SUNDAY STYLE MAGAZINE 7TH JUNE 2020

R U 5 2WOMENINJO

A C I FR A , SM I L A N R OU J IN N E M O W BY

SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020

L U F R E W O P M T S I S L O A M N

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

CONTENT

Fashion STATEMENT ACCESSORY TO ELEVATE YOUR STYLE

PG 6-7

FASHION IN HISTORY

STYLISH STAY AT HOME LOOKS WE LOVE PG 18 GET YOUR BEAUTY HYGIENE IN CHECK PG 18

PG 7

A BLAZER & CYCLING SHORTS PG 8 5 THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED

• CAPSULES • THE NUN WHO CAME ALONG PG 19 GENIUS FASHION HACKS TO KNOW PG 20

PG 8

FAT SHAMING

POWER UP YOUR SKIN PG 20

PG 9

DIY- FACEMASK PG 21 10 OTHER THINGS TO KEEP YOU BUSY WHILE STAYING AT HOME PG 22 Women in Journalism Africa is the annual gathering of women working in the field of journalism and the media across Africa. The program is organised

by WiJAfrica. This year, WiJAfrica worked with a team of industry leaders and practitioners to rank the “25 Most Powerful” in four categories, the size and effectiveness of her influence in national affairs, her influence in the media industry, her experience and the arc of her career and finally, her social and cultural influence.

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 RUKY SALAKO ISIOMA USIADE IYANU AYODELE PHOTOGRAPHER TY BELLO DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196

For the past few weeks, we have featured our Covid 19: 20 Questions series, focusing on its effects on various sectors of the economy. We have taken a break this week to feature the 25 Most Powerful Women In Journalism. This list was complied by Women In Journalism Africa. The introduction on the cover story inside explains how each person was selected. In a country like Nigeria with over 200 million people, to be chosen amongst the top 25 in your profession is by no means an easy feat. We at STYLE are known to support women and have proven so in the quantity of women we have featured in our over 700 cover personalities to date...and still counting. So it comes as no surprise that we are featuring the @ wijafrica list this week.

What was most exciting for us, the THISDAY and ARISE families, was that the ‘leader of the pack’ and No 1 on the list, is one of our own, my friend and colleague, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, former Editor of THISDAY Newspapers, now MD of Arise TV. Over the years, ljeoma and l have become not just close friends, but also two women who have mutual respect for each other’s jobs. There are several other women on the list whom l also have very close relationships with and l can not be happier to share this stage with them at this point in our careers.

They say no house, whether big or small, can be built without a foundation. The foundation for Ijeoma and l is our boss, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of the THISDAY Media Group, ARISE News Channel and ARISE PLAY, Nduka Obaigbena. We have to give honour to whom honour is due. Through him, we learnt with dogged determination, you can achieve the impossible.

Many a time, he has left us to sail in stormy waters, knowing that we will pull through, even when it seemed like a Herculean task! He gave us the courage and confidence to bring out the best in us and, till date, he still expects no less. I assume the same attitude applies to every other woman on this list. They have pursued their dreams, regardless of all the obstacles and curveballs they might have encountered at some point in their careers.

I am a firm believer in pushing boundaries. I also believe that if you love what you do, your job becomes like a second skin and as such, the passion remains, without which, you can not achieve your goals.

Many other women have also achieved success in their various careers and some have left a strong legacy behind. The ultimate aim for every working woman is to be good at what she does. Life is a learning curve and you can never stop seeking new ways to stay on top of your game. You should always embrace new ideas and never be too afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Explore. Embrace. Engage. Enjoy.

Once again, l congratulate all the women listed here and hope they continue to excel in what they do best!

FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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STYLE & DESIGN

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

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ACYCLING BLAZER SHORTS T H E P OW E R PA I R

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

Fat SHAMING!

&

A white camisole top and biker shorts paired with oversized boyfriend buttondown blazer creates an effortless sexy monochrome look. For dinner dates, wear with a pair of heels and a ladylike tote for an extra trendy touch.

EBUBE NWAGBO AMA GODSON SIYANDA DZENGA

IFE

This is one of the most common ways we have seen bike shorts styled.

A plain black bike shorts with an oversized blazer and a belt bag looks a million times more businessfriendly. Add a pair of pointy-toed kitten heels to complete the 100% polished transformation.

That is what we call a boss babe!

By carrying your biker shorts in your bag, you can go from the office on a Friday to having drinks with the girls after work by simply switching your pants to the biker shorts and opening up the buttons of your blazer for a laid-back flair. You can finish off your ensemble with a pair sneakers or heels depending on your destination.

Keep Jewlery at a minimum as this trend looks best with little to no jewelry on.

Throw back to an ‘80s vibe, updated with modern touches.

Wear your black biker shorts with a sexy bra top then add a breasted fitted blazer, a bucket handbag and finish up the look with a leopardskin low mule.

KEFILWE MABOTE

Show off your sartorial chops by opting for this casual combination of a white blazer and black biker shorts. Balance your outfit with more casual shoes, such as this pair of white athletic shoes and socks.

Cycling shorts are possibly the least-expected statement piece to hit the high-fashion scene in 2019. They slithered their way into every fashionista’s wardrobe last year and now, nearly a year later, they’ve found their true match. Biker shorts and blazers have become every style influencers specialty. In theory, this ’80s-athleisure mash-up shouldn’t work, but seeing is believing, and this is one strong look. It’s all about balance – the blazer has to be oversized in order to offset those sporty, second-skin shorts, and the boxier the cut of the blazer, the better. Accessorizing is a must deal to complete this look.

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THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED

Let us begin by saying that we’re all guilty of this to some degree. While it’s true that some people are more appreciative of these things, some, not so much especially when they are young and believe the world is their oyster. They do not give any second thoughts to what is available to them. Not that we can fault them because after all, most of these things are readily available! So today we thought we would share with you five of the most common things that most people take for granted.

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1

Food and Water

When we get hungry or thirsty, we can simply pull into any fast-food joint or store and get something to drink and grab a quick bite to eat. Or we open our fridges and are spoilt for choice on what to nibble on or what to drink. We visit restaurants and order the best food and what type of bottled water we want to drink. We’re also quite accustomed to having our grocery stores stacked high and deep with a vast variety of purchasing options. Food and water is typically only a few minutes away, even at the worst of times for most of us.

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Your Health

When we say health, we actually mean many different things aside from illness. These are things we just do without thought every single day. We can walk, we can use our hands, we can speak, we can hear, we can see, we can smell, we can taste. We can think clearly. On top of that, we have various talents that come like second nature to us. The body

is an amazing creation and the fact that it operates smoothly most days is still a magnificent mystery to us that far too many of us simply take for granted.

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Time

This is an interesting concept because most people don’t realize how much they take time for granted until, that is, they get a bit older. As the years go by, you slowly but surely begin to appreciate the value of time and the essence of living. Little things you never thought of when you were younger begin to hold more importance to you. You become aware that these little things of life is what gives most pleasure. Seen it all, been there, worn the T/shirt so things do not excite you as much as they once did. Spirituality far overtakes vanity as the years go by. Age has a way of teaching us all about how precious time is and how quickly it passes by us. Where did all of those years go? That’s a question we hear a lot from

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

BY USIADE ISIOMA

STYLE & DESIGN

BY DONU KOGBARA

BATTLE OF THE BULGE - PART 11 Recap and vital statistics: I am 5 feet and 10 inches tall and 60 years old.

I was super-slim till about 10 years ago, then gradually got fat.

I started this weight loss programme on March 16th when I weighed a whopping 120kg and measured 49-47-51 (chest-waist-hips) inches.

Now, exactly 3 months later, I’m down to 111kg.

In other words, I have lost 9kg in 12 weeks: A very modest average of 0.75 kg a week.

Those who have been following this column from Day One will know that I would have done much better than this if I’d been more disciplined about food, drink, sugar and exercise.

But – hey, let’s face it, dear Style Mag Readers! - I wouldn’t have become obese in the first place if discipline had been my forte.

Frankly, I’ve always been a glutton. As a child, I would take pride in winning eating competitions.

On one memorable occasion in London when I was about 9 years old, I took on a family friend called Thomas – a white teenage boy who was much bigger than I was. We were bored one rainy Saturday afternoon and took advantage of his parents’ absence to challenge each other to a bread-guzzling contest and raid his mother’s kitchen.

Our fascinated siblings gathered round us to watch this show of greed and egged us on. And I beat Thomas pretty conclusively.

He guzzled his way through 10 slices of bread. I got through 13.

When my mother found out, she drily remarked that it was a pity I couldn’t find better ways in which to shine around white folks!

I continued to be an unrepentant gourmand, sugar addict, boozer and exercise-phobe for the next 4 decades; and it was only when my metabolism decided to spite me by slowing down in late middle age that my bad habits started to have an impact on my weight.

I’ve been trying and failing to slim down ever since and started this column in the hope that publicising my struggle with my weight would shame me into achieving speedy results.

Sadly, the speedy thing isn’t happening because I am what is known as a yo-yo dieter…as in I lose weight, regain it and then diet again. In other words, my weight goes up and down like the yo-yo toy.

Ah well. Never mind. All this one step forwards

and two steps backwards nonsense is depressing and bad medically. But at least I am making progress overall and have shed 1.5kg in the past 7 days.

Last week, I told you that I and 5 girlfriends have formed a WhatsApp support group called WEIGHT

people as they age and mature.

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Your Significant Other

Not everyone has one but there is an unfortunate kind of complacency that seems to take hold in most relationships that’s born out of familiarity and naturally comes with the passage of time.

The sad reality is that taking your significant other for granted can be emotionally distressing to your partner and potentially devastating to your relationship. You forget to do the things that used to please them because it becomes too much of an effort as you do not see the need to do them anymore. You do not create time for things you can do as a couple. You let yourself go believing the need for some excitement is overrated. You settle into the humdrum of normalcy. Since human nature tends to take us in this direction, we should all be on guard about the downside of taking our companions for granted.

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Friends and Family

Most people believe that their friends and family will always be there for them and, as a result, these loved ones often aren’t treated with the kindness, love and respect they deserve. There is never enough time in your busy schedule to give them their deserving attention.

Never enough hours during the day. And when they complain, they

WATCHERS UNITE! And I am not the only member who sometimes falls short of the ideal. Others have also let themselves down by gaining weight at intervals.

But one member stands out from the crowd: Datta Amachree, a lawyer chum, who has consistently jettisoned roughly 2kg of fat every single week and looks set to achieve her goals before everyone else. So how has Datta done it? I will allow her to speak for herself: “My doctor advised me to lose 20kg and my main concerns was the fact that I was having problems with my legs: my knees were under too much pressure while my fibula was frequently dislocating.

Because I also suffer from hypothyroidism, I had to be careful when choosing a diet regime. There are certain foods items I should avoid.

Digestion can be slow when you have hypothyroidism and I usually, in addition to yoghurt, have high-fibre granola or semolina for breakfast. Dietary fibre helps control digestion of other foods.

Ginger, Moringa, Turmeric, Lemon & Honey Tea is a daily MUST that makes me feel complete and relaxed.

Lunch is often a nice rich plate of raw vegetables including hot chilli peppers (to give the salad a Naija twist). Plus a vinaigrette or creamy wellseasoned dressing and protein…tuna, steamed chicken, salmon.

Even though I am dieting I must enjoy my food.

The key for me is portion control rather than cutting out things I like. And I eat all sorts of things that many dieters won’t touch and even sometimes fry instead of grilling or boiling! For example, joloff rice wrapped up in omelette is one of my favourite dishes and is very filling.

I also love stews, soups, casseroles. What works for me is everything in moderation. Also, I rarely eat after 6pm; and despite my leg issues, I can do a little yoga and exercise to firm up my flabby arms.

It’s important to stay focussed and maintain a positive mindset. Negativities are terrible distractions & tempt one to comfort eat. I’ve also discovered that dieting in a group helps because you and your “sisters” can learn from and motivate each other.

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

sometimes get the backlash of your irritating side. Sometimes, they are at the bottom of your priority list...just because you know they will always be there. Phone calls owed to them are replace with ‘more important’ calls. When you do find time, they bask in your presence because they have missed you so much. The reality is that these are the very people who we should attend to the most in our lives. They do not judge us and live us as we are...warts and all!

I bet many of you reading this today are guilty of at least one of the above offenses. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a bad or insensitive person if you do. But whether you do it intentionally or not, it still causes problems and creates emotional distance. In my opinion, there’s always a small or large price to pay for taking someone or something for granted.

Even though there’s some comfort in believing that someone or something will always be there for you when wanted or needed, there’s also great danger too. For example, taking the availability of food and water for granted probably won’t present you with many problems in this country. However, taking your significant other or you family members and friends for granted can lead to deeply hurt feelings, personal resentment and possible estrangement.

I hope my message today leaves you with your eyes a bit more open.

As that famous line from that Joni Mitchell song so correctly warns: You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.

BUKKY KARIBIWHYTE

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STYLE & DESIGN

Vol. 22, No. 915

HOW TO MAKE

THE MOST

THISDAY Style ne 7, 2020

OF YOUR

WARDROBE Although getting dressed each day doesn’t exactly look how it used to be, it’s important that we stay excited about fashion, especially if it’s something that we normally love to express ourselves through.

So, it doesn’t matter if you’re just anticipating the moment life returns to normal, getting tired of wearing the same set of sweats every day, or getting dressed in cute outfits for yourself while social distancing, read on for some of her best tricks for keeping things fresh and making the most of your wardrobe.

BY KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR

Not having to break the bank by adding trends or luxury items

SAMMY JO

A sure-fire way to keep your style on point is by taking trends from the runways and turning them into yours. If you are going to invest in a designer item, we suggest purchasing something for the long haul that will eventually become a basic piece in your wardrobe, versus a trendy item.

STELLA ADEWUNMI

If you do love something but don’t wear it often, try styling it in a different way If you do love it, then try to pair it with something you already own. Is it a pair of patterned pants?

Try pattern mixing with a printed top. A statement jacket looks great with a white T-shirt and a skirt. It’s trying those familiar pieces in new ways that makes them feel fresh again.

TENI OTEDOLA JENNIFER OSEH

Stay on the lookout for inspiration and keep it fun

If you’re feeling tired of your clothes or burned out on your style, check out Pinterest, Instagram, and magazine editorials and see if you can find fresh new ways to style items you already own. Chances are, inspiration is out there, you just have to look for it. Fashion is a creative, functional expression for everyday life. Don’t be afraid to try something new or mix things up.

We all have to get dressed each day, so we might as well make it as fun as possible.

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ALERO

Wearing something that fits properly and that you are confident in is key A proper fit is key in looking your best. If something doesn’t fit properly, it ruins the look. Investing in tailoring will give life to your clothes that it doesn’t have: a custom fit. Also make sure when you are purchasing clothing and putting outfits together that they make you feel like ‘you’ and confident to be who you are. If you are trying to be someone else or wearing something you aren’t comfortable in, it shows.

Always be switching up your accessories, silhouettes, and colours Accessories, accessories, accessories. They make your outfits speak. Also consider branching out into different versions of your favorite pieces.

Trying a new style of denim instead of a classic skinny can change an entire look.

DAMI

Start with a foundation of basics

Your closet does not need to be filled to the brim with clothes to have great style. Having a few awesome basics is the true foundation for a great wardrobe. Every woman needs to own a great suit that can be worn as separates - if you have black already, try a bold colour. Other essentials? An all-purpose tote handbag, denim that can be worn on weekends and for a night out, a classic black pump, and of course, a great cocktail dress - and no, it does not have to be black.

COVER

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

MOST POWERFUL

WOMEN IN JOURNALISM Women in Journalism Africa is the annual gathering of women working in the field of journalism and the media across Africa. The program is organised by WiJAfrica, supported by local and international partners with the aim of advancing conversations around the practice of journalism in Africa, promoting best practices and supporting innovation in the profession.

The first WiJ Conference held in 2014 at the Civic Centre in Lagos, with the CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation, Monique Villa as the Keynote. Since then, notable speeches have been delivered at subsequent Conferences by Rhodes University’s Professor Anthea Garman, Courage in Journalism Winner, Chris Anyanwu and award-winning international journalist, Anna Cunningham in October 2019. WiJAfrica has also seen extensive collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), UNESCO, the School of Media and Communication at the Pan-Atlantic University and the Mass Communications Department of the University of Lagos.

In 2015, WiJAfrica created a list of 50 Women Changing Journalism, which received wide attention. The 2015 Conference also saw leading global affairs journalist, Christiane Amanpour issue a statement of support for WiJ2015 and women journalists operating out of Africa.

This year, WiJAfrica worked with a team of industry leaders and practitioners to rank the “25 Most Powerful” women in the media - particularly journalism. It measured the most powerful woman journalist in four (4) criteria: the size and effectiveness of her influence in national affairs, her influence in the media industry, her experience and the arc of her career and finally, her social and cultural influence.

Most of the women on the list often shun the limelight, preferring to work behind the scenes. Many of them will not be well-known to the public, but their understated approach is often the source of their power and longevity. Some of the names may be debated, but this does not diminish their impact or the fact that they have clearly helped shape major issues in our polity.

Contrary to what many may think, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu is not the most powerful woman journalist in Nigeria because she is the managing director of Arise TV – even though this in itself, is a big deal. Rather, Ijeoma, through her weekly column in THISDAY and as editor of the paper, helped shape national policy and provide often sharp criticism of government since the days of former President Obasanjo. She is quick witted, highly cerebral, and resolutely holds the government of the day accountable. It is no secret that every leader in the field of business and national politics knows Ms. Nwogwugwu personally, but this has not affected her journalistic responsibility to the public. Ms. Nwogwugwu brings to journalism a wealth of experience across private and public sectors. She held the track record of editing all three titles under the THISDAY stable for the longest unbroken period of 11 years and is the second woman in the history of Nigerian journalism to be appointed Editor of a national newspaper, the first being Dr. Doyinsola Abiola of Concord. Based on her national and industry credence, the trajectory of her career and all-round professionalism, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu is the most powerful woman journalist in Nigeria.

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COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

Kadaria Ahmed’s distinguished journalism career is enough to earn her a spot in the list of most powerful women journalists, but her hard-hitting questioning during the nationally televised presidential election townhall in 2019 is what has catapulted her among Nigeria’s most powerful women journalists at number 2. With an MA from Goldsmiths, she was a senior producer at the BBC and the editor of NEXT. In 2011, she gained national prominence after she moderated Nigeria’s presidential election debate on live TV. Since then, Kadaria has continued to problematize several national issues in the public space. Never one to shy away from a lively debate, she has bravely questioned leading political figures of the day on touchy subjects like religious fundamentalism, rampant corruption, bad governance, and even Biafra. Offline and online, Kadaria is not a pushover and will not shrink away from a healthy Twitter challenge.

Chris Anyanwu MFR won the IWMF Courage in Journalism Award, UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize and the CPJ International Press Freedom Award (while imprisoned by Sani Abacha) at a time when it was extremely dangerous to practice journalism in Nigeria. Today, the former publisher of TSM and journalism graduate (Missouri, Florida) is the Chairman of Hot FM Abuja, Hot FM Lagos, and Hot FM Asaba. At 68, the no-nonsense journalist, media chief, and politician is one of the most powerful icons for women in journalism across the world.

Olusola Momoh spurns public attention, but she is undoubtedly one of the most powerful women journalists in Nigeria, at number 4. Part of the fabric and foundation of Channels Television, the 40-year journalism veteran does not make many public appearances, but is credited with directly helping to grow Channels Televisions from its humble beginnings in Maryland, Lagos, to becoming a news juggernaut with bureaus In Johannesburg, Dubai, London and DC. Momoh serves as Vice Chairman of Channels Media Group and continues to provide leadership across a range of divisions including corporate development and commercial operations. Her leadership has brought several awards to Channels Television, including winning NMMA’s Best TV Station award for a record 13 times.

She joined the BBC in 1992 and is today a leading expert in African and Nigerian affairs. Ms. Labaran is a woman of many firsts, including first BBC Nigeria editor and first Nigeria country director for the BBC World Service Trust. Later, she was saddled with the enormous responsibility of establishing three new fully digital language services – Pidgin, Yoruba and Igbo – as part of the biggest BBC expansion since the 1940’s. Bilkisu has interviewed many notable people, including heads of state and prime ministers. She has toured Africa twice on reporting trips, covering countries like Libya, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and South Africa. As Nigeria Country Director for the BBC World Service Trust, she worked hard to address issues such as poverty eradication, agriculture, good governance, health, and the fight against corruption. Highly respected around the globe, Bilkisu Labaran is in at number 5.

Stella Din Jacob is only one of a handful few women news directors in Nigeria. In an industry where the job can take a heavy toll on one’s personal life and health, Stella has proved her grit in a career spanning more than 25 years. She previously worked as general manager of News 24, head of news at Silverbird News, managing editor at NN 24 and was a group head at MBI. Last year, she took charge of one of the largest newsrooms in Africa as news director for TVC News, with correspondents in more than 30 States. She supervised arguably the most extensive election coverage in the history of Nigeria, beginning during the campaign season and spanning all 36 states and the FCT. With this feat, she put her stamp as a major player in the news industry, coming in 6th most powerful woman in journalism this year.

Lady Maiden Ibru MFR., is the Chairman and Publisher of the iconic Guardian Newspaper, founded by her late husband Dr. Alex Ibru. She holds a master’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from the American University of Washington DC (1974!).

Since taking over as CEO of the Guardian in 1999, she has maintained its core values: presenting balanced news and promoting the best interests of Nigeria. Under her leadership, the paper has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the best tradition and ideals of democracy, respect for human rights and justice. Mrs. Ibru has continued to mobilize resources to provide support for Nigeria’s democratic progress. At age 70, Lady Ibru has received several honours, including the Golden Cross of Welfare from the Greek Parliament and another award from the University of Manchester. For working to nurture the conscience of the nation, Lady Maiden Ibru is one of the most powerful women in journalism today at number 7.

Chairman, CEO, executive producer, Forbes Power Woman, media mogul, hospitality magnate, studio executive and more, Ms. Abudu stands as a beacon of African media accomplishment around the world. As a pioneer, Mo commands global respect from LA to London, and continues to push the boundaries, while directly providing employment for literally thousands of people across several fields spanning journalism, movie production, events, and hospitality. Mo Abudu may not be a newswoman in the strict sense, but her commanding influence in media brings her into top 10 at number 8.

Funke Egbemode is the managing director of the New Telegraph. She was re-elected President of the allpowerful Nigerian Guild of Editors in 2019. She has worked with The Punch, Post Express, Thisday, Saturday Independent and the Daily Sun in a career spanning 30 years. Ms. Egbemode is vocal about fair wages and the protection of journalists and was the head of secretariat of the International Press Institute (IPI). She is also a board member of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

In 2006, she was nominated by the United States Information Service to cover the U.S. mid-term elections. Ms. Egbemode is in, at number 9.

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COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

Many see AIT as the platform for the opposition in Nigeria; this is debatable. But for the woman calling the shots, she must daily oversee a sprawling operation only second in size to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), while also guaranteeing the safety of journalists working for her, who are often seen as anti-government. Being the managing director of a leading television station with national coverage makes Mrs. Dokpesi powerful enough, but her connection with her husband, party chieftain and leading politician, Raymond Dokpesi makes her influence undeniable. She’s in at number 9.

Toun Okewale Sonaiya is the founder of Nigeria’s only radio station focused on women, WFM Lagos and Abuja. In 2016 she established the VOW Conference & Awards, an initiative of Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization in partnership with Women Radio 91.7.

Her advocacy for women has seen her work with local and international organisations, moderating high level panels and engaging policy makers in pushing for women’s rights. Ms. Sonaiya has engaged in extensive work in Northern Nigeria, focused on girl-child education and early marriage. She has partnered with the Office of the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and the Ministry of Women affairs in the implementation of interventions for women and girls in the North.

For a high-level job in journalism to be successful, power with people is mandatory. Few people wield the influence of Ruth Osime in an industry where relationships are the currency. As the longstanding editor of THISDAY Style, she is often the gateway between politicians and captains of industry trying to burnish their image, and the public they are trying to reach. Her work is equally as important as hard news reporting, since the leaders appearing on her Style cover often must prove that their professional mettle is balanced by a healthy humanity. To date, Ms. Osime has directly sat in interviews with no less than 8 present and former presidents, more than 150 serving and former governors, senators and other political leaders and their wives, and scores of captains of industry and change makers. Ruth Osime is a formidable media power broker coming in at number 12.

It is best to avoid an interview with Maupe Ogun if you’re unprepared.

She asks fair, but tough questions.

She listens to her guest and responds by asking equally tough follow-up questions. As a matter of fact, Maupe is the queen of follow-ups! When you get the opportunity to speak with her, she is quick to tell you she learned from the best, and references veterans like Olusola Momoh and Stella Din Jacob. However, she brings to the screen a skill and experience that seems beyond her years in journalism. Like Toyosi Ogunseye of the BBC, she is a hard worker and avid reader, who continues to stamp her authority in the journalism space. Maupe Ogun Yusuf is the TV anchor that political leaders know they need but would rather avoid. She is one of the most powerful women journalists in Nigeria, at number 14.

Most people do not equate blogging with journalism, but Uche Pedro is a different kind of professional. It is fair to say that the vast majority of African blogging does not qualify as journalism.

However, Bella Naija in part, serves as a catalyst to Nigerian journalism in the sense that it often brings forward facts about actual events and helps give a modern voice to citizen journalism. If journalism is changing in Nigeria, Ms. Pedro is certainly at the forefront of this change. Most observers say that today’s consumer of news is fickle, even disloyal, but if BN can boast of being on most companies’ media plans, then they must be doing something right.

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Toun Okewale Sonaiya is the founder of Nigeria’s only radio station focused on women, WFM Lagos and Abuja. In 2016 she established the VOW Conference & Awards, an initiative of Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization in partnership with Women Radio 91.7. Her advocacy for women has seen her work with local and international organisations, moderating high level panels and engaging policy makers in pushing for women’s rights. Ms. Sonaiya has engaged in extensive work in Northern Nigeria, focused on girl-child education and early marriage. She has partnered with the Office of the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and the Ministry of Women affairs in the implementation of interventions for women and girls in the North.

Ifeyinwa Omowole is the President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, with an active membership of more than 5,000 women. She is very vocal about the rights and welfare of women journalists and has been at the forefront of conversations about better working conditions and fair wages. A Senior Editor at the News Agency of Nigeria, where she has been for nearly 30 years, she is a media trainer and has been involved in many forums for crafting policies affecting journalism practice in Nigeria. She has an MA in Media Culture and Technology from the University of Bedfordshire.

People say she is a swashbuckler in the media space; she says she is self-made. Love her or hate her, she is unapologetic, hardy, and very relentless. While many say that Linda Ikeji secures the story before others, the mainstream media does not agree with what they call her underhanded tactics in gathering material and often publishing without the rigor of old journalism. And even though she possesses a news gathering machinery spanning everything from politics to entertainment, Linda has never referred to herself as a journalist. However, her uncanny understanding of how to monetize the news business is a topic of sober reflection among many struggling legacy media establishments – if they will admit it.

Linda, and her more conservative counterpart over at Bella Naija, have changed the business of journalism in Nigeria for good.

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

#YourViewTVC is a top Nigerian Twitter trend at least 3 days a week.

This breakfast show is consistently number 1 by ratings agencies and has so wide a reach that print and radio journalists monitor the show for comments and reactions from newsmakers.

Your View with Morayo was created 7 years ago

by Morayo Afolabi Brown, who was until last year, Director of Programs at TVC Communications in Lagos. With a daily viewership of around 2 million, Morayo spearheads national conversations and often helps shape the opinions of an audience seeking to make sense of daily news and other subjects. Her subtle power is growing in an industry with many giants, and Ms. Brown has carved a niche for herself. She’s earned a place on the most powerful women journalists list at number 18.

Adesuwa Onyenokwe is a Nigerian journalist, television personality and publisher of TW Magazine. She began her TV career 35 years ago at the Bendel Broadcasting Service, then joined the NTA in 1988, presenting several shows including the flagship Newsline on Sundays at 9pm. Her two most notable interviews are one on one with Pope John Paul II and much later, hosting of the Presidential Media Chat with former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

Adesuwa was host of Today’s Woman, which then evolved into TW Magazine.

The magazine has spurned several digital properties including TW Conversations, a VLOG series and another television show, Seriously Speaking on Channels TV. Adesuwa champions many causes across the country, including rape and other gender-violence related issues. She also hosts high level panel discussions seeking to address issues affecting women in the workplace and gender equality.

Eugenia Abu recently retired from the Nigerian Television Authority after 35 years.

In her long career she has interviewed notable world leaders including President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. Her portfolio includes literary giants like the Nobel Laureate, Nadine Gordimer and the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki Moon.

Today, she is a prolific columnist in two leading dailies and runs the Eugenia Abu Media Centre in Abuja. She is also a member of Council of the National Human Rights Commission and a member of the editorial board of Thisday. Eugenia Abu continues to wield her enormous influence for good, speaking on issues relating to gender and girl child education.

If one of Nigeria’s biggest problems is its image abroad, there is one person who is helping to tell a different story and shape opinions about us the world over. Stephanie Busari arrived Nigeria four years ago as CNN’s multiplatform bureau chief. And instead of going around brandishing the CNN badge, she focused on building relationships and influencing people. By this means, she secured allies, built soft power, and co-opted Nigerians to tell their stories in a way that made the world see Africa – especially its young people - differently.

Ms. Busari is notable for exclusively obtaining the ‘proof of life’ video for the missing Chibok schoolgirls, which led to negotiations with Boko Haram that resulted in the release of over 100 of the kidnapped schoolgirls. She was part of the team that won a Peabody Award for CNN’s coverage of the girls.

Kiki Mordi provoked nationwide outrage, stimulated a National Assembly debate, created an iconic Twitter hashtag, and ended up on the global news cycle, from CNN to Sky News – with a single story. Her #sexforgrades report for the BBC is easily one of the top 3 biggest news stories out of Nigeria last year, with impact still reverberating across the academic world today. While some have called Ms. Mordi a one-hit wonder, WiJAfrica recognized her potential 5 years ago when she, a yet unknown newsperson out of Benin, was listed as one of 50 women changing journalism. At just 28, Kiki Mordi is young, hungry, and full of fire.

Doja Allen was appointed managing director of City 105.1 FM at a time when the station was facing insolvency. In 7 years, she has steered the station to profitability and moved it from 24th position to the top 10 most preferred by listeners. Part of this success is credited to her being an executive with a finance background. Today, many legacy media are trying to adopt her 360-degree modern approach to the business of journalism which includes leveraging on every asset and exploiting the power of digital media. For one without a journalism background, Ms. Allen’s deep financial acumen and insight has stood her out in an extremely competitive industry.

Ruona Agbroko Meyer is the first Nigerian journalist to be nominated for an International Emmy Award for her work, Sweet Sweet Codeine, a 2018 documentary on drug abuse, for BBC Africa Eye. The report provoked a general outcry, and the Federal Government announced major steps to address codeine abuse and going after its illegal sale.

Ruona has several awards to her name and has her works featured in several local and international press.

Angela Emuwa is chairperson of The Punch Newspapers, founded by her late father Chief Olu Aboderin.

Ms. Emuwa has since the 1990s been a part of the fabric of this leading paper known for its fierce independence and singleness of purpose (she had been a NonExecutive Director of the company, having joined the board in 1994).

The newspaper has been shut down several times and its editors hounded by successive military juntas for refusing to compromise on its integrity. Angela Emuwa chairs the board of the company that today, continues to speak truth to power at all levels, and commands an intimidating media presence that cannot be silenced.

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STYLISH

STA Y A T HOME LOOKS WE LOVE

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

With public areas closed and events cancelled, it seems there’s really nowhere to go and nothing to do, forcing us to favour our most comfy sweats, kaftans with no-makeup! However, various celebrities have taken to Instagram to share how they’ve been getting inventive in their own closets to pass the time. After all, staying inside isn’t an excuse to not serve a look.

From Nollywood stars to top models designers and influencers, we take a look at some of our favourite looks during the lock down that proves a day playing dress up never gets old.

who says taking a stroll in the garden can’t be an event?!

Well Jennifer isn’t taking any style chances putting her best foot forward while out and about in her yard

Laundry day is another event we should be dressing up for.

CHIOMA IKOKWU TEMI OTEDOLA

ABISOLA KOLA-DAISI

TOKE MAKINWA

JENIFFER OSEH

SHARON OOJA

LISA FOLAWIYO

LISA isn’t one to let the lockdown steal her date night ritual with her better half.

DATE NIGHT at home for two and why not?

H Y Y G T I U ENE A E B IN R C U H O E Y C T There’s literally zero point in maintaining good skincare rituals if you have bad beauty hygiene that will counteract all the hard work, you’re putting in. This means you need to know what not to do. Otherwise, you’ll inadvertently transfer dirt, oil, and impurities back onto your skin, which will block your pores and could even trigger a breakout. So, start your beauty hygiene with these three steps:

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BY KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR

K

GE

TOKE is taking a walk on the wild side at home in this cute two piece

Not your average girl next door, Sharon shows us how to look fabulous yet comfy at home.

ABISOLA shows us how she stylishly works from home.

CHIOMA won’t let the lockdown dim her spark, this fashion girl still plays dress up in reminiscence of Saturdays weddings in Lagos.

Wash your pillowcase and bed sheets: When you sleep, your body temperature naturally rises, and your skin starts to repair (it’s called beauty sleep for a reason!), during this process, you’ll also transfer sweat and dead skin debris onto your pillowcase. If you don’t wash your pillow regularly, you’ll transfer this back onto your skin, as well as any remaining product or dirt from your hair – yuck. Try to wash your pillowcase at least once a week and flip it over halfway through the week for a fresh side.

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Clean your makeup brushes: Your makeup brushes can turn into a breeding ground for dirt and bacteria if not cleaned often enough – we recommend once a week, and rinsing your makeup sponge every time you use it.

Wash your hands before you apply your makeup: You’d never eat a meal without washing your hands first, so the same rules should apply for makeup application.

IFY OKOYE

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN Alero Adollo aleroadollo@yahoo.com

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

CAPSULES

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

This social distancing, a way to stay alive, we are told........hmmmm.......simply explained, when you are in the company of people, you have to have “distance” an interesting concept given the fact that we already live in a world where there is social distance, emotional distance. All manner of distancing that we have tried to bridge to no avail, now it is prescribed.

We live in a society where many are quick to question your pedigree, according to them, water has to find its level. “Omo ta ni?” I once heard an Aunty ask about a guy I introduced, his acceptance was going to be based on who his father was.

People turn their noses up at others because they don’t live in the right addresses and don’t “do” summer in the south of France, what a shallow lot. We all think it’s cool to maintain our lanes and stay away from the “plebs” yes, I have heard people call others plebs as if coming from little is little, the so called 1% and their aspiring cronies enjoy being the 1% by keeping others out. Guys let’s be real, you are who you are and what you are because time and chance worked for you. I have heard people say “I am hard working and I made it to where I am because of that” please, stop! there are many hard working people out there who work harder than you, who still can’t rub 2 cents together. I have also heard people talk about people they know as if you get a listing for that at heaven’s gate. You may even know everyone who is by your definition anyone and your account will still be brick red, so grow a heart and fill it with love for your fellow travellers. The most annoying of the “we are not on the same level group” are the people of faith. How are you a child of God and feel yourself better than another, spiritual arrogance, plain and simple. Pray tell, what is the point of this faith if it yields no return on investment beyond churning out scriptures. We are hilarious walahi, we have filled ourselves with so much bile thinking it’s awesome and we continue to revel in stench thinking it’s musk. The true miry clay dwellers are the people who have refused to confront their demons but continue to use them to oppress others. they proclaim faith but continue to spew hate, their hypocrisy rankles. How do we as people of faith continue to change the rules of engagement as it suits our government, a dehydrated dried out lot offering no succour. We even attempt to buy God, now is that not the other side of funny?

There is so much madness permeating the realm and a lot of it is based on a world that continues to stoke the fire of what divides us rather than what actually unites us. We must give way to empathy and learn kindness. As a people we need to get our tanks to empty and then clean up before we refill because we cannot go on like this, we need to get right with God and TRULY follow him as the days of our lives dumbfound, we need to change the narrative and actually try, yes try to understand the true meaning of sacrifice which is founded in love. God wants your heart, a heart of love that does not create distance from anyone but brings love to the table every time and anytime and this is not because of, but in spite of.

Colours of Life with Koko Kalango

THE NUN WHO CAME ALONG Every now and then one hears a story too good to keep to themselves. You just want to ‘Go! Tell it on the mountain’. This is exactly how I left when I read the story I am sharing with you today. It is written by Sam Ajulo a retired ENT surgeon in the UK. My mum said I was a toddler when I contracted Pertussis which, to the medically un-initiated, is Whooping cough. My brother, who was two and a half years older, had it at the same time. A double whammy for a young mother of 4 who had very little help. I was the youngest of four boys at the time.

Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe.

The hallmark of the disease is a frightening, highpitched whooping sound as people struggle for breath after extended coughing fits. It is sometimes lethal for babies, who can have seizures, stop breathing, develop pneumonia, or suffer brain damage.

Even today, Pertussis is most dangerous for babies who often need hospitalization when they’re infected. The mortality rate in those days was very high and still is even today. It took a heavy toll on young lives.

As it had gone on for several days, mum feared the worst as the coughing got worse and more raspy with longer periods of inspiratory stridor or breathlessness to the non-medical reader. She could feel us fading away and knew there was a high chance she could lose both children. All she could do was pray and so she did.

We lived with Mum in our village of Lampese in modern-day Edo State and it was in the early 1950s. I doubt if there were more than a thousand people in the entire village. There were no facilities for healthcare; not even nurse-led. The nearest hospital was 14 miles away in Okene, which was in another administrative region in today’s Kogi state. It was run by Catholic Nuns. There was only one main dusty road which bisected the village mainly used by huge articulated lorries to transport foodstuff and sometimes human cargo across the country that linked us to Okene. Even so, Mum had no means to take 2 sick children there. Dad lived 15 miles away near his job and mostly visited at weekends when most services were shut. The Nuns occasionally drove by and sometimes stopped to hand out sweets to little children in our village.

Mum most probably didn’t have much sleep the night before this encounter I’m about to describe.

We had coughed so hard that we were almost coughing our lungs out. So, she prayed that a Nun from the hospital would pass by our village.

Lampese is between two hills and the echoes of vehicles approaching some miles away could be heard several minutes before they got to the village. Mum’s prayer was answered because early that day, in the morning, she heard the sound of a

vehicle approaching and she quickly picked both of us up; one in each arm, and stood by the road about 20 yards from our front door hoping that it would be one of the Nuns from the Hospital called Kuroko. As the car was about 200 yards away, she stepped unto the middle of the road hoping that the driver of the vehicle would stop to take a look at her 2 sick children and offer some help. It was a Caucasian Nun, most likely Irish, as most were, that was in the car and she walked up to find out why mum stood in the middle of the road carrying 2 children.

She must have noticed both children coughing violently. Thankfully, the Nun spoke Igbira; the language spoken in Okene and the environs, which mum understood and spoke fluently. As soon as the Nun saw us coughing, she went back to the car and brought a bottle with some syrup and told Mama how to administer it to us and she left.

Mama went back home, followed the instructions and in a few days we both fully recovered.

Mum welled up each time she told this story about how God orchestrated the rescue; that she heard the car approaching and was able to get to the road on time; that it was a Nun; a total stranger in the car; that the Nun had the right medicine to give, and also spoke a language Mama understood.

And Mum never saw the Nun again.

I think you will agree all these couldn’t have been coincidences? In my simple mind, it is easier to say it was an angel sent by God to deliver healing to a praying mother for two helpless children who could have become mere statistics!!

I choose to believe that it was a miraculous intervention, to say the least...and if you do agree with me and believe that too, even though it is well over 60 years ago, please say a little prayer and thank the Lord on our behalf. He is truly awesome!

Sam Ajulo is an ENT doctor. Thirty-eight of his 42 practicing years have been spent in the UK. He examines doctors in the Specialist examinations both in the U.K. and abroad and is an adviser to the Department of Health. He is married to Adega, together they have 5 grown up children and 3 grandchildren. He is also an ordained pastor.

THE COLOURS OF LIFE SHOW I hope you tune in to our Colours of Life show on you tube every Sunday at 5pm (WAT). Through our lifestyle conversations, we hear personal stories, testimonies, and discuss topical issues. Last week I talked to millennials, Onome Braimah and Nosa Igbenedion about depression, social media, sex, fashion, entertainment and so much more.

Today, Nneka Anyachebelu shares her thoughts on Parenting in the 21st Century. We have new episodes weekly and all episodes are on line. Follow me on Instagram for updates @koko.kalango Koko Kalango is author Colours of Life devotional and host, Colours of Life show. contact@coloursoflife.org

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

GENIUS FASHION

ARTICLES BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

We have all been in fashion faux pas situations when we don’t know what to do. Be it removing oil stains from your shirt to preventing your favourite jeans from fading, there’s always a solution. So, we’ve listed five genius clothing hacks no one told you about but you wish to know! Read on and don’t fret the next time you’re in a fashion emergency!

1. Remove makeup marks from clothes

WITH THESE HEALTHY FOODS

While wearing or changing your clothes, you can easily stain your clothes with your make-up. For this situation, you can obviously use makeup remover to get rid of the smudges. But for tougher foundation and lip colours, you can use a shaving cream. Spray a little bit of it on the spot and let it stay for 5-10 minutes. This way the stain will dissolve easily and you can wash it off with cold water. SKINTIMATE SHAVING CREAM

How your skin looks is a decision you make with your food choices. The best foods for healthy skin come from natural sources like brightlycoloured vegetables, citrus fruits, lots of clear fluids, protein, and omega fatty acids. In cases of unavailability, you can take vitamin C tablets, fish oil supplements, and collagen powder.

2. Don’t let your denims fade

TUMERIC

No one likes it when their favourite jeans or luxedenim jacket fades. To avoid this, wash your denim pieces inside-out in cold water. And, just in case you want to fade your denim pieces, just wash them in hot water.

This sunset-yellow spice is a culinary favourite in India.

A traditional beauty remedy, it is extremely sought after when it comes to homemade face packs. Loaded with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric helps soothe irritated skin and prevents outbreaks. A rich source of antioxidants, it slows signs of ageing and enhances the skin’s natural glow. Drink turmeric-infused water on an empty stomach for best results.

3. How to clean suede

When it comes to suede, cleaning this tricky fabric is not that easy! To clean off the dirt, just use a crust of a bread. Allow it to become stale, Now use this and rub it on the stains to get rid of them.

You can also use a nail filer or an eraser to do the same. ERASER, NAIL FILE

4. Remove oil stains

Don’t you just hate big oily stains on your favourite clothes? The one way you can remove them is to use baby powder. Put some baby powder on the stain and let it stay overnight. Now, check in the morning if the stain is still there. If it is, repeat the process until it goes off.

JOHNSONS BABY POWDER

5. Don’t have an iron available?

If you have a fashion emergency and need to fix your wrinkled and crushed clothes, you can use a blow dryer. Just sprinkle some water on your clothes and use a blow dryer to get rid of the creases. For neater edges, you can even use a hair straightener.

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YOIN SK

ALEXANDRIAH SHO-SILVA

BEETROOT

This superfood is popular as a great addition in any detox diet. This is because, beetroot is a rich source of iron that makes it an excellent blood purifier - a significant factor in keeping the skin radiant. It also comes with the benefits of skin-boosting nutrients like vitamins A and C, which help clear out blemishes and promote an even tone.

TOMATOES

Lycopene an antioxidant in tomatoes protects against cell damage, thereby promoting firm skin and a youthful glow. It also offers natural sunscreen benefits, and may reduce skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Its tangy goodness comes with high amounts of vitamin C that regulates sebum production and treats acne. It’s advisable to indulge in tomato soup to give your snacking habit a skin-healthy upgrade.

WALNUTS

Popularly called ‘brain food’, walnuts come with a plethora of benefits for the skin too. An excellent source of omega-3 fats, it prevents toxins from damaging skin cells.

Include this nut in your diet to promote skin health by locking in nutrients and moisture. It will help reverse signs of ageing, and give your complexion a plump appearance.

Keep this crunchy delicacy handy to snack on between meals. Better still, add it to your breakfast bowl.

SUNFLOWER SEEDS

A powerhouse of vitamin E, sunflower seeds prevent skin cells from damage caused by free radicals, thus acting as a great anti-ageing cure. It also

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

DIY

Is the lockdown period getting stressful for your skin? Is your skin acting up while you work from home? Sudden breakouts, dull and dry skin, chapped lips or stubborn blackheads, there is a face mask to treat each of these skin issues. Make an effective DIY face mask with readily available ingredients that suit your skin type and help correct the concern. The ones mentioned below have simple ingredients and easy preparation methods which are effective and less time-consuming.

FACE MASK FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN It’s tricky to handle acne-prone skin as you never know what might flare up the condition. Therefore, it’s better to go with safe ingredients and do a patch test before using it all over the face. This mask has three simple ingredients that suit almost all skin types.

INGREDIENTS - 2 tablespoon Yoghurt - 1 tablespoon Gram Flour ( Chickpea flour) - 1 teaspoon Fuller earth Clay ( You can always buy on Jiji.ng) Mix all three ingredients and make a paste.

Apply on a clean face and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before washing it off with water. It’s safe to use this face mask twice a week for better results.

IDIA AISIEN

offers excellent antiinflammatory properties that can help reduce discomfort in cases of inflammatory skin conditions. Moreover, its delicious nutty flavour makes it a great topping for salads, breakfast bowls, and stir-fried veggies. On days you feel particularly inclined to please your palate, it can be blended into butter.

SWEET POTATOES

The antioxidant component in sweet potatoes is what offers that natural sheen to your face!

Anthocyanin, the compound that gives this food its pleasant reddish-purple hue, helps diminish blemishes and dark spots. The vitamin C content in sweet potatoes boosts collagen production that has a firming effect, improving skin texture.

It is also a good source of vitamin E, a crucial component for keeping skin young and healthy. Naturally creamy in texture, sweet potato can be added to your daily serving of salad.

BENEFITS Yoghurt is anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory with zinc in gram flour help fight skin infections. This mask also helps in revealing a brighter complexion. Fuller earth powder(clay) absorbs excess oil and helps unclog pores.

FACE MASK FOR OILY SKIN If you have oily skin, make sure that the face pack ingredients shouldn’t strip off the skin’s natural oil. It should only absorb excess oil giving it a matte finish. This face mask not only works on oily skin but also helps prevent acne by unclogging pores.

INGREDIENTS - 2 tablespoon fresh aloe vera - 5-6 drops of lemon juice Mix the ingredients well and apply generously on clean face and neck. Let it dry completely till the skin starts to feel tight. Wash with water while massaging the face gently. Repeat this thrice a week; it might tingle a little, which settles after the first few minutes.

- 1 teaspoon Oatmeal - 1 teaspoon Honey Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and apply on a clean face. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water. You can decide the frequency depending on the condition of the skin.

BENEFITS Yoghurt not only feels good on the skin but the lactic acid and probiotics in it soften the dry skin and soothe the inflammation. Honey, as mentioned above, is anti-inflammatory and provides utmost moisturisation.

FACE MASK FOR BRIGHT GLOWING SKIN Who doesn’t like problem-free glowing skin? For this, it’s important to exfoliate the skin with gentle but effective ingredients.

INGREDIENTS - 1 tablespoon coffee - 1 teaspoon honey Mix the two and apply uniformly on the face.

Let it sit for 10 minutes and then wet your hands and start massaging the face in circular motions. Wash off after a couple of minutes of exfoliation.

BENEFITS Honey has anti-bacterial properties and is also a natural moisturiser. So while healing the skin, honey also provides deep moisturisation. On the hand, caffeine (coffee), apart from being an exfoliator, helps reduce puffiness.

FACEMASKS

R E W O P HACKS w o n K To P UUR

STYLE & DESIGN

BENEFITS Aloe has many skin-benefiting properties, it fights bacteria and helps to maintain healthy skin. It also absorbs excess oil and helps reveal clear skin. Lemon is a natural source of vitamin C and has astringent properties which help fight pimples and gives a brighter skin tone.

CHAI SEEDS

These tiny black seeds are a powerhouse of skin-boosting nutrients. Rich in omega-3 fats, vitamins A and C, among others, its gooey goodness is a great way to fight early signs of ageing, soothe inflammation, and promote a healthy glow.

Soak half a teaspoon of chia seeds overnight and drink on an empty stomach to reap its benefits.

FACE MASK FOR DRY SKIN Dry and dehydrated skin requires constant hydration and there’s no better way than whipping up a mask at home. Dry skin can easily get inflamed, therefore, it’s important to use ingredients that are hydrating and gentle on the skin. A patch test is recommended.

DODOS ITEGBOJE

INGREDIENTS - 1 tablespoon Greek Yoghurt

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STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9159 Sunday, June 7, 2020

u o Y p e e K o T s g n i h T r 10 Othe Staying At Home e l i h W y Bus

BY RUKY SALAKO

We are excited that the lockdown has been lifted, or rather, we have mixed feelings. So many people are back to work, while some of us are still at home. We are deep into the lockdown by now and have pretty much lost count of how many days we have been indoor at this point. Well… some have!

It has been tedious and we know you miss your mates and normal life but it’s absolutely essential we all do our bit to stay home to save lives and protect ourselves. With more people starting to flout the rules (please stop), we have thought out a few things you can do at home to ensure you stay there and stop venturing outside.

All the days may be rolling into one and it often becomes difficult to differentiate between work and play. To keep your mental health in check, it helps to make a list of activities and tasks you have been meaning to tackle for months and actually get them done.

Here are a few ideas of what you can do while you are at homeRead a book Now that you are stuck indoors, there is no better excuse to curl up with that book you’ve been meaning to read from three years ago.

Or you could try one of the hot new book releases for 2020. Download playbooks, kindle, freeebooks. It’s an endless list.

Get creative There is no better time than now to get creative.

So many activities are ongoing on social media, feel free to join in and show your talent. If you are confused, jump on the tiktok app for example. You can also take time out to perfect your skills in writing, designing, hairmaking, knitting and all what not.

Create a list Our holidays might be on hold but that doesn’t stop us from dreaming of where we’d love to be when all this is over. We’ve been using Bimblean app allowing you to collect, save and share your favourite places. Whether it’s creating a list of all the places you want to travel around the world, the most attractive waterfalls, tourist spots or hikes, Bimblecan enable that dream world for us right now. You can also create a list of the local places you’ll visit when the restrictions are lifted and your favourite high street gems are open again. It’s getting us through.

Join a gaming session Bored of yet another movie series? I feel you.

Facebook has introduced a new feature, Facebook Gaming Tournaments, through which anyone can join or organise an online gaming tournament so if you’re feeling lonely, log on, or simply organize a game night at home, this should keep the whole family entertained.

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Take Some Online Courses Learning is never enough; take advantage of several free courses going on presently on different platforms.

For example Coursera, Udemy, Linkedin, Harvard business school and some other. You can ask google.

Cook up a storm Cooking is wonderfully therapeutic. Cook some of your favourite recipes or turn to food channels or cookbooks for recipe inspiration.

Just be sure of the ingredients you have at home before picking a recipe.

Organise your beauty cabinet If your current bathroom shelf situation is a mess of nearempty serums

FISAYO LONGE

and old lipsticks, there is no better time as now for sorting. While you are at it, clean those make-up brushes. Yes, they can be a stress to clean, but dirty make-up brushes are an absolute breeding ground for bacteria. If you are one of those people that do all the right things and yet can’t understand why you have rashes and spots, take a look at the tools you use to apply your products.

Oh, and don’t forget your straighteners/ curlers. Yes, really. Get cleaning those hair tools people.

Tidy the house *I know you are rolling your eyes* but hear us out. Tidying and deep-cleaning your space will not only get rid of harmful dust, dirt and germs, it’ll put you in a clearer headspace. So, chuck on your favourite playlist, wash those throws and cushion covers, hoover right into those corners and take the bins out. You’ll feel better, I promise. Need some guidance? You can also take time out to declutter. Plus, you can totally reward yourself with a glass of wine afterwards.

Dance party You can find music videos on YouTube, where the singers do some pretty impressive dancing and you try to copy.You can also follow almost all the DJ’s in Nigeria on instagram like Dj Spinall, Djbign and a host of others as they have instalive parties almost everyday for an hour or two. Yes, you can thank me later.

Learn a new language If you haven’t heard of Duolingo you need to check it out. This website provides free language instruction for many different languages. You and your kids can learn languages together. Youtube is another great source of language instruction, which requires much less involvement aside from screening advertisements. There are several channels with foreign language videos.

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