Allure 03042016

April 3, 2016

The CEO Edit

The Shift Dress

What To Wear To Work Now

ADA OSAKWE

The Creative Food Entrepreneur

03/04 Contents

4

15

e m a i l : a l l u r e fo r t h e wo rl d @ v a n g u a r d n g r. c o m

8

FASHION 4 6

The Shift Dress What To Wear To Work Now

PEOPLE 15

• Arabian Spa Opens In Lekki • A Night with Air France Taste for Travel

Editor’s Note It was a sad day! The day the Gender Parity Bill was thrown out on the floor of the Senate. Watching as the senators who opposed the bill gave reasons why the bill, as it was, should be trashed, it became apparent that whatever gains women may have made had just been trashed by misogynist thinking!

At a time when a woman is about to emerge the most powerful person in the world, Nigerian women are being denied the right to earn and have a say on the same scale as any male Nigerian. So, all the women who work as hard, pardon me - twice as hard, to prove themselves, will continue to earn less than their male counterparts doing same job.

Yet, women bear the brunt of the pains of the country. They run their businesses or work or even work and do business and still go home to run the nest; all without breaking a beat. For most women, it’s just so natural to multi-task.

Our cover personality today, symbolizes the Nigerian woman at the top. Well read and running a manufacturing business, Ada Osakwe cannot be deemed equal when it comes to quantifying her value and that of a male entrepreneur in the same business – in the eyes of those senators who conducted themselves as demi-gods on the floor of the Senate. This is so sad!

Jemi Ekunkunbor spent an afternoon with this phenomenally qualified and successful entrepreneur. They tried to see reasons with the opposition to the bill and then focused on the agro sector, for which she is a mega player. See pp. 8-10.

In our fashion pages, we showcase ‘What to Wear to Work Now’, while Jemi Ekunkunbor takes ‘The Shift Dress’. See pp. 6-7.

Welcome to the end of the last month in the first quarter of 2016!

Have a great week!

CHIBOK GIRLS: 500 days and counting.

R.

Remmy Diagbare @ Vanguardallure1

COVER STORY Ada Osakwe

Quotes...

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.

-Winston Churchill

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything”.

- George Bernard Shaw

“In the end, you’re measured not by how much you undertake but by what you finally accomplish”.

- Donald Trump

CREATIVE DIRECTION: NELLY MESIK PHOTOGRAPHY: BAMIYO EMINA HAIR: TJ FOR HAIRCRAFT MAKEUP: ADEOLA FOR ZARON COSMETICS

TEAM JEMI EKUNKUNBOR

lookposh@yahoo.co.uk

PAMELA ECHEMUNOR

pamela.echemunor @gmail.com

YEMISI SULEIMAN

suleimanyemisi@gmail.com

FATIMA GARBA

fatigarba36@yahoo.com

EDITOR REMMY DIAGBARE DEPUTY EDITOR JEMI EKUNKUNBOR ASST. EDITOR YEMISI SULEIMAN STYLE REPORTER PAMELA ECHEMUNOR CONTRIBUTORS PRINCESS KATE EMIKO BAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA JEROME CODJO-YAOVI ONIPEDE

CONT. EDITOR LATASHA NGWUBE COPY EDITOR DODOIYI WILLIAM-WEST CORRESPONDENTS FATIMA GARBA DAVINA AYODELE LAYOUT / DESIGN GREGORY OBI OLAYIWOLA AJAGBE PHOTO OSCAR OCHIOGU (08034746487)

Printed and published by Vanguard Media Ltd Vanguard Avenue Kirikiri Canal; P.M.B 1007 Apapa, Lagos.

For advertisement / enquiries, call DEBBIE: 08039675880, Office Auxiliary: EBERE OKOH

ALLURE’S

FA S H I ON

WEEKLY FAB LIST!!!

By - Fatima Garba

Looking for the latest trends to transition into? Hopefully, our weekly fab list will help you decide the major trends to keep you looking fab all day and all week.

PATCHWORK TREND The perfect dress to wear to every kind of occasion this year. It is colourful patchwork detail and loose shape will work at weddings, parties, BBQs and even at a festival with a pair of shoes if you are feeling brave.

Pink Miss Dior Christian Dior handbag

Duro olowu patchwork skirt

river islanD patchwork faux fur clutch bag

POLKA DOT TREND

PINK FASHION TREND Pink, is this season’s key colour, it is here to stay all year this 2016.

This colour was seen on runways and designers gave it a huge come back in all their various collections.

Hot pink JImmy Choo heels

Polka dots is one of the most popular prints that designers utilized this year on the runways. It is now trending everywhere as a must have for the season.

It is actually hard to report this as a ‘trend’ since polka dots seem to always circle back just as much as stripes.

Two examples on the runway were Dolce and Gabbana and Lela Rose.

Dolce and Gabbana were very inspired by the spanish flamenco thematic and juxtaposed this pattern with romanticism and red flowers this year.

Solange in Moschino polka dot trend

Dolce&Gabbana lemon print top

LEMON PRINTS We rate lemons more highly than when it comes to other fruits popular with fashion designers a lot more girly than strawberries and definitely more refreshing.Designers used this trend a lot this season.

Topshop polka dot dress Dolce&Gabbana lemon print dress

April 3, 2016 /

3

FAS H I O N

THE SHIFT

By Jemi Ekunkunbor

DRESS

Finding something suitable to wear that can take you from work to play could really tax your style, especially if you are not good with mixing and matching your clothes. But a day always comes in a woman’s life where she has to wear one fashion piece in two different situations.

A shift dress is a life saver if you find yourself at this cross road. Dresses are favourite for most women and the shift dress is a classic fashion piece that is both playful and sophisticated at the same time; a great choice that will definitely take you from day to night.

fOR day

fOR night

Accessorize shift dress with a pair of wedge shoes, a structured arm candy, a leather wristwatch and a pair of large stud earings. Adding a blazer won’t be a bad idea. It can be optional.

For night, take off the blazer, show some skin for some sexiness. Ditch your day accessories for some sleekier ones. Trade the wedge for a pair of ankle strap highheel sandals; pair with a matching clutch bag, a pair of crystal encrusted drop earrings and finish the look with a nice chain wrist watch and a cocktail ring.

drop earring

Black blazer

Dressy suede clutch bag

black suede bag Lorelli print linen sleeveless shift dress

4

Lorelli print linen sleeveless shift dress black wedge

/ April 3, 2016

Rachel Roy two piece ankle strap pumps

FA S H I ON

FAS H I O N

FASH IO N

What To Wear To Work Now

Alexander Macqueen oversized Blouse With Necktie

MosChino blouse

BLACK JACKET

By Yemisi Suleiman

Dark blue jean

JEANS WITH A FORMAL SHIRT

For your Friday dress sown, a pair of jeans would look good with a number of tops like the slinky top or baggy shirt tucked into your jeans and finished off with a platform heel.

ADD SOME COLOUR

Prints

Whether you work in a casual, conservative, or fashionconscious environment, it is important to have a collection of the most appropriate, stylish work outfits that you can mix and match for a great look everyday.

Gone are the days when work outfits were mainly formal and really boring. Now, there are many touches that you can add to make it exciting. The trick here, is to make a statement without being too over-the-top. Doing this would not only make you look different, but will also lift your mood. After all, fashion is all about taking an idea and making it your own.

The assumption is that the colours that we deem suitable for work are dull, there is no rule that prevents us from adding colours in one form or the other.

Another great outfit is a bright printed top styled with slim fit pants and patent leather pointed toe heels.

Take a look at the best modern business outfits to wear to work now. platform sandals Dolce & GabbanA

A work/dinner dress

CLASSY JACKET

Sheer embellished skirt or top

A classic black dress

When in doubt, a classic black dress is a smart investment.

Dune DINIDANNI Mini Metallic Structured Frame BaG nude pumps BLACK DRESS

6

/ April 3, 2016

This is one of the more expensive pieces, but you can wear this both to work and to a nice dinner if you switch up the accessories.

Emilio Pucci blouse

Formal pants with a frilly blouse Formal pants are usually worn with prim tops, but it’s good to pep things up sometimes. Wear a frilly top with a formal pant or skirt for a mix and match fashion idea that really works.

ARMANI

Oscar de la Renta DRESS

SHIRT DRESS

You really cannot have too many good shirtdresses. They are tailored, smart and can go from day to evening.

Sheer embellished skirt screams evening, but when paired with a sharp blazer and pumps, it can be officefriendly. Just add a neutral camisole and a skirt slip underneath to carry on the work vibe.

Embelished skirt

April 3, 2016 /

7

FAS H I O N

FASH IO N

What To Wear To Work Now

Alexander Macqueen oversized Blouse With Necktie

MosChino blouse

BLACK JACKET

By Yemisi Suleiman

Dark blue jean

JEANS WITH A FORMAL SHIRT

For your Friday dress sown, a pair of jeans would look good with a number of tops like the slinky top or baggy shirt tucked into your jeans and finished off with a platform heel.

ADD SOME COLOUR

Prints

Whether you work in a casual, conservative, or fashionconscious environment, it is important to have a collection of the most appropriate, stylish work outfits that you can mix and match for a great look everyday.

Gone are the days when work outfits were mainly formal and really boring. Now, there are many touches that you can add to make it exciting. The trick here, is to make a statement without being too over-the-top. Doing this would not only make you look different, but will also lift your mood. After all, fashion is all about taking an idea and making it your own.

The assumption is that the colours that we deem suitable for work are dull, there is no rule that prevents us from adding colours in one form or the other.

Another great outfit is a bright printed top styled with slim fit pants and patent leather pointed toe heels.

Take a look at the best modern business outfits to wear to work now. platform sandals Dolce & GabbanA

A work/dinner dress

CLASSY JACKET

Sheer embellished skirt or top

A classic black dress

When in doubt, a classic black dress is a smart investment.

Dune DINIDANNI Mini Metallic Structured Frame BaG nude pumps BLACK DRESS

6

/ April 3, 2016

This is one of the more expensive pieces, but you can wear this both to work and to a nice dinner if you switch up the accessories.

Emilio Pucci blouse

Formal pants with a frilly blouse Formal pants are usually worn with prim tops, but it’s good to pep things up sometimes. Wear a frilly top with a formal pant or skirt for a mix and match fashion idea that really works.

ARMANI

Oscar de la Renta DRESS

SHIRT DRESS

You really cannot have too many good shirtdresses. They are tailored, smart and can go from day to evening.

Sheer embellished skirt screams evening, but when paired with a sharp blazer and pumps, it can be officefriendly. Just add a neutral camisole and a skirt slip underneath to carry on the work vibe.

Embelished skirt

April 3, 2016 /

7

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

Ada Osakwe

- The Creative Food Entrepreneur

By Jemi Ekunkunbor

S

he typifies the quintessential brain and brawn. She has a CV that is as impressive as her looks. She holds a BSc in Economics (First Class Honours) from the University of Hull, U.K., a Masters in Economics and Finance from the University of Warwick, also in the U.K., and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Illinois, United States, where she was awarded a Merit-based Scholarship and the Kellogg Leadership Award, the highest student honour given for distinguished leadership.

Her chosen career path has taken her to top investment institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Tunisia, where she worked as a Senior Investment Officer. In London, she worked as an Analyst in the Debt Capital Markets team of BNP Paribas – an investment bank. In New York where she lived, she was a Vice President at Kuramo Capital Management, a private equity firm.

She also worked briefly with Actis, a multi-billion dollar private equity fund focused on emerging markets investment.

She returned to Nigeria and served as the Senior Investment Adviser to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Nigeria’s former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development between 2012 and 2015. In this role, amongst various initiatives, she led the development and launch of the Fund for Agricultural Financing in Nigeria (FAFIN), an innovative private equity fund dedicated to investing in small and medium agri-business companies in Nigeria.

A lover of nature and food production, she likes to describe herself as a creative food entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Agrolay Ventures, a four in one company, Nuli Juice, Nuli Foods, Nature’s Bounty and African Courier Express.

Recognized for her efforts, in 2014, she was named one of Forbes 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa. She is also an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow of the Africa Leadership Institute and a fellow of the African Leadership Network (ALN). In 2015, she received the ‘Achiever in Agriculture’ Award. She is also a 2016 Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.

When I met Ada Osakwe at her Ikoyi, home (in Lagos), she looked everything unconnected with agriculture; fiercely fashionable, the runway missed a model!

Agriculture is not a popular career path for women. What sparked your interest?

I am not the typical farmer, you would say, but while I was with the ministry, we were always going around trying to get people to look at agriculture in a different way and bring the sexy and the umph back. I think, what really brought me in was my interest in private equity; private investments.

For me, agriculture is amazing. When I look at the entire value chain, it’s not only about farming.

You can see these farmers need markets and you can create those markets by taking the farm products from the farmers and processing them into finished product.

It’s not just about processing, it can also be the chain; the logistics of packaging and taking these products to retailers and, eventually, to our tables as food. At every single point, there is business opportunity on that chain. That is what got me thinking that there is more than a typical hoe and cutlass that people see when they see a farmer.

After your interest was kindled, what was the first thing you did?

My interest was about how to take our agricultural products and make them into good finished products that can compete on the world stage. The first thing I did was to tell myself that I want to stop accepting mediocrity when it comes to agricultural products. I want it to become the norm that you buy a product first because it is well packaged and of good quality before you realise it is a made in Nigeria product. That was how I got started and, in that sense, I had to think of how to start getting quality products that are tasty because if you have the right packaging and it doesn’t taste right, they will never buy you again. That’s why I believe in creative agro-business. I like to call myself the creative food entrepreneur. So I started with processing fruits and vegetables. It’s called Nuli Juice. First NAFDAC registered fruits and vegetables juice.

What does it mean to be a creative food entrepreneur?

As a creative food entrepreneur, you are going over and above just the farming of agricultural produce and even the processing which is value addition. You are taking an added step to think about innovation and creativity when it comes to food products. So, you can’t just stop at adding value, you have to grow that value and make it a product that will actually sell; a product that people will be attracted to, a product that people will feel safe to pick when it comes to food.

You have to start having the right regulations, the right certification. That is creative agribusiness because you are thinking about all the various aspects - the authenticity, the art, the design, the packaging, the logo of your brand, the name you call it etc. All of that is what creative entrepreneurship is about – bringing locally grown agricultural produce and adding value to them.

How effective is this in our country?

It’s very effective especially with foreign exchange depreciation; everybody says buy Nigeria, save the naira but, in the end, the only way we can save the naira is if we are exporting our products that are done here. The only way you can export your product is if you have a competitive product in the market. I want to see my juice products on the shelves when I travel. Why would I have to walk the shelves in any of our super markets here in Nigeria and pick up a product and see made in Portugal, made in China, made in the UK? No, not when we have it here. So the reason why I go into the creative agro-entreneurship is that in order to compete, our products must meet that standard of food and beverage products abroad in the look and feel, in taste and packaging and certification. That entire process is what is so important to me.

Are the relevant authorities doing their bit in this regard?

It’s not just about NAFDAC or Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) stamping something.

It’s also about the fact that there are global agricultural good practices, standards that we need to meet in order to be able to export our products. Packaged and processed foods is a $2 trillion market and we don’t even feature in it.

We are hearing now that the UK is banning beans coming from Nigeria because our beans are not good enough. All we have to do is package right, put a nice sticker and send it out and let them know it came from a farm in Nigeria that is doing the right thing.

How many of our women are processing or is it that they just farm and sell off their produce?

Not many women are processing because it’s not always easy. There are small scale processing whereby a farmer takes her cassava and makes it into garri but there is a form of processing whereby, for example, the cassava starch is substituted for corn starch that Nestlé uses. That is another level. If you go to the North, they process shea. You also have the moringa seeds. Right now, in the USA, shea butter is something that everybody wants. But where are we featuring? Instead, Ghanaians are entering that market and taking it up just because we are not packaging and branding well.

What is being done to train these women?

A lot of training and awareness workshops are going on to teach them how they can earn foreign exchange because many of them don’t even know the opportunities that are available to them. They say that our hibiscus is one of the best in the world. We have companies abroad who use it for tea and drinks. I think the awareness needs to be raised. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture does training for women but the more conscious effort is in the creative agri-business aspect which captures over 50% of the value chain. That is what we need to focus on.

Are people investing in agriculture?

They are now getting there. We spent the last four years in government focusing on the fact that the government should just provide the enabling environment but let the private sector lead and the only way we could do that was to demonstrate to the private sector and Nigerians that there is opportunity in agriculture. Now that we are where we are now with the economy, everybody is talking about diversification. Farming is not always considered easy. If you are sitting in Lagos and you expect to be running a farm in Anambra State, it’s going to be tough. You need some serious oversight if you are doing it on the scale one wants to do it. But Nigerians are waking up to the opportunity; policies are being put in place but there are limitations.

What are they?

Well, because it’s still a new area, people are still learning about it. Even our financiers don’t understand. There is a high perceived risk and there is a long gestation period but you have

8

/ April 3, 2016

April 3, 2016 /

9

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

Ada Osakwe

- The Creative Food Entrepreneur

By Jemi Ekunkunbor

S

he typifies the quintessential brain and brawn. She has a CV that is as impressive as her looks. She holds a BSc in Economics (First Class Honours) from the University of Hull, U.K., a Masters in Economics and Finance from the University of Warwick, also in the U.K., and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Illinois, United States, where she was awarded a Merit-based Scholarship and the Kellogg Leadership Award, the highest student honour given for distinguished leadership.

Her chosen career path has taken her to top investment institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Tunisia, where she worked as a Senior Investment Officer. In London, she worked as an Analyst in the Debt Capital Markets team of BNP Paribas – an investment bank. In New York where she lived, she was a Vice President at Kuramo Capital Management, a private equity firm.

She also worked briefly with Actis, a multi-billion dollar private equity fund focused on emerging markets investment.

She returned to Nigeria and served as the Senior Investment Adviser to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Nigeria’s former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development between 2012 and 2015. In this role, amongst various initiatives, she led the development and launch of the Fund for Agricultural Financing in Nigeria (FAFIN), an innovative private equity fund dedicated to investing in small and medium agri-business companies in Nigeria.

A lover of nature and food production, she likes to describe herself as a creative food entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Agrolay Ventures, a four in one company, Nuli Juice, Nuli Foods, Nature’s Bounty and African Courier Express.

Recognized for her efforts, in 2014, she was named one of Forbes 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa. She is also an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow of the Africa Leadership Institute and a fellow of the African Leadership Network (ALN). In 2015, she received the ‘Achiever in Agriculture’ Award. She is also a 2016 Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.

When I met Ada Osakwe at her Ikoyi, home (in Lagos), she looked everything unconnected with agriculture; fiercely fashionable, the runway missed a model!

Agriculture is not a popular career path for women. What sparked your interest?

I am not the typical farmer, you would say, but while I was with the ministry, we were always going around trying to get people to look at agriculture in a different way and bring the sexy and the umph back. I think, what really brought me in was my interest in private equity; private investments.

For me, agriculture is amazing. When I look at the entire value chain, it’s not only about farming.

You can see these farmers need markets and you can create those markets by taking the farm products from the farmers and processing them into finished product.

It’s not just about processing, it can also be the chain; the logistics of packaging and taking these products to retailers and, eventually, to our tables as food. At every single point, there is business opportunity on that chain. That is what got me thinking that there is more than a typical hoe and cutlass that people see when they see a farmer.

After your interest was kindled, what was the first thing you did?

My interest was about how to take our agricultural products and make them into good finished products that can compete on the world stage. The first thing I did was to tell myself that I want to stop accepting mediocrity when it comes to agricultural products. I want it to become the norm that you buy a product first because it is well packaged and of good quality before you realise it is a made in Nigeria product. That was how I got started and, in that sense, I had to think of how to start getting quality products that are tasty because if you have the right packaging and it doesn’t taste right, they will never buy you again. That’s why I believe in creative agro-business. I like to call myself the creative food entrepreneur. So I started with processing fruits and vegetables. It’s called Nuli Juice. First NAFDAC registered fruits and vegetables juice.

What does it mean to be a creative food entrepreneur?

As a creative food entrepreneur, you are going over and above just the farming of agricultural produce and even the processing which is value addition. You are taking an added step to think about innovation and creativity when it comes to food products. So, you can’t just stop at adding value, you have to grow that value and make it a product that will actually sell; a product that people will be attracted to, a product that people will feel safe to pick when it comes to food.

You have to start having the right regulations, the right certification. That is creative agribusiness because you are thinking about all the various aspects - the authenticity, the art, the design, the packaging, the logo of your brand, the name you call it etc. All of that is what creative entrepreneurship is about – bringing locally grown agricultural produce and adding value to them.

How effective is this in our country?

It’s very effective especially with foreign exchange depreciation; everybody says buy Nigeria, save the naira but, in the end, the only way we can save the naira is if we are exporting our products that are done here. The only way you can export your product is if you have a competitive product in the market. I want to see my juice products on the shelves when I travel. Why would I have to walk the shelves in any of our super markets here in Nigeria and pick up a product and see made in Portugal, made in China, made in the UK? No, not when we have it here. So the reason why I go into the creative agro-entreneurship is that in order to compete, our products must meet that standard of food and beverage products abroad in the look and feel, in taste and packaging and certification. That entire process is what is so important to me.

Are the relevant authorities doing their bit in this regard?

It’s not just about NAFDAC or Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) stamping something.

It’s also about the fact that there are global agricultural good practices, standards that we need to meet in order to be able to export our products. Packaged and processed foods is a $2 trillion market and we don’t even feature in it.

We are hearing now that the UK is banning beans coming from Nigeria because our beans are not good enough. All we have to do is package right, put a nice sticker and send it out and let them know it came from a farm in Nigeria that is doing the right thing.

How many of our women are processing or is it that they just farm and sell off their produce?

Not many women are processing because it’s not always easy. There are small scale processing whereby a farmer takes her cassava and makes it into garri but there is a form of processing whereby, for example, the cassava starch is substituted for corn starch that Nestlé uses. That is another level. If you go to the North, they process shea. You also have the moringa seeds. Right now, in the USA, shea butter is something that everybody wants. But where are we featuring? Instead, Ghanaians are entering that market and taking it up just because we are not packaging and branding well.

What is being done to train these women?

A lot of training and awareness workshops are going on to teach them how they can earn foreign exchange because many of them don’t even know the opportunities that are available to them. They say that our hibiscus is one of the best in the world. We have companies abroad who use it for tea and drinks. I think the awareness needs to be raised. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture does training for women but the more conscious effort is in the creative agri-business aspect which captures over 50% of the value chain. That is what we need to focus on.

Are people investing in agriculture?

They are now getting there. We spent the last four years in government focusing on the fact that the government should just provide the enabling environment but let the private sector lead and the only way we could do that was to demonstrate to the private sector and Nigerians that there is opportunity in agriculture. Now that we are where we are now with the economy, everybody is talking about diversification. Farming is not always considered easy. If you are sitting in Lagos and you expect to be running a farm in Anambra State, it’s going to be tough. You need some serious oversight if you are doing it on the scale one wants to do it. But Nigerians are waking up to the opportunity; policies are being put in place but there are limitations.

What are they?

Well, because it’s still a new area, people are still learning about it. Even our financiers don’t understand. There is a high perceived risk and there is a long gestation period but you have

8

/ April 3, 2016

April 3, 2016 /

9

REPORTAGE from you. Also, find a good supporter, mentor or role model.

So how do you like to dress for those big meetings?

It’s been a balance in terms of the way I dress, going through the corporate ladder. I like bright colours. I like being feminine but there were times when I had to tone things down because I wanted to be what society describes as professional.

It’s only when you are high up there that you can start relaxing and say I can wear what I want. But prior to that, people only take you seriously when you conform to a certain extent. I keep a serious face and I always try to speak or say something. I always say to those I mentor, be the one to take notes because at the end of the meeting, it will give you an opportunity to say something. It adds up.

I like shoes a lot. So, even if I am wearing a dress suit, I will give a pop of colour with my shoes. If I am wearing a dress, it will not be a simple straight dress, it will have some detail. I pick unique pieces that I can find anywhere.

How would you describe your style?

Easy but quirky sometimes. I go with a lot of elegant looks where possible. I do like pearls if I am going to work but there is a great simplicity to my style. I like good cuts when it comes to suits or trousers. It could be simple and elegant but the quirky part, I use colour there.

...I am not the typical farmer fruits like cucumber, tomatoes that take a shorter time to cultivate. There are many things one can do. It may be just packaging. One can invest in just storage and ensure that products don’t go bad. But for us to truly compete in the scale of Brazil or Indonesia, serious investment needs to go into it.

How has Nigeria Incentive Risk Sharing of Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) helped in this regard?

Well, they introduced a scheme whereby seeds and fertilisers were given through mobile phones and there was shared risk between the government, the CBN as well as the agro-dealers who were providing these. I am no longer in government so I don’t know what is going on now. But we do have a government that is focused on agriculture as a way of diversifying the economy. We have a CBN that is focused on policies.

How easy is it to get fertilisers accessible to women?

You still see the numbers are not in favour of women in many areas; it’s a cultural thing too that the woman may have a farm but the man goes to collect the fertilisers. But we did see concerted effort by government in the way they empowered the women with a new system of distributing fertilisers through mobile phones. So the women have their phones and if they get an alert that they should come and collect their fertilisers, then they can go.

Now, you can see how with the use of technology, many woman have been empowered. But indeed, there could be a more focused effort because you still have majority of our farmers who are women. The former Minister of Agriculture, whom I worked with and who went on to become the President of African Development Bank; through his leadership there, they have now dedicated a funding line, millions of dollars towards providing credit to women in agriculture which is great.

That can complement what the government and the private sector is doing here. I have a big focus on hiring women. Over 60% of my staff are women. It’s very important to me that women get an understanding of value addition in agriculture.

Do you think this can help with poverty alleviation?

That is for sure. There is no doubt about it. Women are amazing; just the kind of things they can do if they get a job to keep her family together and achieve goals.

While we are talking about women empowerment here, a bill on gender parity was recently thrown out by the Senate. How would you react to that?

It’s so sad and unfortunate to see the lip service that is paid to gender equality! Even the things that I have done and accomplished, it’s still unfortunate that I still walk into a place and people say: “na woman na”.

We have a long way to go with the psyche of our society. This is not about paying lip service but

10

/ April 3, 2016

With the things that I have done and accomplished, it’s still unfortunate that I still walk into a place and people say: “na woman na” demonstrating it through law and ensuring that we have that equality. That is why I love what you do at your magazine; just keep showcasing and promoting women and what they are capable of.

Sometimes, it’s a cultural thing and in a country with different religions, it gets complicated.

As a person who has worked both in private and public sector, what is it like for a woman in the boardroom?

I tell people that since I came back to Nigeria as a professional, I have never felt an outright discrimination as a woman. I tell people, I just have to speak at a meeting and give my point of view and whatever concepts the men may have about a woman falls away. Know your stuff as a woman! You have to be extra prepared.

If you are in school, stay up late and read. If you are making a presentation in the office be on Powerpoint, do your research and come prepared because that is the only way this male-dominated society with the perception that they have can be changed. I tell every woman that I mentor, know your stuff if you want to make it in this society. Have confidence. Nobody can take that away

Do people sometimes think you could be underpins because of your glamorous posture?

I’ll tell you a story. When I was working as Senior Investment Adviser to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, he was invited to speak at the Bankers Committee Meeting with the former CBN Governor as chairman. They all went to Calabar for their annual retreat. My boss couldn’t go so, he said: “Ada, please go and stand in for whatever they have to say on Agriculture”.

At one point, Dr. Sanusi was lamenting why my boss could not come and so he was told that he sent somebody and he was like, “Who?” So, I stood up. I was wearing a blue, short straight dress, keeping it nice and elegant with my heels and I had long hair. The governor was like, “Is this the person Adesina sent?” And he added, “Things are changing in Agriculture”. And I said: “Yes sir. This is part of the transformation agenda.”

What won’t you do in the name of fashion?

I always like to look elegant and respect myself as a woman and in the way I present the essence of being a woman. I may want to be sexy, show legs where possible but no exposure. I work with my body. I wouldn’t wear something that would make me an object of somebody’s wet dreams. We can be sexy and elegant without showing anything. I will not go to the extent of showing parts of the body that the Lord has given to me to be covered and kept.

When you are not working, where do you love to go to rest?

I love anywhere where there is a beach. When I choose to rest, take me to a place where I can hear the ocean in the morning when I wake up or a place where I can just sit and listen to nature or read a book. That is for rest. But I like shopping.

So, where is your favourite destination?

I love New York. I love shopping there. I love Italy, Rome particularly. I like the history. I could go there over and over again.

Between beauty and fashion, which would you emphasise?

It’s a balance but I think I like fashion because I like dressing up. I like shoes especially the Sophia Webster shoes.

What designers do you subscribe to?

I can go crazy with Sophia Webster shoes. Otherwise, I don’t bother with label. It’s more of functionality for me.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Nelly Mesik PHOTOGRAPHY: Bamiyo Emina HAIR - Tj for HairCraft MAKE-UP: Adeola for Zaron Cosmetics

H E A L TH

HEALTHY LIVING 101 by - Teri Mendes

Does Your Colon Need Cleaning?

5 Things You Should Know

Cleaning out the colon is sometimes necessary— for example, before a medical procedure, such as a colonoscopy. But some people do it in the belief that the process will rid their colons of excess toxins that have accumulated over time from the foods they eat, the air they breathe, the water they drink and the lifestyles they lead.

Colon-cleansing enthusiasts believe that periodically cleaning from the inside out removes waste stuck to the colon walls. This waste buildup also supposedly produces toxins that enter the blood and may be slowly poisoning people, contributing to a variety of symptoms — fatigue, bloating, irritated skin and weight gain — and health problems, from depression and allergies to arthritis and cancer.

Cleansing proponents promote two ways to clean the colon. One method involves taking bowel-clearing laxatives, powders or supplements; using enemas; or drinking herbal teas to purportedly release colon waste and discharge toxins. But using this method might feel more like frequently running to the bathroom with diarrhea.

A second method is called colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy, in which a practitioner flushes out the colon by sending gallons of water into the body through a tube inserted into a person’s rectum. This procedure can cost about N60,000 to N250,000 per session.

But does colon cleansing flush out toxins, as its supporters suggest, or does it flush money down the drain?

Medical professionals say that the body comes well equipped with its own built-in mechanisms to eliminate harmful substances: the liver and kidneys. In fact, colon cleansing that is done to help remove toxins is an unnecessary and potentially dangerous practice, especially colon hydrotherapy.

“Every week, someone asks me whether colon cleansing is safe and whether a person should be doing it,” said Dr. Jacqueline Wolf, a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and the author of “A Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Stomach” (Harlequin, 2011).

She typically tells her patients there is little research on colon cleansing methods, and that most physicians don’t believe in these treatments or advise their use. Wolf said people’s curiosity about cleansing possibly stems from the idea that the bowel is a dirty place, and that getting rid of waste is a good idea. She said she usually doesn’t recommend colon hydrotherapy, but has suggested it for a few people to use as colonoscopy preparation when traditional methods have failed. She’s also recommended it for patients who had severe constipation, before there were strong drugs that could help remedy this problem.

“We don’t know enough about colon cleansing to know the real truth,” Wolf deemed. “It’s an area we should learn more about.”

Outlined are some of the potential side effects and dangers of colon cleansing methods.

1. Colon cleansing can cause side effects.

Colon cleansing with laxatives, herbal formulations or enemas might increase a person’s risk of becoming dehydrated if the individual does not drink enough fluids. Studies have shown inducing diarrhea can also change people’s electrolyte levels. Shifting levels of sodium might cause lightheadedness, and low potassium levels may cause leg cramps or abnormal heart rhythms. Some herbal cleanses have also been linked with liver toxicity and aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder.

2. There’s little scientific evidence that colon cleansing actually removes toxins from the body or improves health.

A review study published in 2001 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology concluded that there were no rigorous studies to support the practice of colon cleansing as a way of improving or promoting general health.

And because cleansing products and methods rarely name the specific toxins they supposedly remove from the body, there’s been no research measuring how effective cleansing practices may be at actually eliminating these substances, or demonstrating the health benefits of removing them.

3. Cleansing is not an effective strategy for weight loss.

A person who does a cleanse may initially lose a few pounds, but that is a temporary loss, resulting from the removal of water weight and stool, and not from a permanent loss of fat. Although it could be motivating to see results on the scale for a few days, cleansing is not a long-term solution to a weight problem.

4. Colon cleansing and colonic irrigation are not safe for everyone.

According to Wolf, she would worry about people with kidney disease or heart problems trying colon cleanses, because these individuals already have trouble maintaining fluid balance in their bodies, and the electrolyte shifts could be an issue. She said she would also tell people with gastrointestinal problems, such as Crohn’s disease (a condition involving inflammation in the GI tract), ulcerative colitis (which involves inflammation in the large intestine), and recurrent diverticulitis (in which a person develops inflamed pouches in the wall of the colon) to avoid colonics.

Colon hydrotherapy is also risky for people with connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, because of the possible risk of a puncturing a hole in the bowel, as well as anyone who had prior colon surgery or severe hemorrhoids.

Pregnant and breast-feeding women should also steer clear of colon cleanses.

5. Cleansing’s effect on gut bacteria is unknown.

Trillions of bacteria live in the colon, and eliminating them or changing the population of beneficial and harmful bacteria in that organ could be a problem.

The truth is a colon cleanse would never get rid of all the bacteria, but research is increasingly finding that a lot of bacteria in the colon is very healthy. Some of the good colon bacteria play a role in keeping bad bacteria at bay.

Scientists don’t know if colon cleanses and colon hydrotherapy disrupt the bacteria in the colon or cause an imbalance in the microbiome, according to Wolf “It hasn’t been studied”.

For comments and questions please email terimendes@gmail. com, @terimendes. I would love to hear from you, till next week. - it’s ta ta for now! XOXO April 3, 2016 /

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FEATURE

POCKET FINA By - Omilola Oshikoya The Young African Woman: How to Build Wealth at Every Stage of Your Life

NCE

earn some money. Some teenagers are also required to work in companies as interns during holidays. Ty Bello, Nigeria’s renowned photographer, started her hair styling business at age 15. One of Africa’s youngest billionaires Ashish Thakker, started his first business at age 16.

...CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

Needs include buying top-up cards for mobile phones, shopping and entertainment etc.

My daughters started their first business at age 6 and 3. During their Christmas holiday, they made personalized bracelets from beads and also bracelets with virtues such as love, faith etc and sold them to their aunties, uncles and friends. Shortly after they received an order to make personalized bracelets for a birthday party. Within two weeks they made about N30, 000. I introduced the concept of a piggy bank and also taught them how to give as well.

When you get to university, you begin to understand the importance of managing your finances. In university, you are also introduced to the concept of credit cards, over drafts etc. It is important to educate teenagers on the pros and cons of credit cards and overdrafts. A lot of students get it wrong and end up in a lot of debt once they graduate from University and this affects their ability to build wealth in other stages of their life.

I also had a very proud moment the other day. My daughter had received some money as a gift from her uncle at Church to buy ice cream. A blind man came to ask for money and she heard me say I didn’t have any cash left. She then said to me; “Mummy, he can have this money” and she gave him her ice cream money.

At a very young age, I opened investment accounts for my daughters with a monthly direct debit in place.

Warren Buffet began investing also at this stage. He has also created an online club for kids called the Secret Millionaires club where they are taught the basics of entrepreneurship and wealth management.

Stage 2: The African Teenage Girl This is typically between ages 13-19. At this stage we develop a better understanding of money. We understand that it is not everything you want that you can get. We also start earning money via jobs like baby-sitting, etc. In developed economies, at this stage teenagers are sent to work in fast food restaurants or retail clothing stores to

KATHY EMIKO

Key things to consider at this stage include: 1. Learn the value of hard work and earning money through internships, holiday jobs 2. Start a business using your talents and gifts 3. Start a savings and investing culture 4. Be involved in the process of managing bank accounts and investing.

5. Read books on personal finance

Omilola Oshikoya is Africa’s premier Wealth Coach and the founder of Omilola Oshikoya International. After over 10 years in finance /investment banking, Omilola resigned from a successful career in pursuit of fulfilment. Please send an email to Omilola on pocketfinance@omilola.com.

Twitter: @omilola, Instagram: @omilolaoshikoya, Facebook: @omilolaoshikoya, Website: www.omilola.com

BodyPerfect not just slimming but fitness

GOOD FAT FOR YOUR HEALTH Most of the arrows of diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke etc. are shot from the kitchen.

So, which “fattening” foods should you be eating?

While it’s a good idea to limit saturated fats (found in cheese, meat, butter, sausage and desserts), you need fat to aid in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, E, D and K. Fat makes you feel full for longer periods of time.

The key is focusing on good fats (monounsaturated and poly-unsaturated) and eliminating the bad fats (trans and saturated fats).

Avocados Sure, avocados are high in fat but most of the fat in avocado is mono-unsaturated, the heart-healthy kind that actually lowers bad cholesterol. In recent years, the U.S. Government has even revised its official nutrition guidelines to urge Americans to eat more avocados. Moderation is still key since one mediumsized avocado boasts 30 grams of fat.

Try substituting avocadoes for butter or cream

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TO BE CONTINUED...

• Eggs

• Avocado • Olive oil

cheese or replace the mayo on your sandwich with avocado slices.

Eggs Eggs are an inexpensive and easy source of protein.

People often think eggs whites are a healthier option than whole eggs because they contain less fat. While it’s true that the egg yolk contains some fat, it’s also packed with important nutrients.

One whole egg contains 5 grams of fat but only 1.5 grams are saturated. Whole eggs are also a good

source of choline (one egg yolk has about 300 micrograms of choline), an important B vitamin that helps regulate the brain, nervous system and cardiovascular system. And while there’s a lot of buzz about cholesterol in eggs, research has linked moderate egg consumption to improved heart health. *NOTE: IF on a weight reduction diet, you will need to reduce the egg yolk.

Olive Oil Olive oil is commonly used in Mediterranean diet (one of the most recommended for a healthy lifestyle). Most of us have heard that olive oil reduces risk of heart disease, blood pressure and certain types of cancer. However, it still packs 100 calories per tablespoon so moderation is important if you’re watching your weight.

A recent study published in ‘Neurology’ found that cooking with heart-healthy olive oil and using it for salad dressing may cut stroke risk.

Nuts Your best bets for nutrition are almonds, walnuts and pistachios. Almonds are the richest in vitamin E; walnuts contain a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid; and pistachios have lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids – important for eye health. Research shows nut eaters are generally thinner, less likely to develop type 2 diabetes and have reduced risk of heart disease to boot.

In terms of getting the most from your snack, pistachios win hands down. One of the lowest-fat nuts, you get 49 pistachios in a 1-ounce serving, compared to 23 almonds or 14 walnut halves.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Princess Kathy is a certified nutrition and fitness consultant.

Email: bodyperfectng@gmail.com | Twitter: @usoorganic | BB: 2B679D12 | Blog: princess Kathy Emiko.

F EA T U R E

luxury

FOOD E

wines spirits

By Pamela Echemunor

TICKLE YOUR BUDS

With Pamela Echemunor

WINE FOR EVERY OCCASION

It is said about wine that, “Either give me more wine or leave me alone.”

Many at-times selecting the perfect wine for that special occasion can stir up quite a quandary. In the end, one decides to make faire and ignore all the important rules of wine thereby ruining the evening entirely.

When choosing wine for any occasion certain rules are paramount because the perfect wine begets the perfect evening. The first and most important rule is “What kind of event is it”? A wedding perhaps, a dinNer date etc. All these require precise flavours, textures and qualities of various wines. Here are a few of our favourite picks for specific events.

DATE NIGHT WITH THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE Planning a romantic one on one? Candlelight, sweet scents in the air, food in the oven or microwave, rose petals scattered all over, what’s missing? Oh yes!

Wine… What to do now?

Choosing the right wine for this can be fiddly. The first thing to consider is what kind of meal you are serving, if you are serving a red dish like steak then , try a Yellow Tail Shiraz, an Australian wine or a Castle Rock Columbia Valley Cabernet, a Washington Wine, these serve as a perfect accompaniment for meaty dishes. On the other hand when serving a more vegetable based dish, a good recommendation is a Spellbound Chardonnay, a California wine or a Clean Slate Riesling, a German wine. These wines are affordable and make one look mysterious. When serving, remember to show your date the label of the wine before pouring, while giving him/her a whiff of your perfume.

CASUAL HANG OUT Inviting a few friends over?

Chips and dip, a few sodas and a good meal… time to switch it up a bit, especially when one of them is someone you want to court, a nice light bodied wine will give the right touch, try out a Merlot or Pinot Noir reds, these go great with anything and are less tannic.

WINE FOR WEDDINGS Ones wedding day is a life-changing event and couples naturally want their wedding to be perfect, from the fit of the dress to the awe factor of the cake.

Many of today’s brides and grooms seek more sophistication in the beverages they serve at their reception, with wine playing an increasingly large role. Did you know that buying wine in bulk by the case can save you money? But not all venues or

caterers allow the client (you) to choose or bring the wine, so check with everyone involved before purchasing.

In other words variety is key, a few cases of Moet Merlot Champagne, A few cases of Chardonnay and a few of Pinot Gris will do the trick, also remember to buy the non alcoholic grape wine for guests who don’t drink. Salute!

FOR AN ANNIVERSARY One of the most satisfying moments in life is when one celebrates an anniversary with a love one, either throwing a large party or just having a nice quiet evening together, these special moments will last forever. What better way to celebrate than to get a bottle of Brut Casa delle Colonne Brut Millesimato 2005.

Remember to live, love and laugh, also drink responsibly – Pamela Echemunor

WINE QUOTES “Life is too short to drink bad wine.”

“Give me wine to wash me clean of the weatherstains of cares.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson “Penicillin cures, but wine makes people happy.”

- Alexander Fleming

“One should always be drunk. That’s all that matters… But with what? With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you chose. But get drunk.”

- Charles Baudelaire

Eating healthy is paramount to living a long and happy life, so let’s take a detour from baked flour and go into less fatty foods. These quick picks are specially chosen for our friends with taste tingling buds. Bon appetite!

EASY POTATO SALAD Ingredients • 500g/1 lb small new potatoes • 1 tbsp butter • 0.5 cup mayonnaise • Salt and a little freshly ground black pepper • 1 tbsp. chopped fresh chives to garnish Method: Put the potatoes on the boil for 20 to 25 minutes until soft.

Strain and cut them into bite-sized pieces if needed. Pour into bowl and add butter then stir until melted. Finally add mayo, salt and pepper and stir until potatoes are coated.

Garnish with chives.

TANDOORI-SPICED CHICKEN Ingredients • 1 1/2 cups plain 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt • 2 tablespoons grated onion • 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger • 1 tablespoon canola oil • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves • 1/2 teaspoon salt • Cooking spray Method: Combine first 8 ingredients in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag. Add chicken to bag; seal. Marinate in refrigerator 2 hours, turning occasionally. Place a small roasting pan in oven. Preheat oven to high. Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Sprinkle both sides of chicken evenly with salt. Place chicken on preheated pan coated with cooking spray. Broil in lower third of oven for 15 minutes or until done, turning after 7 minutes. Serve with coconut rice.

Email: pamela.echemunor@gmail.com, Instagram: @nanya2207, Twitter @nanya2207.

April 3, 2016 /

13

B EAU T Y

The

Feline

Effect

by - Pamela Echemunor

The feline effect can morph your simplistic look to fabtastic!!! You don’t need contacts to glam up those eyes, pull out your tweezers, dark eyeshadow and eye pencil and start mewoing‌

ashanti

ITEMS

kim

Cat Eye

Kitten Eye While the cat eyes are sexy and glamorous, the kitten eyes have a more subtle yet sultry effect and is the perfect daytime look.

Start by lining the top of the lash starting at the middle of the lash to the last lash. Create a wing to create a dramatic look and fill with the eye pencil and the liquid liner.

Add a few false lashes angelina jolie to the outer corners of your lashes for a lengthier look. Finish with a lash curler for a natural. curl.

Diorshow Waterproof eyeliner

Lancome artliner eyeliner

cat eye make-up

M.A.C eyelashes

Zaron eye palette

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/ April 3, 2016

Make sure you use concealer and a q-tip to clear up any smudges and cover dark circles.

For the perfect cat eyes ensure your brows are properly tweezed, the pull out your well sharpened black eye pencil, draw a thin line close to the lashes and extend in a downward motion toward the last lash, then create a wing by drawing a line back to the middle of your lash. This should create an empty triangle on your upper lid. For the wow effect make a bigger triangle and fill it with a dark shadow and then your eye pencil. Finish the look with liquid eyeliner and three coats of mascara.

This look will make your eyes pop and accentuate your eye colour.

PEO PL E

“ONE PARTY AT A TIME!”

:08034746487 | 08039675880

Arabian spa opens in Lekki By - Oscar Ochiogu

A new spa, Mahnoush Beauty Place, has opened shop in Lekki. The formal opening of the Arabian and Sudanese Spa took place last weekend in Lagos.

Guest were entertained with canapes, cocktails and finger foods as they mingled and experienced the arrival of this unique beauty place.

Fatima Garba

Ulo Oputa

Ojesina

JEAN-Raoul Tauzin, Air France KLM General Manager

Tewa Onasanya

Afi Olabunmi

Bridget

Funke Osie Brown

Olufunmilayo Ojesina

A Night with Air France Taste for Travel By - Yemisi Suleiman

Hadiza Williams

Hasfat Garba

Salma Philips

Tayo Afolabi

Christine Ahmadu

Seun Sonoki

Didi Agha

Tomi Salamu

It was a most memorable night for some personalities and members of the press who came together for the best of French cuisine at the 2nd edition of Gout de France, held penultimate week, at the Eko Hotel and Suites. On the menu were a number of French dishes as appetizer, soup, bread and main course were served on the table. Organized by Air France, the Gout de France/ Good France event, brings together chefs from all horizons and from around the world on the same evening with the goal of celebrating the excellence and creativity of the French food.

According to Mr Jean-Raoul Tauzin, Air France KLM General Manager, “Air France is committed to promoting fine French cuisine on board its flights.” The company he says is a natural partner of “Gout de France”, perpetuating a culinary tradition of excellence and pleasure menus signed by Michelin-starred chefs and custom-made tableware.

Every gourmet delight is created and served with passion for people to discover new flavours highlighting French expertise. Some restaurants that participated in the Gout de France event include, L’aquarelle (Sofitel the moorhouse), Aarons Signature Restaurant Enugu, Sky Resturant Eko Hotel and Suites amongst others.

April 3, 2016 /

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