surreptitiously deposited themselves on my stomach and hips when I wasn’t looking, but didn’t significantly alter my appearance because I’m 5 feet 10 inches tall and can get away with a bit of excess lard.

I didn’t even have to buy new clothes at that stage (early 50s).

It wasn’t until I hit my mid-50s that I made the scary transition from being moderately out-of-shape to being alarmingly obese, thanks to medication that had weight gain as a side effect.

I took those wretched pills for 3 years and they changed my body and my life.

OK, so what now?

I started 2021 at 123kg and dropped to 118kg in February and 116kg in March, thanks to eating less in a rather vague and unplanned way.

When I say “vague and unplanned”, I mean that I wasn’t highly focussed on the science of kilo-shedding and made no attempt to follow any particular diet or count calories and just simply reduced my sugar consumption and the amount of food on my plate.

This unremarkable modus operandi that I embraced in the first quarter of this year delivered unremarkable results as in only 2kg a month. And though the 7kg I dropped during this period didn’t make me look slimmer, I FELT slimmer and was relieved to be making steady progress; and I told y’all in last month’s column that I was going to speed things up by embracing a strict and structured diet I hoped would accelerate the lard-ditching process.

But sadly – my Dear ThisDay Style readers, please don’t despise me as much as I despise myself! – I actually gained weight in April and my bathroom scales are stuck at the 120kg mark at the moment.

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9488 Sunday, May 2, 2021

To be more specific, I intend to shift it via exercise and intermittent and extended fasting. If you want to know more about the various fasting options and best way of starting, sustaining and finishing fasts, google Doctors Michael Moseley and/or Jason Fung.

In the meantime, according to the Healthline website, there are 8 health benefits of fasting — backed by science.

1. Aids Weight Loss by Limiting Calorie Intake and Boosting Metabolism 2. Promotes Blood Sugar Control by Reducing Insulin Resistance Several studies have found that fasting may improve blood sugar control and be especially useful for those at risk of diabetes.

3. Promotes Better Health by Fighting Inflammation While acute inflammation is a normal immune process used to help fight off infections, chronic inflammation can have serious consequences for your health. Research shows that inflammation may be involved in the development of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

4. May Enhance Heart Health

by Improving Blood Pressure,

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Triglycerides and Cholesterol Levels 5. May Boost Brain Function and Prevent Neurodegenerative Disorders 6. Increases Growth Hormone Secretion, Which Is Vital for Growth, Metabolism, Weight Loss and Muscle Strength 7. Could Delay Aging and Extend Longevity 8. May Aid in Cancer Prevention and Increase the Effectiveness of Chemotherapy Having said this, fasting doesn’t suit everyone, so please check with your doctor first if you’re planning to fast for more than 24 hours or have an underlying health condition.

Finally, let me share a triumphant tale that intrigued me. I chanced upon it on the internet. It’s about an American youngster who lost 100kg and started his weight loss journey with a twoweek diet of unseasoned potatoes.

Dylan Wall weighed 192kg when he graduated high school in 2017 but decided to make a lifestyle change when he visited Austin Peay State University for New Student Day and realized he couldn’t keep up.

“During a tour of my college, I lost my group because I couldn’t keep up,” Wall explained. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to make it to my classes on time if I stayed on that course.”

“Around the same time, my sister also gave birth to my nephew,” he continued. “I didn’t want to set that example for him.”

Before slimming down, Wall ate vast amounts of mostly fast food, processed carbohydrates and meat.

To begin the transformation, Wall yearned to break his “flavor addiction.”

“I started by doing a taste bud cleanse. I ate only potatoes with no seasoning for two weeks,” he said. “It really helped with my cravings.”

The taste bud cleanse is the part of this story that interests me most. Many fat people suffer from flavour addiction and that’s my biggest problem.

But Dylan Wall has inspired me and I’m planning to spend a few days eating nothing at all (extended fasting), followed by a few days of eating nothing but one single bland boring largely or totally unflavoured food item.

I’ll tell you how this experiment went when we reconnect next month!

DONU KOGBARA IS A VANGUARD NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST. Please feel free to share your thoughts about her weight loss journey on 0805 404 6887 or donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9488 Sunday, May 2, 2021

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9488 Sunday, May 2, 2021

STYLE & DESIGN

BRALETTES THEN: Bralette is sometimes worn as a bra. They are a more comfortable option to layer under baggy shirts to provide an extra pop of colour to an outfit.

WHITE AND BLACK THEN: Black and white colour combination are a classic that has been a staple since time. If ever in doubt about what colours to wear, there is no more reliable colour than black and white.

NOW: It’s all about the bra-ket. The bralette under a jacket is now a major street style and celebrities can’t get enough of it. Your bralette doesn’t have to match your jacket; a simple neutral colour will go with a multitude of colour-coded outfits.

NOW: Black and white are still the most reliable colours in our wardrobes but that doesn’t mean we should stay boring. Go for the black and white colour combo by injecting some white into an all-black outfit or black into an all-white outfit.

OVERSIZED PANTS

THEN: Pant then were all about hugging our curves and showing off the junk in our trunk but we loved styles that hit free at below the knees.

NOW: Now those big oversized flares have turned to full-fledge baggy pants. Create a balance with something cropped or slim-fitting on top to keep your baggy bottoms from coming across as lazy. Plus, you don’t have to stick to just one pants style; wide-leg jeans, loose-fitting slacks, and yoga pants are all having a moment in fashion right now.

NAHALIE

FOLAKE HUNTOON CHICHI

BRIGHTS THEN: Bright colours were worn by injecting colours in little details like your socks, shoes, hat, scarves e.t.c

LISA FOLAWIYO

AMA GODSON

NOW: With brights, there should be no holding back. The rainbow should be your oyster, so don’t hesitate to go all out with those borderline ridiculous colour combinations. Some of our fashion favourites and celebrities have taken advantage of these bold colours to make the fashion statements we all love on Instagram and magazine pages. They have shown us that there are so many shades that pair perfectly. You just have to be willing to try.

BELTS THEN: Belts are often seen as a practical accessory; they hold up your pants and are more of an afterthought than anything else.

NOW: Now is the year of the statement buckle. Fashion influencers and icons are bringing back the use of mid-section belt. Now a belt is a part of an outfit. It is perfect to cinch in your waistline when you wear a dress or blazer.

TRENDS NOW ALREADY IN YOUR WARDROBE Sometimes do you ever wonder why you even bother to shop at all, as the trends keep coming back year after year, month after month. Well, if you are like some who hates shopping, then this is for you. There are so many trends

20

we all have sitting in our wardrobes that we overlook just because they are not new. There are many ways to make these look fresh. Here are some of those trends and a few tips on how to keep them updated.

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9488 Sunday, May 2, 2021

STYLE & DESIGN

W O N K O T S G N I TH E R A U ME YO

40

I T E H T BY

Fear Of Being Alone, A Thing Of The Past

Don’t get me wrong, no one wants to be alone or single but by now you should know being single isn’t the end of the world and you shouldn’t be phased by what people say either. By now you should have grown to love being in your own company and experiencing things solo.

If You are Single and 40 You Get A Lot of Relationship Advice

If you are 40 and still single then prepare yourself to hear a lot of unwanted advice and unsolicited match making.

People tend to think their advice will help you put things in perspective or help to change your status.

Toxic Relationships Are Easy To Walk Away From

Turning 40 is always a major milestone for everywoman and yes, it should act as a much-needed reset button you need to get back on track. It is a wakeup call to review your life, find what’s missing, and fill in the gaps…If you don’t like the idea of turning 40, use it as an opportunity to start living the life you want to because

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

In your 40’s, walking away from toxic relationship becomes a lot easier because you have come to full term with who you are and make no apologies for it. In your 20’s and 30’s you might have willingly tolerated friends who constantly talked about themselves ad nauseam or smiled with relatives who constantly bashed you about your weight or you relationship status. Turning 40 should be a time to think it all through and get rid of the excesses. Take note of what you value and surround yourself with which include friendships, romantic relationships, jobs, etc.

Your Priorities Change

In your 40’s is the best time to start thinking more seriously about your retirement plan. By now you should be on your way to the top in your career and there’s no better time to start adding more money to your pension and also planning for your retirement.

Midlife Crisis Aren’t Your Normal Cliche

The signs of a midlife crisis aren’t always as obvious as trying to dress 10 years younger or partying none stop to prove you still got what it takes. The are deeper than you think.

They can include depression, questioning your beliefs, indecision, scrutinizing your sense of purpose, and having increased thoughts about your own mortality.

Your Metabolism Slow Down

In your 40’s trying to keep up with the jones should be a thing of the past. Family, friends, career, health and personal happiness, it’s the perfect time to figure out what is important.

Your 40’s should be the time to readjust and realign and engage in things that truly matter and are meaningful.

Your ability to break down your food quickly becomes twice as hard. Your waistline takes the direct hit and losing weight might be a slow process. So in your 40s, watch what you eat but don’t be too hard on yourself.

Your Inhibitions Take A Back Seat

After many decades of trying different things, winning at some and failing at others, your inhibitions begin to take a back seat. Long gone are your indecisiveness and shying away from challenges. In your 40’s you know what you like and what exactly you want and if you don’t already feel like this, now in your 40’s is the time to learn it and own it.

Plan Plan

Plan…

Your Circle Gets Smaller

If you are lucky, things will fall into place in its own time but there nothing like making plans. Think of Where you want to be in the next five years and plan on how you intend to get there

In your 40’s your social circle is bound to decrease. This might be because of work pressure, family or even life in general but your circle will become smaller. While you may still keep your old friends, you now understand the importance of forging meaningful and gainful alliances and acquaintances. Those friends who were just there for the fun, glitz and glam will fall along the way.

ABISOLA KOLA DAISI

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Start Planning Your Retirement

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9474 Sunday, April 18, 2021