Allure 07072013

July 7, 2013

Dinner Date ACCESSORIES BRIGHT &

BEAUTIFUL

CELEB HAIRSTYLES

TAIWO TAIWO - On Fire for Her Country

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 3 Dinner Date Accessories

4-5

Bright and Beautiful

BEAUTY 6

July 7 - July 13

THIS WEEK

Inside

ON THE COVER

Celeb Hairstyles!

FEATURES 12 • Get Captivated - God will Bring Your Builders and Comforters to You

• Escapades of Style - The Fortieth Birthday pary - contd.

PEOPLE 15

EbonyLifeTV Launch In Eko Hotel

A Mile From Home Hits Cinemas Fine & Country Presents ‘9 By 5th + Quansah’

Love conquers all things - except poverty and toothache.

Bill Maher

Mae West

PHOTOGRAPHY Moussa Moussa. DRESS Hollies. JEWELRY Cephas. MAKE-UP Azuka Mordi

“Women cannot complain about men anymore until they start getting better taste in them.”

If I gave my heart to you... I’d have none and you’d have two.

Paul Hogan

When you’re in love, it’s the most glorious two and half days of your life.

...Chief (Mrs.) Taiwo Taiwo is a Jill of many trades and master of all, that which the Americans love to call multi-hyphenates; a wearer of a many plumed hat. She is a business mogul, property owner, founder of Atlantic Hall, President of two NGOs and she only recently championed the building of a brand new, state-of-the art and world class fire station in the heart of Lagos Island. The project was funded by SHELL

Richard Lewis

Chief (Mrs.) Taiwo Taiwo is a style delight. She is the archetype of that which I have always preached: that you can successfully combine elegance with the seriousness of high finance, the academia, politics or any boardroom challenges.

Women who think that they must be more masculine than owners of the gender to be taken serious should take a cue from Chief Taiwo. This is a woman who wears seven hats; I mean literally. You want to know how? Turn the pages.

More than anything, I admire Mrs. Taiwo for her strength of character, forthrightness and her ability to turn her pain into an avenue for giving succour to others. With the AART of Life Foundation which she set up after the tragic death of her daughter, she has brought relief and helped change the way Nigerians see the importance of obeying traffic lights.

In this interview, Chief Taiwo talks about the fire project she helped berth, the business of making business and the AART Foundation. An interesting read on pp. 8,9, &10.

Enjoy our fashion pages and every other thing in between.

Have a great week!

COVER PHOTO: BAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA

8 - 10

R.

Remmy Diagbare

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

CONT. EDITOR LATASHA NGWUBE COPY EDITOR DD WILLIAM-WEST CORRESPONDENTS FATIMA GARBA DAVINA AYODELE LAYOUT / DESIGN Gregory Obi PHOTO OSCAR OCHIOGU

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

For advertisement / enquiries, call Debbie: 08039675880, OGE: 08039777910 Office Auxiliary: EBERE OKOH

DINNER DATE

FA S H I ON

accessories by - Jemi Ekunkunbor

Finding the right dress for a dinner date shouldn’t be a serious problem. The famous Little Black Dress always comes handy.

However, without the right accessories, your LBD may look to plain.

So spice your outfit with the right accessories. You never go wrong with our dinner date accessories list.

Necklace earring Every girl loves to shine and sparkle and a neck piece or a pair of earrings with stones helps bring on the shine.

Cocktail ring

Crystal-BowtieStyle-EarringsNecklace

piaget limelight true cocktail ring

Don’t leave your finger bare, adorn a nice rock.

You can play with it as an escape route when conversation is boring or when an embarrassing moment presents itself.

Scarf You never know when the weather will deep or the air conditioning system gets really cold. A neck scarf will keep you warm.

Olive green pashmina

Clutch purse a clutch purse is what girl a needs to hold the few items she would need while out. It would hold a lip gloss for a quick fix, car key and probably phone (s).

But your purse should not just be for its utility value, it should add some swag to the whole ensemble.

black crystalquilted-clutchbag with diamante crystals

Monalisa Chinda

High heel sandal Diamanteembellished Suede Sandals, jimmy choo

show some leg with a pair of high heel sandal. Heels have a way of giving a girl the right gait. No harm though if you choose to wear pumps like Monalisa Chinda. The important thing is to be comfortable.

July 7, 2013 /

3

FA S H I O N

&Beautiful

FASH IO N

BRIGHT by - Jemi Ekunkunbor

The holiday season is about colours and more colours. This season, the colours are never too much as long as they are bright and beautiful. The look of summer is about floral blooms and colourful prints. However, your dress could also be in one plain colour like these lovely evening dresses.

Bola Balogun

BLUE

Matse

On air personality, Matse sure looks calm and confident in this floor length blue dress. Of course, blue is the colour of peace, confidence and security. Blue also symbolizes calm, peace and spirituality.

On the negative side, it symbolizes depression.

PURPLE

YELLOW

What a joy to behold a yellow colour! It signifies joy, happiness, imagination, hope, and sunshine.

What a sunshine Genevieve looks here!

Yellow also symbolizes summer, friendship, and on the flip side, cowardice, deceit and hazard.

GeneviEve Nnaji

GREEN

Rukky Sanda

Rukky Sanda looks lovely in this gorgeous sequins dress.

Green is lively and radiant, the colour of nature and the environment. It is one of the colours of 2013.

Green is a colour of elegance and beauty and it is the colour most associated with springtime, freshness, fertility as well as envy.

Although Bola Balogun may not be a royalty, this lovely satin dress confers on her that honour.

Purple stands for royalty, nobility, wisdom. It is also believed to connote arrogance. On the flip side, purple stands for mystery and magic.

RUTH OSIME

Nkechi Okocha

PINK

Child like innocence is one of the many things that the colour pink symbolizes. It also stands for love, romance tenderness and calm. It is a girl’s colour and so, it symbolizes femininity.

Doesn’t Nkechi look it?

RED

Red symbolizes strong emotions; love, desire, passion and danger.

It is the colour of war as well as the colour of Valentine.

Very exciting, it is believed that a girl in red looks prettier than one in any other colour. Hot, hot red!

July 7, 2013 /

5

FA S H I O N

&Beautiful

FASH IO N

BRIGHT by - Jemi Ekunkunbor

The holiday season is about colours and more colours. This season, the colours are never too much as long as they are bright and beautiful. The look of summer is about floral blooms and colourful prints. However, your dress could also be in one plain colour like these lovely evening dresses.

Bola Balogun

BLUE

Matse

On air personality, Matse sure looks calm and confident in this floor length blue dress. Of course, blue is the colour of peace, confidence and security. Blue also symbolizes calm, peace and spirituality.

On the negative side, it symbolizes depression.

PURPLE

YELLOW

What a joy to behold a yellow colour! It signifies joy, happiness, imagination, hope, and sunshine.

What a sunshine Genevieve looks here!

Yellow also symbolizes summer, friendship, and on the flip side, cowardice, deceit and hazard.

GeneviEve Nnaji

GREEN

Rukky Sanda

Rukky Sanda looks lovely in this gorgeous sequins dress.

Green is lively and radiant, the colour of nature and the environment. It is one of the colours of 2013.

Green is a colour of elegance and beauty and it is the colour most associated with springtime, freshness, fertility as well as envy.

Although Bola Balogun may not be a royalty, this lovely satin dress confers on her that honour.

Purple stands for royalty, nobility, wisdom. It is also believed to connote arrogance. On the flip side, purple stands for mystery and magic.

RUTH OSIME

Nkechi Okocha

PINK

Child like innocence is one of the many things that the colour pink symbolizes. It also stands for love, romance tenderness and calm. It is a girl’s colour and so, it symbolizes femininity.

Doesn’t Nkechi look it?

RED

Red symbolizes strong emotions; love, desire, passion and danger.

It is the colour of war as well as the colour of Valentine.

Very exciting, it is believed that a girl in red looks prettier than one in any other colour. Hot, hot red!

July 7, 2013 /

5

FA S H I O N

!

S E L Y T S R I A H B E CEL by - Jemi Ekunkunbor

The hair according to the Holy Writ is the crowning glory of a woman.

That is why beside what she wears, she takes time to pay attention to her hairstyle because it is what makes her the woman that she is.

From luncheons to cocktails and the red carpet, celebrities always turn out looking stunning with their choice of hairstyles. Today we bring you some great hairstyles from some of our celebs.

WEAVE ON

Karen Igho

Weave on can come in different shapes from straight to curls to even bob. Curls are girly and sexy. Depending on the individual, your choice can go from deep to loose. Weave on can also be styled into fringes, which are usually very sexy and demure or retro looking as with bobs.

Low cut

Ebube Nwagbo

The low cut is not a very common hair style. The reason is not far fetched. It is a style for the courageous and confident because it takes one with well shaped head to wear it. However, the low cut is fast catching up with busy executives and those who can’t stand the heat of hair relaxers. A few women have adorned this over time and made it their signature-women like Onyeka Onwenu, Debbie Ogunjobi and now Ebube!

DREAD-LOCK Dread-lock is a natural hair style which in the past was associated with some powers or spirits. Popularly called Dada in the local parlance, it is the hair style of the rastaffarians. Today, natural locks like that of Dakore Egbuson.is well sought after and very trendy. A few celebs like former NTA newscaster, Ruth Benaimesia Opia also wear it as hair style of choice. Where dread-locks cannot be naturally grown, the kinky braids which is an artificial dreadlock, fills the gap.

BRAIDS

Khadijah Eniafe

Braids and cornrows are quick classic and perfect look for every season especially the rainy season.

With braids you don’t need to dash to the salon every week as it can go a long way. Braids can take you from work to the red carpet and it is effortlessly stylish.

6

Ill Rymz

THE AFRO The Afro is the hair style a lot of people were born with and grew up to know and like.

Common with people of African decent, it is a hair style in which the hair extends from the head like a halo, cloud or ball. This hair is typically tight coiled and soft to the touch and for that several adjectives have been used to describe it-“kinky”, “hard” or woolly”. Because the afro is almost as old as man himself, it is one hairstyle that is very retro but very much in vogue. It keeps going and making a comeback. Today, because a lot of people can’t grow their afro the natural way, afro wigs stand in its place and they help to ensure that this great looks remain. Memories of several decades can be rekindled by just adorning this beautiful hair piece. If you doubt, check out Data Okorodudu in her modern version of the afro.

/ July 7, 2013

AShionye Carl Raka

4 2

Ibrahim Obanikoro... in

Twenty FOUR hrs

by - Fatima Garba Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro was born in the 80’s, is a popular young Political figure who a lot of people look up to especially in Lagos state. He was a PDP house of Assembly candidate in 2011 and won the PDP ticket for state Assembly Eti-Osa.He also contested for the Chairmanship of Ikoyi\Obalende local development area in 2011/12 which was surrounded by so many controversies. A very brave and passionate politician, in this short interview he gives us an insight into his personal life.

Is politics something you’ve always wanted to practice or was it a flair you picked up?

I have always shown interest in politics and I never for once kept it a secret. If you meet my childhood friends, they will tell you how I have nursed participating in politics.

How does a typical day start for you?

I wake up in the morning to pray. After prayers, I look into my planner to look at the ‘to dos’ of the day and my day starts from there. I do not have a routine simply because I call my own shots.

What are your hobbies?

I love playing football, listening to and reading news.

What do you do to relax in your leisure time?

I am a very easy going person. Once I am in bed, in my comfort zone, I am either browsing or playing games on my lap top. That’s enough leisure time for me.

to leave a legacy behind; a legacy that your child and other children will benefit from.

Are there any future projects you are working on, that you will like to tell us about?

Hahahahaha (laughs). Of course, there are future projects but I am not telling for now. Time will tell.

Who is your role model?

My father is my number one role model. He is a go-getter; what our generation will call hustler. I admire Alhaji Remi Makanjuola, a business icon, for his simplicity. Same with Mr. Haastrup of ENL. I have so much

What is your favourite meal?

Growing up, amala used to be my favourite but I ate amala so much that I don’t like it as much again. Right now, I really can’t say this is my favourite food but I like ‘lafun’ a lot..

Can you tell us a bit about your everyday fashion and style?

I love my natives. They are most comfortable, so I tend to wear native a lot because I like to be comfortable. But I rock jeans and any kind of shirt or t-shirt.

What are the basic characteristics of a politician and what advice will you give to youths who will want to be future politicians?

Every politician has his or her own characteristics, depending on the person’s upbringing. I believe in natural behaviour. Loyalty and honesty goes a long way in life. They also apply in politics. I advise upcoming politicians and future politicians to think of how to get our country in the right direction before venturing into politics. Plan

IBRAHIM OBANIKORO

respect for military president Abdulsalami Abubakar. Not a lot of men can hand over to civilian rule and stay away from politics as he is doing. Late Akintola of Ibadan, when I read about him. I am impressed and motivated by his actions and how he went about them. I can go on and on.

Pastor Wale Adefarasin, a man of God. I love his simplicity and approach to life. I must mention Madiba, that is Mandela of South Africa. I bow for him. that is Mandela of South Africa, I bow to him.

IBRAHIM OBANIKORO

July 7, 2013 /

7

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

T aiwo - Taiwo - On Fire for Her Country

I feel very sorry for young people nowadays because they haven’t been well grounded.

When I graduated in 1973, jobs were waiting for us and if you wanted to have a car, you could get a car loan.

By - Remmy Diagbare

C

hief (Mrs.) Taiwo Taiwo is a Jill of many trades and master of all; that which the Americans love to call multi-hyphenates – a wearer of a many-plumed hat. She is a business mogul, property owner, founder of Atlantic Hall, president of two non-governmental organisations and she only, recently, championed the building of a brand new, state-of-the art and world class fire station in the heart of Lagos Island. The project was funded by Shell.

In this interview with ALLURE, she speaks about her mother, her businesses, why she cares and her thoughts about the youth of Nigeria.

Excerpts.

We know who you are as President of LIMGE and founder of AART of Life Foundation, but what exactly do you do for a living?

I am the Managing Director of Shonny Investments and Properties Company and I have been running this company for thirty eight years.

Actually, my passion was to join the Foreign Service because I love people. I am intrigued by people. I love to enquire about people. When I am in the Underground, I look at people around me and I wonder: where did they come from? I am very curious about human life but my mother decided, when I was in my twenties, that I will run the company. So, (still) in my late twenties, I went out there and raised the finances to build this building and I finished it.

It was difficult at first but like they say: if you have twins first, then you should have triplets. So, with such a huge project, I had to ask around: ‘what is the process?’

8

/ July 7, 2013

I had some fantastic mentors – people like Alan Shelly. I learnt from them and I guess that’s what it takes. I am ready to carry huge burdens without allowing them to paralyze me. While many people are just scared and asking how are you going to do that, it doesn’t scare me.

How do you find time to do all these – work and NGOs? I think that human beings can actually have time to do more things if they organize themselves. I have this seven-habit diary and in that diary I write down all the roles that I have; role as a mother, role as a managing director of Shonny Properties, role as founder of AART of Life, role as a wife, role as a parent and I say to myself: what am I doing today?

It’s a very fantastic way to operate - these seven habits. I have always embraced them. By the time you are able to capture all these roles, you will see that you can do a lot more.

they used to call the husband ‘akowe’ because, he used to keep records. So, I don’t think there is an issue here.

I have always advocated for women not to fold their arms even when they are married to a very wealthy man. They should have a small trade they will use in taking care of themselves. I think our women are formidable. We are dynamic; we are also capable of doing the same things that men do. We are equally balanced, with equal smartness. So, I don’t think being a woman has stopped me from achieving my dreams because even as a very young woman, I was able to raise the finances to build Elephant House in my twenties. It helped too that I had a formidable mother; she really empowered and enabled me.

Now, talking about roles, there are so many ladies, youths in their twenties, who want to have their own businesses. What advice will you give them?

I feel very sorry for young people nowadays because they haven’t been well grounded. When I graduated in 1973, jobs were waiting for us and if you wanted to have a car, you could get a car loan.

Nobody prepared the young people of today and, mind you, it is not only in Nigeria; a world where there are no jobs. And, it is only going to get worse and nobody has actually trained them to be able to play new roles in this new world where there are no jobs. The educational system is also not training them to be entrepreneurial.

Yet, the reality is that most university graduates may not get jobs in the next ten years. It’s a permanent reality and the world needs to educate people on what to do where there are no jobs.

Take a look at Elephant House. When we built it

thirty years ago, UBA had eight floors. Allied Bank took five floors. Now, First Bank has just two floors, which means that all the staff that were employed are now down to two floors. This means that you, as a property developer, need to understand that your business has changed too.

So, young people need to be supported and made to understand that university education is there to broaden your mind and that having gone to the university, the next step will be to find out skills that you are good at and pursue them.

The other day, a lady came in here. It was on Valentine’s Day. She had trained in the USA as a chemical engineer and had done her a Master’s degree and came back but she didn’t have a job. So, she started making perfumes and when she brought them here and I saw the bottles and the presentations, I had to just stand up and hug her.

I said: “Thank you for not giving up, thank you for using your creativity and for doing something. That is

what is going to save us in this country.” So, my advice is: use your creativity and stop waiting for ten years to get a job.

It’s not only in Nigeria. Eighty per cent of graduates are unemployed in Spain. I like to say that if you wrote a book about being unemployed, it won’t be a best seller. People would be like, so what else is new?

Margaret Thatcher said the best man for the job is a woman. You being a top business woman, looking at the country now, do you think there has been progress for women?

To be honest with you, I have never thought that women in Nigeria have a problem with getting ahead and it is clear in our very culture, especially in Yoruba land.

Go to the market, the big market women. Many of them used to employ their husbands. I remember my mum’s friend, she was the biggest lace seller and

You built a high-rise at 29 and you set up Atlantic Hall with friends in your 30s. What has been your greatest challenge?

There was a time I was the only person in this building, no one on my left and no one on my right.

Everyone had gotten up and moved to Victoria Island, Lagos because area boys had taken over the streets. Apogbon was congested with traffic; refuse dumps were all over Lagos Island and decline had set in. Business left the Lagos Island and moved to Victoria Island. But, I said if you leave Lagos Island because of area boys and fire, the same problems will follow you to Victoria Island.

So, we set up LIMGE and decided to tackle the fire issue which was also an integral part of our agenda right from the get-go. So, we had a workshop and we visited a station and what we saw shocked us and we thought to ourselves: how do we expect people living and working like this to help put off our fire?

We were shocked that they were very intelligent; July 7, 2013 /

9

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

T aiwo - Taiwo - On Fire for Her Country

I feel very sorry for young people nowadays because they haven’t been well grounded.

When I graduated in 1973, jobs were waiting for us and if you wanted to have a car, you could get a car loan.

By - Remmy Diagbare

C

hief (Mrs.) Taiwo Taiwo is a Jill of many trades and master of all; that which the Americans love to call multi-hyphenates – a wearer of a many-plumed hat. She is a business mogul, property owner, founder of Atlantic Hall, president of two non-governmental organisations and she only, recently, championed the building of a brand new, state-of-the art and world class fire station in the heart of Lagos Island. The project was funded by Shell.

In this interview with ALLURE, she speaks about her mother, her businesses, why she cares and her thoughts about the youth of Nigeria.

Excerpts.

We know who you are as President of LIMGE and founder of AART of Life Foundation, but what exactly do you do for a living?

I am the Managing Director of Shonny Investments and Properties Company and I have been running this company for thirty eight years.

Actually, my passion was to join the Foreign Service because I love people. I am intrigued by people. I love to enquire about people. When I am in the Underground, I look at people around me and I wonder: where did they come from? I am very curious about human life but my mother decided, when I was in my twenties, that I will run the company. So, (still) in my late twenties, I went out there and raised the finances to build this building and I finished it.

It was difficult at first but like they say: if you have twins first, then you should have triplets. So, with such a huge project, I had to ask around: ‘what is the process?’

8

/ July 7, 2013

I had some fantastic mentors – people like Alan Shelly. I learnt from them and I guess that’s what it takes. I am ready to carry huge burdens without allowing them to paralyze me. While many people are just scared and asking how are you going to do that, it doesn’t scare me.

How do you find time to do all these – work and NGOs? I think that human beings can actually have time to do more things if they organize themselves. I have this seven-habit diary and in that diary I write down all the roles that I have; role as a mother, role as a managing director of Shonny Properties, role as founder of AART of Life, role as a wife, role as a parent and I say to myself: what am I doing today?

It’s a very fantastic way to operate - these seven habits. I have always embraced them. By the time you are able to capture all these roles, you will see that you can do a lot more.

they used to call the husband ‘akowe’ because, he used to keep records. So, I don’t think there is an issue here.

I have always advocated for women not to fold their arms even when they are married to a very wealthy man. They should have a small trade they will use in taking care of themselves. I think our women are formidable. We are dynamic; we are also capable of doing the same things that men do. We are equally balanced, with equal smartness. So, I don’t think being a woman has stopped me from achieving my dreams because even as a very young woman, I was able to raise the finances to build Elephant House in my twenties. It helped too that I had a formidable mother; she really empowered and enabled me.

Now, talking about roles, there are so many ladies, youths in their twenties, who want to have their own businesses. What advice will you give them?

I feel very sorry for young people nowadays because they haven’t been well grounded. When I graduated in 1973, jobs were waiting for us and if you wanted to have a car, you could get a car loan.

Nobody prepared the young people of today and, mind you, it is not only in Nigeria; a world where there are no jobs. And, it is only going to get worse and nobody has actually trained them to be able to play new roles in this new world where there are no jobs. The educational system is also not training them to be entrepreneurial.

Yet, the reality is that most university graduates may not get jobs in the next ten years. It’s a permanent reality and the world needs to educate people on what to do where there are no jobs.

Take a look at Elephant House. When we built it

thirty years ago, UBA had eight floors. Allied Bank took five floors. Now, First Bank has just two floors, which means that all the staff that were employed are now down to two floors. This means that you, as a property developer, need to understand that your business has changed too.

So, young people need to be supported and made to understand that university education is there to broaden your mind and that having gone to the university, the next step will be to find out skills that you are good at and pursue them.

The other day, a lady came in here. It was on Valentine’s Day. She had trained in the USA as a chemical engineer and had done her a Master’s degree and came back but she didn’t have a job. So, she started making perfumes and when she brought them here and I saw the bottles and the presentations, I had to just stand up and hug her.

I said: “Thank you for not giving up, thank you for using your creativity and for doing something. That is

what is going to save us in this country.” So, my advice is: use your creativity and stop waiting for ten years to get a job.

It’s not only in Nigeria. Eighty per cent of graduates are unemployed in Spain. I like to say that if you wrote a book about being unemployed, it won’t be a best seller. People would be like, so what else is new?

Margaret Thatcher said the best man for the job is a woman. You being a top business woman, looking at the country now, do you think there has been progress for women?

To be honest with you, I have never thought that women in Nigeria have a problem with getting ahead and it is clear in our very culture, especially in Yoruba land.

Go to the market, the big market women. Many of them used to employ their husbands. I remember my mum’s friend, she was the biggest lace seller and

You built a high-rise at 29 and you set up Atlantic Hall with friends in your 30s. What has been your greatest challenge?

There was a time I was the only person in this building, no one on my left and no one on my right.

Everyone had gotten up and moved to Victoria Island, Lagos because area boys had taken over the streets. Apogbon was congested with traffic; refuse dumps were all over Lagos Island and decline had set in. Business left the Lagos Island and moved to Victoria Island. But, I said if you leave Lagos Island because of area boys and fire, the same problems will follow you to Victoria Island.

So, we set up LIMGE and decided to tackle the fire issue which was also an integral part of our agenda right from the get-go. So, we had a workshop and we visited a station and what we saw shocked us and we thought to ourselves: how do we expect people living and working like this to help put off our fire?

We were shocked that they were very intelligent; July 7, 2013 /

9

REPORTAGE had been trained in America, Australia and they were smart engineers. So, the first thing we did was put up a bore hole for them. It was facilitated by Union Bank and that was in 2003. A week later, there was a fire in another Wemabod Building and because, we had a borehole there, they were able to put out the fire and the Chairman of Oduduwa Group came to say: “Look, I don’t know how to thank you because this would have been the fourth building.”

So, after we had done this workshop which we called Vision 2007, we handed the documents to all the state governments, especially Lagos State and we give credit to former Governor Tinubu. I have to applaud him because he saw the things we had put together and he went about doing things to the letter and helped bring to back Lagos Island.

This turn around could not have happened with the private sector alone, without the government because this is the centre where everybody is doing business. I mean this is Lagos.

So, that was another victory for us and when Governor Fashola came, we went to pay him a courtesy visit and he said: “You guys from LIMGE are known for pressurizing government but why not go and do something that is spectacular, like putting up a modern fire station.” We said we would take up this challenge and Ajele was also already part of our pet project.

We went about studying what is needed to have an ultra-modern fire station. We wanted to have everything they have at the New York fire station.

We realized that it’s not about the administrative office but about equipping them, training the men, inspiring them. We took a break because there were some challenges that were not anticipated.

But we were clear about what we wanted to do.

We analysed our document, did the fund raising. We said let’s do security first. Afribank provided ten patrol vans, which were handed over to the governor and then Shell took over our project.

We set up a technical committee, made up of two top guys from Shell who knew what it takes to put up a fire station. We also had the Chief of Fire of Lagos State and the fire service people. We met every two weeks for three years.

We built that building from the scratch and I have to give credit to our builder. It was meant to take six months but he did it in four months.

Once the building was done, we focused on training the men. We asked the Federal Service to give us hundred men and we trained them as the LIMGE squad. This team of well-trained, fully-kitted fire men are ready at all times and to get them inspired, we brought in New York Jersey fire men to train them for two weeks.

They have every single thing they need to fight fire: they have boots, they have gloves; they have breathing apparatus – just like the New Jersey fire men do. We have a facility manager who is employed by LIMGE whose job is to maintain what has been built.

We still have phase two to complete but what we have built is the best fire station in the country. We hope to get a water tender machine and have more trucks but, for us, what is important is to keep the men and by the grace of God, Shell has been extraordinary. This is a Shell/LIMGE project but I do hope that the other companies in Lagos Island and Nigeria will see this as an example of how to take ownership.

We want Nigeria to see what we have done. We have demonstrated leadership in action, which means involving yourself in your community and changing the negatives. I think we have changed our world. That has been my biggest challenge.

In your speech at Ajele, you said LIMGE has spent over five hundred million naira on the project?

YYes. We spent over five hundred million naira on that project and it was funded by Shell. We built that new station from scratch. We designed it as a very

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/ July 7, 2013

functional building. We said you need a gym, so we put the gym there; you need a training room, put it there; you need a communication room, we put it there. We put every single thing in.

And, look at the customized, fully equipped, fire fighting motor cycles that can go out to the streets and put out fire. That has never happened in Nigeria before.

I know you studied History and French. Have you ever trained formally for these?

How does one train for all these? In one day, I play many roles. The knowledge of life is learnt from experience. This morning, my first call was from our structural engineer and we were at one of our properties because, we had a problem that we wanted to fix. We were figuring it out together even though I am not an engineer.

So, it is experience that gives you the knowledge and the willingness to be curious. One thing I say is that people should learn to say: “Excuse me. How does this work?” People are always too shy to ask questions.

I used to say to my kids, you go to school to ask questions. That is what teachers are paid for. Ask questions when you don’t understand something.

You don’t have to be intimidated and accept jargons from the so-called experts because, you will wallow in ignorance when you don’t find out the meaning of something.

Your non-government organisation, Aart of Life, was something that evolved out of a bitter experience. But now, you are using it to help people. With the bombings all over the place getting bigger, did you ever think it will get to that point?

For me, it was a moment of ‘enough is enough’. I was going through great loss, heart break, devastation. I didn’t think I was going to ever recover from it. One of the things that stunned me was when people came to the house, they all could count five people that had been killed on that spot and that outraged me. I said why are they not doing something about it because, clearly, that place needed to have traffic lights.

Now, there could not have been any other outcome for my loss but for me to do good. Number one, my daughter’s 24 years on earth had to be transformed for a reason. I mean, she was an extra-ordinary girl that had to be captured.

I actually promised her that the world will never forget her and, today, I am known all over because of her. I go to New York and Paris and I am being stopped on the way. They say, I know your story: you lost a child, your story gave me hope! So, all these initiatives give one a tremendous sense of wellbeing.

We did a workshop last year on grief counselling.

We brought the victims of Boko Haram to Lagos. We did it with the Murtala Muhammed Foundation and it was awesome.

People had never experienced grief counselling so, there was so much healing that day. Like someone said, it was so empowering, people didn’t want to have a little break. They didn’t want to miss one second.

So, what will your next challenge be?

I beg God not to give me any new challenges.

Yesterday, somebody came to my house and said he wanted me to be part of an NGO and I said no. And he said, “But you have so much passion” and I said I have had enough.

I pray to God not to have any more challenges. If there is something I want to do, it is to teach Nigerians how to set up pressure groups. It’s not difficult. You need to just have a critical mass of people. I believe that if we want to change our society for the better, it’s not by sitting at home and groaning. It is by us feeding into what we are passionate about and organizing a systemic way of

• Mrs Taiwo-Taiwo

the reality is that most university graduates may not get jobs in the next ten years. It’s a permanent reality and the world needs to educate people on what to do where there are no jobs. changing things in our society for the best. The truth of the matter is that it is pressure groups that have changed the world.

It was pressure groups that stopped slavery; it was pressure groups that gave black Americans edge; it was pressure groups that changed South Africa; it was pressure groups that brought about women’s votes.

HEA L T H

HEALTHY LIVING101 by - Teri Mendes

BOILS & HERBAL REMEDIES

Did you

KNOW? The skin is the bodies largest organ.

Contains a pigment called Melanin. The more melanin the darker the skin, less makes it lighter.

Hello my dear readers trust you all had a lovely week. Today’s edition is on boils!

A boil is a common, painful infection of a hair follicle and the surrounding skin.

It begins as a red lump, then fills with pus as white blood cells rush in to fight the infection. Good home care can often clear up a single boil, also known as a skin abscess. A doctor’s care is needed when a boil resists treatment or develops in certain vulnerable areas of the body.

• A boil on the face or spine • A fever or red streaks coming from the sore • A very large or painful boil.

What Causes Boils?

Most boils are caused by staph bacteria (staphylococcus aureus), which many healthy people carry on their skin or in their noses without a problem.

When a scrape, cut, or splinter breaks the skin, the bacteria can enter a hair follicle and start an infection.

Other boils, such as those associated with acne, develop from clogged pores that become infected.

• A boil that keeps coming back.

Treatment: Recurrent Boils For some people, boils are a recurring problem. In addition to standard treatment, your doctor may try to eliminate or reduce staph bacteria throughout the body. This can include washing up with a special antiseptic soap, using an antibiotic ointment inside the nose, or 1-2 months of antibiotics by mouth, or all three.

Are Boils Contagious?

Not exactly, but the germs that cause boils (staph) are easily spread through skin-to-skin contact and contaminated objects. These bacteria usually do no harm unless they find a break in your skin. To avoid spreading staph, don’t share towels, bedding, clothes, or sports gear while you have a boil. Avoid touching the boil, and keep it covered. Frequent hand washing can also help prevent spreading the bacteria.

How to Prevent Boils Since bacteria are everywhere in our environments and on many people’s skin, the best defense against boils includes: • Hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer • Careful cleaning of cuts, scrapes, and other wounds • Keeping wounds covered

Who Gets Boils?

Anyone can develop a boil. Your risk increases with:

• Not sharing towels, sheets, razors, etc.

Launder towels, sheets, and anything else in contact with an infected area in very hot water. Throw away any wound dressings in a tightly sealed bag.

•Close contact with an infected person • Acne, eczema, or other causes of breaks in the skin • Diabetes • A weakened immune system

Treatment: Home Care You can take care of most boils at home. Apply warm, moist compresses several times a day to help a boil open and drain. After it starts draining, keep it clean,

and continue using warm compresses - a clean one every time. Change the bandage often and wash your hands well. Resist the urge to squeeze or pop the boil.

This can make the infection worse.

When to Call the Doctor If a boil doesn’t heal after a week of home care, call your doctor. Other reasons to call include:

Hope you enjoyed it, as that’s it for today my dear readers.

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

TERI Speaks Dear Teri, I saw your article on Sunday Vanguard “Allure” magazine. I have been looking for a hair treatment cream i saw on your page (MIZAN H20 INTENSE).

Please do you know where i can get it? I am in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. OBI

Dear Obi, Thank you for writing in. Mizani H20 is readily available in most large pharmacies. In Abuja, Perfect Trust Pharmacy in Wuse 2 definitely stocks it. Perhaps start from there.

Best wishes, TM.

July 7, 2013 /

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FEA T UR E

Get Captivated by - Jerome Onipede

GOD WILL BRING YOUR BUILDERS AND COMFORTERS TO YOU! It was my birthday anniversary on 20th July.

When I look back, I realize I have so much to thank God for. Recently, after a course abroad, I became the first African to be certified to use ‘Social Style and Versatility’. It is the best tool now used for ‘personal and inter-personal effectiveness in personal life, work, career, marriage, etc. It helps in such areas as coaching, handling conflicts, understanding and applying emotional intelligence, raising teams that work, etc.

I have also become an Associate of the TRACOM Group (Creator of Social Style and Versatility), USA. Now, I am qualified to train Nigerians and Africans in use of Social Style and Versatility for organizations, schools, churches, marriages, government, etc.

Some years back, while a Lagos-based consulting firm had taken DISC (a personal profiling tool) to organizations in Nigeria, I took it

to schools and churches in Ghana and Nigeria.

Today, so many Nigerians know about DISC. I also have not met any Nigerian who can facilitate/ teach the MBTI like I do. I say this in all humility and gratitude to God. Being an expert in facilitating use of DISC and MBTI, I am so intrigued and fascinated at the “Social Style and Versatility” because it makes you more observing of others, more interested in others and less judgmental of others. It gives you capacity to bend without becoming bent and spent.

It simply helps you to work better with others as it helps you to: 1) Know yourself 2) Control yourself 3) Know others, and 4) Do something for

others.

Social Style and Versatility is the best to come. so far. While DISC

ESCAPADES of

Style

THE FORTIETH BIRTHDAY PARTY - PART 2

So, anyway, I was interested only in the main event of Saturday. None of the other ones made it on to my schedule; I had a packed one that work week. I picked out the aso ebi colours and obtained samples of the lace and velvet fabrics to show my friend. She loved the combination of gold lace on turquoise velvet and hugged me when she saw the pieces. ‘Queen of Style’, she said to me laughingly. ‘I knew I picked the right person for this role!’ I smiled back. It was great to see her so joyful. ‘Crazy babe’, I said.’Only you would celebrate your fortieth for a week!’

‘See you’, she replied. ‘Only God knows what you will put us through for yours.

I’m sure it will be a blast’. ‘Aah, rather than spend this much on a party, I’d probably buy myself something really major and then go on a five-day spa and pampering trip with my closest people to Monaco or Maldives’, I laughed back. ‘See?’ said Cissy.

‘You are already raising the bar!’ ‘Naa,’ I shot back. ‘You’ve just always been a publicity-loving babe. Shameless you...’ Cissy laughed. We could always banter like that. Straight but loving shots; never badly meant and never badly taken.

I picked out two possible pairs of shoes - turquoise Miu Miu sandals and royal blue Louboutins, both sky high... For dancing, I was going to wear more practical Fendi wedges that I could groove in all-night without stressing my ankles, lol.

Anyway, if you think this article is about the party, you got it wrong. It’s about the drama on the eve of the party!

Cissy called me at 8.30p.m., Friday, hysterical. ‘You’ve got to come here now.

You’ve got to come, please! ‘

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/ July 7, 2013

was originated in the 1920s, MBTI in the 1950s, Social Style and Versatility came in the 1960s and has been developed and researched upon continually to make it remain the most relevant and best inter-personal tool you will ever need to get the best performance from people at work, in church, at school, and also in raising effective people.

Talking about effective people, I have been privileged to meet some personally. Sometime ago, when I fell into the sin of adultery, I lost everything. You see, I am not as lucky as some of you who live in sin yet seem to get away with it. I am too blessed not to face consequences of sin.

I am a son of God indeed. God will not permit sin to wreck my life, so He chastises me when I sin so I can learn to see sin for what it is: destructive and reckless.

When I lost everything in 1997, God said to me: “In the day I will rebuild your walls, I will extend your boundaries”. He also told me that my builders will return and my destroyers shall be forced to leave.

When it was time for the Lord to fulfill His Word, the Lord visited me as He had said and the Lord did for me as He had spoken. He removed the odour of adultery from me and put on me the fragrance of a son and I began to smell like the field that the Lord has blessed. He gave me the dew of heaven and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine. He asked that I be served by people and that nations should bow before me; that I be lord over my brethren and that my mother’s children bow before me. He said cursed is anyone who curses me, Jerome, and that blessed is anyone who blesses me.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Counseling inquiries on Marriage, Relationships, Career and Matchmaking >> @jeromeistalking on Twitter. “Like” Jerome Yaovi Onipede on Facebook.

‘Calm down’. I said automatically, ‘What on earth is the matter with you, birthday girl? Whatever it is, get a grip! Nothing coming from the sky the ground no fit handle, okay?’ All the while, I was wondering what was going on. She refused to speak on the phone, just kept saying I should come over, her world was crashing or something like that. I dropped the phone, grabbed my keys and quickly called my husband, who was on his way home, to let him know the situation and seek his understanding to let me go meet with her. ‘Sure’, he said. ‘I just hope she’s okay’.

I called Morayo, our mutual friend and the one in charge of the food committee.

‘Babe, what’s up with Cissy o?’ I asked. ‘I’m on my way to her, too, o’. Morayo repied immediately. ‘She just called me yelling.’ ‘Na wa o’, I said. ‘Where exactly are we going to meet her? Poetry reading venue or home?’ ‘Aah, I don’t know. Let me call and ask her and call you back,’ Morayo said. Two minutes later, her call came back.

‘She dey house. I could hear her husband shouting in the background’.

‘Shoot’, I said. ‘Me, I’m not going to get into husband and wife fight o. My husband will kill me...’ Morayo started laughing. ‘You and your wisdom’, she said.

‘Let’s spy first o, so we know what we’re going into. Husband and wife palaver is off limits. Make I call Nneka.’ Nneka was Cissy’s serious besto. If anything was happening, she would know. Morayo came back in a shot. ‘Nky says we should just come.’ ‘Ah ok, let’s hurry up then.’

We got to Cissy’s house in Ikoyi.Lagos. Nneka and Joy, another friend, were already there. Cissy was in her house robe, with her full make up on as though she’d been getting ready to go out and had been interrupted by whatever drama was playing itself out. They were all in the expansive living room, together with Cissy’s husband and two younger ladies. On closer inspection, I saw one of them was her house maid, Roselyn, or something like that.

‘What’s going on?’ I asked as soon as we stepped in. ‘Are you okay?’ ‘Ah, thank God you’re here. Come and see me see wahala o. Rosalyn has finished me’, Cissy said, sobbing. ‘What happened? What did she do?’ Morayo asked. Before she could finish the question, I noticed a huge bag beside the Rosalyn, opened, with some gold jewellery spilling out from it.’Ah ah, Cissy, is that not your jewellery? ‘I asked in shock. ‘Rosalyn stole all the jewellery I bought for my party, all the jewellery I kept at home, plus all the jewellery I brought home from the bank for the week’s events, plus all my husband’s wrist watches.

Feedback to escapadesofstyle gmail.com

...secret diary of a fashionista...

F EA T U R E

KATHY EMIKO

BodyPerfect not just slimming but fitness

FLAT BELLY DIET D – Dedication and discipline I – Inspiration E – Eat right and exercise T – Team work 1. Listen to your body: Don’t eat when you are not hungry. Have a piece of fruit, a small portion of vegetable salad or a glass of water instead. Conversely, don’t put up with hunger pangs; if unfulfilled, they can lead to ulcer or hypoglycemia. Don’t place your meals around the clock – that is when eating becomes a timed habit and people will eat say by 8a.m., 1p.m. and 7p.m. come rain or shine, appetite or not.

It’s much healthier to place your meal times around your hunger in the same way children do and pay less heed to the clock. If you are in the habit of eating regular meals when you are not hungry, your liver will be working far too hard and will basically suffer with exclusive wear and tear, just like arthritic joints that are overused.

2. Drink at least ten to twelve glasses of filtered water daily: This helps to cleanse the liver and kidney and aids weight loss. Your body requires small and frequent sips of water otherwise, your cells could be struck with dehydration and then membrane dry out. How do plants look like if you forget to water them? Timid and wilted, and that is how your cells look in a microscope after going without sufficient water.

By drinking adequate water, you will reduce chances of degenerative diseases. There is a higher incidence of

HEALTH

News101

The type of fat you eat on a regular basis is so important to your health and longevity and will have great influence on your organs and weight. Choose healthy fats called essential fatty acids. They are essential because the body cannot manufacture them and since they are essential for good health, e.g. extral virgin olive oil.

Alzheimer’s disease in people who do not drink adequate water. Drink water continually throughout the day and avoid large amount of fluid with meals.

Also, avoid eating large amount of sugar, especially refined sugars, as this will be converted into unhealthy type of fat called triglyceride. Many people become fat on a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet and the stomach gets bigger.

Avoid artificial sweetener, aspartame, found in diet colas and some diabetic foods and which can cause hypoglycemia and fatigue. If you desire something sweet, use fresh raw fruits, sun-dried fruits or stevia (a naturally sweet herb).

3. Avoid foods that you may be allergic to: or that you know from past experience upset you. If you have a weak digestive system and feel bloated and heavy after a meal, you can take digestive enzyme tablets with meals. Always chew your food slowly and thoroughly as digestion begins with saliva mixed with food in the mouth.

As people age, the production of hydrochlorine acid from the stomach often becomes inadequate for efficient digestion of proteins. This can be overcome by sipping a small glass of water containing one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar drink with every meal. The most common foods to cause intestinal irritable bowel syndrome are gluten or dairy products e.g. milk, butter, cheese, cream and ice-cream. This is because, these foods contain reactive proteins and lactose. Many people feel much less bloated when they avoid these foods completely. Don’t overdose on coffee.

4. Do not eat if you feel stressed or anxious: Doing this may affect your blood flow and divert it away from the intestines and liver to other areas of the body.

Eating at this time will lead to abdominal bloating and poor digestion.

5. Avoid constipation: The vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables do wonder for your skin, hair and nails. A healthy diet trackles beauty problems from the inside, improving the rate of hair growth, cell renewal and collagen formation.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Princess Kathy is a certified nutrition and fitness consultant. Email: bodyperfectng@aol. com | BB: 28356028

olish Professional

polished as long as brand/image is concerned, No company wants to be seen as laid-back or not advanced in any way, otherwise clients (especially, modern-day ones), would look the other way.

THE

by - Chioma Okoye

USING THE POLISH EDGE

There is peace that comes with being well mannered and treating people well, hence the reasons we all need polish which (to mention a few) are: • It leads to business success. It creates a distraction-free environment that engenders successful business operations. You become successful by building on your strengths and not just by correcting your weaknesses.

The problem is that most people are not able to achieve this because they are held up by their lack of social skills. For instance, if in your work place, you are the type that does not while away or waste people’s time with gossip or one that thinks or weighs your words before you speak in addition to being courteous while at it (which, most times, produces wise statements that lead to solutions), then, you are most

likely a candidate for promotion.

• If you don’t know the proper way to dine, your boss may overlook your other strength and deny you the opportunity to take an important client on a business development date. This statement is simply portraying the importance of being

• You must remember that people do business with you because they like you and trust you; hence, being polished creates consistent behaviour that builds the trust you need for success. Integrity, humility, friendliness, reliability etc. are values that are necessary for customer loyalty. As a professional, this is expected to be in place.

Chioma E. Okoye is a Corporate Etiquette expert; she is the Principal of the Diamond School of International protocol & Etiquette.

July 7, 2013 /

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PEOPL E

“O N E PARTY AT A TIME!”

toyin saraki

mo abudu

Gov. Liyel Imoke

florence ita-giwa

Mrs Obioma Imoke

eunice efole

olu jacobs and joke silva

mako and biola alabi

bayo and timi adekpetun

chief edem duke and mr donald duke

Ebony LifeTV Launch In Eko Hotel By - Oscar Ochiogu Talk show host, TV producer and media personality, Mo Abudu, launched her entertainment and lifestyle channel, Ebony Life TV, on Sunday, June 30, 2013 at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ebony Life TV is Africa’s first global Black entertainment network and commenced broadcast on DSTV on Monday July 1 on Channel 165 and will soon extend to SKY in the UK and DISH in the US. The show was hosted by Dolapo Oni and Dare Alade. Nikki Laoye gave the opening act with her special rendition of the National Anthem.

Tiwa Savage and Banky W also did a beautiful rendition of Onyeka Owenu and King Sunny Ade’s ‘IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU WILL WAIT FOR ME’. While they performed, Onyeka and Sunny Ade. to the surprise of everyone, joined them on stage. The legend, Ebenezer Obey, also performed with M.I. Abaga - a classic moment. Sunny Ade and Wizkid’s performance was wonderful.

The climax of the evening was the surprise presentation of award as the first woman to own a TV network in Africa by EbonyLife TV team and Mr. Steve Forbes to Mo Abudu.

susan younis

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d’banj

/ July 7, 2013

funke bucknor

vivian oputa

labaran maku and steve forbes

tolu oniru

lynxx

nkiru anumudu

tiwa savage

praize

folake coker

elohor aisien

temidayo abudu

adaku ufere

rita dominic

kate emiko

nina

jennifer ukoh

ik ogbonna

munachi abii

kunle afolayan

udo okonjo

PEO PL E

“ O N E PA RT Y AT A T I M E ! ”

‘A Mile From Home’ hits Cinemas By - Yemisi Suleiman Eric Aghimien’s action-packed film, ‘A Mile from Home’ premièred recently at the SilverBird Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos. The movie is a gripping feature that dwells around issues ranging from valour, honour, romance, crime and revenge. The movie creatively sheds light on the ills in our society with a realistic look at the challenges of young adults in their journey through life.

The premiere of the movie enjoys sponsorship from leading brands and supporters of the Nigerian movie industry: Top-Tea and Sensodyne.

According to the director of the film, Eric Aghimien, the movie is a breathtakingly creative and contemporary feature, filled with suspense and action. It mirrors what happens when unsuspecting young adults are led into bad associations for various reasons and they either seek revenge or freedom.

“The movie addresses themes of vengeance and reprisal violence, while enlightening the audience of its multiple effects and heralding forgiveness as key to true happiness,” Aghimien said.

Shot in Nigeria at various locations across Lagos, it showcases sterling performances by talented actors such as Alex Ayalogu, Tope Tedela and Chiedozie ‘Sambasa’ Nzeribe amongst others.

Alex Ayalogu and a guest

eric aghimien

tolu

victor

chidozie and tope tedela chioma and didi

Kachi Onubogu and wife

Mr & Mrs Winston Ailemoh

Amaka Okere and a guest

emeka ike and wife

chibuzo kamma

sophia mohammed and a friend

Fine & Country Presents ‘9 By 5th + Quansah’ By - Oscar Ochiogu In a never-before-seen event in Nigeria, 5th + Quansah worked with Fine & Country to stage a new, two-storey Prestige Living showroom in a seamless blend of experience and shopping. For 9 days, consumers shopped for products from both 5th + Quansah and Prestige Living, including women’s apparel and accessories, home decorating items, furniture, and a unique selection of interior products. Shoppers browsed themed rooms in a space reminiscent of a home and enjoyed merchandise that corresponds to each theme. For example, when entering ‘The Ultimate Walk-In Closet’, shoppers encountered dresses, clothing and home furnishing items.

In addition to the standing shop space, guests of ’9 by 5th + Quansah’ were offered a unique opportunity to interact with local and international designers in a series of bespoke events, including trunk shows, personal appearances, and wardrobe clinics led by members of the Nigerian fashion community.

Ifeoma Ojogbo

models

Nana Serwah Kankam

Ifueko Oyegun and Ose Amusa-Eke

Ayobami Aito

Chigo Ekwensi

Olatan Towry-Coker

July 7, 2013 /

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