Allure 06032016

March 6, 2016

‘IT’ Bags Trend Mother’s day Gift Ideas

SUJIMOTO

- Nurtured by Mother’s love

06/03 Contents

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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

FASHION 4

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The Eighty-Eighth “White” Academy Awards ‘IT’ Bags Trend

PEOPLE 15

• Charles Ojomu Wins Ouchman Search • Polo Avenue Launches Nigeria’s First Ever Fragrance Bar.

Editor’s Note Dreams do come true! Sijibomi Ogundele, a.k.a., Sujimoto dreamt his way out of Agege to Ikoyi - on the wings of passion. He once told the story of how, as a young boy in school, he would take a bus to Ikoyi and imagine himself owning a house there! As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is. He first saw and then became. Ask every successful leader/entrepreneur and they will tell you same.

You must first feel and smell before you can touch.

In case you haven’t heard of him, Sujimoto, as he is called, is under 40; he is single and sells properties from 100 million naira upwards. How did this young man rise from humble beginnings to dine at the table of princes? First, fortune; a chance meeting with a professor, making some smart choices and mum’s inspiration.

Sijibunmi owe his entrepreneurial skills to his mother from whom, he says, he learnt the basics of how to run a business.

Although not schooled, his mother Idayat Adebukola, had a business mind that saw her rise from a petty trader to become a big time distributor of Nestle foods.

As the world marks Mother’s Day, today, we present Sijibomi, a success story nurtured by mother’s love.

On our fashion pages, the IT bag, the eclectic name for that bag that makes the eye pop, has new forms and shape. Fatima Garba takes a look at what we should be panting for now. See pp. 6-7.

The Academy Awards was held at the weekend, viewed by millions around the world. The Oscars is, by far, the most watched glamorous programme in the world. Pamela Echemunor reports on the lack of diversity and our 16 best dressed. See pp. 4-5.

It’s another wrap but not before I say ‘thank you’ to every mother for inspiring and nurturing their sons, daughters and wards. Happy Mother’s Day! Enjoy!

CHIBOK GIRLS: 500 days and counting.

R.

Remmy Diagbare @ Vanguardallure1

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COVER STORY Sujimoto

Quotes...

“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life”.

- Abraham Lincoln

“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother”.

- Theodore Hesburgh

“Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws”.

- Barbara Kingsolver

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)

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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.

ROMANTIC MAXI DRESSES It seems that the year is taking a style cue from the ’70s! If you could not get your flower child fix from the fringe and suede pieces. I already have on this list, then this next trend is for you. The romantic, flowy maxi dress is a gorgeous silhouette, and it can be styled in so many ways.

Roksanda bell sleeve dress

BILLOWY SLEEVES

Alice Olivia romantic maxidress

Monsoon peach romantic maxi dress

Bell sleeve tops are fun to wear with shorts, pencil skirts, and your favorite pair of jeans. And they are on the fashion forecast for this season ! It is all in the little details and how you rock this trend.

Bella Hadid in bell sleeve trend Christian Dior Lady dior metallic bag lipsy suede top

SUEDE There is something about the texture of suede that makes you feel like you are right back to the 1970s. This year, suede buttondown skirts, dresses and accessories continue to be all the rage. You can wear these pieces with a bit of boho flair or create a streamlined look by pairing your suede pieces with classic silhouettes.

METTALLICS

Zara burgundy suede pants

Giuseppe Zanotti metallic heels

I love wearing metallics in any way, shape, or form. So when I saw that mixed metallics are in this year, especially, on the runways at fashion week, I started pulling all of my shiny, shimmery pieces out of my closet to prepare. Rock this trend by combining hints of metallics in your shoes, bag, clothes, and even nail polish.

March 6, 2016 /

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INTERNATI

NEWS

NAL

By Pamela Echemunor

The Eighty-Eighth “White” Academy Awards he 88th Academy Awards took place recently at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. The Oscars ceremony which is known as Hollywood’s biggest night celebrates and rewards the best and brightest that the Hollywood industry has to offer. Shortly after nominees were announced, heads turned at the lack of diversity among them. It seemed like diversity was compensated in an unorthodox way in the sense that they were made presenters and Chris Rock who had hosted the event before was once again called upon to host.

Movies like “Beast of no Nation” which featured Idris Elba and Ghanaian newcomer Abraham Attah were shunned, also John Boyega for his role in the new “Star Wars Movie” and Will Smith in “Concussion” among others were ignored. According to the New York Times “The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will make substantial changes to overhaul the Oscars awards ceremony.

In the wake of a furious debate over diversity, after all 20 acting nominations went to white people for the second year running, the Academy will examine whether the number of nominees for each category should be expanded. And it will consider rule changes to increase the current low number of voters from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.”

Some notable wins included “Mad Max: Fury Road” which picked up 10 wins and “The Revenant” following suite with three wins. Other winners included Sam Smith in the “Best Original Song” category for the soundtrack of the movie “Spectre”, “Inside Out” for the Best Animated Feature Film and “The Big Short” in the Best Writing Adapted Screenplay category

T

Charlize Theron in Dior

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Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior

Kerry Washington in Atelier Versace

Tina Fey In Atelier Versace

Kate Winslet in Ralph Lauren

amongst others.

On the fashion scene, the red carpet was flooded with fabulous dresses and beautiful people. Pastels seemed to thrive this year with a burst of green pastel, yellow etc. Here are some best dressed stars we couldn’t ignore.

Cate Blanchett In Armani PrivĂŠ

Olivia Munn in Stella McCartney

Award winner Brie Larson in custom Gucci

Naomi Watts in Armani Prive

Lady Gaga In A Hybrid Brandon Maxwell Jumpsuit

Margot Robbie In Tom Ford

Jennifer Garner in Aterlier Versace

Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein

Alicia Vikander in Lois Vuitton

Sophia Vergara in Marchesa

Priyanka Chopra in Zuhair Murad Couture March 6, 2016 /

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FAS H I O N Tory Burch fringe bag

Givenchy top handle bag

Diane Von Forstunberg fringe bag

FRINGE BAGS TOP HANDLE BAGS Gucci top handle bag

Whether you wear it at your elbow, or simply let your assistant tote it, the top handle is this season’s ladylike winner.

Fringe looks gorgeous this season in rainbow colours or the metallic versions at Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF), while it takes on a distinctively 1970s style at Tory Burch.

We love the scattered fringe on suede at Christian Siriano, while it turns to futuristic clutches with metallic tassels at Badgley Mischka. Fancy flower fringes make their appearance with Monique Lhuillier, while we are full-fledged rodeo with the BCBG saddle bags on the runways.

Moschino fanny pack

FANNY PACKS A rather useful handbag design for the upcoming season really emphasizes the need for travel, as fanny packs that have been mightily revamped from the old days are spotted throughout, coming in furs and fringes, graphics or simple minimalism.

THE BUCKET BAG The bucket bag is evolving, with inspired takes on the simple shape, done up with added rouching, asymmetrical shapes or embellishment.

‘IT’ BAGS TREND By - Fatima Garba Timeless elegance characterizes the best bags for this season, whether through faraway inspiration, an era revisited, natural leather and graphic luxury skins, metallic details or the season’s dominant colours of black, grey and red. Think high style with fun finishing touches, as we celebrate the new-season trends.

Chanel bucket handbag Anya Hindmarch Vaughan Bucket Bag

STRUCTURED SQUARE BAGS One of the most common 2016 handbag trends seen on the runway is the structured bag, the one that is very clearly defined on all sides. Structured designs come in the guide of alligator skin rectangular pieces at Zimmermann, while we see House of Holland, Hill & Friends, Sophia Webster and Mary Katrantzou all have some rather spectacularly structured bags on display for the season.

Swarovski crystal mobile phone handbag

MOBILE PHONE HANDBAGS Furla structured square handbag

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Marc Jacobs mobile phone handbag

High fashion is embracing technology,your post-modern clutches are now equipped for your iPhone 5 and 6.

FA S H I ON

Asos halfmoon crossbody bag Chanel half moon handbag

FOOD SHAPED BAGS

HALF MOON BAGS

Betsey Johnson apple bag

Who does not love the half-moon trend out there? Victoria Beckham certainly is enamoured, so much so that her 2016 bags imitate the design with ease and gorgeous flow. This is expected to become the coming season’s new It bag that all the girls will be clamouring for, with the spacious feel and the very 1970s appeal.

This season,we saw the strawberry cream and sprinkle topped cake that the ladies on stage mistake for edible sustenance at Betsey Johnson. Kate Spade has a thing for peanuts though as we see on the runway show featuring a movie sized bag.

Kate Spade cupcake handbag

CLUTCHES Another common structure to the season’s handbags is the clutch, wherein there are no straps to hold onto or pull over the shoulder and you must keep your bag in hand at all times. Everything from the cupcakes to the face designed pieces, come in clutch looks while metallic comes into play at Badgley Mischka.

Saint-Laurent-YSL metallic bag

METALLIC HANDBAGS Alexander Mc Queen clutch bag

BAGS WITH CHAIN STRAPS Chain straps appeared as a trend last year and has continued this year.The featured favorite chains with fringe for example at DVF, or with oven shaped designs as seen at Betsey Johnson.

Even the Jeremy Scott flowers have chains to hold on to.

Valentino crystal chain strap handbag

Silver is big this year. Shimmering silver with a futuristic appeal has been the main look that everything from clothing to shoes has taken on.

So it makes sense that we will see them on the runways this 2016 ,handbags as well, a bit little more toned down. We see a whole lot of the metallic articulation at DVF.

Stella Mcartney metallic handbag

Chanel chain strap bag

DVF Graphic handbag

D&G graphic handbag

GRAPHIC HANDBAGS Topshop furry bag

FURRY MISCHIEF BAGS We love seeing the furry pieces on the runways and now we get to enjoy it as a trend that we will most definitely be investing in once they become available to the general public. Pretty and fabulously furry, Topshop Unique, walks in with a rather lovely combination of colours and textures.

Tiny and furry is what we see at Saint Laurent as well as the more cowhide version of Nina Ricci’s clutches.

Dolce & Gabbana furry bag

We see some very graphic colours, stripes and designs appearing on the the runways in 2016 for bags, versus the more muted we might like to carry on a daily basis.

It is all about being sassy and fashion-savvy now, bold and beautiful and quite confident in your own style.

We see some black white and yellow stripes appear on looped handle bags with chain straps at Stella McCartney, graphic chain looks against pale pink at Louis Vuitton, red and green against navy at Gucci, and blue and red colouring to match the clothing found at Marc Jacobs.

March 6, 2016 /

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REPORTAGE

Sujimoto

-Nurtured by Mother’s love By - Remmy Diagbare

S

ijibomi Ogundele is a venture capitalist and investment strategist who is a stickler for perfection. Sujimoto, as he is often called, who started out life in Agege now builds and sells luxury homes. He recently presented Lorenzo by Sujimoto, his latest luxury apartments, to the public.

His first major project was Lincoln Avenue, a set of 16 town houses of 4 bedroom apartments (in conjunction with Wonda World/Petronia) in Accra, Ghana. Today, Sujimoto has taken his love for delivering upscale buildings to Nigeria with Medici Luxury Terraces along Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos (7 units of terrace houses comprising of four bedrooms).

In this interview, Soujimto tells Allure of the role his mother played in his phenomenal success. Excerpts…

We have heard so much about what you are doing in the real estate sector. Tell us about Sujimoto and your vision for the company?

Some people say that I am too ambitious but I tell such people that tremendous achievements are backed by great visionaries; people who think big and do big. You cannot change a system by repeating the same mistakes of the past. Someone has to do things differently and I made a choice to be that person. I came into the luxury real estate industry at a time when Nigerians were beginning to demand for true quality and value for their money. My vision is simple: to redefine luxury living by bringing the best of the world to the centre of Lagos. Sujimoto is to Architecture what Picasso is to art.

You changed the game and raised the standard with the launch of lorenzobysujimoto – the tallest residential building in lagos. What did you do differently?

The bottom is too crowded so the only choice was to move to the top and do something that’s never been done before. As a company, we have learnt that we can’t afford to be complacent; that great things are accomplished by the power of perseverance.

The vision of this project is to change the way people live. In coming up with this project, we visited more than 50 buildings within Lagos and Abuja and travelled across 3 continents in search of two things: quality and

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inspiration. We visited the choicest properties in Tokyo, New York City and London. We are bringing everything we learnt from these places into the Lorenzo By Sujimoto development.

Who are your competitors?

None.

Considering your background, did you ever think you would be this successful?

I think I won an ovarian lottery because I was raised by a strong woman; a woman who came from being a sales girl to become one of the top 5 distributors of Nestle. Moreover, as a builder, foundation for me is very critical because a man’s foundation would give you an intrinsic glimpse of his future. Without my childhood experiences, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Not only did they build the resilience in me, they also created a fantastic pillar.

I have zero tolerance for failure and I believe that a man who lives in an apartment in Ikorodu today can own a house in Ikoyi tomorrow. My childhood experiences have given me a broader understanding of what true possibility means and the deception of impossibility.

How did you come about real estate? What ignited your interest for this industry?

You see, people have different callings in life. Some

Creative Director: Nelly Mesik Photography: Hakeem Salaam Photography Assistant: Bernard Okulaja Cover Graphics: James Abinibi Retoucher: Bernard Okulaja Facilitator: Jessica Ulo Oputa

were meant to be pastors, others doctors. If a pastor commits twenty-five years of his life into the study of Medicine and evangelism is his calling, he would still go back to being an evangelist because that’s his calling. I knew I was going to be a builder because from childhood, my first exposure to real estate was going to Bar Beach (in Victoria Island, Lagos) and building castles out of sand.

My uncles and cousins would come and break it down. I would cry but would go back and build another one, a better one. In my adult life, I have travelled to over 40 countries and I have had the privilege of staying in the best hotels. This exposure has consciously elevated my standards and expectations in life. My frame of reference is quite unique. That’s why when I go anywhere and things are not done up to highest standard, I can’t resist voicing my discontent.

When I left Nigeria, my first major break was in real estate brokerage but in 2011, I bought an apartment in Paris and had to remodel it. My friends thought I was crazy and lavish but after I was done, I sold it in less than two months to a friend from Qatar for double the price. That reignited my interest and changed my career path forever. I don’t see myself doing anything else but luxury real estate.

This is my calling.

What’s your philosophy of life?

I live by the 80/20 principle: the capacity to set

REPORTAGE

I think I won an ovarian lottery. priorities and execute responsibilities. Just like the Blitzkrieg Strategy - a holistic warfare strategy that uses the element of surprise and speed in the execution of innovative ideas to achieve the impossible. Since I began applying these principles to my business and relationships, I haven’t been the same and my life has changed totally. They are very little principles that are better than focus.

At a time when the price of oil is falling and the economy seems to be sinking, would you consider real estate a viable investment option?

Until Nigerian investors understand that we can drink the oil no more than we can fry the gas, people would be lost in the past. From an investment perspective, Lorenzo By Sujimoto has been dubbed ‘the new oil’ because it gives investors the double advantage of living their dream of world class comfort while offering 112% return on investment (ROI), especially for off-plan buyers. The No. 1 expectation of any investor is ROI. At a time when the price of crude oil has fallen rapidly, the naira is very unstable; the only investment that can secure your money is real estate.

We cannot hide from the fact that we are going through one of the most difficult periods in the history of this country but one of the bedrocks of any investment is REALISM. Price Water House Coopers (PwC) has predicted that the real estate sector’s value will rise from $9.16 billion to $13.65 billion in 2016. It reported that the sector

is growing at a rate of 8.7%; making it the sixth largest in the economy.

You wine and dine with kings and the rich and famous. Considering your humble beginning, what influence do you think these meetings have had in your life?

One thing successful people have in common is association. They understand that a man becomes the company he keeps. I have met with a lot of highly respected people who have greatly impacted my life and dream in different ways. However, I had an opportunity to meet with a man in Japan who coincidentally bears the name Sujimoto Koga, a renowned philosopher. He was the man that changed the way I think. He made me understand that success is a game and to be successful in this game, you must understand the rules that govern this game. He made me think outside the box and helped me look inward. I have come far and I am grateful to God and this man. So, out of respect and adoration, I have named all my companies after him.

Have you ever been bothered about the criticisms and rumour people peddle about you?

I learnt, very early in life, that success has many enemies but few friends. A man with a destination in sight and a target to meet cannot afford the excess luggage of distraction. Nigerians do not celebrate their own. I call this ‘I-better-pass-my-neighbour’ mentality. If Nigerians could criticize a woman who

was a fashion designer and through sheer hard work and perseverance became one of the richest Black women on earth today, who am I? We are not positively predisposed to change in this nation and we consider anyone who tries to raise the bar an enemy. We need to start celebrating our achievers and learn from their successes. We need to stop pulling them down. But if I have to choose, I would love success with many haters than the failure with few friends.

Considering the state of the economy, how easy is it to build and sell luxury homes like lorenzo by sujimoto?

Today’s economy belongs to only two types of people: one, people who understand that the customer is king; two, people who have a great capacity to deliver great value at an affordable price, people who never compromise on quality.

I tell you something, you cannot offer a Toyota for the price of a Bentley. You might argue that both cars will eventually ply the same road but the efficiency and prestige of a Bentley speaks for itself. Luxury sells itself.

I have sold crap before and I have sold luxury and I can tell you, from experience, that it is easier to sell luxury than crap. When you sell luxury, you sell peace of mind. You have not only sold something that would last for generations, but you win the heart of your client who now becomes your ‘brand evangelist’. Our biggest marketers are our clients because they know we never disappoint on quality.

March 6, 2016 /

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REPORTAGE Who has been a great inspiration to you and why?

My mum and, notably, Dangote. I will tell you why.

It is not because he is the richest man in Africa but because of the manner he amassed his wealth. A lot of people have a misconception about Dangote. They say he was born into wealth, he has enormous connections with government etc. If it is easy, let me lend you 500,000 naira and tell me if you can turn it into 500 million naira in a few years.

This is a man who has turned 500,000 naira into 5 trillion naira! Our universities must start a department that teach Dangotism.

What’s your relationship with your mother, and what role did she play in your success and above all, how you have turned out as a person?

I work hard and I don’t believe in luck. But above all, I think my success has everything to do with the fact that I won an ovarian lottery. For me, to be born of the genes of Adebukola is the greatest gift from God. I have natural entrepreneurial skills because of my Mum and I have learnt the fundamental principles of running a successful business from her. At Sujimoto, just like Adebukola, whatever we cannot do well, we shall not touch.

My mother is my hero, my business partner and mentor. She had no education, and in a world dominated by men and the doctrine of ‘no education, no success’, my mother broke that norm. My mother rose from being a sales girl to one of the top five distributors of Nestle in Nigeria. My mother’s story is the story of every single mother or lady who needs inspiration, and believes Nigeria can give her opportunities to reach her destiny.

Between your parents, who would you say was more influential in shaping your life?

I still go to my mum every Wednesday or Sunday

in Oke Arin, Lagos Island for my weekly dose of inspiration. No other human being inspires me like her.

My first introduction to the principles of success came through my mother. All my life, I have seen my mother demonstrate, not just speak about success.

She wakes up early, goes to work, comes back late.

She works every weekend and enjoys working hard.

Talk about diligence!

I have seen my mum associate herself with colleagues and the right managers during events, giving them gifts. Talk about association!

I have seen my mum go the extra mile to satisfy a customer. When a customer is not happy, she’s not happy until this customer is satisfied. Talk about the Customer always being the king.

I have seen my mother raising other peoples kids like her own. Giving out gifts every Christmas and Muslim festivals to strangers and friends, and always trying to lend a helping hand to the needy. Talk about generosity.

These lessons of entrepreneurship, I got from my mum. No money can buy these. No business school can teach these to you. No human being can take these away from you.

What stirred your interest in Olajumoke the bread seller turned celebrity?

The Olajumoke story could be any Lagosian’s story.

Lagos has a population of about 21 million people. Only 15-20% of these people are the actual indigenes of Lagos. The remaining majority left their comfort zones to come look for opportunities in Lagos. My mother came to Lagos when she was just like Olajumoke, selling Bread and Bournvita.

She realised that there was more profit in Bournvita than in Bread. So, she quickly focused on Bournvita and that little business expanded, transforming her into a Distributor for Cadbury and one of the top five Distributors for Nestle. About 16 million people living in Lagos today can relate to Olajumoke’s story, because they are people who left their cities to look for that great opportunity Lagos has for us.

Can you tell us about the luxury accommodation you gave her?

It is very important for people not to misinterpret our true intentions. We did not buy Olajumoke an apartment.

We have paid for rent for a few years.

We are in the process of furnishing it tastefully. Someone might say after furnishing it, what next? What if she cannot renew her rent? Should in three or four years the rent expire and God forbid she has no capacity to renew her rent, are we going to leave her? Of course not, we have an obligation to extend it until she finds her feet.

The Olajumoke story is a lifetime project for us at Sujimoto. It is our intention to help her discover her true potential and translate them into success. It is our intention to give educational scholarships to her children. We will also help empower her husband to find employment. But first, we will send him for proper training to enhance his existing skills, because an aluminum fabricator in Osun state may not have the same level of expertise as the one in Lagos. We are not going to let Olajumoke be a celebrity just in the news. She will be an empowered Celebrity. All this promises we shall achieve before the end of 2016.

I am an avid reader and a lover of good movies.

•Ogundele 10

/ March 6, 2016

You are very fashionable; what’s your take on style?

Your dress sense speaks a lot about who you are. Your outfit is the first border people cross before they meet the real you. Therefore, it is important that you dress to impress. Be it African fabrics or western big names, it doesn’t

My mother is my hero, my business partner and mentor. She had no education, and in a world dominated by men and the doctrine of ‘no education, no success’, my mother broke that norm. My mother rose from being a sales girl to one of the top five distributors of Nestle in Nigeria. matter. If you dress well, you will stand out. One thing is true to my style, whatever the occasion, I dress not to be forgotten.

What book are you reading now and how does it inspire you?

I am an avid reader and a lover of good movies.

Currently, I am reading a book by my mentor titled “My Vision” a book co-authored by my mentor Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and VicePresident of the United Arab Emirates. For anyone intending to dare the impossible, this book offers tremendous insights into how to achieve excellence and dream big, using the story of Dubai’s rise to fame and upgrade from a regional economic center into an international hub.

You are rich, famous and single, how do you cope with the bevy of beautiful young girls who would be jostling for attention?

I’m already married. My first wife is young, fragile and she doesn’t like competition. In order for me to grow our relationship and achieve the success we want, I need to reduce jealousy and competition. My wife’s name is LorenzoBySujimoto.

What is the most important trait you think a woman should possess?

I was raised by a woman, a very strong woman at that. So, my love for women is on a personal level. But my biggest love language for a woman is confidence.

Nothing drives me towards the admiration of a woman better than confidence. A woman that has this, has peace, has independence and has the world at her feet.

What advice do you have for young upcoming entrepreneurs?

This country is blessed with some of the top five entrepreneurial characteristics in the world. Nigerians are hustlers, and the young entrepreneurs must start taking full advantage of the opportunities around. If we were living in Burkina Faso or Chad, I would understand the justifications for the failures. But we live in Nigeria, the biggest economy in Africa, where the Lebanese, Indians, Germans, Italians would come here and find the opportunities we don’t see. Until the youths start to acknowledge and take full advantage of the opportunities around them, success is not guaranteed.

Finally, if you were marooned and you were asked to take one thing, what would that be?

My wife.

HEALTHY LIVING101

HEA L T H

by - Teri Mendes

e t o u Q of the week

Grapefruit Benefits Weight Loss and Glowing Skin Grapefruit, also known as citrus paradise, is relatively new on the nutritional scene as it was first discovered in Barbados around the 18th century.

History credits Captain Shaddock for first cultivating seeds from the orange and pomelo fruit that ultimately led to the naturally occurring cross breed that we now enjoy. Early in the 19th century, some Florida farmers brought grapefruit to America and later that century it became a popular commercial crop. Today, the major producers of grapefruit are Arizona, California, Florida, Texas and other countries like Brazil, Israel and South Africa and Nigeria.

Grapefruit has many health benefits, uses and forms. Along with consuming the entire fruit, grapefruit juice, grapefruit essential oil and grapefruit seed extract can all be used to benefit your health.

Grapefruit Nutrition Facts In addition to being a low calorie food low on the glycemic index, 1 medium-sized grapefruit is loaded with over 80 nutrients including: • Vitamin C (107.4%) • Vitamin A (79%) • Pantothenic acid (14.4%) • Copper (13.2%) • Fiber (11.2%) • Potassium (10%) • Biotin (8.4%) • Vitamin B1 (8.2%) As you can see, this is a nutrient dense superfood.

Mens sana in corpore sano.

(Your prayer must be for a sound mind in a sound body).

- JUVENAL

reduced appetite and body weight!

Here are some key health benefits of grapefruit: 5 Grapefruit Benefits What’s fascinating about grapefruit is the fat burning and healing properties property of grapefruit starts even before you take your first bite!

Researchers from Japan evaluated how olfactory stimulation (smelling the aroma of grapefruit oil) affects autonomic nerves, lipolysis (fat metabolism) and appetite and this is what they discovered: • The scent of grapefruit oil excites specific sympathetic nerves that supply the brown adipose tissue and adrenal glands, which help stimulate weight loss.

• Smelling grapefruit oil slows down the parasympathetic gastric nerve, which is the body’s primary mechanism of stimulating ghrelin-induced feeding (the body’s natural process that gives people the munchies).

• Local anesthesia of the nasal passages using xylocaine eliminated these changes, which highlights that the essential oil vapor must reach the brain to be effective.

• Additionally, plasma glycerol levels were elevated, which is a sign of weight loss as energy stores are metabolized into glucose.

• Finally, body fat is broken down by the enzymes found in grapefruit.

Ultimately, this unbelievable study showed that just three 15-minute exposures to grapefruit essential oil each week

TERI Speaks Dear Teri, Morning Teri, I currently use st. Ives apricot facial scrub, I never knew that scrub soap in bar form existed until I saw it on one of ALLURE fashion.

Can you please recommend any good scrub soap.

Thanks Ekene.

New research is revealing that consuming grapefruit benefits weight loss in a major way. The key may be an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) that is found in Grapefruit. AMPK’s helps your body utilize sugar which results in boosting your metabolism resulting in weight loss.

AMPK is generally activated during exercise to help muscles use stored sugar and fat for energy. But, AMPK can also be activated by foods like grapefruit which are high in nootkatone which activates fat-burning enzymes.Nootkatone a component found in grapefruit has been shown to significantly increase fat-burning (AMPK) activity. Nootkatone also increases calorie burn and reduces stomach fat accumulation in rats. Consider grapefruit as vitamin C- rich snack; add grapefruit slices to a spinach salad, or even into an immune boosting smoothie.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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

Dear Ekene, I would not recommend a scrub soap for the face, as it may be to coarse for the skin, based on different skin types. The best remedy is stick to what you are doing but only exfoliate 3 times a week and not every day. Another thing you can try to include in your daily routine when you moisturize is vitamin c topical powder or cream. It’s wakes up the skin in the morning and is a natural face brightener. The one by body shop is one of my personal favourites.

You can get this at most pharmacies (Ebeano and Prince pharmacy or Maddy Chemists definitely has it in stock). Stay Beautiful!

Teri Mendes

March 6, 2016 /

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F EATU R E

POCKET FINA by - Omilola Oshikoya

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Practical Tips To Creating Wealth In 2016 …CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

7. Hard work, Diligence and Excellence.

Work hard, like Tom Monaghan the founder of Dominos pizza who worked 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. I love this quote from the money book: “Truly rich men know that wealth creation is hard, diligent and consistent work that yields reward over time.”

8. Volunteer/Give your gift for free.

A friend of mine wanted to start selling gourmet doughnuts. She decided to cater at my brother’s wedding by providing doughnuts without charging us. As a result, one person who tasted them at the wedding ordered about 80 doughnuts from her. Today she has a thriving doughnut business.

9. Manage your time.

I love this quote from the Money book which says, “Rich Men understand that time is all they have to exchange for money so they value and invest their time.

Another quote “Poor men don’t understand that time is money, so they spend and

KATHY EMIKO

waste their time”. Time is precious. When you know the value of your time, you would use it wisely. An hour spent going through your timeline on your social media platforms can be used to earn money.

10. Give This is EVERYTHING and should actually be the first point. The very foundation of the earth is based on the principle of giving. Look at the bees and the flowers.

First give to God and also give to humanity. It’s a win win. You will receive tenfold.

John Rockefeller, the second richest man to have lived was a giver. He gave over half of his wealth away. Just look at the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Dangote etc They are givers. If you don’t have money, give your time to help someone fulfil their vision. I love this quote from the Money Book “The principle of tithing is to teach all men how to live on less than their income & to be generous; tithing is an investment that attracts Goodwill, Favour, Grace, Spiritual Blessings to you.” In conclusion, when all is said and done, the richest and wisest man that ever lived after he had acquired all that he needed, pleasures etc towards the end of his life said “All is vanity’.

I believe that if you put these tips into practice, you are on your way to creating wealth not just in 2016 but for the rest of your life.

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

ONE CUCUMBER A DAY… Cucumbers are made up of 95 percent water, making them an ideal hydrating and cooling food.

Protect Your Brain Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that appears to play an important role in brain health. In addition to improving your memory and protecting your nerve cells from age-related decline, fisetin has been found to prevent progressive memory and learning impairments in mice with Alzheimer’s disease.

Reduce Risk of Cancer Cucumbers contain polyphenols called lignans (pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol) which may help to lower risk of breast, uterine, ovarian and prostate cancers. They also contain phyto-nutrients called cucurbitacins which also have anti-cancer properties.

Fight Inflammation Cucumbers may help to “cool” inflammatory response in your body. Animal studies suggest that cucumber extract helps to reduce unwanted inflammation, in part by inhibiting the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes (including cyclooxygenase 2, or COX-2).

Anti-oxidant Properties Cucumbers contain numerous anti-oxidants, including the well-known vitamin C and beta-carotene. They also contain

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not just slimming but fitness

anti-oxidant flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol which provide additional benefits.

For instance, quercetin is an anti-oxidant that many believe prevents histamine release—making quercetin-rich foods “natural anti-histamines.”

Kaempferol, meanwhile, may help fight cancer and lower risk of chronic diseases including heart disease.

Freshen Your Breath Placing a cucumber slice on the roof of your mouth may help to rid your mouth of odour-causing bacteria. According to the principles of Ayurveda, eating cucumbers may also help to release excess heat in your stomach which is said to be a primary cause of bad breath.

Manage Stress Cucumbers contain multiple B vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 (biotin). B vitamins are known to help ease feelings of anxiety and buffer some of the damaging effects of stress.

HEALTH

News101

Eating should not be about what your taste buds want; it should be about what your body needs.

Support Digestive Health Cucumbers are rich in two of the most basic elements needed for healthy digestion: water and fibre. If you struggle with acid reflux, drinking water can help suppress acute symptoms of acid reflux by temporarily raising stomach pH; it’s possible that water-rich cucumbers may have a similar effect.

Cucumber skins contain insoluble fibre which helps add bulk to your stool. This helps food to move through your digestive tract more quickly for healthy elimination.

Maintain a Healthy Weight Cucumbers are very low in calories, yet they make a filling snack (one cup of sliced cucumber contains just 16 calories).The soluble fibre in cucumbers dissolves into a gel-like texture in your gut, helping to slow down digestion. This helps you to feel full longer and is one reason why fibre-rich foods may help with weight control.

Support Heart Health Cucumbers contain potassium which is associated with lower blood pressure levels. A proper balance of potassium both inside and outside your cells is crucial for your body to function properly.

As an electrolyte, potassium is a positive charged ion that must maintain a certain concentration (about 30 times higher inside than outside your cells) in order to carry out its functions, which includes interacting with sodium to help control nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and heart function.

Cucumbers Make a Great Base for Vegetable Juice There are many ways to enjoy cucumbers such as fermented or raw in vinegar-based salads. If you are looking for something different, cucumbers make an ideal base for your vegetable juice due to their mild flavour and high water content. In fact, a simple juice of cucumber and celery is ideal for those new to juicing.

From there, you can work your way up to red leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, spinach, and escarole, along with parsley and cilantro. Juicing is actually an ideal way to consume cucumbers.

When you drink fresh-made green juice, it is almost like receiving an intravenous infusion of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes because they go straight into your system without having to be broken down. When your body has abundance of the nutrients it needs, and your pH is optimally balanced, you will feel energized and your immune system will get a boost.

Princess Kathy is a certified nutrition and fitness consultant.

Princess Kathy is a certified nutrition and fitness consultant.

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

BB: 2B679D12 | Blog: princess Kathy Emiko.

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L I F E S TY L E

Perfume

Every woman likes a good smell and that includes mama. Make her day by giving her a bottle of perfume of her favourite fragrance. This will in no doubt make her happy

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Manicure set This cute Cocktail Manicure Set could be a fantastic gift for a special mother

Mother’s Day gift Ideas by - Yemisi Suleiman

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It’s Mother’s Day today, why not thank your mother or wife for all she’s done with a gift that will surprise and delight her? Go for gifts that match her passions and pleasures. A mother’s greatest passion is often her family, so wow her with some custom- made home and kitchen utensils, as well as fashion and beauty accessories that portray love and affection.

See our line-up of gifts to inspire you.

Body gift set

Introduce your beloved mother to the tender loving care of a spa with this Spa Bath and Body Gift Set, This Art of Appreciation Gift Basket will go a long way to show how much you want to spoil and pamper her.

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Victorian clutch

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Jewellery set

Jewellery set. Whether it’s a statement necklace or just a pair of earrings, every woman loves to wear something around the neck or on the ear and your mother can’t be an exception. Say you care with a set or more

Wristwatch Quality wristwatch.

Every woman loves one quality wristwatch. It spells classy when worn. A gold wrist watch set in sapphire or peal will indeed delight mama.

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Breakfast maker

This breakfast maker will toast bread, boil/poach/ fry eggs, and sizzle your bacon for you. It is a fantastic gadgetry gift for a mother to prepare the best breakfast, while doing as little work in the kitchen as possible

Red beaded Victorian clutch. Give your mum something to clutch. A clutch bag is chic and trendy and they look better with little embellishment.

Pestle and mortar A good pestle and mortar is an essential tool in any amateur or professional’s kitchen. Whether it’s crushing up herbs and spices or preparing ingredients for a new home-made concoction, they always come in useful

March 6, 2016 /

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FEATU RES

luxury

wines spirits

FOOD E

By Pamela Echemunor

With Pamela Echemunor

Tomato-Based White Wine Fish Soup TIPS FOR CHOOSING A WINE TO COOK Cooking with wine is very uncommon, but wine adds a certain zing to food with the right cheat sheet. Wine is rich and goes well with almost everything, so here are a few tips to consider on your way to mouthwatering heaven.

Know what you are planning to cook If you are planning a meaty menu, then you need to buy it like you drink it, the more the better.

You’ll be needing wine for the deglazing process of cooking.

Deglazing essentially means you need a little liquid to help steam off the bits of food that are starting to stick to the bottom of a pot or pan.

You can achieve deglazing with water, but wine adds a layer of flavor and complexity, and is just plain more fun to cook with. Either way the wine should be palatable.

Read the recipe Recipes are important, even professional chefs still work with recipes to remind them of measurements and so on. Sometimes recipes may be vague i.e. “dry white wine” or it simply may read “1 cup wine”. Either way, ensure you read and follow recipe instructions carefully to avoid mistakes.

What is Cooking Wine When you walk into a grocery store there are products “Cooking Wine” or it may read “Sherry Cooking Wine”. They can legally be in a grocery store because they contain little or no alcohol.

They also contain salt and other additives that can add chemical nuances to your dish. So skip this option all together.

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Spice up your meals with just a dash of wine.

Use wine for deglazing or for general seasoning, anyway you choose, always remember there’s nothing better than trying something new. Bon appetite!

Dry vs. Sweet Wine is in various categories and so is food. Depending on what you are cooking, for instance a spicy dish will require dry wine; For dry reds, you have more to choose from: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Pinot Noir and in some cases if a label describes its wine as fruity, that just means it has a concentrated fruit flavour, it has nothing to do with sugar.

For sweeter whites wines , look for Riesling, Semillon and Muscat.

Only cook with something you like to drink It has been said that you shouldn’t cook with a pricy bottle of wine, especially if it’s one you like to drink. When cooking wine, the characteristics change.

Alcohol burns off and usually it reduces to concentrate the flavors. So concentrate a flavor you desire, don’t make an offensive sip worse by strengthening it in a dish.

And always remember when in doubt ask your wine shop owner/ manager.

BEANS WITH CABBAGE AND FISH Ingredients • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 cup chopped onion • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 5 tablespoons tomato paste • 1 cup chopped fennel bulb • 1 cup thinly sliced carrot • 1 cup chopped red bell pepper • 1 cup dry white wine • 2 (8-ounce) bottles clam juice • 1/2 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, chopped • 1/2 pound sea scallops • 1/2 pound skinless fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • Thyme sprigs (optional) Method: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion in pan and cook till brown, but not burnt then add garlic and allow to sauté 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add tomato paste to pan; cook 7 minutes or until paste begins to brown, stirring occasionally.

Add fennel, carrot, red bell pepper, dry white wine and clam juice and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer for about 15 minutes until vegetables are tender. Stir in shrimp, scallops, and fish. Cover and cook 5 minutes or until fish is done. Gently stir in tarragon, chopped thyme, and pepper. Garnish with thyme sprigs, if desired.

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

February 28, 2016 /

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PEO PL E

“ONE PARTY AT A TIME!”

:08034746487 | 08039675880

Edache Obe, Charles Ujomu, Otto Canon and Francis Egwunatu

Adebola Williams

CHARLES OJOMU WINS OUCHMAN SEARCH

VICTORIA KIMANI

Douglas Jekan

Ifeoma Williams

Audu Maigori

UCHE A GUEST NNAJI

POLO AVENUE LAUNCHES NIGERIA’S FIRST EVER FRAGRANCE BAR

By - Oscar Ochiogu

Model and actor Charles Ujomu has emerged as the winner of OUCH man 2016 search. The grand finale, which took place last week in Lagos, also saw three other contestants following on his heels. They are Odache Obe, a banker, Francis Egwuatu Mr Universe Nigeria and Otto Cannon winner Gulder Ultimate Search viewer’s choice.

The event which doubled as the unveiling of OUCH’s 2016 collection, also saw the announcement of award-winning singer Timi Dakolo as the new Ambassador for the brand.

Speaking at the event, Creative Director of OUCH, Uche Nnaji said, “the 2016 collection themed ‘’My Way” is for the man who loves exclusivity in style”. He added that he is very happy to be associated with Bryan Okwara and Timi Dakolo this year and very proud of our new Ouchman ‘’ The night of exquisite glamour and style was attended by a host of stars and media personalities like, Audu Maikori of Chocolate City Group, Adebola Williams, Noble Igwe, Ifeoma Williams and Mai Atafo.

Brayan Okpara

By - Pamela Echemunor

UCHE NNAJI

favour o

Polo CEO, John & Jennifer Obayuwana TIMI DAKOLO

Somma Oyinye

myles igwe & a guest

Luxury retail store Polo Avenue recently included a new addition to the store, a fragrance bar which is the first of its kind in Nigeria. The event which held at the store in Victoria Island, started out with a tour of the store, guests were taken round the store and shown luxury accessory brand items in the store.

The novel bar stocks fragrances from top international brands including Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Lancôme, Viktor & Rolf, Polo and YSL amongst others.

According to the Executive Director, Jennifer Obayuwana, ‘We decided to add these lovely range of fragrances to our retail platform to give our customers a chance to buy and discover their favourite scents which are usually hard to find in Nigeria’’.

She added that all the perfumes come directly from the brands to assure quality.

Samantha Dimka & Tonia Soares

March 6, 2016 /

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