THISDAY STYLE MAGAZINE 23TH OCTOBER 2022

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

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022

ABIKE DABIRI

A FORCE FOR GOOD

EDITOR’S LETTER

COVER NOTE

CONTENT

In the 90s, Sunday evenings at 9 pm coanchoring the thenpopular NTA News line - this is how many Nigerians got to meet and fall in love with Abike Dabiri. A passionate young female journalist, delving behind the scenes of some of the most devastating human-angle stories centred on poverty and social justice issues.

Society

80 HEARTY CHEERS FOR THE AGELESS EUNICE EBIE

It was a gathering of very close family and friends , and the event was Eunice Ebie’s 80th birthday . The event took place at THE HALL in Victoria Island, where guests were treated to a lavish reception .

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

The Social Media Currency.

T

6

S yle EXECUTIVE EDITOR KONYE NWABOGOR 08111847087

Lifestyle & Fashion Ten Things This Week 7 Front Ekiti to the World How To Go From Millennial To Gen Z Goldie Iyamu Four Vegan Friendly Restaurants To Try In Lagos What’s Your Weekend Saying

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE EDITOR OLUFUNKE BABS-KUFEJI 08111847086 VISUAL/SENIOR DESIGNER MATHIAS ARCHIBONG 07054965500

10

GUEST CORRESPONDENT YOMI OWOPE

16

CONTRIBUTORS AZUKA OGUJIUBA DIDEE ETA AYO LAWAL BUKOLA AMOBOYE

18 20

PHOTOGRAPHER @TY BELLO

22

DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196

@thisdaystyle |

o be honest, I was one of the last people to catch on to the importance of influencers and numbers. As a matter of fact, in some circles, the highest currency right now seems to be the number of your social media following. And by numbers, I mean your social media following. It’s more important than anything else you can add to your CV. And there’s also the thing about having the right followers. It has become your worth.

Some of you might not believe it, but once you earn the tag “influencer”, you are entitled to privileges like getting paid to attend events, free luxury items and even all expense-paid holidays abroad. These influencers typically charge between $600dollars to $2500 for a post on their Instagram feeds, with the high scorers (those with multiple millions of followers) regularly demanding upwards of $8000. And yes, they charge in dollars! Amazing right? I know. It is an odd job, but I tell you, it’s real and all part of a new culture that seems here to stay.

Currently, Enioluwa Adeoluwa is one of those leading the pack. You can read more about him in the article titled. ‘’From Ekiti to the World- Here’s the story of Eni and how he’s taking over, one post at a time.’’ 2022 has indeed been Eni’s year. He shot to fame barely two years ago, in the middle of the 2020 global pandemic and has managed to bag the most mouth-watering international deals just by having fun and being himself. It’s exciting to see how the internet has created alternative ways for our younger ones to earn a legit living while sharing their creativity with the world. Like everything that comes with change, this might be another passing phase. Whatever the case, I hope our influencers do take advantage and make the best of it.

Is going Vegan now a thing? I hear it is. I once decided to stay away from meat and couldn’t go past a day. If you are like me and are considering dabbling into it again, Bukola has narrowed down four restaurants here in Lagos with special vegan options for you.

I intend to try out one of them this week. You should too! What are you up to for the rest of the day? She also has an interesting list of fun things to do in case your weekends feel a bit monotonous. Whatever you decide on, don’t forget to have fun, breathe and just live. Once the hours go by, you can’t get them back.

Love,

Konye

@thisdaystyleon | www.thisdaystyle.ng

WWW.ARISEPLAY.COM @ariseplay

VISIT THE WEBSITE; DOWNLOAD THE APP &

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

EPISODE 1: “SELLING SHIRTS”

EPISODE 4: “INTERNATIONAL BREAK”

EPISODE 2: “NEW FRIENDS”

EPISODE 5: “PINTS OF SORRY”

EPISODE 3: “OCTOPUS SITUATIONS”

EPISODE 6: “UPHEAVAL”

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

&

SOCIETY

STYLE

80 Hearty Cheers for the ageless Eunice Ebie

AMAKA ANENE, NWANNE GAGA, CHRIS EBIE & MRS LIZZY EBIE

I

t was a gathering of very close family and friends, and the event was Eunice Ebie’s 80th birthday. It took place at THE HALL in Victoria Island, where guests were treated to an elegant reception. Eunice Ebie, who is the Mother of Ifeyinwa Osime, Chairman, Coronation Life Assurance and Director Access Bank and Chiedu Ebie immediate past Secretary to Delta State Government, has an outstanding career in the health sector, where she rose to the position of Senior Matron at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Director, Nigeria Office, International Council on Alcohol and Addiction (ICAA).

PHILIP EMAFO

MRS EUNICE EBIE

CHARLES NDIOMU

CHICHI OBI

HENRY IMASEKHA

NKIRU ANUMDU

6

PETER IRIKEFE

NWANDO NWANKWO

TONY OBUAYA

EJEME BENSON & NNEKA ASOLUKA

LULU ONABAIFO

EMY SPIFF

HILDA EGBOH

CHINWE IIOGHALU

MAY OMIYI

ROSE MGBOJIKWUE

KEHINDE EBIE

OMOME & RUTH OSIME

JUSTY OBI

IFEYINWA OSIME, NDUKA OBAIGBENA & MICHAEL OSIME

GWEN & GEN. IKE NWACHUKWU

CHIEDU EBIE & JAMES IBORI

JUSTICE ROSE UKEJE

ROLAND EWUBARE, HENRY OBI CBE

DARLINGTON MGBOJIKWE

YEMI CARDOSO

OGHOGO AKPATA

TONY YOUDEOWEI

CHUKWUMAH CHIEDOZI & MRS CHIEDOZIE

CHIOMA ARUEYINGBO & KENIM EBIE

DAGHE OSIME & LEMACHI ASOLUKA

EHIMARE OSIME

VERONICA EBIE ODEKA, AUSTIN ORAGBON , SELINA AMUEBUE & FRANCIS EBIE

DIDI NDIOMU

WEYINMI ARUEYINGBO

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

TEMS, BURNA BOY, OTHERS NOMINATED FOR 2022 MTV EMA

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER IS HEADING TO NIGERIA FOR ITS AFRICAN PREMIERE

M

TV has revealed the nomination list for the 2022 MTV European Music Awards, which is set to take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, on November 13, 2022. The Nigerian trio of Burna Boy, Tems, and Ayra Starr are nominated for the Best African Act. They will face competition from Ghanaian fast-rising Hip Hop star Black Sherif, South African artist Musa Keys, and Tanzanian singer Zuchu.

Nigerian international singer Tems was also nominated for the Best New Artist award alongside Baby Keem, Dove Cameron, GAYLE, SEVENTEEN, and Stephen Sanchez.

T

he Walt Disney Company, in association with Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and FilmOne Entertainment, has announced that it will play host to the official African premiere of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The highly anticipated movie and follow-up to the 2018 box office sensation Black Panther is bringing the new chapter of the Wakandan kingdom to life in Lagos in early November, ahead of its in-cinema release across Africa. High points are expected to include the presence of distinguished dignitaries and Nollywood celebrities, and many more to be announced.

KIZZ DANIEL SET TO PERFORM AT FIFA WORLD CUP 2022

S

ENIOLUWA ADEOLUWA LANDS AN AMBASSADORIAL DEAL WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION

G

B

8

iodun Oyebanji, former secretary to the state government (SSG), has been sworn in as the fifth democratically elected Governor of Ekiti State. Oyebanji was sworn in with his Deputy Chief Monisade Afuye at the sprawling Ekiti Parapo Pavillon, AdoEkiti, the state capital.

The Ceremony was performed by the Ekiti Chief Judge, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye.

G

rammy-winning singer Burna Boy has officially launched his cannabis brand called ‘Brkfast’ in the United States of America.

Black Cannabis Magazine announced the development via its Instagram page, stating that Burna’s Brkfst, aside from smoking comes in tea form, snacks and other consumables.

A video of the launching shared on the magazine’s page noted, “Burna is bringing his addition to the Cannabis Community by naming his brand BrkFst.Most smokers will resonate because they start the day with morning marijuana consumption, Breakfast, your first meal. Hence the slogan is #Brkfstisforsmokers

inger Kizz Daniel will perform his hit single “Buga” at Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup. A few months ago, the singer tweeted that he would love to perform his hit single: “Buga,” at the World Cup. Well, that dream seems set to become a reality. This information was disclosed by Kizz Daniel on his official Twitter account, where he revealed that his prayers to perform at the World Cup had been answered.

Kizz Daniel has enjoyed a successful 2022, with his single “Buga” becoming one of the biggest singles in the world.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, 2022.

en Z influencer Enioluwa Adeoluwa has taken to his social media to reveal that he has signed a deal to become the EU-Africa ambassador for the European Union. His post read, “Super excited and honoured to announce my role with the European Union as the EU-Africa Ambassador. This is an opportunity to serve, support charities, and work with an organisation such as @EUinNigeria that supports individuals and communities. I am indeed honoured and grateful and hopeful that this opens doors not just for me but for many others!”

BIODUN OYEBANJI HAS BEEN SWORN IN AS GOVERNOR OF EKITI STATE.

BURNA BOY LAUNCHES A CANNABIS BRAND IN THE US.

ON TITI OGUFERE’S DESIGN FASHION WEEK.

D

esign Fashion Week was founded by Titi Ogufere in 2019 as a citywide celebration to promote creativity and innovation across disciplines, including architecture, industrial design, interior design, furniture design, graphics design, and technology.

Over the years, it has become a growing annual celebration and convening, with core programs including a central exhibition showcasing new work from across the continent, an awards program, and a series of talks and lectures. This year’s event started on October 19 and ends today, the 23rd.

MUDI AFRICA LAUNCHES A NEW COLLECTION.

N

THE GTCO FASHION WEEKEND TO HOLD ON NOVEMBER 12TH AND 13TH, 2022.

F

ashion and style enthusiasts can once again look forward to experiencing unparalleled fashion moments at the 2022 Guaranty Trust (GTCO) Fashion Weekend scheduled to hold on November 12th and 13th, 2022, at the GTCentre, Plot 1, Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos. Over the years, the event has brought together universally celebrated fashion icons and engaging style personalities to interact with young Africans passionate about fashion. This year’s event will feature masterclasses, runway shows, free retail stalls, and a streetwear village. All-comers are in for an immersive shopping experience as indigenous small businesses showcase their fashion collections and style accessories.

NEWS

NEWS

Ten Things This Week

igerian fashion designer Clement Mudiaga Enajemo, known as MUDI, has released a new collection. With long-time brand muse RMD as the model, the collection is typical of MUDI’S work - youthful, playful, creative, daring, yet a classic.

ADEBOLA WILLIAMS MAKES CHOISEUL 100 AFRICA LAUREATE LIST

C

hairman of AW Networks and Co-Founder RED | For Africa, Adebola Williams has been named by Institut Choiseul, a Paris-based organisation dedicated to analysing contemporary strategic issues and international economic questions, as one of the Choiseul 100 Africa Laureates for the 4th consecutive year.

Choiseul 100 Africa is an annual list showcasing vibrant and innovative young leaders under 40 who continue to play a major role in Africa’s socio-economic development. The 2022 list tagged ‘Top 100 Young Business in Africa’ places a beaming spotlight on 100 of Africa’s most talented young leaders, positively disrupting all sectors of the continent and displaying an enormous wealth of business savvy and intellectual prowess that will drive Africa towards a prosperous future.

9

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

COVER

In the 90s, Sunday evenings at 9 pm co-anchoring the then-popular NTA News line - this is how many Nigerians got to meet and fall in love with Abike Dabiri. A passionate young female journalist, delving behind the scenes of some of the most devastating human-angle stories centred on poverty and social justice issues. This same passion for giving back and sharing in the pain of the underdog is what led her to the House of Representatives, where she spent 12 years. During her time there, we saw her passionately advocating for and sponsoring several significant bills like The Freedom of Information Bill, The Nigerian Infant Health Welfare Bill and the Nigerian Diaspora Commission Bill, amongst others.

Now the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike’s growth and trajectory is like an open book for everyone to read. Like her previous roles, her efforts stand out as she’s constantly fighting and pushing on issues surrounding diaspora engagements. Recently this vibrant lady turned 60, and it was indeed a double celebration as she also received a National Honour from the President on the same day. While Abike seems to have done a lot, it also seems like she’s just getting started. What’s her game plan post-2023? “All that is in God’s hands, she says. Let’s even get to 2023. We have an election to conduct.’’

Interview by KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR

ABIKE DABIRI A FORCE FOR GOOD

14

Congratulations on your 60th! How did it feel receiving a National Honour from the President on your 60th birthday?

I was to be at an event outside the country when news of my national honours got to me just three days before my 60th birthday. I was also told the event was to hold on my birthday. What a priceless birthday gift from Mr. President and my dear country.

resolved. She was on my scholarship, graduated, and is now doing her own thing. I took that from my mother. She always liked to touch lives and always ensured that you look back and see what you can do. I enjoyed it. I wasn’t looking for high-profile jobs. I enjoyed being at the grassroots, solving problems, and proffering solutions.

You have had quite the career. From your days as a young journalist to a legislator and now working with the presidency. Did you imagine the journey taking you this far?

You never know, do you? My parents raised my siblings and me with the virtues of hard work, discipline, and putting your best into whatever you find yourselves. While I was a young student at the University of Ife, I saw myself on stage entertaining the world.

I wanted to study political science, that was what I wanted, and that was what I got admitted to study, but unfortunately, I didn’t qualify because I had a P7 in mathematics, so I had to opt for English with the advice of my late uncle, Prof. Bello. I ended up studying English and got posted to Benin for my youth service. I never planned that, but when I got to Benin, I was posted to the news agency in Nigeria, and that was my first experience with journalism. What did I do? With my parents’ advice to put in my best wherever I find myself, I started learning about the job and going on assignments with them. If they didn’t send me on an assignment, I’d go with them anyways. I also started learning how to write stories. I’ll write my stories, and whoever I went out with will read them and correct them. Eventually, I got better, and then an opportunity came for me to cover an event on my own, and that’s how it started. I fell in love with the art of journalism, and I got a job with Bendel Television for one year. I furthered my education at the University of Lagos, where I had my master’s in Mass Communication, and here I am today.

You never know where life is taking you. Put in your best wherever you find yourself; that has been a guiding philosophy that my parents imbibed in me.

So why politics? Was there an “Aha” moment that led you down this path?

Yes, I’ll say that honestly speaking, and I keep telling young girls, I am one of those who’ll say to you that politics is dirty. I never thought that I’d contest in an election. Maybe an appointment, Yes! But then, I was nominated for this program at Harvard at the Kennedy School of Government. I was nominated by then Rev Father Coker, now Bishop Coker. It was about leadership in a developing country like Nigeria, and I think that program changed my perception. I took on the challenge because what more could I do? How will you change your country if you leave leadership to just anybody? It was from there I started having the idea of actually contesting elections. I started going to my constituency in Ikorodu, asking questions. I started attending ward meetings too.

I did that for about 4 to 5 months and then realised I was interested. I saw a loophole at the grassroots. People were yearning for leadership and were looking at me like, what’s this TV woman doing here? Acceptance wasn’t that easy, but then I kept going.

My first line of support was the women and then the youth. The fact that I was a popular face helped, of course. I was sitting with the women, the grassroots, the market women, the artisans and the kola nut sellers. I introduced programs for them and enjoyed being with them once or twice a month. I now decided after five months that I’ll give it a shot. I first approached Mrs Tinubu. I told her about it, and then we went to Asiwaju. He said, “oh really?

You are one of those women we want in politics. Continue doing your work at the grassroots, and we’ll support you.” That was it.

Three terms on, to God be the glory, but I’ll say politics is dirty. I have a saying. If you’re dirty, you’ll play dirty. You can still be who you are and have your guiding principles, and stick to what you believe in wherever you find yourself.

You became a household name in the 90s when you hosted NTA Newsline. Viewers noted your penchant for human-angle stories focused on women, children and underdogs. Was this incidental or something planned and deliberate?

Well, when it’s in you, it’s in you. When I got to NTA, don’t forget I did not start with News Live. I began with NTA channel 7, Tejuosho, but I knew I had to do better than being on a state channel.

I gave excellent reports, and eventually, I was seconded to report on network news. I did that for a while before I was sent to the office of the First Lady, Mrs Mariam Babangida and the better life program, which I covered for five years. After all that, I was posted to a news line. The news line told the news from a human angle. I did this together with Frank Olize, a great teacher.

The way I took on the job is beyond duty. We flew with what we had to do, and it was innate. I remember doing a story about a girl raped by two men. We had put it out there, and we’ve followed up the story, but I go back to the family to see how the girl is doing and then realised that the girl had to leave that place.

I supported the family in getting out of that location. I did that on my own without telling anybody. I also supported her throughout her education at her university. These are things you do even without the spotlight. I’ll say that sometimes, I went beyond the call of duty. The story of Mary, the miracle baby we covered for eight years. I still stayed on with the girl even after the case was

What were the early days like?

Having a known face helped. I made a very, very popular candidate. I didn’t realise how popular I was with News Line.

There was appreciation; there was support. There was gratitude for all. They loved me. It helped, and that also put a challenge on me to do well. I heard comments like when we vote for them, they’ll not return, and I said no, it wouldn’t be like that, and I think to a large extent, I fulfilled. I did my bit in politics being in the opposition. After three terms, I voluntarily decided that I had enough and told my colleagues that 12 years was enough. What more can you do? Twelve years was sufficient for me, so whatever anybody says, the truth is ’Yes, I’ll say that that I voluntarily decided that I wasn’t going to honestly speaking, and contest anymore. I had to play some pranks I keep telling young so that you could separate the wood from the shaft. You do get quite a lot of people that are girls, I am one of those not sincere. They still want to follow you and who’ll say to you that take your money, but they are not with you. I politics is dirty. I never had to pretend like I was until the last minute. thought that I’d contest That helped me to know who I could trust, and they are still there with me today. Sometimes, in an election

15

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

COVER

the family is important. Without family support, life is a bit harder.

My family. My parents, my husband, my children, my brothers and sisters. Family is key in everything that we do.

What’s your take on Journalism these days? How different is it now compared to when you were a part of the industry?

Of course, you know it’s very different now. It’s so different. I don’t know who a journalist is anymore. Every blogger is a journalist. I remember when I fought for a bill and an action to enforce the pact of journalism. I wonder if this was the journalism of my days, whether I would have survived it. They resisted it because some didn’t want it. Imagine you had that, and we proposed that you have a council of journalists who would be able to self-regulate.

If I have a problem, I can go to them. If you have a problem, you can go to them. If we had that basic foundation, I guess what we have today would not be happening. I think journalism is gone.

That is the truth. I was so disappointed when a lady came to do her internship in Nigeria in three media houses which I assisted her with. She returned to me and said I will change my course.

I definitely cannot practice journalism. She changed to another course because of what she saw in the various media houses she was attached to. There is definitely a problem with today’s journalism. How to solve it? I don’t know. I have no idea.

Let’s talk about your legislative days. It seemed like there were some bills close to your heart in the National Assembly FOI bill, Disability and Infant Welfare. Did your real-life experiences on Newsline influence these bills?

Absolutely, yes. I mean freedom of information. I just made up my mind that I would join the movement. I think of all those who began the bill. I was the only one left in parliament, so that was the first bill I put in. Getting other people to sponsor was a big fight. It was a big fight because people were afraid of giving out information, but I am glad we could get it through. There was a lot of massive support.

I worked on Media rights and gender bill. So glad that we have that. Of course, also the disability bill. I saw the problems of persons with physical disabilities first-hand. I covered many of the assignments, gave the assignment priority, and of course, that bill was recorded. Children we can’t have children dying before the age of five. I had a bill too on the empowerment of women because those were things that I had witnessed in real life, and I thought, now that you’re in parliament, what can you do?

The press council bill to enhance journalism was shut down because some people didn’t want anything to change. So yes, really, politics should be about your real-life experiences.

What is your background? What matters to you?

I followed the things that mattered to me, Women, Children, and persons with disability. When I became chairman of the diaspora committee, what could we do for the diaspora? It was like, well, we must do something, and we did.

it feels like I left when the ovation was loudest, anyways. Was it easy? No. Because people kept on asking, so what would you do? I am a professional and know many things I could do.

Politics in Nigeria is largely male dominated. How easy can a woman blend in and own her space? Did you experience any gender-related issues?

I wouldn’t say it’s easy. It’s still tough for women in Nigeria, and I think it’s getting tougher, but you have to be yourself. Let me tell you, no matter how far you’ve risen, there will always be genderrelated issues. That is the reality. I recall in ’Having a known parliament; this honourable member said to face helped. I made me, “Abike, I like you, but I can’t call a woman a very, very popular my leader” because he thought I wanted to candidate. I didn’t contest for leadership of the state of our members. I hounded him every day I saw him until realise how popular he apologised. He said he was joking. So, I was with News there will always be gender issues. There’s no Line.There was doubt about that, but how do you handle them? appreciation; there was Don’t look down on yourself; don’t let anybody support. There was pull you down. Also, know your limitations, strengths and weaknesses and be who you gratitude for all. They are. That’s it. I am a woman. I am proud to be a loved me. It helped, woman. I’m not a man, and I don’t want to be a and that also put a man, and I thank God for the privilege of being challenge on me to do born a woman.

I believe in fairness. I don’t want to be you. well.

16

You don’t have to be me but let’s be fair to one another. Don’t say I can’t do this because of my gender. Let me prove to you that I cannot do it.

Along your career path, can you mention some people who were pivotal to your progress as a female journalist and later in politics?

As a female journalist, my bosses at the NTA, particularly Dr Tonnie Iredia. He was director of news then, and he said if he was looking at level this, level that, I would not have presented news live. He said to the management, look, she’s been a good reporter.

And then I worked with Mrs Babangida, and I learnt the value of giving back, so we kept joking that I am a Better Life product. She did influence me.

Of course, the major influence from the onset is my parents, particularly my mother. The kind of values your parents’ impact on you goes a long way. So, I think those helped my career in journalism. I used to watch Oprah Winfrey, and she used television to change lives, and I thought, well, we could also use television to change lives. So, within the limit of what we had in Nigeria, I think I did my little bit of touching lives through journalism and then politics. Another major influence would be Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He’s one person who would not allow you to fall.

He would always look back to ensure that you’re okay no matter what.

Bishop Coker, who nominated me for the Harvard program, has made a lot of difference in my life and a host of others. And then

Was it frustrating trying to convince your colleagues to support some of these social welfare-focused bills?

It is very frustrating. When we did the bill on violence against persons, they had to tell us to be defining rape, and they laughed about it. It wasn’t easy. Even the diaspora bill was complex. I think I did a lot of difficult bills. The women’s bill was shut down, and it’s still shut down today. So yes, there were difficulties.

When you took up the role in the Diaspora Commission, again, some of the issues that came to light had to do with the welfare of Nigerian women and girls abroad. Can you share some of the issues you encountered?

A lot, but then, I think one of the most pathetic for me was entering those Libyan seas and seeing Nigerians packed like sardines. And I’ll tell you one thing, they had been there for years, but President Buhari decided to bring everybody back. Under his leadership, we brought back well over ten thousand people.

The fact that we played a role in getting them back is very fulfilling. The joy of saying thank God I am alive. I remember the girl who held on to me and said, “mummy, I’d rather be sleeping under a bridge than go on these journeys anymore”.

You have often commented on unfair attacks online, especially on Twitter. How do you respond to critics online and offline?

Well, I don’t take all those things seriously. Twitter is Twitter. It’s available to anybody, but there could be some terrible remarks. I don’t read comments, and I learnt that from a program I watched a few years back. Many government-run people run away from Twitter because they don’t want criticism, but it comes with the

job, so I’ll continue doing my posts. Debates and conversations are crucial to democracy, so we should talk. As a parliamentarian, you should always speak to your constituency regularly. As an elected official, you must constantly communicate with those who elected you. Conversation brings comprehension. The more you talk to them, the more they understand what you’re doing. Sometimes, they don’t want to understand, and sometimes it isn’t easy, but you asked for it, so you have to do it.

What next after 2023? Any plans for an elective role in government?

All that is in God’s hands. Let’s even get to 2023. We have an election to conduct. Of course, I want my party to win. I want Asiwaju to win. I’ll put every effort into victory for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, not just because he’s been my mentor but because he’s been my political leader and capable.

Would you want a Lagos or an Anambra? Of course, you want Lagos. And he has played a major role as the first democratically elected Governor of Lagos state to see that we have continuous policies that worked for the state. Is Lagos perfect? No, but it is a good example for every other state in Nigeria, so let’s take one step at a time. I want Asiwaju to win and victory for my party, and I’ll work for him.

What are your hopes, concerns, or aspirations for women leaders in politics moving forward?

I hope it gets easier, but it’s getting tougher, so I am worried about that. It’s getting tougher, but we can’t give up. Let’s do our best, so they don’t look at you and say all the women. We raise our hands and say these are the women, I think one of the most and we can do it. I think the more women we pathetic for me was have in politics, the better for the system. When entering those Libyan the men are shouting fire for fire, you are shouting water from fire and forget all this talk about seas and seeing women not supporting women.

Nigerians packed like Put us there, and you’ll see whether we supsardines. And I’ll tell port each other. But the time is coming. As I you one thing, they said, I think it’s getting tougher. Let’s see how 2023 will go, whether we’ll get our first elected had been there for female Governor or how many women we’ll years, but President have in parliament, and then we’ll take it from Buhari decided to bring there.

everybody back.

17

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

&

ACE STUDIOS ROSAMOSARIO

ALEX UNUSUAL & KIM OPRAH

Baguette Bags: Big bags with space for your entire wardrobe or mini chain bags may have been the trend even last year.

But now, it’s baguette season! We don’t need chains on our bags, nor do we need to pack a bag so big it could fit a two-year-old in it. Baguettes are just right, and they go with almost any outfit.

NORMA KAMALI

Corset Everything Corset Everything: If you really want to disguise as a Gen Z, you better ditch that old fashion magazine because the new ones scream “Corset! Corset! Corset!” Whether it’s wedding dresses, ‘aso ebi’, casual or corporate wear, corsets have made a banging comeback, and they are not going away anytime soon. If you find it too daring, you can do like Mary and wear it underneath a chiffon top.

NIKE

Fashion over SPF Fashion over SPF: Let sunscreens do their work and give us our statement glasses. How to know a millennial from a Gen Z? Check their shades. The average Gen Z will choose statement glasses with tiny coloured lenses over huge glasses that cover nearly the entire face. “Is it not sunlight?” We’re ready to face it head(eyes) on.

ISABEL MARANT

HOW TO GO FROM MILLENNIAL TO GEN Z: FASHION TIPS

White Sneakers White sneakers are the perfect finish for most outfits amongst Gen Z. They pair them with almost everything these days, whether casual, traditional or corporate fits, so you might want to have a couple of white sneakers lined up in your wardrobe.

MARY EDORO

By Bukola Amoboye

Are you that millennial pretending to hate Gen Z fashion but in reality, what you want is to know how to dress like them? Not to worry, we’ve got you covered! Gen Z is famously notorious for their unapologetic fashion sense, which is one of the reasons everyone is obsessed with them, including millennials, who are just one generation behind. Check out these simple changes you can make to your fashion choices to get that cool Gen Z look going.

Tapered Pants For the guys, they’re not doing excessively long pants anymore.

Tapered pants can come in various materials, including jeans, and they can be worn casually or corporately.

FASHION

STYLE

REFORMATION

MICHAEL LO SORDO

ACNE STUDIOS

DENOLA ADEPETUN

18

Ditch that skinny Jeans Skinny jeans go in and out of style but if the plan is to look like a Gen Z, then baggy or mom jeans are the absolute way to go.

Alternately stylish pants also do the work

DRIES VAN NOTEN

REBECCA FABUNMI

NIMI BRIGGS

Plain Tees Plain tees are a standard part of casual dressing with Gen Z. Whether male or female, a plaincoloured tee is a must-have in your wardrobe.

Slip Dresses Going on a date? Or, having a night out with friends, whichever the occasion, slip dresses are easy. They’re comfortable, light, classy and very sexy.

PACO RABANNE

L’AGENCE

19

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

FOUR VEGAN FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS TO TRY IN LAGOS

I personally design with functionality and wearbility at the forefront of my mind ………I do not believe that people should walk around wearing clothes that have fallen off the runway.

By Bukola Amoboye

While it is still a bit of a rarity, we can’t ignore the growing popularity of vegans and vegetarians in Nigeria. If you are on this table, we see you and acknowledge your needs. And that is why we have decided to narrow down four restaurants here in Lagos with special options for you.

20

Shiro Restaurant & Bar No one does vegan better than Asians. Shiro restaurant is located at the Landmark centre (where the famous Landmark beach is). It is renowned for its Korean, Japanese, Thai and Mediterranean cuisines. It offers dine-in (including late dining), delivery and takeout options.

It is excellent for group hangouts.

However, we recommend making a reservation due to the sometimes lengthy check-in process. You can’t run out of vegan options at Shiro, from salad to sushi, tofu, etc.

RSVP Restaurant Located in Victoria Island, this restaurant boasts a beautiful ambience and is perfect for a date. It offers dine-in, delivery and takeout options. While it is not exclusively a vegan restaurant, it has a lot of options for vegans to choose from.

For example, its wide range of salads; Caesar, Lentil, Quinoa, etc. On their menu are also wild mushroom-based delicacies, seafood, potato sides, and cauliflower head, amongst others.

The ambience, food and service are of top quality.

Veggie Victory Located in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Veggie Victory offers a unique blend of local foods and vegan specials with mouth-watering options like tofu suya, healthy plant-based meat chunks and mushrooms to pair with your local Nigerian Jollof, pounded yam, amala, wheat and eba with a wide variety of local soups, you have much to choose from. You can also have veggie wraps, pasta, vegetable curry, veggie burger, etc.

GOLDIE IYAMU Goldie Iyamu is a Pan-African Fashion Entrepreneur and Marketing Executive. He is also the founder and creative director of MetroMan CO- An Artisanal Men’s Lifestyle Brand that focuses on handcrafting essential and timeless products for African men.

The brand’s core tenets are that a Gentleman should always Look Good and Live Better. In this interview with Ayo Lawal, he lets us in on the inspiration behind his latest collection, Art of Comfort EveryDay Man. GOLDIE IYAMU

Art of Comfort - EveryDay Man is the title of your collection. What then do you think of saying that “Fashion is pain” I do not believe that fashion can be viewed as painful rather its the ease at which you can go about your day when wearing MetroMan. I cannot speak for other brands but at MetroMan the goal is to create clothes that are effortless which more often than not is synonymous with Comfort.

What inspired you to make a collection with comfort at the fore as opposed to style and design?

I personally design with functionality and wearbility at the forefront of my mind when I go in search of inspiration, and I do not believe that people should walk around wearing clothes that have fallen off the runway.

I double as a tech bro by day and although the stereotype is some derivative of a pair of jeans and a t-shirt with a pair of sneakers, of which is not necessarily a bad look but it gives an air of nonchalance and laziness that I do not personally subscribe to, comfort and style are kindred spirits, look at most of the true style icons, like Pharrell or Lakeith Stanfield, these men more often than not look comfortable and at ease in their skin. So it’s more about ease, because clothes are like second skin and one must always be at ease in the skin they’re in.

natural world and yes it was deliberate.

How did fashion entrepreneurship start for Goldie iyamu.

Fashion Entrepreneurship started way before there was MetroMan, at a young age I began making beaded jewelry for my Mom, her friends and my female cousins, unconventional for a boy but I was glad that I was given the room to explore my creativity. It then went on to making female suits in secondary school.

To running a vintage clothing online store where I sold primarily through Instagram and to students in my university (Covenant University). So I would say it’s always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

And as my people will say “E dey the body.”

You also have a 9-5 as the marketing campaign manager for Chipper. Tell us how you strike a balance between work, MetroMan and life?

I find that each one feeds off the other, with work thanks to the god of

tech most of my work is remote so I usually have the time to get things done, with MetroMan I have a team of tailors with my Head Tailor at the helm of affairs who handles the production with minimal supervision from me I just issue out the designs and he kind of handles the rest. My experience as a marketing manager has been a key driver to growing Metroman to what it is currently from a marketing standpoint.

With life, Thank God for a solid support system that includes My Parents, My Sisters, My Girlfriend and my friends who double as models, photographers who always come through for me when I need support whether its for a photoshoot, a kind word, writing copy and sometimes some fire prayers when Lagos tries to frustrate me.

Picture this, I’ve bought a piece from this collection, I put it on, what feelings should I have? How do you want this collection to Make People feel? Are they any feelings you’re trying to invoke?

The main feeling I want to evoke is ease and confidence because when

you look good, you feel good and when you feel good you can take on the world. So I would say confident, cozy, powerful and secure.

How long did it take to put all of it together?

It usually takes about 3 months from testing to production to product sampling and finally content creation before a collection is released.

What are your expectations from this collection and from here on?

In an ideal world for Metroman to be picked up by an International Buyer giving us more International Visibility, a Flagship Store, showcasing at local and International Fashion Weeks. And most importantly Billions!

What’s next for Goldie Iyamu?

The sky is literally the springboard for me, but most definitely starting a family, a GQ ad spread, maybe a Forbes feature, Creating more awareness for Men’s Mental Health and Wellness, more opportunities for growth. And seeing MetroMan clothes and products in stores around the world.

What materials have you used in the collection? And what was the reason behind them?

Linen and Crepe mainly for their wearability and they are just so easy for it to look good on almost any body type and the ability for the fabrics to be manipulated in a plethora of ways.

A lot of earth tones and pastel colors, was this deliberate?

These are the colours that when you look at feel like home, just looking around you, the green is nature, the brown hues are the earth and the pastels are the flowers and birds.

These colours are inspired by the

21

interview by Ayo Lawal

Gourmet Vegan Kitchen This unique vegan restaurant is located in Ikoyi and offers both dinein and delivery options. The space is perfect for either a date or lunch with friends. If you like a burger but are restricted because they are not usually tailored to fit your vegan preference, then this is the place for you. You can’t go wrong with varying options such as suya & spice tofu burger, falafel burger, mushroom bean burger, sweet potato chickpea burger, etc. They also offer other meals like a vegan club sandwich, vegan shawarma, Jollof burrito, vegan pizza, etc.

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

Sunday, October 23, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 10027

WHAT’S YOUR WEEKEND SAYING? Let’s paint a scenario; you work from 8 am to 6 pm or run a business that keeps you on your toes from Monday to Friday and maybe even Saturdays. Then the weekend or Sunday (as the case may be) comes, and all you want to do is turn off your phone and sleep. It doesn’t sound so bad, does it? But herein lies the problem; this is all it is for you for the full 52 weeks in a year, the same old boring routine.

No one should live like that! Even though ‘adulting’ is doing its thing and you feel exhausted, you shouldn’t just sleep through the weekend only to wake up to the same things. There should be things you look forward to doing, at least on the weekends. Here are some suggestions for unwinding and making the most of your weekend.

By Bukola Amoboye

Go shopping

If you can afford it, go shopping from time to time and make the most of it. Walk around the mall, browse through sections a little more, and go into shops or aisles you don’t visit regularly. Even if you can’t afford to shop, window shopping is no crime. Simply being in a mall and looking around has been known to help relieve stress and make one happy. Make mental notes of what you could get when you have the money.

IFEOMA ODOGWU, SHARON OJONG

TOSIN OGUNDADEGBE.

TOMIWA AND DERIN

Eat Out

Treat yourself to eating out at least one or two weekends a month. It doesn’t have to be at an expensive restaurant.

Plan according to your budget and get some friends to join you! You can plan lunch or dinner dates together if you have a partner.

See a Movie

While this might seem too cliché, watching movies are a sure way to relax. You can either go to the cinema or organize a Netflix and Chill with your friends.

Sip and Paint

You don’t necessarily have to know how to paint before you attend a sip and paint event or go to a sip and paint spot. It is an excellent place to relax, meet people, and do something outside your comfort zone.

Honour Invitations

Don’t be that person everyone loves to have around but hates inviting to events because they don’t show up. When you get invited to weekend events, make some effort to look good and honour the invitation. We know how tempting it can sometimes be to stay indoors and sleep or do nothing, but we implore you to engage in at least two or more of these activities, and you will feel better for it. Say no to boring lifestyles just because it’s comfortable.

Get out there and have some fun!

Host a game night

To spice up your weekend, you can choose to host a game night and invite a few friends. Planning one shouldn’t be too stressful, and you can always enlist at least one of your friends to help. There are lots of information on the web on different types of games you can play during game night. Invite the right blend of people to ensure that it will be fun.

Try out new recipes

If you even remotely like cooking, search for different recipes of foods you regularly make or new food entirely and attempt them. Have a good laugh if you make a mess or enjoy the meal if you get it right, don’t be too hard on yourself.

22

SHIRO

23