Uncutxtra Magazines - Volume 13

UncutXtra Magazine Creatrix Empire Ltd. 20-22 Wenlock Rd, Hoxton, London +44(0)79 5818 3139 Publisher UncutXtra Magazine Ltd Contents© Creatrix Empire Int’l Ltd ISSN 2635-1722 ISSN 2635-1706 UncutXtra Magazine is Published four times a year, and back issues are available uncutxtramagazines.com

VISION Uncutxtra aims to be the number one publication of choice, providing intricate detailing of all things relating to entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, top African acts, and emerging talent within Africa and beyound. UncutXtra prides itself on the continuous development and delivery of insightful, and innovative content, and this remains at the epicentre of all that we do.

Editorial Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Emmanuel Alade OPERATIONS MANAGER Oloruntoba Samuel Olatunji Adebunmi EDITOR

Aghadinuno Adaeze Vivian WRITERS

Aghadinuno Adaeze Vivian Shadrack Akinola Akinboyewa Ola Omobola Adigun Chioma Ezeh INTERVIEWERS Omobolanle Valentina Adigun Chioma Ezeh GRAPHICS DESIGNER Dickson Silas

contact us: enquiries@creatrixempire.com www.creatrixempire.com, www.afrobeatsglobal.com 20-22 Wenlock Rd Hoxton, London N1 7GU

All right reserved. Reproduction of this work without permission is strongly prohibited.

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

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36

MASCOUT

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Preventing Hair Loss

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Time Out with Serwaa Amihere

Interview with Adeoluwa Saga

Memory loss

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Tosin Ajibade Olori Super Gal

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Navigating heartbreak

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30

Interview with Laween Luxury

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Skin Care and Life style

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Sure Klothing

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5 African tribes and their unique practices

Interview with Dr Yerins

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Nutrition For a Radiant Skin

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Posture that reduces back pain

Adeoluwa Saga

F

or this edition of the Uncutxtra magazine theme; Health and beauty, one of the superstar fitness professionals we interviewed is Adeoluwa Saga. AfrobeatsGlobal Presenter Omobolanle Adigun (@omobolanleadigun_) has an interesting conversation with the talented one.

They discussed basic fitness facts, benefits, Saga's personal journey and some other interesting issues.

We all have a perception about who Saga is. By this, I mean that at this point almost everybody can say something about Saga. But how would you describe yourself and your identity?

People love to ask me this question. (Laughs). How would I describe myself and my identity? Let's see.

Well, I like to call myself “the creative”. I've always looked at life slightly differently from other people.

My mind is always so active, trying to whip something up, think of funny jokes, see beauty in a mess. So, I would say I'm a creative, I am an artist.

I'm just trying to survive. I don't know what exactly you want me to say but that's what I can say about myself.

You've said a lot. Coupled with the fact that we know a lot already. Now, it's been a while since you left the Big Brother Naija show. How has life changed for you?

Life has changed a lot. I used to be a very quiet guy, working offshore, I was an engineer. Right now, my life is fully on display for the world to see. it's very different, but life has been good. I'm adjusting; Well, I'm adjusting better than before, but I'm still adjusting to the new life. I am more careful about things I do outside, things I post, because right now, life is a microscope. I'm very cautious about things I say. I'm very deliberate about building my brand as well. I look at life very differently now. Before, I was just living for myself. But now, I'm living consciously, knowing that I am presenting something to others as well.

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One thing about you is that you've consistently grown and you've excelled in the various fields that you've chosen for yourself. You are very unique with your content ideas. How do you generate your unique content ideas?

Well, as I said, my mind is a market place. I was raised to be very dramatic. I used to play a lot with my mom back then. My sisters and I always made jokes. So that's the kind of background I was raised in. So, most times when I'm experiencing life on a day to day, my mind is always just occupied with funny stuff. Like I could be having a conversation with you, and then I would be thinking of jokes in my head that I can't even say out loud because they are just dumb, because I'm creatively inclined. I know how to craft my thoughts into short funny videos on Instagram, because it's one thing to have the idea and another thing to execute it. So gratefully, i can conceive the idea and then I can execute it.

I know a lot about content creation. I always love editing videos. I know how to present things. I know how to sell ideas. So, I just put it out there.

Also, i am realistic with my description of my craft.

I'm not exactly a comedian. I'm not doing comedy. I won't come and say that i do comedy. I'm sure I'm creative. I know that I'm creative but I'm not a comedian. I just know how to package things.

“It’s one thing to have the idea and another thing to execute it”

04

Recently you had an art exhibition. Could you share how it went and what some of the challenges you were faced with while organizing the event were?

The exhibition went wonderfully well. It was beautiful. It really surpassed my expectations, honestly. First of all, some of my pieces, as you all know, are new. So, I was genuinely scared to think about how the public would receive the paintings.

But surprisingly, everybody loved it. I only got a few weird comments, but in general, it was good.

One of the pictures I posted on my Instagram has the highest likes on my whole page. So, it's so interesting that two years after the house, I still top my highest likes. Because people told me sometime after I came out of the house that i was already declining.

It's been over two years. I think the exhibition was able to put me on the map again. A lot of people came. And the whole point of an exhibition is to show your art. A lot of people were moved by my creative process. A lot of people made posts on it daily. It was everywhere online. Most of the celebrities came by, It was the most popular picture online. It was fun. It was good. To the glory of God, so many pieces that I didn't sell, I would go on to exhibit them this month in Europe.

About the challenges, the first challenge I would say was that I had some issues with the gallery. I don't want to defame them or anything. But I had some issues with the location. Some things were instigated clearly when I was getting into an agreement with them. But it's something I won’t want to really highlight here. But then everything is resolved now. So, I had some issues with the gallery.

And then a few people that came by complained that my works were pricey, which is okay. It's okay to me anyways. I don't mind, because I don't think art is supposed to be cheap. You know, so that's okay. If you cannot afford it, that's fine. You can just admire it and then talk to someone that can buy it. It's hard to explain, but we Nigerians are getting there. The truth is we don't really understand what 'Art is worth.' But we are getting there, God willing.

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What inspires your kind of Art work?

I'm a very emotional person. I like to highlight emotional health. I like to speak to people about it. I like to make people understand it. I put a lot of attention to emotional health and the stability of our minds. Most of my artworks are very simple. It's just talking about my struggles or struggles that I see other people going through. They are all emotional pieces trying to provoke your thought process making you reflect on yourself and maybe some parts of your life.

You know, some people that bought artworks bought it simply because they could relate to it. A client came and then she was talking to me about an art, as soon as I explained the artwork, she just bought it instantly. This is because she felt like that was her at some point in her life. That's the whole point of my art. It's supposed to help you reflect on yourself.

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In terms of profitability, how profitable is the art business?

Well, I wouldn't advise any artist to focus on art alone. For instance, I have my work as an influencer, I have my work as a fitness coach and a couple of other things that I'm currently doing.

Your money as an artist wouldn't come on a daily basis, not every exhibition will you sell out except you are the most wanted artist and even if you are the most wanted artist, it's only going to come per season. You might be the most wanted artist now, but you might not be the most wanted artist in another 10 years.

The business is profitable but I wouldn’t advise you to put all your eggs in one basket if you're going to do arts.

Try to also diversify, in order to have backups.

The money shouldn't be your drive because you won’t be able to create with an honest mindset, that's the critical part.

What motivated you to pursue a career as a Fitness coaching?

That one, Since I was little, I've always loved to get people to work out with me. I've always loved it. You know when I was even an engineer back then, I would always do my exercise with my team, I would be gingering all my colleagues, all my bosses, my engineers and be motivating them to work out with me.

Also, I always like to get people to dance, to work out. When we were at Big Brother’s house, I was almost always training them. It wasn't a strategy. I didn't even really plan to do it. Somehow, I just took up the mantle and I was training people just because I love to.

I don't want to waste the passion because I feel like I'm so talented and I should try to live up to my talents and use them to my fullest.

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Did your passion lead to the establishment of Saga Fitness Club? And I would also like you to tell us more about the Saga Fitness Club.

Oh, okay. My Saga Fitness Club for now is Instagram and YouTube based. You know? I have a YouTube channel; I have an Instagram page. You can find me on YouTube “Saga’s Fitness Club” You can subscribe. I post workout videos that you can do while in your home, easy to do with no equipments needed. You don't have to go to a gym to build your muscle or to lose weight, for instance.

You can do it in the comfort of your home. So that's the whole idea. No excuses. Just come to the club and workout along with me.

The bigger plan is to eventually have a gym of my own or maybe before that, organize some fitness events where like minds can come together and work out in a fun environment. You know? And that's the whole idea of Saga’s Fitness Club.

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Each Fitness brand claims that they have their own techniques. Could you share some of your own fundamental fitness techniques with us as a fitness coach?

Well, I like to tell people that they can achieve their goals at home. I feel like that's the main problem with most Nigerians. They don't have time to go to the gym. If you're not stuck in traffic, you're running to the office, if you're not chasing the bag, cooking the meal, you are doing one thing or the other. I try to tell people that you can work out at home. You can stay fit and healthy, eat right, all from the comfort of your home and even on a budget. what are the significant health benefits of regular exercise at the gym?

I'll start by saying, whether you're slim, fat, short, tall, medium, overweight, you should go to the gym.

Although It depends on your fitness goals actually.

But generally, going to the gym is for your heart, your lungs, your skin, your brain health, your mental health and many more not excluding physical changes.

For instance, a slim person sometimes can climb the stairs and start panting heavily. It's not normal. You should be quick on your feet. Some people can't stand for one hour, their joints will start hurting.

Some people can't squat to pick up something, they stand up with bad posture because their knees are VOLUME 13

not strong enough. So it's not only because of loosing weight that people go to the gym, some go to the gym to add weight.

If you stress your muscle and you tear your muscle, and you get enough sleep, enough diet, or enough protein, your muscle will grow. It is a must. It's garbage in, garbage out. If you can have thicker thighs, thicker bones, thicker arms, you will look fuller, you will look healthier. Honestly. But it depends on your diet and what exactly you are doing at the gym, you need to do it right. After I stop working out, like, as soon as I stop going to the gym, I will start losing weight on scale, because my muscle mass drops.

There's something called caloric deficit and caloric surplus. You are either at a caloric deficit or you are at a caloric surplus. What does it mean to be in a caloric deficit? Now, if you are consuming more than you are burning, you are consuming more calories than you are burning calories then you are at a caloric surplus and you will definitely add weight. If you are consuming less than you are burning, eating less than your body is burning calories, you will lose weight.

I eat like I'm taking medicine and I work out accordingly. I eat chicken, I eat eggs, I eat yam, I eat oats, I eat potatoes and I eat three times a day.

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What specific areas of fitness do you specialize in and what factors influenced your choice?

Basically, I would say I am more of an aesthetic built trainer. If you look at me now, I wouldn't go about training somebody that wants to become Mr. Macho. This is because I don't even look that way. I can make you fit, I can train you to lose weight, I can train you to stay healthy, I build lean muscle mass and all these areas are what I focus on.

What inspired your niche?

For me, most of my mentors are not the bulkiest people. For instance, Michael jordan, even though he's added a lot of weight now because of the movie role he's taking, usually he just looks smart. A body like that of Toby Bradbury, that's what I love to help people achieve.

On a lighter note, there is this very popular statement that there are certain exercises that contribute to enhancing a woman buttocks. How accurate is this claim?

The body always adapts. So, when you take your arm now, I pick up the weight and start doing bicep curls, I pick up weight and start squeezing it up, I'm training my bicep, my arms. Whenever I get home, sleep or wake up, my arms will be hurting. I don’t know if you experience that before?

Your muscles will be hurting when you train them because you have torn your muscle fibers. You have torn it. Now, once you get adequate rest and you eat enough protein, there will be protein synthesis in your muscle and your muscle will grow stronger and bigger. That's how people grow muscle. You tear it and in the process of repair, your muscle will improve to adapt. You know what I mean? It's more like adaptation, you tear your muscle and then it grows to adapt to that last pressure.

So, your buttocks bone is called the gluteus muscle.

Buttocks is a muscle so the more you push up, push it, stretch the muscle, tear it, and the more you eat a lot of protein, it will definitely grow in size, because it's a muscle.

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I can't say the same for breast because breast is not exactly muscle tissue. Breast is fatty tissue.

When I talk about muscle mass, your muscles can grow when you put them under tension and eat right. You have to eat protein. Yes, the food is the fuel, it's the fuel for the muscle to grow. If not, your body will be feeding off itself. This is because the muscle needs to feed on protein to grow.

As a fitness expert, do you believe the fitness industry is receiving the attention that it deserves?

Yes. Fitness is picking up in Nigeria so fast. Look at companies like iFitness. It's picking up so fast.

People are recognizing the need to stay fit more and more.

I feel like our parents were naturally healthier than us because their lifestyle was very engaging unlike ours. But the good thing is, right now, you see people jogging in the morning. You see people going to the gym in the evening. People are picking up and it's a good culture.

What are some challenges that the fitness industry is still faced with at the moment?

Well, I still don't think we have enough gyms.

Honestly, most times you have to drive to a gym and this shouldn't be. Also, I believe on the same topic, companies and estates should have their own gyms so that staff members can come in the morning and use the gym during breaks. Estates should also have at least one gym and they should put more attention to health and fitness.

I also think there's a lot of misconception and myths flying around. A lot of people don't understand what fitness is. Some people will tell you that if you go to the gym, you will be shorter. There's a lot of weird myths flying around that is hindering people from going to the gym.

They say women shouldn't lift weights because you'll turn into a man. It is a lie. These are also challenges as well. Maybe one last one would be that the cost of subscriptions should become more affordable.

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Can you share any success stories of any of your clients who achieved their fitness goals under your guidance?

I have a couple of them. I don't want to mention names. I have a lot of people that have dropped weights. You know I actually run a fitness club online.

I have a group on WhatsApp where I relate to them one on one. It's been truly successful. I used to relate to them one on one. We do personal video calls on our WhatsApp group. We do Zoom calls every weekend. So, all of them were working out in the comfort of their homes and they were actually getting great results.

Unfortunately, I couldn't continue when I came out of the house because I can't give my number to the public that way anymore. But then, I hope to get back to a place like that and develop a fitness app. I will get there eventually. All of them truly had beautiful stories to tell.

Even in the house when I was training Queen, LiquoRose and some others, they all said beautiful things about their bodies back then.

As a Cute, creative Superstar, how do you handle the attention from the opposite sex at the gym? (laughs) How do I say this? Most times, when people come into my DMs, they always say nice stuff. Most times, I just read it, just laugh and move on because I don’t have strength. It's not just my style. I don't roll that way. I'm sure a lot of you saw me in the house. I don't really roll that way. When people compliment me in public, I appreciate them and I just move on.

I just say 'Thank you so much. I appreciate it.' because I'm very shy. When people come up to me and say, Saga, you're so fine in person. You're so cute. I would want to enter the ground, I'm not joking. I'm very shy when it comes to compliments. I'll just move on as fast as I can.

At, this point in your life, what are you most grateful for?

My family and friends, honestly. My family has been so supportive to me.

My life has been a roller coaster, honestly. One time, I was an engineer, now, I've dragged everybody in my family into the limelight because of my surname. Saga is my surname, all my family members around the world, were casted because I was on a show.

So, my family has been so supportive with no judgment whatsoever. There's been so much drama in my life because of people, but I always have my family and friends back me up. Also because I'm not the kind of person that makes friends so easily, I stick to my old friends for my support system. That's what I'm grateful for.

What are your aspirations for saga brand in the next five years In the next five years, I would like to have done more global exhibitions. I want to have inspired a lot of young artists. I want to be able to train people in the arts industry and not just in Fitness. I also want to have my own fitness app and fitness gym in five years’ time. I want to own a place where people can come in and have fun because I like to have fun. So my best bet is a fitness gym where you can come in and catch cruise. Life is too serious already.

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10

Tips to improve MEMORY Shadrack Akinola

D

o you ever find yourself forgetting things more often than you'd like?

Memory loss, or the occasional slip of forgetfulness, is a common concern for many individuals. But don't worry! There are plenty of techniques and strategies you can use to give your memory a boost. Here are ten tips that will not only improve your memory but also make it a fun and engaging journey:

Master the Art of Organization: Complex information can be overwhelming, so break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Utilize nifty techniques like categorization, visualization, and mnemonic devices to organize and remember important details.

Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle: Get moving with regular exercise, nourish your brain with a balanced diet, and always try to sleep, this will help tackle stress head on. These lifestyle factors promote overall brain health, making a positive impact on your memory.

Practice Makes Perfect: Repetition is the key to retaining memories. Review information or concepts multiple times to reinforce your memory.

Challenge yourself to recall information without relying on external sources to enhance retrieval

Keep Your Brain on Its Toes: Treat your brain to stimulating activities like reading, solving puzzles, learning new skills or languages, or even playing memoryenhancing games. By keeping your brain active and challenged, you can supercharge your memory function.

The Power of Routine: Establishing a daily routine creates a structured environment that supports memory. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, designate specific times for activities like studying or exercising, and establish regular patterns for essential tasks.

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Picture It in Your Mind: Visualize concepts or information by creating mental images or associations.

Connect new information to familiar objects or places to enhance memory recall. Your mind's eye will become a powerful tool for remembering.

Engage All Your Senses: Why rely on just one sense when you can involve multiple senses in the learning process?

Read information aloud, write it down, and try to connect it with visual or sensory cues. The more senses you engage, the better your memory retention.

Tidy Up Your Spaces: A clutter-free environment helps reduce external distractions and improves focus.

Organize your physical and digital spaces using calendars, to-do lists, and reminders. By managing tasks effectively, you'll alleviate memory-related stress.

Zone In and Minimize Distractions: Creating an environment conducive to concentration and memory formation is crucial. Say goodbye to excessive noise, interruptions, and multitasking. By minimizing distractions, you'll pave the way for stronger memory consolidation.

Nurturing Your Emotional Well-being: Did you know that emotional well-being and memory are closely linked?

High levels of stress, anxiety, or depression can impact your memory performance. Prioritize self-care, practice stress management techniques, and seek support when needed.

Remember, everyone's memory abilities vary, so be patient and consistent as you embark on your memory improvement journey. And if you have concerns about significant or persistent memory loss, it's always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance. Your memory deserves the best care!

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TosinSuper Ajibade Gal

I

n this edition of Uncutxtra magazine theme "Beauty and Health," Afrobeat presenter Chioma Ezeh had an intriguing conversation with the superstar blogger, Tosin Ajibade, also known as Olori Super gal. Tosin is a prominent blogger who specializes in sharing valuable tips and advice on health and beauty When did you start pursuing blogging as a career?

I started in 2010. At that time, I didn't anticipate its future significance. However, things started to improve in 2012. We began attracting more clients and expanded to other platforms.

Can you kindly share some of your beauty tips?

Maintaining a good appearance and pleasant fragrance are integral to my business. Investing in perfumes, rollons, and body oils is important, as each serves a different purpose. These steps are crucial for looking and smelling good. Additionally, prioritize pedicures, manicures, listen to your body's needs, and rest when necessary. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is also essential.

Can you give us some health tips?

While I'm not the best person to provide health tips, I recommend that women seeking to lose or gain weight consult a nutritionist or dietitian. They can provide proper guidance on the necessary procedures. It's important not to blindly follow online trends. Just because someone drinks smoothies morning, afternoon, and night doesn't mean it's suitable for everyone. Each person's body may require different nutrients, such as potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, etc.

In my case, I consulted a nutritionist, underwent tests, and had doctor's appointments before adopting a specific diet. It's crucial to listen to your body's unique needs and not solely follow popular trends.

Regarding your social media page, how did it get seized?

The experience of having our social media page seized was truly painful, and even thinking about it hurts. We had just completed a training session and were ready to move on to other tasks when we discovered that we VOLUME 13

couldn't access our social media page anymore. We immediately contacted Meta (formerly Facebook) and requested them to rectify the issue, but unfortunately, no action was taken. Consequently, I made a video explaining what had happened and informed my team that we needed to create a second page as a precaution.

This backup account is also growing as we redirected our followers to it.

In the event that we recover the previous account, we can rest assured that we have a backup in place.

What are the key factors that contributed to your success as a celebrity blogger?

Several factors have contributed to our success as a celebrity blogger. First and foremost, our commitment to the right values has been instrumental. Discipline has played a vital role in our journey, as we have remained persistent in all our endeavors. Additionally, failure, although demoralizing for many, has motivated us to become better individuals instead of allowing it to hinder us.

What's your opinion about bleaching and BBL? Regarding bleaching, it is a prevalent practice in society, and everyone has the freedom to make their own choices regarding what they believe suits their body and enhances their beauty. Each person can choose their path based on their self-perception. As for BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) and other similar procedures, opinions may vary among individuals.

What advice do you have for hardworking young ladies who are working tirelessly but haven't seen any results yet? Some of these individuals view you as someone who has achieved great success and aspire to be like you, while others may be discouraged and abandon their projects. What advice do you have for both groups?

For all the hardworking individuals striving to establish themselves in their respective industries, it's essential to understand that great achievements don't come easily.

Working smart, rather than just working hard, is the key.

Networking with successful people who can guide and advise you is crucial. Joining networks and communities allows you to stay informed about developments in

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various industries. Moreover, finding a mentor who is genuinely invested in your growth, even during their busiest times, is invaluable. A mentor should be someone who can actively support and guide you, as opposed to merely a role model whom you admire from a distance.

Women should prioritize working smart instead of working excessively hard, as audacity is what's required to thrive in different industries.

What was Tosin Ajibade like before Olori Super Gal? Tosin Ajibade remains the same person, regardless of the business name "Olori Super Gal."

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NAVIGATING

HEARTBREAK Overcoming the Pain and Moving Forward

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esponses to various situations vary among individuals, and frequently, the way we respond to circumstances influences the consequences they have on us. The conclusion of a romantic relationship, for instance, leaves behind a wave of emotional pain and unhappiness referred to as heartbreak. This aftermath significantly affects both males and females. Despite the overpowering nature of heartbreak, it's important to acknowledge the possibilities of healing. There exist practical strategies for overcoming the pain and adopting a more optimistic path forward.

The Emotional Toll Heartbreak can take a toll on the emotional well-being of both men and women. Feelings of sadness, grief, anger, and loneliness are common responses to the loss of a romantic relationship. It is important to acknowledge and accept these emotions rather than suppressing them. Both genders may experience a sense of emptiness and a lack of motivation, which can contribute to a general feeling of depression.

Seeking Support During times of heartbreak, it is crucial for men and women to seek support from their trusted- loved ones.

Talking about their feelings with friends and family who truly care, or a therapist can provide a much-needed outlet for emotional release. Engaging in meaningful conversations allows individuals to process their emotions, gain perspective, and receive guidance on how to navigate their healing journey.

Self-Care and Self-Reflection To overcome heartbreak, it is essential to prioritize self-care. Both men and women should engage in activities that promote their well-being and self-esteem. This may include exercising, practicing mindfulness or meditation, pursuing hobbies, or pampering oneself. Self-reflection is also important during this time. Taking the opportunity to understand personal needs, desires, and patterns can lead to personal growth and a clearer understanding of future relationship expectations.

Time and Patience Healing from heartbreak takes time and patience. It is essential for both men and women to recognize that the process of moving on is gradual and unique to each individual. Rather than rushing the healing process, it is important to allow oneself the necessary time to heal fully. Patience, self-compassion, and understanding are key ingredients for moving forward and rebuilding a fulfilling life.

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Positive Distractions Engaging in positive distractions can be beneficial when recovering from heartbreak. Both men and women can focus on activities that bring joy and fulfillment. This may include pursuing new hobbies, setting and achieving personal goals, exploring new interests, or spending time with supportive friends.

These distractions not only help to fill the void left by the breakup but also contribute to personal growth and a renewed sense of purpose.

Embracing Growth and New Beginnings Heartbreak can be an opportunity for personal growth and transformation. Both men and women should embrace the chance to rediscover themselves and redefine their identities outside of the r e l a t i o n s h i p. E n g a g i n g i n s e l f improvement, setting new goals, and cultivating a positive mindset can pave the way for exciting new beginnings. It is essential to remember that heartbreak does not define one's worth or future prospects for happiness.

Conclusion Heartbreak can be a deeply distressing experience for both men and women, often accompanied by feelings of depression and sadness. However, by seeking support, practicing self-care, allowing time for healing, and embracing personal growth, it is possible to overcome heartbreak and move forward with renewed strength and optimism.

Remember, the end of one chapter signifies the beginning of another, and healing from heartbreak can lead to a brighter and more fulfilling future.

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Interview with

Dr Yerin's

In this edition of our magazine, which is a health and beauty edition, Chioma Ezeh had a very interesting conversation with a super star medical doctor who made sure to educate and enlighten us.

I know you as Dr. Yerins, some know Yerins as a rapper, others Yerins as an artist. Now that will bring me to ask who is Yerins Abraham?

Yerins, in very simple terms will be defined as a very curious person, who is not bounded by the specificities of the societal profession. It’s k ind of a renaissance person, I am very curious about stuff concerning life and I question everything. I do not subject myself to the societal norm of. if you are great at one thing then every other thing you can't be great at it and because of that, I tend to put my 100% into everything. It's not like I do everything at once, how I work is I focus on one thing making sure that I put in my 100% and bring out 100% from it too and then I go to the next thing. Over the years, I have de velop ed mys elf as someone who can be doing multiple things at the same time and bring out the best results from those things, those things don't necessarily have to be related. In summary, I am just someone that's not bounded by societal norms and a very curious person.

Are you still a practicing medical doctor, if yes what is your area of specialty?

I did specialize in cardiology. I did practice a little when I came back to Nigeria but I wasn’t so comfortable with just sitting down in the hospital. I had to tell myself that I will try to explore the world more. Although the plan is when I come back to medicine, it will be more of a research medicine, working with international bodies like the UN or World Health Organization in terms of doing research for hearts and, even neuroscience, I’m very interested in that. Maybe I would want to do more studies in neuroscience. Well, that is my current path in medicine. But since I stopped, I've been, delving into other parts like, my art.

When I introduce myself, I tell people that the reason why I studied medicine was because it’s the only thing I couldn’t learn at home.

There are always some myths f ly ing around the world, especially in areas of health, can you share with us any of the common myths you always encounter in your professional aspect?

There are some myths people will not agree with me, one of them being that I don't think that tea necessarily helps people lose weight, it doesn't. The mindset that you will lose weight is very powerful because in medicine there is something called a VOLUME 13

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placebo effect where people give you a drug that doesn't necessarily help with whatever you're going through but because you think that the drug will help you, it will work. There is nothing to prove that taking slim tea helps you to reduce weight, I've taken my time to figure that out, and outside what I learned in school, I have done some personal research on it and there is no concrete evidence to back up the effect of slim teas. But like I said the belief that you will lose weight makes it work plus most of the time the people that take slime teas also exercise and that’s the major thing because tea itself is just a myth. It doesn't work.

Another one is people talk about how when you smoke it affects your heart and the rest, but other people have a different opinion, which is they would rather take weed or SK because it would not affect your heart it would even help it since it's like medicinal and the rest. Can you help us clear this up?

Cigarettes are nicotine and nicotine doesn't have more brain effects. It's more like a snack, something you can get addicted to because it's enjoyable. In as much as it doesn't have much effect on your brain it has many effects on your lungs because of course it's smoke and you're putting unhealthy carbon monoxide in your body and definitely, over some time you're going to have issues with your lungs. For weed, it's still smoke

but then people don't take weed as much as cigarettes, thereby reducing the amount of smoke intake that gets to the lungs. At the same time, no matter the amount of smoke you take it will still affect your brain, it fries it. it opens the pleasure centers in your brain, you feel lots of serotonin, and dopamine in your body.

It's very enjoyable, but at the same time, it has its negative effect over time especially during your old age, even before getting to your old age you will figure out that you are aging more than you should.

Let's say you're 35 but you are already behaving like you are 50, 55, 60, 70 so it's something that ages you faster. Weighing it, the side effect is more when not regulated. Addictive things like nicotine or weed, even if it's good to an extent in terms of strength, agility, awareness, and all that, need to be regulated or banned because humans cannot control their impulses. we think we can but we overestimate our ability to control our impulses.

Your education and most of your life were spent in Ukraine, you had a good thing going on there, why come back to Nigeria?

Well, one of the reasons why I came back was because while in Ukraine, I was also known as the Polymath. I was doing music, I was doing art, I did art exhibitions I also had a fashion brand where we organized the first African fashion show in Eastern Europe, I did so many other things. I was on TV stations and all that I was just a popular foreign student but when I got to my 5th/6th year in medical school I felt that there is no challenge for me, that if I am this good I could travel anywhere in the world, and if I can't show my talent in my own country then I don't deserve to be called a polymath that's when I decided to come back to my country and at least try to do what I need to do.

When I came back everybody, of course, told me why are you coming back? What are you doing? Because I got opportunities in Germany and some other countries to continue practicing. When I came back, I was a little bit pressured by family to continue in my medical line, I tried but the reason why I came back wasn't to necessarily sit down in a hospital and be working, it was more to explore the country, see what I can do and inspire people. I have to put myself out there and that was when I heard about the reality show Big Brother, I auditioned for the Big Brother reality show.

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The aim was to define myself inside the house and keep defining myself when I come out.

The journey has been crazy but I have to always remind myself that there's a reason why I came here.

It was when I came here that I did one of my best artworks, it's called the index, I used the whole of lockdown to create that artwork, it took me the whole year. I also published my book. I get lots of emails from time to time from people who are inspired by my work. I'm still on the journey of establishing myself and inspiring Nigerians.

As a cardiologist first of all, you've heard the story that happened recently, which involved a doctor, that lost her life and then there was a protest by doctors, You schooled in Ukraine Did you ever experience any situation like that? Because we know that we've had doctors complain about a lot of things and how they don't take care of them in Nigeria Is that the case in Ukraine or it's something new?

I feel like the government is one of the biggest issues here which contributed to one of the reasons why I wasn't so motivated in practicing medicine here plus everybody is self-centered here and there's lots of nepotism and those two when you combine it brings inefficiency in any workplace and our system that is being bodied by the government is very faulty and to me, that's the biggest issue.

Medicine in Ukraine, they don't pay doctors too much, you might get like five hundred dollars and that's your salary and you see that doctors are happy because they get other benefits like a free apartment and transportation, there are lots of freebies maybe lunch and snacks. It's very efficient and you can see that someone that is living as a doctor will have a very comfortable life, their motive is not to overluxuriate the profession but to make sure that any individual that practices it is as comfortable as possible. Over here, most of my colleagues that are currently practicing complain to me a lot, the pay isn't much, the facilities are bad they don't even update the facilities.

which is uptown in Abuja, he was like even in an area like that you barely see any good car at the hospitals, and when you see, that car must belong to a female doctor which was gotten for her by her husband. Being a doctor is a very serious profession and people sacrifice the whole of their life for it. Most of my colleagues say to them it is a hobby they can't take it as a profitable profession anymore it's crazy over here in Nigeria. In Ukraine, they will tell you that they don't have much to fund the doctors but they will make sure that your life is comfortable. If a doctor's life is comfortable here in Nigeria, I don't think the complaint will be as much, but you're not paying well and at the same time you're not making their lives Come to think of it, imagine a comfortable that is where the doctor is doing his or her problem comes in. horsemanship, and the main doctor in the hospital tends to Per s on a l l y, w h at are t h e overuse the House officer. Most of challenges that you faced during these main doctors work multiple your early days in school? jobs, they work for a government hospital and also work for a I will say a little about when I private hospital, so when they see came back to Nigeria too, but first that a young doctor is coming into of all, I will talk about when I was the hospital, they tend to give in school, my challenges were most of the work to that young more like it took me time to get doctor and if you complain, their used to dead bodies, there were excuse is that they passed through lots of dead bodies but over time the same suffer during their own you have to start seeing it as part time. What does that even mean? of the learning process.

The individuals as well as the In Ukraine, I do not have more government are the problem. challenges, especially in the They aren't taking it easy on the medical part doctor. I was in Abuja and I went But I think that's just me, I know to visit one of my colleagues who some of my colleagues must have are also practicing, he says at had challenges but their school Maitama, system in general is very nice VOLUME 13

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because it focuses more on practical than theory. That's because the profession needs more practical work than objectives, you can get all the As but when you get to the hospital can you do the work by yourself? One thing I learned when I came back to Nigeria because Nigeria has a different system, which is mainly dictating books for me and I was so mad because I came here to, be involved in the practical aspect and you guys are dictating books for me. I didn't attend those classes anymore because it's not something that I feel will be of any benefit to me but most Nigerians, of course, stayed back and did that.

You see a medical doctor with big books it's not a do-or-die affair it's medicine and that's something that I feel is a challenge.

Now respect to you being a polymath: Polymaths are known for their insatiable curiosity. What recent topics or fields have you been exploring, and what motivated you to delve into them?

I am writing a book currently, in my life I am always curious about things, and I tend to bring out theories and publish these theories .I always tell myself that one of the purposes for people like me is to provide something for the future generation to feed on. So over the years, I brought out theories in love, and I brought out theories on life. Currently, I'm delving into the word "Manifestation" because I feel like it's intriguing.

I'm writing a book on it, and although it's just in its early stages, I venture into this because the idea of manifestation is something I cannot grasp I feel it's something that you cannot explain scientifically, but it exists. Just like the placebo effect I mentioned earlier, they are all kinds of manifestations and when people tell you that, say something positive about yourself every morning you wake up It might sound like nothing but it's very powerful and these are things that I've experimented and spoken to people about. it's something that's just blowing my mind because I can't grasp it. Many other theories already exist that I'm writing about or trying to modify based on this manifestation where life isn't necessarily the way we have been thinking. There are parts of our brain that we haven't explored in terms of like, saying stuff to yourself and your brain automatically heals. I have studied the brain a lot and nobody has been able to pinpoint how those things work. It's something that I am very curious about. Another instance is the fact that different religions have miracles so where is this miracle? Where is the true God if you want to think about this? all these are questions that I'm very curious about. So manifestation is just something that I'm working on

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Being able to understand why this is this and figuring out answers to your unending question, is it draining for you or is it something that you enjoy doing?

Well, let me say something, in 2021 I was working on the theory of love and It made me someone that same year I entered the Big Brother house, it affected me big-time and I haven't told people about this but I went to a very deep place philosophically and it was so deep that it made me socially awkward, it was when I came out of the house that I had to stop everything. Most times when I get into those deep thinking I tend to be very nerdy and introverted and I won't stop till I get to a level where I am comfortable with the knowledge I have gained. I'm a very introverted person and right now I have three managers. One is for how I am going to be portrayed outside as, a social media manager and art manager. They are the ones that push me to put myself out there. So all those thinking and curiosity takes me to a very deep place I won't lie, it makes me stop whatever I am doing till I get my answers. The truth is if I am not this dedicated , I won't get what I want because our brain loves distractions, so you have to tell yourself that you want to get there. Of course in Nigeria, there's lots of suffering and most people don't have time for the kind of things I want to give them right now, so it's fine because I am not planning to reach only Nigerians but the world at large because I hear people talking about other great people that made differences in the world like this a french philosopher who talked about Democracy and it changed the world, Einstein created this and I'm waiting for an African person to bring out something that can help change the world. I know it's possible but then in Nigeria, we pull ourselves down, and that is it. I have tried to change myself but it's not working so I have embraced who I am, but thank God I have a team that pushes me to have a balance

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As a polymath, your abilities might be perceived differently by others how do you deal with that?

My abilities might be perceived differently by others. For most people that know me when I was in school the only thing they feel like I should do is practice medicine because of how good I was.

Although so far, nobody has questioned me for being who I am, because if you get to know me well and see all my work you will know I have put in a lot of work to get it done. I'm not trying to be pretentious by calling myself a polymath, even before I decided to call myself a polymath I told myself that I am going to work hard to deserve being called a polymath. To me there is the whole world that I am trying to conquer, so like I said I haven't had people disapprove of who I am except the haters which I understand.

There is this saying that goes Jack of all trades uh trade is Master of none but we see What you do and it's almost like you're good at everything except the other part that we spoke about but what are your secrets?

That quote I get a lot even my father has told me that, but let me say in life how people perceive things in two ways we can either perceive things objectively or subjectively. Objectively is "Rain is falling" and this you cannot change "Then there is "I like Rain" This now you can change because you can either like rain or hate it and that is subjective.

So the statement "Jack of all trades" is the Objective of that statement, and "Master of none" is the subjective of the statement, so most people that say it are people that have tried a lot of things and it didn't work out for them. What works for some people cannot work for others, and like I was saying about manifestation when you say those words more often to yourself it tends to work that way for you. again people now use the "master of none" as the objective of the statement which is not supposed to be.

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You mentioned a lot of problems that we have or challenges that we have like in the Medical space right now in Nigeria is there any part where you've applied knowledge from multiple domains to find a unique solution or is there something that you're working on to ensure that some of the issues that we have in the medical space are reduced?

I and a friend of mine are working on a program called Prevention is Better than Cure where, we tend to create some awareness over, some of the easiest things like diabetes, hygiene, typhoid fever, and Malaria. In Ukraine, they don't joke with Malaria, if you have malaria they will quarantine you for 7 days unlike here in Nigeria. Some things could be done to prevent this Malaria, something like mosquito nets because I have stayed in a place where there is mosquito and they said they will take drugs in the morning and that is not proper, meanwhile mosquito nets aren't up to 2000 Naria you could just buy it and save yourself a lot of stress.

Brands that make mosquito nets could have been more creative like putting a technology that will make the nets go up when you don't need them. All these are preventions people could capitalize on because Malaria kills. Dirty water everywhere, waste bins around residential areas, and most people don't care about prevention, they just wait till they are sick and run to the doctor, these are the reasons why I started this program “Prevention is better than Cure”. The program is prevention is better than cure, we not only educate people because you can talk today they will go to the house and not implement what you said, so we collaborate with people and provide facilities to help prevent things that can make people come to the hospital.

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Do you have any healthy tips that you can leave for us concerning taking care of the human hearts any tips at all?

One of the things that people underestimate is exercise, you mustn't have to do the acrobatics or go to the GYM, but every day at least if you're mesomorphic that means you tend to gain weight, do some jogging, burn some calories then if you're ectomorphic that means you're like me that is very slim, try to do some push-ups and some stretching, so exercise that's one it helps.

Quit smoking and avoid staying in smoky areas. One thing I will tell people that haven't started smoking is not to start at all and if you are already smoking, I will advise you to take it in moderation. I won't say stop because it is a personal thing.

Another one is alcohol telling you the truth, there is no single thing it adds to the body it's better not to take it, and if you must then take it in moderation. For people up to 50 years and above, I will advise you to avoid stress and learn to manage your stress both physically and mentally. For older people, if you have felt a heart attack or cardiac infarction go to the doctor and track your blood pressure from time to time. The last one is to control your cholesterol.

NUTRITION FOR A RADIANT

SKIN FOODS AND FRUITS THAT ENHANCES BEAUTY

by Aghadinuno Adaeze

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adiant skin is a reflection of a healthy mind, body and soul. This all goes down first to what we put inside our body, which means putting effort into a healthy and balanced diet. Taking anything in the name of food endangers our skin beyond imagination.

Achievement of healthy and glowing skin is possible with the right and appropriate food and fruits.

FISH: fish, especially fatty fish like sardines, mackerel and salmon are perfect omega-3 fatty acid sources, which helps in keeping the skin moisturized, reducing skin inflammation like acne, eczema. Fish intake goes as far as helping to prevent the effects of UV radiation on the skin and provides Zinc and Vitamin E which are very essential for maintaining healthy skin.

TOMATOES: tomatoes contain Vitamin C, which promotes the production of Collagen, this provides elasticity and structures to the skin. Tomatoes are rich in Lycopene, this prevents premature aging and skin damage, also the natural acids present in tomatoes like malic acid and citric acid helps in skin brightening and toning.

NUTS AND SEEDS: Some nuts like walnuts, almonds and seeds like chia seeds have essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. These nuts help in maintaining the skin moisture, promote the skin’s healthy complexion and reduce skin inflammation. Nuts are also rich in fiber which aids in digestion and helps in absorption of the needed nutrients. They can be eaten as snacks, or used in baking and in cooking. However, never forget that Nuts and seeds are calorie-dense so they should be consumed in moderation.

LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLES: Vegetables green color comes from chlorophyll pigment and this has been known to help in improving healing of wounds and reduce acne. Vegetables like broccoli, spinach and kale are all rich in Vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as in iron and calcium all these help in protecting the skin from damage and and improve the skin complexion in general. Vegetables could be enjoyed raw in salads, then add them to your different meals. Never forget to go for varieties of leafy green vegetables so as to gain from their unique nutrients.

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AVOCADOS: Avocados have high content of phytonutrients (flavonoids and polyphenols), these compounds help calm redness, reduce inflammation and contribute to skin hydration. Avocados have a very high water content and this helps to prevent dehydration of the skin and promote a better skin complexion. With them containing other nutrients like; magnesium, potassium and folate they help for overall skin health and vitality. Avocados are an excellent source of Vitamin E, which protects the skin from stress and promotes skin healing and reduces inflammation.

CUCUMBERS: Cucumbers have natural cooling effects on the skin. These cooling effects help to improve the appearance of the skin, while using cucumber slices on the eyes helps to reduce puffiness and remove the appearance of dark circles. Intake of cucumber, gives the skin a refreshed and rejuvenated look. Cucumbers are a large source of Vitamin C and beta-carotene, which helps to reduce the risk of aging prematurely, skin stress, irritation of the skin and promote overall skin health.

SWEET POTATOES: Sweet potatoes are not just sweet they are rich in Vitamin C which produces collagen and this helps in provision of structure and elasticity to the skin. The natural sugars and fiber that are contained in sweet potatoes help in retaining moisture in the skin. Thereby preventing skin dryness. Due to their high anti-inflammatory effects they help to calm some skin conditions like acne, eczema, or rosacea.

CARROTS: carrots offer a lot of benefits when it comes to skin health; starting from them being rich in Vitamin A which helps in protecting the skin from damage, supporting new skin cells production, reducing aging signs and promotion of healthy complexion. The presence of antioxidants in Carrots helps to prevent the damages the sun might cause to the skin. Again the presence of beta-carotene gives the skin a good tint, skin tone it and imparts a healthy glow.

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TURMERIC: Turmeric is a yellow spice commonly used in cooking, especially in Indian cuisine. It contains a compound called curcumin, which is believed to have various health benefits. While turmeric is not a magical cure-all, it does have some potential advantages for both health and beauty.

Curcumin which is contained in Tumeric has shown promise in improving brain health and potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. It goes as far as reducing acne and improves skin complexion.

PAPAYA: The high levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants in papaya contribute to maintaining healthy skin. These antioxidants help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, promote collagen synthesis, and improve the overall appearance of the skin. Papaya is also used in skincare products for its exfoliating and brightening properties.

Achieving radiant and healthy skin goes beyond external skincare routines. Proper nutrition plays a significant role in enhancing beauty from within. By incorporating certain foods and fruits into your diet, you can nourish your skin with essential nutrients and promote a vibrant complexion.

Remember, achieving radiant skin is a holistic approach that combines a healthy diet with a proper skincare routine and other lifestyle factors such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management. By nourishing your body from the inside out, you can enhance your natural beauty and achieve a glowing, radiant complexion.

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WORK POSTURE That Reduces Back Pain

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pending long hours at work has a significant impact on our health and well-being. Work posture refers to the position and alignment of the body while performing tasks at work. Good work posture aims to minimize stress on muscles and joints, promoting comfort and productivity.

Benefits of Proper Work Posture: - Reduces strain on muscles, joints, and other body structures.

- Enhances comfort and overall well-being.

- Increases productivity and focus at work.

SITTING POSTURE Sit with a straight back, relaxed shoulders, and feet flat on the floor.

Keep the head aligned with the spine and avoid forward head posture.

Ensure proper lumbar support from the chair.

STANDING POSTURE Stand tall with balanced weight distribution on both feet.

Keep the shoulders relaxed and avoid slouching or hunching forward.

Align the head and neck with the spine, avoiding excessive bending.

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LIFTING POSTURE Bend the knees and use leg muscles when lifting objects from the ground.

Keep the back straight and avoid twisting during lifting.

Hold objects close to the body to minimize strain on the back.

COMPUTER WORKSTATION POSTURE Position the computer monitor at eye level to avoid neck strain.

Sit close enough to the desk for a relaxed posture while typing and using the mouse.

Use an ergonomic chair and adjust the height and position of the chair, keyboard, and mouse for optimal comfort and support.

Importance of Regular Assessment and Adjustment Work postures may vary based on individual needs and job requirements.

Regularly assess and adjust your work posture to maintain proper alignment and minimize strain. This helps prevent discomfort, musculoskeletal issues, and workrelated injuries.

Maintaining good work posture is crucial for reducing back pain and promoting overall well-being. By following these guidelines and making necessary adjustments, you can create a healthier work environment and enhance your productivity and comfort throughout the day.

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OLU MEG BON

KOLAWOLE CEO Laween Luxury

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ello, this is UncutXtra Magazine. I am Adaeze Vivian, we are here with a renowned stylist who has made fashion a big part of him, this interview throws more light into his lifestyle, his motivation and what being a stylist all means to him.

Hello, can we meet you?

Yes, definitely. My name is Olumegbon Kolawole, also known as Prince K. Founder of Laween Luxury, Creative Director of Laween Luxury, Stylist, and so many more.

As the CEO and founder of Laween Luxury, can you share the story behind the founding of Laween Luxury and what inspired you to combine your expertise as a stylist with running a luxury fashion brand?

Basically, when I was growing up, I was always fascinated about being unique and being stylish in everything I do. Every time I wear something, somebody always makes a comment about how nice I look, they even make enquires on how they can get whatever I am putting on. I trying to recommend and giving me tips on how to look good and all that. Along the line, I was able to pitch an idea in the sense of, I like to look good, I like to create what I want to wear. I also like to image myself in such a way that when people see me, they are like, okay, you look stylish. With that I was able to translate that into creating a fashion brand in the sense that where you can design things to actually suit your kind of person and also suit the kind of event and occasion you want to go for.

Every brand always has something specific to them and I’m sure is no different with you, can you tell us your signature style or designs that are specific to Laween Luxury and what made it stand out in the fashion industry?

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One thing I usually say is that in Laween Luxury, you get luxury. You get this luxury feel with the extreme craftsmanship in the sense of good details. When we create designs in Laween Luxury, we want people to understand that it was not made by an accident. For every clothes, every outfit, every apparel created in Laween luxury, there's a story behind it. So, when you see Laween Luxury, from the logo, like what I'm wearing, you see the crown. When you see the crown, you know that we are talking about royalty, luxury and we are talking about everything classy. That's the way I was able to pitch myself, they see that a Nigerian brand can do such a thing that looks like the outside world.

A B.Sc and a Master's degree in Architecture, and then what we are seeing is a fashion brand.

How? This is a question that I always attend to every time because everybody tries to understand how everything blends in. Fashion is actually connected to architecture, one way or the other, because in architecture, we design buildings, but in the sense of where I am, I'm designing clothes.

That means, I am using my creativity, my innovations from architecture school, and putting it in creating this unique brand that I've been nurturing over the years.

Architecture is a way of life, you have to plan everything from start to finish, same as fashion designing, you have to plan everything from the start to finish, starting from the materials to the finishing and execution. That's what we do in fashion. The only difference here in the architecture industry and the fashion industry is now we are designing clothes. I'm designing clothes now. I think everything works hand in hand. It came in handy because I was able to blend most of them and, translate it to the brand I'm working with.

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MY BEST SELLING DESIGN IS

AGBADA You've done a lot of things, you've put a lot of things out there, but I'm sure there is something, a style you've put out that is memorable to you or a collaboration that you've had before that you always talk about or you always think about when you talk about your brand. Can you share that with us?

You know, for every season, we tend to always push out our own collection. One of the collections that was very strong in the industry basically was when I released the “Principle Collection and the Throne Collection”. The Principle Collection was more of me showing to the world that we are not just a fashion brand that specializes in making only male clothing. The collection was a mixture of female and male outfits where we were able to, create matching outfits for the both genders, it is more like couples having the same kind of designs and also having new process.

Now, going about the word Laween luxury, which is more of Royality. The Throne Collection was basically about Royality, trying to step out of the norm, looking very luxurious in your outfits, like in Agbada regalia where I was able to style notable people. One of my notable and best-selling designs is this Agbada I made that has a luxury effect, I was wowed too after created it.

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I think, yeah, those are part of the things that, gave me, one of the remarkable experiences.

Every design you put out there is unique, how do you nurture creativity and innovation within your styling team to continuously push boundaries and create unique fashion experiences?

Well, honestly, like always I will give that to God first, then next, for you to keep thriving in your industry, you have to be creative, what has kept me going is the fact that I always want to create something new. For instance, I meet someone new today, and I'm like, okay, what kind of personality is this? Then I have to sell the person into their personality looking luxurious too.

When people are seeing me having different designs, it's because of, it is because I try to grow and know people in the sense that when you come in for a consultation, I had to get to know the kind of person you are, how you like to be addressed, how you like to be interpreted, things like that, so, when I sit with somebody and understand the kind of personality the person is, I'm already thinking of what can I design to suit his or her personality.

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There are a lot of competition in the fashion industry, how do you maintain a strong network of industr y connections and promotion of your brand?

What challenges have you faced in the fashion industry, and how have you overcome them to position Laween Luxury as a successful and respected brand?

It’s been God all the way, then consistency is the hallmark of the all-imaginative. You know, it's not what we just do now that gives us a break, it's what we keep on doing that gives us an open way, an opening mark for everybody to fly. There's nothing like an accident success. As we all know, it's a ladder you keep on climbing, I feel everybody's unique in their own areas, just like me. Like, when you see Laween Luxury, you know that, you're getting this luxury vibe, and you want to know that, when you get to an occasion, you want people to say, wow, I couldn't get my eyes off this person's outfit and that outfit is obviously coming from Laween Luxury.

Okay. One of the challenges I faced when I was growing in the fashion industry was, you know, I'm somebody that likes standards and I always want people to get the best in everything they get from Laween luxury. So, I had this conception in the sense that, can you afford it? I can't afford it at that time. I feel that everybody can afford whatever you're doing, but they just need to see value in it, so, growing the brand most people didn’t see the value in it and I have to struggle to get people that matters to see the value I am offering them from my fashion.

In every line of business, you have to deal with different types of clients and I am sure fashion industry isn’t left out, this leads me to asking how do you manage your clients especially the ones that come back with critics?

Criticism too is also part of the business, most times, I turn around the criticism to make it my strength, in the sense that if you have a critic against everything, or against a design I put out there I improve in such a way that you don't get to make that kind of complaint next time. Although, I've always had more accolades than criticism, but whereby I have criticism, I'm able to manage it, I'm able to grow, change and, improve on whatever they complain about.

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Now you have your architectural life, you have your fashion brand, and I am sure you have your personal life. How do you balance these roles, your personal life and then your fashion brand?

One thing I always say is that, I like to always have my personal time, you know. If you even check out my lifestyle, I always try to have a time in my timetable for where I have my own personal time, regardless of what's happening in my life, it's so much hard work, but you have made a time whereby you get to see what you've worked for. I work very, very smart. In the sense of, when I work so hard for this week or these two weeks, I decide to give myself a break. It doesn’t affect my work still because while I'm on my own personal time, I try to just jot things down, put them to the list.

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Our last cover star, CEO of Landmark, was styled by you. Can you share with us your experience with that particular work?

I like what you're doing and we are proud of what you're doing. What excites you about your future of your fashion brand?

I always tell people, “Always be ready for greatness and always be ready for an upliftment anywhere you are because if you are not prepared, then you can't execute whenever the time comes”. But I was prepared. Having a two-day short notice to prepare something like that, shows how ready I am always. I'm thankful to God that I didn't let anybody down in the sense of recommending Laween Luxury for anything. Trust me, I had sleepless nights to get that thing done, at the end, I was happy that. He came back later for other outfits this to show he was happy with what we did. This is to show that when you prepare, great things always happen.

Well, what excites me more of our future is basically when we are now at the global level in terms of internationally. Seeing Laween Luxury competing with international brands like Dolce and Gabbana, Louis Volton, Name it.

Then, I'm sure outside Laween Luxury, you have another life. So, if we are not meeting the CEO of Laween Luxury, who are we meeting? if you are not meeting the CEO of Laween Luxury, you are meeting Prince Olumegbon Kolawole I'm also a prince from the royal family Olumegbon, I'm also an architect. As an architect, I also design buildings too. As a prince, it’s all royalty. You know, the crown is always there. Okay. So, I'm from the royal family, that's aside. But it doesn't make me less of, or not wanting to be where I want to be.

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I am looking forward to seeing Laween Luxury in Paris Fashion Week, by the grace of God. As the CEO of Laween Luxury and a stylist, what advice could you give to anybody out there that is looking forward to getting into this industry?

Well, what I would say to people out there is that, you know, success is not accidental or I just stumbled into it. It grows, and with time you will get there. Just keep on working, something great is coming for you.

Thank you so much for granting us this audience. Just keep on working. Something great is coming for you. It was nice having you.

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In a world that often focuses on the outside, it's important to remember that real beauty goes deeper than what meets the eye. We see so many images of perfect faces and flawless bodies, but the true beauty that lasts forever comes from within. It's about being kind, understanding, and caring – these qualities are the unsung heroes of the beauty world, and they have the power to change lives.

In our pursuit of looking our best, we sometimes forget what truly matters. The latest makeup trends and skincare routines might promise a temporary glow, but it's the inner radiance that truly lasts, brightening our lives and the lives of those around us. Just picture a world where we valued inner beauty as much as we do appearances. A world where we didn't just admire perfect skin, but also open hearts. Such a world would unquestionably be more beautiful because it would be a world filled with kindness, empathy, and compassion.

As we journey through life, let's not forget the incredible impact of inner beauty. Let's embody kindness, champion empathy, and carry compassion with us. By doing so, we not only enhance our own beauty but also make the world a more beautiful place for everyone.

Because, in the end, the allure of inner beauty is timeless, ageless, and everlasting.

MASCOT

The Timeless Allure of Inner Beauty

PREVENTING

HAIR LOSS O

ne of the most common conditions that affect both men and women is hair loss, also known as alopecia.

This condition refers to the complete or partial loss of hair from areas of the body where hair normally grows. Hair loss can occur suddenly or gradually over time and has a significant impact on a person's selfesteem and appearance.

There are different types of hair loss, each with its own pattern. The most common type is androgenetic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness. This hereditary condition is characterized by a gradual thinning of hair on the scalp, usually starting at the hairline or crown. Hormonal changes and genetic factors contribute to this type of hair loss.

Other forms of hair loss include alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss on the scalp and other areas of the body, and telogen effluvium, which is temporary hair shedding due to physical or emotional stress, hormonal changes, or certain medications.

Hair loss can be caused by various factors, including genetic factors, hormonal changes, medical conditions, nutritional deficiencies, physical or emotional stress, medications and treatments, hairstyling practices, and the natural aging process.

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While it may not be possible to entirely prevent hair loss, there are ways to minimize the risk and maintain healthy hair.

Here are some tips to help you avoid hair loss: 1. Follow a balanced diet: Ensure your diet includes a variety of vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Foods rich in iron, zinc, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial for hair health.

2. Practice good hair care habits: Avoid excessive heat styling, harsh chemical treatments, and tight hairstyles that can damage the hair. Be gentle when brushing or combing, especially when the hair is wet.

3. Keep your scalp clean and healthy: Regularly shampoo your hair to remove dirt, excess oil, and product buildup.

Maintain a clean and healthy scalp environment to support hair growth.

4. Avoid tight hats or headgear: Wearing tight hats, helmets, or headgear can restrict blood circulation to the scalp and contribute to hair loss. Opt for looser-fitting options whenever possible.

Treatment options for hair loss depend on the underlying caus e and may include medications, topical treatments, hair transplantation, or lifestyle changes to improve overall hair health. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional or dermatologist to determine the cause of hair loss and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

5. Manage stress: Chronic stress can contribute to hair loss. Practice stress management techniques like exercise, meditation, deep breathing, or engaging in hobbies to reduce stress levels.

6. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: Both smoking and excessive alcohol intake can negatively impact hair health by disrupting blood circulation to the scalp.

While not all types of hair loss can be prevented or reversed, taking care of your hair and scalp, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and managing stress levels can help promote healthy hair growth and minimize the risk of further hair loss.

7. Be cautious with chemical treatments: If you dye, perm, or chemically straighten your hair, be cautious and avoid excessive or frequent treatments. These processes can weaken the hair and contribute to hair loss if not done properly.

8. Seek medical advice: If you notice excessive hair loss or changes in your hair pattern, consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist. They can evaluate your condition, identify underlying causes, and recommend appropriate treatment options.

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Stylist Sima_brew Photographer Naza Gaza

Time out With

Serwaa Amihere Please kindly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Sewraa Amihere, I’m an awardwinning broadcaster, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

How do you manage being a TV personality, a CEO to notable brands and a brand influencer to number of popular brands?

So, I do what I have to do, I chose this life. All the things I have now are things I prayed for, so I just have to get them done.

Your career journey is such an interesting one. You studied 'Banking and Finance' at Methodist University College, Ghana. What spurred your interest in pursuing a career as a TV presenter?

It is a long story, TV just happened but I fought hard for it.

'Oh My hair' is one of the biggest hair/beauty brands. It’s beautiful how this brand of yours has customers spanned across and beyond Ghana, where it’s situated. What inspired the creation of this brand?

My sister and I own “Oh my hair” we always loved nice beautiful hair and we believed in women looking beautiful so we started selling the hair back in university. We actually intend to do everything beauty, one step at a time, we have done hair, nails and clothes, so we are on it.

How were you able to grow the brand from scratch up till this moment when it has become one of the leading beauty brands? Also, what's your brand's unique selling point?

Consistency is one of the things that has led us to where we are and the need to always give out the best.

You seem to be quite invested in the beauty world as you also run the 'Office and Co by SA' beauty brand.

What inspired this?

Office and co is another brand we own together, our plan was to take over the beauty, hair, clothes and everything and we’re taking that one at a time, we believe in appearances, we believe that appearance creates a lasting Impression on people and we love to help people achieve that. So yes we are quite invested in the beauty industry.

Office and co started because I always find people trying to imitate my dresses

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Do you have an experience in sewing dresses and do you create your designs yourself?

I don’t have any experience in dress making and I didn’t necessarily think we needed an experience in sewing before starting our clothing brand. We designed the dresses with our designers and we judge them, plus we have factories that do our production for us.

How favorable is the country 'Ghana' to business owners?

It’s quite tough and I feel like it’s like that everywhere when trying to startup. For me at office and co one of our biggest challenges is imitation, we pay lots of money to bring our designs to life, have photoshoots, create contents and they imitate the clothes using our own picture to sell a fake dress to someone. I was in Turkey and I came across the exact replica of my dresses and it’s really frustrating. So, it’s really not easy as a startup because you have to pay taxes for importation of materials used for the clothes,

coupled with the exchange rates of our hairs, we could import a hair and before it gets to us the price of it has changed and its difficult for the customers to understand because they don’t care and wouldn’t pay more than already bargained, so we have to bear the cost.

Do you plan on opening branches of your businesses in other countries?

Yes, we are considering franchise with other people and we’ve started working on quite a few likes in Kenya, and some others. We ship across the world for both the hairs a n d t h e c l o t h e s b u t w e’r e considering collaborations and franchise opportunities to other people, although we get a lot of offers but we’re really particular about people that can represent us very well.

Have you ever had a bad customer situation that almost affected your brand? If yes, how did you manage it?

Yes, we’ve had to deal with some bad situations but we’ve found a way of handling and dealing with it and one of the things that we’ve always stood by is that we won’t sell what we cannot use and wear, so to the hair, clothes and beauty. So, this has been one of our hallmarks and we tend to find ways to control and manage it, we’re very keen on training our workers on customer relations

We'll love to know more about your sports show, *CHEERS*, are you a sports lover? Also, what are some peculiar challenges that come with hosting a sport show?

So, I don’t host cheers anymore, I did so few years ago, I wouldn’t say I’m a sport lover regardless of the fact that I have a team that I support; Manchester united and a local club. I just had to do it and I did it irrespective of the fact that I had no knowledge in sport, I was relying heavily on my friend who was a sport journalist, so I spent most weekends reading and listening to sport programs. It was very difficult but I had to get the job done. I bet people watched and didn’t think that it was such a task.

As a Beauty expert, what are some key measures that are required in sustaining a beauty brand’s reputation?

Consistency and making sure that our customers get the very best, I wouldn’t give you something that I wouldn’t wear, I believe in quality luxurious things, making it beautiful and affordable as well for our target audience, so we’re really particular about that, office and co is just started a year ago and we’re doing so well because we’ve been consistent with quality products.

Can you tell us more about the 'Serwaaamihere Foundation'?

Also, what is the inspiration behind establishing such a thoughtful NGO?

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So Serwaaamihere foundation, if you know me, I love to get people happy and I’m a very thoughtful person, hate to see people sad so anything that I can do to contribute my quarter I’ll do it and I have been doing these things overtime and I’m working on making it bigger. So, every year we bring together hundreds of widows and single mothers, we don’t just give them food we assist them with their business ideas, a lot of them have ideas with no funds, so we decided to work with an official team to reach out to more people and also seek sponsors to help us and we have a lot of brands on board. It has gone beyond my personal funds to brands willing to invest because they want to touch lives, we give them home appliances like fridges and a small building to set up a small business.

How do you handle criticism or negative feedback from viewers and critics?

Can you tell us more about the 'Serwaaamihere Foundation'?

Also, what is the inspiration behind establishing such a thoughtful NGO

?

I take it in my stride, criticism isn't really a problem most especially when it's coming from a good place, I listen and take feedback from ordinary people whom a lot of people won't take feedback from, you're doing what you're doing for viewers, they don't need to have an expertise in what you're doing to know or think if you're good or not, be satisfied, in the end their the ones you're doing it for. So I take feedback from anybody to help

to help improve myself, I can handle critics it's part of the job and it's an occupational h a z ard. O ve r t i m e I ' ve developed a thick skin to insults and sometimes I hear things about me and I'm surprised, I've come to accept that it's part of the job some will love you and some will hate you. Majority love me and that is what keeps me going and I've got a great support system t hat's my sup er strength. My biggest fan is my sister and my mother.

At some point in January 2023, you were a lways referring to your man as your boyfriend, but you recently revealed that you are married. Did you have a private marriage? If yes, how, and when did this happen?

Out of your many achievements, which will you regard as your biggest and favorite?

What I'm working on currently now, unfortunately I cannot reveal it, I'm working on my biggest dream but I count the little things I'm able to do as an achievement, it's a big win for me.

Everything that I'm doing today are things that I prayed and fasted for, I recall crying to God to make me a big star and I'm here today. So every single thing, I have a beautiful family, my s iste r is my b e st f r i e nd maintaining that good relationship with my sister and family is one of my biggest achievement because not a lot of people are opportuned to have it like I do, my family is my rock.

I'm not married, I have a partner that's a boyfriend and yes, he's a private person and I speak about me because I'm in a happy relationship.

How does your partner manage the attention from your many admirers? Because from your social media pages alone, we see how they drool over you.

Well, the secret is date a confident man, my partner can't be bothered and sometimes we laugh over it, he knows how much I love him and that's the least of his worries, I'm not sure he even thinks about it because the assurance is consistently there and he's not an insecure person and he knows that it is very normal for these type of things to happen. He knows I'm beautiful and it's worse because I'm on television, he actually likes it when people drool over me (laughs).

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You seem to have a relationship with some Nigerian Celebrities. How did you form that synergy beyond Ghana?

“Looking up to me is not Enough”

Social media is a very powerful tool, I get to connect with people in their dm's and that's how it started. I have gotten a lot of business from social media, I've met very beautiful and wonderful people from social media so all of the relationships that I have with any Nigerian, even though I know some personally but majority of them is through social media and I've been able to get into the Nigerian market to sell.

When you are not working, what’s your favorite thing to do?

Grab a glass of champagne, watch TV and sleep.

If you could change anything in the world, what will that be and why?

I wish I could change the mindset of trolls on social media, negative people, I don't know what they stand to gain from being negative and tormenting the lives of other people and making them sad, I wish that people would be lovely and happy for others and not wish to see others go down so bad.

What’s your message to those who look up to you as a role model?

Looking up to me is not enough, you have to work at it, I know that a lot of people don't know how I got here, I have been working for so long, from working behind the scenes for two years before I was put on television and it's been tough so I admire people that want to be like me. People love for different things, some love me for the way I dress, some love me for how I speak and how I carry myself or how I present on TV and how I do my interviews, but I can assure that it didn't just start, how I dress for instance isn't how I normally dress I made a conscious effort to look the way that I do and present myself the way that I do. Another vital thing is finding people that would shape you and people who have towed the part that you want to, good role models and mentors so they can help you with it.

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SKIN CARE AND LIFESTYLE STRATEGIES FOR YOUTHFUL SKIN

by Aghadinuno Adaeze

G

raceful aging is the concept of maintaining a youthful appearance and overall well-being as we grow older. While the natural aging process is inevitable, there are various skin care strategies and lifestyle habits that can help promote a youthful and healthy skin. By adopting proactive skin care approaches and healthy daily habits, we can minimize visible signs of an aging skin and improve our overall quality of life.

Maintaining aging skin requires a combination of consistent skin care practices, healthy lifestyle choices, and effective habits. Here are some ways to help maintain an aging skin: Stay Hydrated: Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated. Proper hydration helps maintain elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Adopt a Balanced Diet: Opt for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Include foods high in antioxidants, such as berries, leafy greens, and nuts, to combat free radicals and promote skin health.

Get Enough Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for skin rejuvenation and repair.

Aim for seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to support healthy skin.

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Manage Stress: Chronic stress can contribute to premature aging and various skin issues. Practice stress management techniques, such as exercise, meditation, or engaging in enjoyable activities, to promote overall well-being and maintain a youthfullooking skin.

Engage in Regular Exercise: Regular physical activity improves blood circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the skin. Exercise also helps reduce stress levels, contributing to healthy skin.

Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol Consumption: Smoking accelerates skin aging by damaging collagen and elastin fibers. Excessive alcohol consumption can dehydrate the skin and contribute to inflammation. It's best to avoid smoking altogether and consume alcohol in moderation, if at all.

Cleanse Gently and Moisturize: Cleanse your skin with a mild, hydrating cleanser twice a day to remove impurities without stripping its natural oils. Follow up with a moisturizer to nourish and hydrate your skin, this will in turn promoting a plump and youthful appearance.

Protect Your Skin from the Sun: Sun protection is crucial for maintaining a youthfullooking skin. Use sun screen with a high SPF daily, even on cloudy days, and reapply every two hours when exposed to direct sunlight. Wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses, and seek shade when the sun is strongest.

Use Skin care Products with Active Ingredients: Incorporate skincare products containing retinoids, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin texture. Antioxidant-rich serums or creams, such as those containing vitamin C or green tea extract, can also provide anti-aging benefits.

Stay Consistent with Your Skin care Routine: Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining an aging skin. Stick to a skin care routine that includes cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliating, and using targeted treatments. Give your skin time to adjust to new products, and be patient with the results.

Seek Professional Advice: Consult a dermatologist or skin care professional for a personalized advice based on your skin type, concerns, and goals. They can recommend specific treatments or procedures, such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser therapies, that can help maintain an aging skin.

Pay Attention to Your Eye Area: The skin around the eyes is delicate and prone to showing signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. Use a separate eye cream or gel specifically formulated for this area to provide hydration and address these concerns. Be gentle when applying and pat the product in with your ring finger to avoid tugging or pulling on the skin.

By following these tips and incorporating them into your daily routine, you can take proactive steps towards maintaining an aging skin and enjoying a youthful and radiant appearance. Remember to be patient and give your skin the care it deserves.

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SureKlothing PIONEERING THE RENAISSANCE OF NIGERIAN MEN'S FASHION

I

n the vibrant tapestry of Nigeria's fashion landscape, there is a piece of clothing that stands out above all else.

The Yoruba calls it "agbada" and Hausa lovingly terms it "babariga." An emerging fashion talent is breathing fresh life into the iconic attire. SureKlothing, under the masterful hands of Oluwaseyi Richie, transcends mere clothing; it is a breath-taking cultural emblem, an epitome of grandeur, and an ideal choice for the discerning Nigerian groom on his wedding day.

Our lens turns toward the enchanting oeuvre of Oluwaseyi Richie, the visionary behind the burgeoning SureKlothing brand. A brand that now commands the attention of the African groom fashion realm, poised to make waves across the globe.

Founded in 2018 in Lagos, SureKlothing's narrative revolves around embracing and exalting African heritage through fashion, a potent conduit for bolstering confidence, particularly on a groom's special day. In this rich mosaic of African traditions, one discovers a kaleidoscope of unique and chic designs that not only pay homage to heritage but also exude contemporary sophistication.

Harmonizing Tradition with Modernity SureKlothing emerges as a virtuoso in the art of harmoniously blending tradition with innovation. These creations not only venerate the variegated tapestries of African cultures but also infuse a modern panache that captures the essence of the contemporary groom. Through an assiduous fusion of fabrics, motifs, and silhouettes, Richie has sculpted a niche that resonates with cultural identities while embracing the zeitgeist.

Unrivalled Craftsmanship The hallmark of SureKlothing lies in the unparalleled craftsmanship manifest in every stitch, fold, and intricate detail. The designer's unwavering commitment to quality stands as a testament to their dedication in fashioning garments that do more than adorn; they empower. Each piece embodies an artistic masterpiece, a testament to the unyielding pursuit of excellence in craftsmanship.

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Embroidery is the essence of a brilliant agbada, and SureKlothing's careful stitching and design of its embroidery is simply a work of art.

Inclusive Designs for Every Groom In an industry often grappling with representation, SureKlothing shines as a beacon of inclusivity. Their diverse array of designs caters to the distinctive tastes and preferences of grooms hailing from various regions and backgrounds. From the opulence of traditional regalia to the understated elegance of contemporary ensembles, Richie's creations offer each groom a mirror to their identity.

Global Impact and Recognition With their sights set on not only Africa but also the world, SureKlothing is poised to illuminate the global stage, sharing the singular emotions that accompany a groom's joy on his wedding day. With the growth of Afrobeats and Nigeria's Nollywood, fashion brands like SureKlothing are sure to rake in huge revenue from global audiences interested in tapping into the Nigerian fashion.

Empowerment Through Style SureKlothing recognizes the transformative power of fashion in instilling confidence. By crafting outfits that not only celebrate cultural identity but also elevate the wearer's self-assurance, SureKlothing transcends mere tailoring; they craft experiences that empower grooms to stride into their wedding day with pride and poise.

Take a Bow, SureKlothing In paying homage to SureKlothing, we applaud not merely a fashion virtuoso, but a custodian of culture and a trailblazer. The brand is capable of catapulting African groom fashion to unparalleled heights, etching an indelible imprint on the industry.

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AFRICAN

TRIBES AND THEIR UNIQUE PRACTICES

A

frica is the second largest and second most-populous continent in the world with over 3, 000 tribes dispersed across different parts of the continent. These groups vary in terms of languages, traditions, customs, and histories.

The continent is home to around 54 recognized countries and thousands of distinct ethnic groups, each with its own unique characteristics. It should come as no surprise that while some of these tribes might share similar cultural traits and practices, some have a totally different cultural system that might even contradict other cultural ideologies and beliefs.

The aim of this article aims to highlight some of Africa’s tribes and their “unique” cultural practices. So, let’s get into it!

AKA TRIBE The Aka Pygmy tribe is located in the southwestern Central African Republic and in the northern Republic of the Congo. They have numerous unique social practices which are a far cry from the “normal” social practices practiced in the contemporary world.

Unlike the normal social standards, where men are considered the sole breadwinners of the family, the Aka people do not share the same view. Both men and women share interchangeable social roles which include cooking, taking care of the children, and yes, hunting too (imagine a 6-month-old pregnant woman running in the woods with a spear in one hand and a net in the other) and the women are even considered more skilled as hunters.

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The Aka tribe would have been a perfect example of modern feminism except for one teeny tiny detail the men would probably not agree to – breastfeeding! One of the major practices of the Aka tribe is male breastfeeding (Shocked?... Me too!). They believe that infants should be in constant physical touch with their parents and allows the fathers to breastfeed their infant as this fosters an emotional connection between the father and the child.

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SURMA TRIBE The Surma tribe, commonly known as the Suri people, is an ethnic group in Ethiopia's southwest, primarily in the Omo Valley near the border with South Sudan. They are well-known for their peculiar cultural customs, body decoration, and intricate scarification. One of their most popular traditional practices is the practice of wearing lip plates.

The lip plate, also known as a lip plug, or mouth plate, is a form of body modification whereby large discs are inserted into a pierced hole in either the upper or lower lip, or both, thereby stretching it. (Yup, you read that right!)

While the process might be gruesome, the Suri people see it as a big step into womanhood and a means of beautification. (Just like wearing make-up… right?)

As time goes on, the woman can choose to increase the size of her lip plates as the larger the lip plate gets, the more beautiful the woman is. This lip plate can be removed at any time but it is mandated that they wear it on four special occasions; presenting meals to males, special events (such as weddings), donga tournaments (fighting tournaments for males), and dances.

The woman eventually stops wearing the lip plate entirely if her spouse dies as they believe that a woman’s external beauty fades after the death of her husband.

CHEWA COMMUNITY FROM BANTU TRIBE The Chewa community consists of locals from the Bantu tribe – one of the largest ethnic groups in Malawi. The Chewa are mainly known for their masks and their secret societies, called Nyau.

They are also known for their “unpopular” burial ceremony practices (let me explain).

When a member of the Chewa community dies, during the burial ceremony, the corpse is taken to a sacred place where they wash the body by slitting the throat open and pouring water through the hole till it comes out through the anus (not what you were expecting?).

They continue this process until the water comes out clean as they believe they are washing away the sins of the deceased. (That’s not even the juiciest part!)

After they are done washing the body, the water is collected and used to prepare a meal for the whole community.

Also, the entire community is always in attendance for a burial ceremony. This is because the Chewa believe that death is rarely natural and is mostly caused by witchcraft and whoever isn’t in attendance is responsible for the deceased’s death.

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BANYANKOLE TRIBE The Banyankole tribe is predominantly found in the western part of Uganda.

It is one of the largest ethnic groups in the country, and the people are known for their unique culture and traditions. Amongst these “unique” traditions is their wedding ceremony – particularly the final phase of the wedding ceremony.

The first phase is where the father of the groom looks for a wife for his son.

After finding a suitable bride, he settles the bride price (usually in the form of cows, goats, and pots of beer) and then the wedding preparation commences.

The final phase of the wedding ceremony is usually in two sub-phases.

In the first sub-phase, the aunt of the bride tests the bride to verify if she is still a virgin. If she fails the test, she faces the death penalty or is ostracized from the society. If she passes, it is assumed she has no understanding of sex or how to sexually please her husband.

The second sub-phase involves the bride’s aunt testing the sexual ability of the groom by having sexual intercourse with him - This is to make sure that he is potent. During this act, she also learns all of his sexual skills as well as his favorite sexual positions so she can provide her niece with sexual tips and advice. They believe it will help the bride please her husband more in the marriage.

FULANI TRIBE The Fulani tribe is the world's biggest nomadic group, with around 20 million people spread across Western Africa. They are most commonly found in Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, Cameroon, Senegal, and Niger. They're also found in the Central African Republic and Egypt.

In some parts of the Fulani tribe, getting married as a man poses a bit of a challenge (literally!) and is quite unconventional.

They have to go through a process called ‘Sharo’. Sharo is an event that occurs during the Sharo festival in the Fulani community where a man is flogged in order to test his manhood. The scars from the flogging are believed to be an evidence of bravery and a successful transition into manhood. The brave boys become men after the whipping and are granted permission to marry the girl of their choice.

It is important to note that while some of these practices might be unconventional and goes against the standard practices in the contemporary world, we as humans should learn to live harmoniously with our different beliefs and engage in constructive conversations when necessary instead of condemning another person’s cultural beliefs.

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