THISDAY STYLE MAGAZINE 27TH JUNE 2021

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SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

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CONTENT Society

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT & GAC MOTORS HONORS MAMA NIKE WITH THE ART ICONIA AWARDS AT 70 PG 8-9 THE MARTELL X DAVIDO UNVEIL PARTY PG 10 THE LAUNCH OF DASH ME FOUNDATION PG 11

Fashion WHAT TO WEAR WITH JOGGERS PG 16-17

CAPSULES COLOURS OF LIFE PG 18 5 MINUTES WITH OLUBUNMI ABODERIN TALABI PG 18

Having performed in over 50 countries and recognized worldwide as one of the most popular gospel singers globally, Osinachi Egbu, better known as Sinach, is the powerhouse vocalist behind the global worship anthem “Way Maker” and “l Know Who I Am”. The songstress has just completed her 12 Album, Greatest God and in this interview lays it all in the open as she speaks to FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI NOW about everything; from her journey into faith, music ministry and much more.

STEAL HER LOOK PG 19 PIN ROLLING YOUR JEANS THE RIGHT WAYPG 10-11

HOLDS ON

15-18 OCTOBER 2020 photo credit TY BELLO LAGOS

THISDAY STYLE FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR RUTH OSIME

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I don’t know about you, but l have noticed certain changes l have acquired due to the lockdown of 2020. First off, l much prefer to work from home, l am much more selective about outings, l now prefer much smaller soirées and also feel less need to play dress ups. My most shocking though…is my new found love for flats and sneakers and a reluctant gnawing fear of heels! I never thought the day will come where l would look at my collection of heels and wonder ‘What was l thinking?’ I have been told l would slowly get back into wearing heels again but l’m afraid that if anything, l am getting too comfortable with my sneakers! So, for now, l guess we will have to see how that goes.

Speaking of comfort, another thing people have invested heavily in are more casual lounging attires to suit their moods. People now tend to lean towards less fussy clothes to match their more causal outings. Some, not all.

Depends on which side of the fence you are sitting on l suppose. But, In WHAT TO WEAR WITH JOGGERS, we see a wide range of versatility in a trend that is fast becoming the forefront must-have item.

I must say l totally feel the look as it matches my new found love…casual elegance. Joggers are not tight or snug and they sit perfectly well on all shapes and sizes. It could be amped up for some sex appeal or played down for some urban cool vibes. Either way, it’s a win win.

As comfortable as Joggers sound, nothing is more soothing or uplifting than listening to a melodious voice of praise and worship. Our cover personality, Osinachi Egbu, better known as SINACH is a globally acclaimed gospel singer with over 200 songs in her belt. Listening to her songs by the poolside or early Sunday morning must be the ultimate pleasure. As a Nigerian, we celebrate her for the positive impact she’s making on lives through her music.

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STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9544 Sunday, June 27, 2021

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DEMEJI EDWARDS BIYI & SOLA ADESUWA GIWA-OSAGIE QUENTIN & MARGAUX

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LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT & GAC MOTORS HONOUR MAMA NIKE WITH THE ART ICONIA AWARDS AT 70 GAC Motors, recently at the Eko Convention Centre in partnership with Lagos State, pioneered by leading International branding and PR agency, Del-York International, hosted a grand event to commemorate the 70th birthday celebration of the iconic Nigerian designer and creative industry veteran, Chief (Mrs) Nike Okundaye whose outstanding works have significantly impacted the art industry for over the last six decades.

The Art Iconia Award, bestowed upon her, is a narrativeredefining award set to hold annually and will reset the prevalent culture of posthumous celebrations.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, paid an eloquent tribute to Mama Nike’s distinguished legacy by presenting her with a surprise birthday gift; a brand new GAC GN8. Mama Nike is the first owner of the high-end luxury Multipurpose Vehicle (MPV) model in Lagos. Mr Governor, who is actively investing in Lagos State’s creative industry, reiterated his vision for the industry’s growth and the importance of venerating those who have made significant contributions to the Nigerian development story.

The Chairman and Chief Host, Chief Diana Chen of GAC Motors, who has also been at the forefront of the creative and sports industries in Nigeria, presented a gift from the Chinese embassy to Mama Nike, describing her as a leader who is committed to promoting the Nigerian culture across the globe.

The fast-growing automobile brand continues to hold promise for the future of the Nigerian creative industry.

PHOTOS: KUNLE OGUNFUYI

NIKE DAVIES OKUNDAYE

GOVERNOR BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU OF LAGOS STATE

GOV GBOYEGA & KAFAYAT OYETOLA OF OSUN STATE

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ZACH & TOSIN ADEDEJI SHOLA OGUNYEMI TEMITAYO & BUKKY EYITAYO ADEBAYO OKE LAWAL

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THE MARTELL X DAVIDO UNVEIL PARTY Recently Maison Martell announced Davido, the singersongwriter and record producer, as its new “Standout Swift” with an unveiling party at the upscale Wings Towers in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The night saw performances from different Artistes including Davido himself. Others like DJ Consequence, DJ Neptune, Peruzzi, Liya, Oxlade, Ckay made a wonderful contribution to the entertainment of the evening.

“For Pernod Ricard Nigeria, the collaboration with Davido represents a major step that will contribute to further raising the profile of contemporary Nigerian culture and bringing it to a worldwide audience,” says Sola Oke, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Nigeria.

Davido is the international ambassador for the Cognac House, with which he shares a sense of freedom and audacity, as well as the will to pave the way for others and create a footprint for future generations.

The high energy attendees at the event include Usman Kamaru Ebuka Obi Unchendu, Banky W, Toolz, Taymi B, Mike Edwards and other notable personalities

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KAMARU USMAN

PHOTO: KUNLE OGUNFUYI

THE LAUNCH OF DASH ME FOUNDATION

Dash Me Foundation is a social enterprise registered in Nigeria and New York. It raises money for orphanages, domestic abuse shelters and projects for disadvantaged youth. It has formed strategic partnerships in the UK and USA, including the diaspora communiy to directly fund eligible projects in Nigeria.

DashMe Store, is the first project in Nigeria and was recently launched in Lekki by His Execellency, Vice President, Yemi Osibajo. The store and website sells donated items which are either brand new or very gently used. Donors include, shops clearing unsold new stock, businesses with excess stock from COVID lockdown and individuals decluttering their wardrobes.

On display in the store were a range of clothes, shoes, household goods, including designer goods. All the proceeds are used to support the needy, one of the beneficiary of these projects, Ayuba Gufwan, a man with a disability, gave a moving speech on the benefits of the foundation and spoke on behalf of the body, Wheel Chairs for Nigeria. He spoke about societal discriminations people like himself have had to face and thanked the NGO for making lives of the disadvantaged a bit better with their philanthropic gesture.

This speech in itself, is enough encouragement for donors knowing that no matter how little they donate, it goes a long way in impacting the recipients which makes the act of donation a very worthy venture.

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COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9544 Sunday, June 27, 2021

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9544 Sunday, June 27, 2021

N

Having performed in over 50 countries and recognized worldwide as one of the most popular gospel singers globally, Osinachi Egbu, better known as Sinach, is the powerhouse vocalist behind the global worship anthem “Way Maker” and “l Know Who I Am”.

She started her musical career in church singing in the choir and has grown from a church girl to a multi-award winner with over 200 songs under her belt, winning souls for the church of God through her music ministry. Her incredible voice has yielded many accolades such as Dove, Lima and Groove awards but, this isn’t slowing her down from going for more. The songstress has just completed her 12 Album, Greatest God and in this interview lays it all in the open as she speaks to FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI about everything; from her journey into faith, music ministry and much more.

Can you tell us a little more about your background, how you came to know Christ and end up singing for Him? Music has always been my first love. During my first year in the university, on a Sunday morning, I went religiously to church like any Christian. But falling in love with Christian songs started when I saw some friend of mine dressed beautifully. I asked them where they were going to. They said church and invited me. I went with them and heard their church playing this loud wonderful music that is alive and beautiful. I fell in love with music, and when the pastor made an altar call, I stood up, and that is how I gave my life to Christ, and I was filled with the holy spirit the same day.

experience or the happenings around them. But I chose most times to write from the word of God. I want to find out the heart of God at that moment.

You have written 200 songs and have 12 gospel Albums; which, till date, will you say has been the most challenging?

Every Album I have made is unique, and each one comes with its challenge. And if you listen very well, there is always an improvement with the next one.

You released your new Album, Greatest Lord, in April. What is the message of the Album, and what was your source of inspiration?

Most of the songs in the Greatest Lord was concluded in the middle of the pandemic, the heart of the message is that the Lord is greatest in all situation.

Who was your biggest inspiration whilst growing up that perhaps helped you pave your way and decision to make music your career?

When I was a child, my mum found my poetic desire of being a writer; my dad had a vast music catalogue that I always listened to. But when I became a born again, my pastor inspired me to take a big step towards making music more than a hobby.

After people have listened to Greatest Lord Album, what do you want people to take away from listening to it?

For their faith to be inspired, their love for God to be strengthened, for them to be filled with joy and for their heart to be flooded with peace that can only come from God.

How long have you been singing and performing for?

I have been actively singing for over 30yrs and writing music for over 25yrs.

How will you describe your musical sound?

I describe my music sound as Heavenly; anyone that comes in contact with my music will feel uplifted.

‘Way Maker” has gained much recognition and won several awards since it’s release in 2015. What was the inspiration behind this song?

The song Way Maker was inspired by a word of encouragement and affirmation I received from God. It was a word of assurance that He is still God and I must trust Him in what He says He will do.

The video of the single are also currently the third most-watched Nigerian music video on YouTube behind Davido’s “Fall” and Yemi Alade’s “Johnny”, tell us how the concept of the video was created and the process.

Interestingly the video was shot at different states and locations in Nigeria. It was shot in 2015 and released in 2016. The inspiration was to draw people to worship as the song is an affirmation of who God is. So I wanted the visual to communicate that and l am glad that it did.

The song has become a global anthem of hope at a time when the world is dealing with issues like the Covid pandemic, police brutality, banditry, abductions and much more. How did you envisage this song could bring people such comfort?

The word of God is relevant for every season. So at that time, the song was relevant and become a source of hope and comfort.

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It might be people are writing from their personal experience or the happenings around them.

But I chose most times to write from the word of God. I want to find out the heart of God at that moment.

How did the Covid-19 lockdown affect you as a musician?

In the year 2020, we had a world tour that was supposed to kick off and end in 2021, but it was slowed down. This afforded me the time to create and write. I even started writing a book.

How has the internet impacted your musical career, and has the Twitter ban affected it in any way?

No comment.

As a singer-songwriter, you have a hand in virtually every song on your albums. Likewise, many gospel artists have their records reflecting what God had been teaching or speaking to them about during the time between album releases. Would that be an accurate statement for you as well?

Yes, that’s correct for a lot of people.

It might be people are writing from their personal

Is there any song in particular in this Album that you would offer up to anyone who’s feeling any anxiety in general or about the pandemic?

It will be Greatest Lord because, in every circumstance, the name of Jesus is the greatest.

You have performed and headlined concerts in over 50 countries. Where were you most surprised to know that the audience knew your songs and welcomed you?

It was in New Zealand and Suriname.

Who are some of your favourite music artist, and why?

Nathaniel Massey and Darlyn Zchetch.

I love them because of their heart for God and their consistency.

As a married woman with a family, how are you able to balance your busy musical career with being a wife and mother?

Being a wife and mother has been awesome. With good management, you can do all things. And they are all blessings from God. And with wisdom and understanding from God plus a lot of help, you can manage properly. I am thankful to God for every one of these blessings.

If you didn’t pursue your musical career, what will you have done?

I would have been a writer or fashion designer, in that order.

Any last words for up and coming gospel artist who want to attain the great heights you have achieved?

Anything is possible with faith and hard work with consistency

We are at a time where women are no longer asking for opportunities but calling their shots and claiming their seats on the table of success. And even when society mirrors their achievements or downplays their hard work, they keep evolving and setting new records.

Thus, women are more vocal now, than ever, about being who they are with no apologies.

They are owning their stories and writing their scripts when it comes to making their marks in the sands of time. It’s again in this light, that we have featured these young amazons who are Nollywood’s New Generation.

Sharon Ooja, Lillian Onyinye Afegbai, Nancy Isime, Lisa Omorodion, Erica Nlededim, Maryam Ado Muhammad-Booth, Ini DimaOkojie, Bimbo Ademoye, Beverly Osu and Linda Osifo grace our pages in this edition as they tell us about their chosen careers, how more women should participate in Politics, their challenges as artistes and of course, their achievements amongst other issues.

With the images in this edition, these elegant women have used fashion as a tool to express themselves, their brands, personalities and how limitless their dreams and goals truly are. AZUKA OGUJIUBA reports...

H C A N I S !

E C I O V L A B O L G

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STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9544 Sunday, June 27, 2021

With a white button-down

STYLE & DESIGN

With a leather jacket

With a puffer jacket

One of the easiest ways to look chic in joggers is to wear them with a button-down shirt.

White button-down shirts, when styled with joggers have a way of making the joggers look smarter, especially when you tuck in the shirt. You can swap the converse for some heels in case you prefer to dress them up. You can even go for a pair of closed pumps for a business-casual outfit.

OMOWUNMI ONALAJA

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9544 Sunday, June 27, 2021

With a seethrough shirt

A leather jacket can add some fun into jogger’s outfits and make your joggers look less loungy. If you love the idea of wardrobe pieces that just never go out of style, then you might want to go for a leather jacket. They always have a way of adding an extra edge to your outfit, a longer leather jacket would also work for this look.

HAFSAH

If you prefer a more laid-back look when it’s cold outside, then wearing a puffer jacket with your joggers is a great outfit to keep you looking stylish and warm. Puffer jackets may be quite bulky, but they make such stylish outfits.

For a chic casual look you can pair with sneakers or even a pair of ankle boots.

YANA

See-through shirts with joggers are great, if you’re looking to stand out from a crowd. In case you like adding some feminine touches to casual looks, then you can wear heels with this combination instead of sneakers.

ZINA ANUMUDU

With a bodysuit

With a plaid shirt

With a blazer

You can always count on a blazer to give you that sophisticated finish, regardless of the type of outfit you’ve chosen to go with it. They’re great with formal looks, but also work well with casual ones like joggers.

SHANIQUA J

When wearing a plaid shirt with joggers, you get an easy laid-back outfit that makes you look like you put in quite some work into your outfit.

Plaid shirts are fun and easy to wear by anyone regardless of age or body size.

MARVELOUS

A bodysuit is another great piece to wear with your joggers because it never untucks. Due to this, you’re always assured of a clean look.

Bodysuits are also comfortable so you get a double dose of comfort when you pair these two. LALA RAEEE

With a cardigan

You can give your cardigan a twist by wearing it with a pair of joggers. Aside from just being functional, cardigans are great stylish pieces. They don’t always have to give a preppy look, although the preppy look currently is a big trend. AYANDA THABETHE

With a plain white t-shirt

With a matching top

If you want to save on time in the morning and would like to wear some joggers, then a matching top will help. The top could be cropped or in the ordinary length. You can tuck it in or leave it hanging, depending on the style of your matching set. VAL

With a Crop top

Another great way to style your joggers is to wear them with a crop top. You can go monochromatic with this or go for a contrasting colour.

The best way to dress up this look is to throw on a pair of heels for that instant chic look.

MENA ADUBEA

You can also wear your plain white tee with your joggers for a laid-back casual outfit great for errands outdoors. A plain white t-shirt is a musthave just like a button-down.

It goes with everything you can think of wearing, and works for different environments. GENESIS wore a plain white t-shirt with a pair of camouflage joggers and dressed it up a notch by wearing closed toe heels.

You can wear the outfit with strappy heels, sandals and most of all, some sneakers.

BY USIADE ISIOMA

16

JOGGERS

WHAT TO WEAR WITH

Joggers are comfortable wardrobe pieces many of us love to wear just when lounging around. However, they have now become great pieces to wear outdoors as well. They can actually be dressed up or down, depending on the look you’re going for. If you are wondering what wardrobe pieces go with your joggers, don’t look far.

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STYLE & DESIGN

Alero Adollo aleroadollo@yahoo.com

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9544 Sunday, June 27, 2021

CAPSULES

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

Life.... I tell you, if we have fear in debit and faith in credit, many problems we daily encounter will be half solved.

I went on a boat ride with friends recently, and God knows I hate all rides, I hate boat rides, car rides, plane rides and every other imaginable ride. I decided to go nonetheless but every second through the ride I held on tightly to the table in front of me muttering “blood of Jesus” under my breath as the water playfully swept us right and left.

I then started a conversation with myself in my mind; why are you afraid when you believe, you are a believer, should you be making friends with fear.....one of my favourite Christian songs is “no longer slaves” and it says “I am no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God”, and it always resonated with me but still I feared......I go to sleep afraid, I sleep afraid, I wake up afraid, I start the day afraid, and I am quick to sing “ I am no longer a slave to fear” , if it wasn’t pathetic it will be hilarious, yeah fear is probably having a good laugh because I am hiding behind her skirt and refusing to live life yet I claim that I trust God.......this needs to change.

The question we must ask ourselves is wether we believe God is really God and he is true to his word, if we believe, I reiterate, why are we afraid. The lyrics of the song said “I am no longer a slave to fear because I am a child of God”, if we trust God like we claim we do, why do we panic when life throws us curveballs, why are we not challenging our challenges and staring our problems down? I confronted one of my fears yes but I was disappointed in myself that with the depth of my knowledge of God and our relationship, life issues or non issue for that matter still had the ability to stretch my faith to its elastic limit. Walking on water, waking the dead are feats that only those who KNOW and TRUST their God can perform, a relationship without trust is DOA. Many of us are rich in worry and daily birthing stress and we all know that stress is a killer.

Are we truly in a relationship with God, or do we just mindlessly chant our prayers like broken records, claiming conversations with God. If we continue to feed our fears, fear will one day strangle whatever little faith we have left, then we will truly face an existential crisis. We need to ensure that we do not hit rock bottom despite our environment so we must learn to FEED our FAITH and STARVE our FEARS. We must learn to mute the market noise and protect our ear gates, protect our minds by a tedious selection of what we open ourselves to digest and assimilate.

William Shakespeare wrote in one of his books that cowards die many times before their death; the valiant never taste of fear but once. We are not cowards we are quick to argue but life is very scary and it is normal for us to respond to it with fear because we are human. I agree we are human but by the spirit of adoption which allows us to say “Abba Father” we have become gods according to the good book and gods don’t fear.

Pilgrim, it’s time to get it together and gird your loins as these are not normal times, drink courage, build faith, we may not be able to take our fear level to zero, but we can and must challenge our fears and take our faith to . We must divorce fear ASAP because we are purpose built and there is so much to be done. We need to break free from the shackles of fear and soar.

“I am no longer a SLAVE to FEAR, I am a CHILD of GOD”, we need to not only sing it but BELIEVE it because, he whom the son has set free is free indeed. Ponder.

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Colours of Life with Koko Kalango

Jesus in Judges Join me as we continue our walk through the books of the bible, with my daughter. Today, we consider Jesus, our perfect judge and deliverer.

“In those days Israel had no king, each man did as he saw fit…”

In Judges the Israelites are, in summary, a hot mess.

It is no wonder this book does not get much screen time in sermons. Think about it – how often do you hear pastors quoting from Judges?

Like Ezekiel or Jeremiah or Ecclesiastes, Judges is a book which is known well in part, but not so much in whole. Samson is a favourite character study for Sunday school.

Deborah is famous for being the only female judge. If you study the Word more on your own, you may even read how God used an insecure man named Gideon and a dwindled Israelite army to defeat their enemies.

But studying these stories in isolation misses a critical question; why were these judges needed to rescue the people? Had they not already conquered and taken possession of the land under Joshua?

The answer is in these key words, peppered throughout the book: “the Israelites once again did evil in the eyes of the LORD.” I would like you to cast your mind back to the first five books of the Bible, when God made a covenant with Israel. The terms were simple: “Love and obey Me and I will take care of you; turn away from Me and I will remove you from the land you have inherited.”

Can you guess what the Israelites did in response to these clear instructions? They turned away from God and they did so not once, not twice, not thrice… you get the idea.

After repeatedly failing to keep up their end of the bargain, God was well within His rights to break His covenant with Israel. But He did not. Why? A particular verse in Judges speaks to my heart on a possible answer: “and He could bear Israel’s misery no longer.” Judges 10:16 He could bear it no longer. To my understanding, that suggests He had been ‘bearing’ it from the beginning. Bear means ‘to endure an ordeal or difficulty’. God was not indifferent to their pain. Contrary to what we might have been taught about Him in the Old Testament, it hurt God to see His creation suffer, even if their suffering was the welldeserved consequence of their wrongdoing.

God did not want to hand them over to the oppression of their enemies but had to because He is a God who keeps His word and who does not let the guilty go free.

However, it gets to the point where He can bear it no longer. So, He forgives. God always, always, always, provided a way out for the Israelites when they repented. The same is true of Him today. Except – instead of judges – our way out is Jesus.

Like the Israelites in Judges, humankind repeatedly sins against God. Each following our personal moral code, we disobey God and hurt one another. We too need rescuing from the consequences of the evil we’ve done in the eyes of the LORD. But the judges of old are not good enough.

They were imperfect, they only provided temporary salvation, and they were unable to permanently keep the people away from sin.

Enter Jesus. He is our Saviour and deliverer. He bore the consequences of our wrongdoing so that we would not have to. His death in our place is God’s ultimate rescue of undeserving sinners whom He could no longer bear to see suffer.

Jesus is also our standard. The judges were imperfect and could only point their people to God’s Law. Because Jesus is perfect, He points us to Himself. He gives us the template of righteousness against which we should measure ourselves. Judges shows that this moral absolutism is necessary. The moral relativity demonstrated in this book led only to degradation, sin and suffering.

Even when Jesus gave the absolutes of His commandments, people still could not get it right. After spending three years literally living with God, Peter still denied Him, Thomas still doubted Him, and many still did not believe in Him. Being an example was not enough. God needed to permanently dwell with man. So, His final act of salvation was to send the Holy Spirit to live in His followers.

Thanks to the Holy Spirit, we do not have to live in an endless cycle of turning away from God and back to Him. We have been empowered to live a life that always pleases God. And thanks to Jesus, when we do fall short, we do not need to look to our fellow humans for deliverance. We have direct access to the righteous, merciful Judge who will lead us back to God. Tarari Kalango COLOURS OF LIFE SHOW Remember to tune in to our show on you tube (Colours of Life TV) and on DOVE TV, DSTV channel 349, Saturdays at 3pm. Connect with us on Instagram (coloursoflifeministry) for daily devotionals.

Reach us: contact@coloursoflife.org

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9544 Sunday, June 27, 2021

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ALL ABOUT DENZEL Denzel Washington is an iconic award-winning actor, director and filmmaker who has received 3 Golden Globes, 2 Academy Awards, and a Tony Award for his work on screen and stage. He guarantees a movie’s success.

He has also inspired many young black people to excel such as Chadwick Boseman. This week we are showcasing some of our collection of movies featuring Denzel.

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STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9544 Sunday, June 27, 2021

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MINUTES WITH

OLUBUNMI ABODERIN

TALABI

Nigeria has been rated by the World Culture Score Index as one of the countries in the world with the lowest reading culture. At the same time, available statistics from National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education shows that 38 per cent of Nigerians are non-literate as four in ten primary school children cannot read for comprehension. This right here is precisely what Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi is trying to change with Clever Clogs Books, a publishing house focused on creating visually engaging, culturally relevant books for children and the Akada Children Book Festival.

In this interview with KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR, she gets a glimpse of why she’s so passionate about developing a reading culture as she takes us through the writing process for children and the highlights of her career.

How did you become a children’s author? Was it something that you always wanted to do ?

I have been a writer in one form or another for as long as I can remember. However, I decided to start writing children’s books when I realized that we simply don’t have enough readily available picture books specifically for Nigerian children. Many of the picture books in our environment are from or based on, a different culture. Reading is good for the cognitive development of children but continually reading books featuring other cultures may unintentionally cause them to feel as if those cultures are of more value than ours.

Over the last four years, there has been a noticeable increase in the quality and quantity of children’s books. Before that, there were simply not enough custom-made picture books readily available for children in Nigeria or children of colour across the world generally. It is good to see that that gap is gradually being filled.

In a country of over 200 million people, when you visit a bookstore you will find that there are not nearly enough early childhood books that depict people who look like us, or live in our environment or appreciate the things we appreciate. If the alphabet charts in our region were true to form we would be seeing A is for Amala rather than A is for Apple. Both are true but, one is more culturally intelligent. I am very interested in our children understanding our values and ideals as Nigerians from the moment they can start to read. This helps build up their selfesteem and understand that there is also worth and great value in the culture to which they were born.

Furthermore, reading the alarming contents of a particularly popular children’s book by a very prolific European author was another defining moment for me. I realised that we can’t let people from other cultures be the sole influence in shaping the worldview of a child growing up in Nigeria. We also have to portray ourselves in this category of books. These things, in part, formed my decision to start writing for children.

I guess writing for children is a lot different from writing for adults. How do you know what a child looks out for when reading a book?

Take children to a bookstore and see the books to which they gravitate without being prompted: bright, colourful books with lots of illustration and minimal text.

Young or old, readers of fiction want the same thing: a wellwritten, entertaining story with which they can relate. As simple as they may seem, children’s books, just like books for adults, need a clear conceptualised setting; interesting characters; engaging dialogue; a cohesive plot; a distinct voice and good editing. Even baby books (those near-indestructible board books with no words or few words) also need well-thought-out settings and relatable characters. Above all, for children’s books you need dynamic

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illustrations that help move the story along; retain the attention of a young reader and give the story depth. Children want to be entertained even while they are learning. They want books with lots of colourful illustrations; concise words that go directly to the point; topics relevant to something they are going through; or themes that resonate.

What is the process of writing for children? How does it go from an idea to a finished work?

Each writer has a process that is unique to them and at times a writer can employ different processes depending on the project being worked on. For me, the way I wrote Kob the Antelope or Why Do You Wash Your Hands? is different to the way I wrote any of the books in the Tobi Series (Diary of a Toddler; Tobi Visits The Conservatory; Tobi Bakes A Cake; Tobi Learns To Swim). For the former books, I got an idea then sat down to write it out from start to finish. For the latter group of books, it was different. I had the idea but I had to do a lot of research even though those books are based on day-to-day experiences. Each of those books took much longer to write. Sometimes I will finish with a manuscript and let it sit for months just to give myself more time to think it through and decide if I want to change, subtract or add anything. Once the manuscript part is ready then an author has to decide if she wants to find a publisher to take the book to market or self-publish. If you are going the traditional publishing route, then the publisher will take care of commissioning the illustrator. If however, you are self-publishing you’ll need to pick your illustrator carefully; take the time to talk through the project in great detail with the illustrator; have a written agreement between you and the illustrator; then be available to answer any questions the illustrator may have about what you have written or what you are trying to achieve with your book. After this, the hunt for the perfect printer begins.

Where do you find your inspiration for new stories and characters?

My books are primarily “here and now realism” books, in other words, I write about everyday occurrences and distil them into components that a child can understand. I draw inspiration from things that adults may view as mundane but children view as exciting. For example, a family having lunch together or learning to swim and so on.

I also draw inspiration from special occasions (like weddings or birthdays); public events; or outings to places like the market; conservation centres; museums; galleries and so on.

Do you think children these days read enough? And why do you think it’s important for them to develop good reading habits so early in life?

Children tend to read as much as their parents read. If the adults in the household like reading the children in that household are more likely to be afforded the opportunity to read. One of the most

popular features of the very first Akada Children’s Book Festival was the popup library. It was the focal point of the day and the children loved it. For me, that was an indication that children love to read, they want to read. They just need better access to age-appropriate books and an environment that is conducive to reading. The popup library was occupied from the time the festival started till the time it ended. I remember one child described the event as “book heaven”.

When guardians ask me how they can encourage their children to read, I tell them, start reading in front of them. If they start seeing you read, there is a greater chance they are likely to want to read too. Adults should read any place it is safe to do so and encourage their children to do the same. Take them to libraries; book readings or literary festivals like Akada. Idle moments (ie during a bus ride) should be converted into reading time. Set up a reward system for your children whenever they read books. For younger kids, simple prizes such as stickers are highly appreciated.

After school hours, encourage them to read for fun. Within reason, let them choose a book that interests them. Ask them questions about the storyline of their book, to ensure that they comprehend what they have read and to improve their critical reasoning skills.

It’s important for children to develop good reading habits early in life not just because habits we form early tend to stay with us and act as a foundation for future learning but also because healthy reading habits will help to improve their vocabulary; grammar; communication skills; as well as broaden their sense of empathy; understanding; creativity; and inspire innovation.

Tell me about Clever Clogs Books. Why is the focus based on culturally relevant content?

Clever Clogs Books feature day-to-day life in present-day Nigeria from the perspective of young ones under 9. The passion, the detail, the purpose behind these books, make them unique. The books are woven with several learning undertones to help readers gain nuanced knowledge and soft skills that may not necessarily be taught in the classroom.

For example, in the Diary of a Toddler, the book introduces valuable life concepts to the child, such as the importance of getting enough rest, the need for good personal hygiene, the role of prayer, when to brush your teeth and have your bath, as well as the deliciousness of home-cooked Nigerian food. It shows that there is a time for everything and it helps them to tell time.

Reading such a book will encourage a non-sedentary lifestyle, as it depicts an active protagonist.

What do you love most about writing for children?

What I love most about writing for children is their enthusiasm about my books and their reaction when a new book comes out.

Their pure delight in the books, their love of the characters, their requests for more books to read is my biggest inspiration and reward.

Why did you see the need to start Akada Children’s Book

STYLE & DESIGN Festival and what gap do you believe it fills?

I started the Akada Children’s Book Festival to encourage the concept of reading for pleasure; to provide children and their carers with an opportunity for a fun yet productive day out; to create a space for children’s authors and illustrators to network, and to provide a platform for indigenous content creators to showcase their work to the world. I saw the need to have a literary festival within Nigeria for children’s books because I looked around and could not find a gathering dedicated to children’s books, those who create them and those who read them. I noticed that many countries around the world have children’s book festivals, some have several in different parts of the same country. These events help to bring books alive in the minds of young readers, inspire a love of reading and expand the boundaries of learning beyond the four walls of a school. Reading is important because it is the basis for literacy. It is foundational for formal education, a useful tool for gaining knowledge and an effective method for developing understanding.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

There have been many highlights but the ones that always stand out the most are the readers. Meeting the readers, seeing them read the books, hearing what they and their parents have to say about the books are constant highlights and fuel the drive to keep going.

The Akada Children’s Book Festival is also a major highlight. The festival has grown steadily since it started both in reach and impact. It is a lot of work but it is fulfilling and of good use to bibliophiles near and far.

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9544 Sunday, June 27, 2021

The blazer is one of those key items that can be found on every runway, each and every season no matter the year.

Making any outfit – from jeans and a T-shirt to a midi dress or skirt – look instantly more polished. So if you need some positive vibes to brighten up your day then the bright, bold blazers should be your first pick.

Steal

Her

Look

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

What do you hope kids learn from your books?

The primary purpose of my books is to encourage a love of reading. My focus is to nurture the concept of reading for pleasure and make reading a fun recreational option for today’s children. My books are deliberately not over-didactic but there is always a purpose, always a message.

BLAZER ATTICO

What do you think about the reading culture of children in Nigeria and what can be done to improve literacy in children generally?

Nigerians love to read, what we need is better access to well-written books. It would be great if we could have several well-stocked, well-maintained public libraries in each and every single one of our 774 local governments across the country. That would be a dream come true. Before the pandemic, I did book readings at different places in Nigeria. During those events, I am almost always asked if I write for teenagers or young adults as well. Children want to read. They love to read. They just need better access to good quality, situationally relevant books.

There are comparatively very few authors who write specifically for children in Nigeria. The children’s book industry is decidedly in its infancy here but it is growing and to help it develop we are seeing cooperation and collaboration between children’s book authors and illustrators. So much so that we have formed the Association of Children’s Authors and Illustrators of Nigerian (ACAIN).

What is the most important business discovery you have made in the last few years?

COVID has taught all of us the swiftness with which, and the profundity by which, things can change drastically. The most important business discovery I have made in the past year is the need to pivot quickly when the economic and social landscape changes.

I have also learnt that e-commerce is not such a far-flung, difficult concept to grasp or apply and you don’t need vast sums of money to get your business online. I should also mention the treasure trove of business tutorials and testimonials I found on YouTube particularly a podcast called How I Built This. It is full of practical as well as inspiring examples of entrepreneurs who started usually with very little money but a lot of passion applied intelligently and steadfastly. These intrepid business owners ended up 10, 20, 30 years later with global brands that change the way we do things, mostly for the better.

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PRICILLA

SEQUIN PUMPS

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STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9544 Sunday, June 27, 2021

The Japanese cuff

It’s perfect when you have plenty of extra length or you want a slightly cropped look. First, do a relatively big single cuff. At least 8-10 centimetres (3-4 inches).

Then, do a single cuff on top of that. Ideally, you’d want the top edge of the single cuff to line up just below the stitching of the hem. This cuff is often used to show off the hem stitching, especially when it’s the chainstitched kind.

The double cuff

The double cuff is essentially doing a single cuff twice. First, you do one single cuff, then you do another. It’s ideal when you want to take off some more length of your jeans. The cuff should correspond with the fit of your jeans. That means loose fit jeans can have bigger cuffs while slim and skinny fit jeans should have more smaller cuffs.

The single cuff

TREVOR

The single cuff is the father of all cuffs. It has a clean look, and it’s dead-easy to do. It works best if your jeans are just about the right length. And it looks good for virtually any type of jeans. You can make the single cuff clean with an even-sized cuff all the way around.

Or you can give it a casual look by purposely making it sloppy. The latter looks great with jeans that are a little on the short side. You can also combine the single cuff with stacking. Just about 2 inches above the hem, you fold up the leg outwards once. That’s it.

AUDREY LUNDA

The inside-out cuff

The ‘skinny’ double cuff

If your jeans aren’t long enough to do a double cuff but you want the look, you can fold down the hem. Do a single cuff. Then, fold down the hem only to hide it.

TIMAYA

PIN ROLLING

YOUR JEANS THE RIGHT WAY

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TIMINI EGBUSON

This is one of the most uncommon cuffs, so it’s a chance for you to really stand out. Do a relatively big single cuff inward.

Then do a single cuff on top of that outwards. Unlike all the other ways to cuff, you don’t see the inside of the denim with the inside-out cuff. You get a clean and more tailored look, and it works great with slimmer fits and darker denims.

MICHAEL PATRICK

Pin rolling is a useful skill every modern gent should have in his arsenal. The handy technique is not only practical but also perfect for creating a fashionable and flattering appearance. Ideal for countless occasions, pin rolling can shorten the length of your pants while tapering them in at the hem. This shaping provides pants with a fresh, on-trend look while also showing off killer kicks. So, if you’re still just cuffing your pants, it’s time to step up your style game and learn how to pin roll like a pro.