SUNDAY, March 12, NOT IN THISDAY STYLE? THEN YOU RE NOT IN STYLE. Celebrating. Olusegun 80!

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1 TRUTH & REASON SUNDAY, March 12, NOT IN THISDAY STYLE? THEN YOU RE NOT IN STYLE Celebrating Olusegun 80!

2 Society THE SHADE CORNER ON ACCELERATE TV CLAIRE SOTIMI CLOTHING LAUNCH Content Fashion How to Wear a Pencil Skirt Secrets from a Celebrity Stylist Pg 6 & 7 THE BCX rebranding Pg 4 & 5 The Mix Who Is At Home? Pg 8 Cover PHOTOs By TY BELLO ANN CRANBERRY S PETALS AND PASTELS Pg10 The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Pg 20 & 21 STYLE CRUSH Pg 22 Recently General Olusegun Obasanjo turned 80. With his innate ability to unite everyone regardless of class, tribe or creed and his laudable presence on both national and global platforms, Obasanjo is truly a man of great valor. A man whom, regardless of the positions and titles bestowed upon him, is still so down to earth, and known to share a good joke with all and sundry more often than not. Thisday Style Fashion Director/Executive Editor Ruth Osime Editor Print: Olufunke Babs-Kufeji Editor Digital: konye Nwabogor Style CORRESPONDENT MOJIsola ALLEN Style CORRESPONDENT Ayodeji Rotinwa Style CORRESPONDENT Safina Mohammed Graphics/Prod. Head Alexander Oviazee Graphics/Prod. Adegboye Oluwaseyi Contributors edirin Okumagba RUKY SALAKO YEMISI DADA SERIKI Juliet Alu Photographers TY Bello Reze Bonna Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODuction. CHUKS ONWUDINJO I ve studied and watched from afar, our cover subject, Olusegun Obasanjo. The few times I have seen him live; I have always been amazed at how spritely he is. Such a man cannot but be admired for his physical fitness if nothing else not to also mention his larger than life personality. I have always had a soft spot for men in their 70s, 80s and even 90s because I find them so fascinating to talk to with their buckets of wisdom. I recall once meeting the dad of a friend of mine in a banking hall. He was in his mid 80s at the time and we spent over an hour chatting because he regaled me with various stories about Lagos of old, what the streets were like, the type of life they lived and so on and so forth. I don t even think we discussed his children much, who were and are still my friends. I also find most endearing their old fashioned values and their take on the men and women of modern times. To me, they are father figures with so much wisdom to share and educate. There is never a dull moment with such men and I am told Obasanjo is all of these and much more. What I find most fascinating is how he apparently remembers everyone s names and even up to their families. And from some of the pictures inside, you can also see his playful side. He is a man well respected all over the world so it is only expected that we celebrate him as he turned 80 recently. I hope most men of our generation will look to emulate a man of such stature. A man whom, regardless of the roles he has played in and outside the political domain both national and globally, can still be so down to earth, and is known to share a good joke with all and sundry more often than not. Fashion Director/Executive Editor Polo Towers - Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue - Victoria Island - Lagos - Tel (1) Tel (0) Ballon Bleu de Cartier Pink gold, diamonds

3 JUBILEE JONAS Jane DAMILOLA OLAIYA Tosin Oyelesi TOSAN OZORO tolu omotunde Mariam Musa SHADE OLAGBAYI BIOLA OKIKIOLA CLAIRE SOTIMI CLOTHING LAUNCH By FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI Adedayo & Patrick Tokyo James Lolade Ovueraye & Lala Akindoju Chef fregz AYOBAMI KAREEM Tutu Balogun ITOHAN EKERE & ROSE ETU Recently at Tilt Terrace in Lekki, Claire Sotomi launched her own namesake fashion brand Claire Sotomi Clothing; a contemporary priced ready-to-wear line that appeals to today s modern woman. The clothing line carries fashionable day wears, sunglasses, accessories and more inspired by the designer s love for modern yet chic clothes. The launch brought together family, friends, existing and new clients to the unveiling of the labels first collection that allowed them to shop first hand the brand new collection. CLAIRE SOTOMI Diyola Kingsley-James YAO SERGE OYEYINKA BANJO JUSTICE NSUDI MOHAMMED MUHMUDU KINGSLEY ONYEOBI IFENIYI UDEME TOPE FASHEDEMI IFENIYI KEMI IJALAYE Makida Moka, Sharon Ooja & Rory Okoli Akah Nnani K-10 Denola Grey THE BCX THE SHADE CORNER ON ACCELERATE TV By Funke Babs-Kufeji Recently in Lagos The Shade Corner, a brand new show from Accelerate TV held a private viewing session at the AccelerateTv.com HQ. The cast of the Shade Corner (Akah Bants, Makida Moka, Bayo Oke-Lawal, Noble Ezeala and Camille Shayien) and some of their friends and family where in house to enjoy food, booze, great conversation and of course plenty shade which was served, as everyone enjoyed an exclusive screening of the newest favourite show. They were all treated to the first two episodes of the show (the first of which is already out and you should have totally watched already!) plus a rare sneak peek into what s in store for the rest of the season (Not to mention yummy popcorn, cocktails, ribs, mini burgers and other tasty treats. Shade Corner is barely a week old and seems to be gaining ground quickly, with lots of conversations going on about the cast, topics and the show in general under the hashtag #ShadeCorner. Be sure to catch it every Wednesday on Colette Otusheso, Noble Ezeala & Camile Shaiyen KELVIN OGHAFUA SOLA OPALEYE JULIA OBASI PHILIP CROWA ADEDOYIN OLUSIKE BAMISEBI AYO ADEGBOYE & DARKEY AFRICA rebranding By Konye Chelsea Nwabogor BCX, the new name adopted by Business Connexion Group has been formally unveiled in Lagos. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Managing Director of BCX Nigeria, Mr. Ayo Adegboye, said the rebranding became necessary following the merger between Business Connexion and Telkom South Africa; a synergy he said is a business transformation targeted at improving services that would offer customers more access at both ends. The ceremony which took place at Eko Hotel and suites, Lagos was well attended by an audience of the company s clients and regulators.

4 How to Wear a Pencil Skirt BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI You ve probably heard the word pencil skirt over and over again, and for good reason: the straight and narrow cut skirt that is one of the most elegant and ladylike garments a woman can own, and if styled right, it s also flattering on most figures. Here are some ways to style your pencil skirt. STYLE & design Secrets from a Celebrity Stylist By Konye Chelsea Nwabogor We asked celebrity stylist, Veronica Odeka, to open her little black book and share her top secrets on creating unforgettable looks. Know your best and favorite features and learn how to play them up. Know your body shape and the styles that look best on you. Have a good tailor on speed dial. You can make fabulous inexpensive pieces, or even transform an old top or skirt into something more fashion forward. Know the importance of undergarments and how they can best flatter your body shape and your style. Many women don t know the full range of options available, and with so many different silhouettes in fashion it s important to have the right undergarments to complement look. DOOPIE To build a closet full of staples, you need versatile items in your wardrobe. Start with a few key pieces that you can wear with most things you have. STELLA UZO Wear it With Heels When wearing a pencil skirt all eyes are on your calves. To elongate them and make them look even more fabulous, you should always style the skirt with a killer pair of heels. Wear it With a Belt Belts are a great way to accentuate your figure and highlight a small waist. If you wish to further define your waist, be sure to tuck in your blouse. Another major pro about belting your pencil skirt is that it creates the highly sought-after hourglass figure. veronica odeka A piece you should absolutely invest in is a perfectly fitting blazer that can be worn with jeans or a dress. Also, figure out the style of jeans that looks best on you and buy them in a few colours. Another must-have is a white men s-style shirt they re great as a top layer and perfect for throwing on with jeans. You should always splurge on high quality accessories when you can afford to. Most of these pieces can be worn for years and are definitely worth the investment. PRICILLA Always declutter your wardrobe. Ask yourself if you ve worn the item in a year, and if you haven t, get rid of it. Wear it With a Classic Blouse Pencil skirts can be worn in different ways and fit well into a variety of settings; it s certainly not just an item that is reserved for workwear. One of the best ways to style a pencil skirt is with a classic blouse. For a more casual ensemble pick a lace or silk blouse, while a button-down will look classic and chic as formal attire. CHIC AMA Don t be Afraid to go Bold If your tummy is a problem area opt for a solid colour (this will help disguise any lumps or bumps), otherwise don t be afraid to go bold. Try out prints, opt for bright colours and vivid patterns. The style is long and slimming enough to pull off prints and block colours. Don t think about pieces individually, but how they can go with other items in your closet. If you can t see yourself making an outfit out of something that makes you feel confident, it s probably a good idea to get rid of the item. Not sure about your personal style? You need to ask yourself what kind of image you want to project and what makes you feel the most confident. This will help you find your own personal style.

5 LifeSTYLE The Mix Mix Who Is At Home? In art, as in life, home can be a slippery, complicated thing. AYODEJI ROTINWA reviews a book, a movie and a piece of music (al) controversy that capture this uncertainty. ever, we must not create an environment where said influences cannot move freely. At the moment though, Nigerians seem to be punishing Mr. Eazi for his comment by not giving his new body of work, Lagos to Accra any eartime. It is barely catching on on radio, nor being played by DJs at the numerous parties that happen in the country every week and usually a fair barometer for how well a song is doing. P.S. In another twist, some theorists believe that what Mr. Eazi is really griping about with regards to the tweet, is the fact that the biggest song of 2016 turned out to not be one of his many hits but Runtown s Mad Over You a monster mid-tempo hit whose influences are indeed unmistakable, has more than one home. To rub salt into injury, the song s first goes, Ghana girl say, she wan marry me o HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi That Gyasi s novel is an epic about slavery, is likely by now an overstated fact. The novel ambitiously seeks to cover slavery s long history (some 250 years and eight generations) from when Africans existed as family, neighbours, and friends in closely knit communities, to when they were substituted for trade items by their family, neighbours and friends; with this fresh economic direction inspired by White invaders. At its heart, Homegoing is literally about home. In Ghana. In America. About who has a right to it, about those who are separated from it, about where it can be found; as dictated by the circumstances of captivity. Two half-sisters, Effia and Esi are separated at birth, one marrying an English slave master, another sold to an American planter, across the Atlantic. Effia s descendants remain in Ghana, and Esi s in America until two centuries and a half after when descendants from both lines, Marjorie and Marcus meet though unbeknownst to either, that they are related) Marcus is Esi s greatgreat-great-great-grandmother (and a couple more times over) The book follows the characters struggle to settle, to accept freedom, with compassion, the crushing blow slavery deals not only to physical body, but to the mind. Though at times, episodic and the writing too urgent, rushed; the stories feel raw and the reader inhabits the characters powerlessness to determine their own fate or future. Mad over Mr. Eazi s Nationalist Tweet? Nigerians Ignore Mr. Eazi s Accra to Lagos Mixtape Should inspiration have a nationality, a place of origin? Are we allowed to take it across borders, drawn lines? Where should its home be? On music charts of a foreign nation and subsequently exported across the world or in the hall of fame for sound developers who do not have the capacity of their foreign counterparts. These seem to be the implicit questions in Mr. Eazi s tweet a few weeks ago that sparked righteous outrage on Nigerian Twitter. He said, Ghana influence on Naija Sound cannot be over emphasized! In plainer terms, he was saying music that is credited or referred to as Nigerian has Ghanaian roots and perhaps what was unsaid that this credit should be recognized. In even more plainer terms, he was saying there s no such thing as an (original) Naija Sound, that it was Ghanaian. Now, Mr. Eazi, on the former count is accurate. Nigerian music is heavily influenced by Ghanaian sounds but inspiration does not belong to one place. Nigerians for years have been mining raw sounds from Ghana, refining it and making it more precious and valuable than those to whom it s a natural resource, ever could. Should Nigerians make more of an effort to reference their influences? Absolutely. How- Richard Mofe-Damijo as Gunpowder in OLOIBIRI OLOIBIRI Nigerian cinema is enjoying a rare throwback moment with three films released in the historical fiction genre in 2016 alone. The most charged and political of them all is probably Oloibiri, an ambitious thriller that dials back to when and where oil was first discovered in Nigeria Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, South-South Nigeria. The film which stars the likes of Richard Mofe-Damijo as a creek warlord, Olu Jacobs holds the spotlight on environmental neglect and its consequences. A people s home is forever compromised when oil is discovered beneath them. This leads to foreign oil companies swooping in, mining their wealth, polluting their water and their wellbeing, and making angry militants out of men who depended on their community s waters to feed their family. In all of this, the Nigerian government looks the other way. Who will take care of home? Who has a right to the God-given treasure beneath it? Who will pay when its preservation isn t accounted for?

6 STYLE & design ANN CRANBERRY S PETALS AND PASTELS BY MOJI ALLEN Each year, Style looks out for bourgeoning talents with guts, gusto and most importantly talent to survive in this cutthroat industry labelled Fashion. Ann Cranberry has shown promise with its most sincerely feminine narrative (Petals and Pastels) that is Less and More in its most beautiful form using couture techniques on its very functional garments. The pret-a-porter lineup with couture influences features accessible fashion stitched to the social scene in a palette as subtle as the word subtle itself. RC

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8 COVER COVER OLUSEGUN 80! General Olusegun Obasanjo is a name that reverberates with everyone, bold old and young, in Nigeria. To say he is a legend doesn t quite encompass the totality of the man. Though feared by some, he is loved and admired by many especially by the people he served as President/Commander-in-Chief, twice in his lifetime. Recall that 21 years ago, the late General Abacha for being part of the coup to take power from him jailed Obasanjo. Obasanjo was later released in 1998 and became a democratically elected president in He himself has proclaimed that his time in prison was well spent because he found God and preached the word to other prisoners. But God had more plans for him and in 2003; Obasanjo was re-elected in a seamlessly successful election. His government left Nigeria almost debt free, no small feat by any standard. Although there was the Third Term Agenda, which later fell through, Obasanjo did not rest his laurels after leaving power. In 2008, he was appointed by the United Nations as a special envoy for Africa and has since overseen democratic elections on behalf of the African Union and Ecowas in countries across the continent. Today, Olusegun Obasanjo is a member of the Africa Progress Panel (APP), a group of ten distinguished individuals who advocate at the highest levels for equitable and sustainable development in Africa. He is also a member of Club de Madrid, an independent nonprofit organization created to promote democracy and change in the international community. Its members are over 100 former democratically elected Presidents and Prime Ministers from more than 60 countries. Olusegun Obasanjo has one of the biggest farms in the country. Those who are close to him say he is very jovial and the astuteness of his brain is phenomenal. He remembers every single detail and every name no matter how small or big the person is. He is also very engaging and is as comfortable in a King s palace as he is in a classroom of kids. Such ability to connect with people of all ages and from all works of life is what makes Obasanjo so unique and intriguing. So no matter how brief an encounter with him is, he certainly leaves a lasting impression. Obasanjo is 80 but as fit as men several decades younger not to mention as spritely. Today we celebrate a man of valor. The well-deserved accolades he has received from far and wide shows the extent and level of respect he commands at the global stage. They say you never know the strength of a tree until the storm blows. Obasanjo has proven not just his great prowess in the political terrain, but also his depth of wisdom in dealing with the complexities of a nation like Nigeria. With his innate ability to unite everyone together regardless of class, tribe or creed and his laudable presence on both national and international platforms, Obasanjo is truly a man of great valor. I hope most men of our generation will emulate a man of such stature. A man whom, regardless of the roles he has played in and outside the political domain both national and globally, can still be so down to earth, and is known to share a good joke with all and sundry more often than not. RUTH OSIME and Konye Chelsea Nwabogor report Cover PHOTO BY TY BELLO

9 COVER COVER A peek into olusegun obasanjo s world PRESIDENT MOHAMMADU BUHARI and OLUSEGUN OBASANJO shehu shagari and Olusegun obasanjo Olusegun Obasanjo, Ernest Shonekan and Abdulsalam Abubakar olusegun obasanjo and bill clinton olusegun obasanjo and gen giap Goodluck Jonathan And Olusegun Obasanjo vicente fox And olusegun obasanjo thabo mbeki and olusegun obasanjo cherie blair And olusegun obasanjo Jimmy Carter And Olusegun Obasanjo

10 COVER COVER Some of His Famous Quotes My gut feelings and my faith tell me that until God shuts a door, no human can shut it. Let me make a solemn pledge before all of you, before the whole world and before God, that I will devote all my energy and all I possess in my power to serve the people of Nigeria and humanity. There is no part of the world where corruption is absolutely eliminated. I believe God knew what he was doing when he put oil under our ground. It should be a means to an end. Unfortunately, the true force which propels our endless political disputes, our constant struggles for political advantage, is often not our burning concern for democracy, it is often of our dedication to the principle of the rule of law. Inability to focus and concentrate is the greatest enemy of goals and achievement. Most of what people do well at is what comes easily to them to do. By training, learning, and practice, they improve, excel, and become experts. If what you are doing comes without ease but with pain, tears, struggle, and labour, you may have to reconsider if it is really your calling or vocation. To err is human; to forgive is divine. To forget, for me, is amnesia, and this might cause one to fall prey again. I have no enemies but if you declare yourself as my enemy, I will neither arm you nor will I harm you; and if I have to dig a hole for you to halt you from continuing to pursue me, I will make it just deep enough to make you have to call for help. Who knows who may need to cry for help after a fall into the hole in the future, it could even be the digger himself. age is just a number There is a time for everything. When time and action are synchronised - right action at the right time by the right person - achievement and success are normally the outcome. Like most things in life, there is an element of the G-factor for getting things right. You may study the situation, carry out analysis and projections, seek and employ experts and consultants and do all that you know and believe have to be done, but unless your plans and programmes are in tandem with the plan and purpose of God, your efforts may amount to little or nothing. To think that once one is in management position, there is no further need for training through formal and informal interaction and exposure is, I believe, the height of folly. If you deceive me once shame on you because I have trusted you once and you have deceived me, if you deceive me twice shame on me because I have learnt my lessons and you have deceived me and if you deceive me for the third time shame on me because am a compound fool. If I am not above the law, nobody in this country can then claim to be above the law. Nigeria has no business with poverty. With our human and material resources, we shall strive to eradicate poverty from our country. Fighting corruption is not a one night affair. Of course there are deep-rooted interests, and if you are going to deal with it, you have to deal with it ruthlessly and consistently. If you deal with it today and you then turn a blind eye tomorrow, it will come back with vengeance. What they say About Him... Those of us who served under him in the military recall a man with boundless energy, a razor sharp mind, and one who does not suffer fools gladly. Working with General Obasanjo was a school in itself, and the lessons I learnt are worth their weight in gold. President Muhammadu Buhari Obasanjo is therefore a gift in various ways, being so intricately tied to the history of Nigeria. His enduring legacy would be his belief in one strong, detribalised Nigeria, and in an Africa united in vision and thoughts. Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo Baba, for several decades, you have been one of the dominant figures in our national discourse. On several fronts, you have served the nation diligently, conscientiously and passionately. In fact, you remain a beacon of our national unity, peace and progress. Senate President, Bukola Saraki

11 The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo recently made history when he commissioned his presidential library - the first of its kind in Africa. The multi-billion Naira Library complex, which houses over 42 million books, documents and archival materials including the former President s primary school uniform, shoes, military uniform, his first car and other personal belongings, is located in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. The Library was initially launched in 2005 and its commissioning on the 5th of March, 2017 was part of the programs to celebrate the 80th birthday of the two-time democratically elected President of Nigeria. Photographed by Biodun Ajala Cutting the cake with the Celebrant is the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Celebrant and his wife with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his wife, Toyin Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Former Commonweaith Secretary-General,Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Acting President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Abdulsalami Abubakar Commissioning the Liibrary L-R: Nuhu Ribadu; Akinwunmi Ambode and Koffi Anan Chief and Mrs Ernest Shonekan Chief and Mrs Emeka Anyaoku L-R; Revd Sunday Mbang and Pastor Enoch Adejjarre Adeboye L-R; Goodluck Jonathan and Ellen Johnson L-R; Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Wife off Ogun State governor, Funso Amosun and the governor, Ibikunle Amosun Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and his Kwara State counterpart, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed Senator Godswiill Akpabio and Rev Peter Makinde Olatunde Abudu Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and Ooni of lfe, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi R-L; Olusegun Obasanjo & Oba Dapo Tejjuoso L-R; Gbenga Daniel and Alao Akala Gen. Marthin Luther Agwai and Jonathan Olopade Dr and Mrs Christopher Kolade L-R; Ottunba Bimbo Ashiru; Ronke and Mrrs Evelyn Oputu Shokefun Prof. and Mrs Olu Akinkugbe Prof and Mrs Akin Mabgunje Mrs Maden lbru and Chief (Mrs) Omotayo Omotosho L-R; Prof Joy Ugwu and Chief Olatunde Abudu L-R; Mr Segun Adesegun and Mr Segun Oni

12 STYLE & DESIGN STYLE CRUSH MIMI ONALAJA International Women s Day BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI Mimi Onalaja has made a transformation right in front of our eyes. She has officially become a red carpet style icon. If there s one thing Mimi loves, it s a wellcoordinated outfit. The rising TV it girl is constantly surprising us with her fresh take on the current trends, and whether she s getting on a red carpet, running errands, or gramming a selfie, Mimi dishes out more than enough style and beauty inspo to keep us wanting more of her style. First women...firstgems On International Women's Day, the Board and Management of FirstBank surprised female staff across the country. It was an opportunity to celebrate the bold and confident ladies whose talents, perseverance, and timeless wisdom have contributed to the Bank. Below are some pictures from the colourful event Mimi looks divine in this floor length red dress by Bxfrox. Even as a wedding guest, Mimi is one to always step out looking fab. Mimi is work chic in this black pencil skirt and black and red high neck top. Even all covered up, this fashion it girl still looks tres chic. This outfit proves Mimi not only likes to have fun with fashion but shows that she likes to keep her look simple and chic. We totally love how she has matched a t-shirt to pants. Chic! ). Adesola Adeduntan, MD/CEO of FirstBank Limited & Subsidiaries with Barbara Harper Group Head, Human Capital Management and Development 2). L-R: Mrs. Ibukun Awosika Chairman, FirstBank with Folake Ani-Mumuney Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications 3). Mrs. Ibukun Awosika Chairman, FirstBank at the Product and Marketing Support Department 4). Ambrose Feese a Director at FirstBank with some staff of Makurdi Business Development Office 5). Obafemi Otudeko, Non-Executive Director, FirstBank & Subsidiaries at Eko Hotel branch, Victoria Island 6). Mrs. Sola Oworu with staff at Chevron Branch 7 8 Mimi has perfected the casual chic look. Wearing an LDA Gisele top and black wide leg pants, Mimi strikes a pose. Love how she has paired it up with a black clutch and black sandals. This is one look we won t forget in a while, Mimi is drop dead gorgeous in this green fringed number by Fablane by Derin at The Future Awards Yasss! Less is always more, Mimi be giving us life in this draped black top and jeans. Her smokey eye makeup finishes up the look perfectly. Way to go girl!!! ). Adesola Adeduntan, MD/CEO of FirstBank Limited & Subsidiaries with staff at Diaspora Banking 8). FirstBank Non Executive Director Ibrahim Dahiru Waziri with some staff in Abuja 9). FirstBank female staff celebrating IWD at Elephant House Marina, Lagos. 10). Staff from Uyo Business Development Office 11). Selfie time at Artillery branch, Port-Harcourt

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