Tambari

Tambari SUNDAY TRUST

March 15, 2015

For the woman of style

Fabulous Peep-Toe Shoes

Folake Ani-Mumuney ‘The corporate environment is defined by quality of contributions, not gender’

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

C.o.n.t.e.n.t.s 3

Fashionista:

Fabulous Peep-Toe Shoes Men’s Fashion:

Skinny Ties Healthy Living:

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Health benefits of African cherry ON THE COVER:

FOLAKE ANI-MUMUNEY ‘The corporate environment is defined by quality of contributions, not gender’ >>> PAGES 4, 5, 6

Hello Readers,

The

Team Editor

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AISHA UMAR-HALILU. Deputy Editor VICTORIA ONEHI. Writers MULIKATU MUKAILA. PUPWAYA TIMOTHY DIBAL. Designer BALLIE KAFRAN

Email: tambari@dailytrust.com Telephone: 0803 701 3302

e hope you enjoyed our package in the last edition, “Woman of Power.”

It was to honour women and identify with all that we stand for. This week, we bring to you another interesting package, with updates on fashion, health, beauty and lifestyle.

As fashion has continued to offer us great options, it is left for those that can pull-off appearances with a touch of their personal styles that look exceptional. The more you break boundaries, the better chances you have to stay on the style radar. Let’s go down memory lane a bit and remember how things were done in the years past. In those days it was quite popular to match your pair of shoes with all your accessories in the same colour; and it was considered to be a fashion faux par not to be seen as compliant. Many decades after, we now have varieties of shoes in different colours and

shapes, not only to add some spirited spring to our steps but accessories with clashes of colours.

Talk about strutting and flaunting your shoes for some colour blocking. It is no longer weird or considered loud to wear bright coloured shoes or to match them with different colours of outfit.

Women like to be liberated in so many ways, not just in the work-place or at home, but also in fashion, including the right to wear their fashion the way it suits them. This is what makes fashion itself very interesting.

We also can’t seem to get enough of the knotted head scarf; and if you ask us, we give our approval for you to be in style.

Our featured personality is FolakeAniMumuney; a woman soaring very high in her field of career. Have a great week.

FASHIONISTA

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

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Model for Covered n Chic Aisha

Fabulous Peep-Toe Shoes Bilkisu

BY Mulikatu Mukaila

Maryam

P

eep-toe shoes are amazing foot wears that could serve multipurpose usage in terms of fashion. They are shoes that can be worn to get comfort as it leaves your toes free inside the shoes. It also has a miraculous way of fitting as you can comfortably put it into either a traditional, evening, or even a casual outfit as it compliments your outfits, giving you that fabulous and lady-like look.

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FASHIONISTA

‘The corporate environment is defined by quality of contributions, not gender’ INTERVIEW BY Aisha Umar-Halilu

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olake Ani-Mumuney, a seasoned marketer and communicator, heads the Marketing and Corporate Communications Department of FBN Holdings Plc, a leading financial services provider in Nigeria, with 12 subsidiary companies globally. FBN Holdings is the parent company of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s foremost and largest commercial banking group.

Mumuney previously served as a chief marketing and communications officer for the Dangote Group, Africa’s largest conglomerate.

Prior to this, she was at the British Airways Plc as the head of Brands, Policies and Communications, managing the Europe and Africa region, with responsibility for 59 odd countries.

She holds a first degree in Philosophy and a second degree in Law. She is an honorary member of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB), a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK (MCIM) and serves in an advisory capacity to many organisations on branding and marketing communication issues.

She is married with three children and currently lives in Nigeria. She spoke with Tambari.

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

INTERVIEW

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

Background I began my career in the UK and gradually worked my way back home. But let me start from the beginning. I’m fortunate to have had a middle class background - parents who were successful in their professional lives and therefore believed the best gift was a very sound education. They encouraged us, making us believe that with hard work and diligence, a sense of character and fair play, we could achieve anything we set our minds to.

I was led to believe that I had a choice in deciding my career, but with hindsight, I have seen that I was cleverly steered every step of the way. And the script they had in mind was carefully executed, something I am now truly grateful for.

Career Law was their career of choice, but they sowed enough seeds that led me to believe it was mine.

Because I gained admission at a very early age, again I was cleverly steered into doing a first degree so that I would be ‘mature enough’ to appreciate Law and so on. I gained admission into the university at the age of 15, so I took a first degree in Philosophy and earned BA honours. I went on to read Law as a second degree and further took a diploma in Business Computing Systems Analysis and Design.

The combination of all three has shaped my entire approach to life. Philosophy has taught me tolerance and ability to think very differently while Law enables me make an articulate case based on logic, informed by deep insight and capacity for details, with a focus on thoroughness. Business Computing, Systems Analysis and Design rounded me up, resulting in a total ‘solutions- driven’ mindset.

In a nutshell, I’d say I’m a solutions provider, at work, in my community and personal life and relationships as a daughter, wife and mother. I now see how my definition of who I am is in complete tandem with those seeds carefully sowed by my parents in my childhood when they repeated quite often that, “Folake always has a solution for everything.’’

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on the commonly available opportunities as stepping stones to rarer opportunities.

This is because there are vacancies at the top, and if you look around, the gender of the vacancies at the top is increasingly blurred.

Going the extra mile Going the extra mile is a personal watchword. So I don’t go the extra mile because I’m female, I go the extra mile because I’m wired to do so. I take full responsibility for anything I set out to do. I pay attention to details, I find solutions and never give up, even when the challenges appear insurmountable. I’m not afraid to ask for help when I need it. I seek wisdom constantly and I’m confident enough to acknowledge what I don’t know and go looking for someone who does; and I’m richer for it. Once you are wired that way you’ll be set apart and your efforts will be recognised, whether you are male or female. However, I do acknowledge that I’m fortunate to have worked in organisations where merit is celebrated, recognised and rewarded. So when you strive to always find ‘a better way’ it’s likely your efforts will be recognised.

Personal mantra in life The capability for reasonably understanding and defining oneself is vital for development.

This is the bedrock for defining your personal and career vision as well as your interface with the world.

Having the benefit of the foregoing and the good fortune to have had career that gave me incredible global exposure at very senior levels, my world view is anchored on the truism that it takes mutually uplifting relationships with people to make a success of life in all imaginable dimensions.

I believe therefore in the inherent good in every creature and in bringing the best from the people I work with. The need for fairness and equity cannot be overemphasised. I believe in that cliché that everything worth doing is worth doing well.

In our business you have to be creative and innovative or you’re naturally or evolutionarily out. Therefore there must always be a better way to conceive, a better way to achieve, and a better way to excel. And when you get to the tip of the curve, be proactive enough to reinvent, gain traction and stay on the ascending edge of the curve.

Besides, I believe in having the faith to conquer without leaving anything to fate. You must believe in your dreams and visions as you must be at the vanguard to foster them. There is a piece of work that captures my mantra beautifully, and I say to people that I draw

“Women need to concentrate on the commonly available opportunities as stepping stones to rarer opportunities.”

Aspirations Without knowing that they were childhood dreams at the time, I recall believing I was all my parents said I was. The frequent positive reinforcements defined the adult I’ve become, so I can say my childhood dreams were subtly moulded by my parents, who also worked at ensuring I attained them. I wanted a life that is not ordinary. I wanted to have it all, yet I believed that having it all meant being content with what you have. From a very tender age I prayed for wisdom, that I would be a blessing to others, and contentment. With those three I could sit back and simply enjoy every stage of my growth.

I’m happy to say that my prayers have been answered.

Challenges of working in a male-dominated environment The corporate environment is not defined by the gender of the players. It is defined by the quality of their contributions. When you arrive prepared and focused you will break any ceiling and conquer. Have an open mind, not beclouded by preconceived beliefs and prejudices. Keep your eyes on the mark and your outstanding contributions will stand you out.

Women have come a long way in the equal opportunity journey universally. It can only get better. Women need to concentrate

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INTER VIE W

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

“I have an amazingly supportive family nuclear and extended.

Given that we are very simple people, we derive pleasure from the simple things in life.” inspiration from the Desiderata as every verse speaks to me. I encourage everyone to read it and truly fervent on the words.

My goals My goals are wrapped around maintaining my personal brand as a solution provider, to be regarded as dependable, reliable and a great asset to any venture, effort or franchise, contributing and driving value.

I approach tasks with the mindset that if you add Folake to the equation, you’ve added value. To be that sort of catalyst, I must strive for continuous improvement so I never lose my edge.

Celebrating women The awareness created all over the world during the International Women’s Day, no doubt, has helped in highlighting the contribution of women to the world order, thus raising their status.

More access to education, reduced discrimination at workplaces, more political and human rights awareness are all fallouts of previous International Women’s Day celebrations. And with the likes of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Cristina Fernandez of Argentina and Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, and many other women all over the world occupying top leadership positions, it can be argued that women are no longer in the dark as far as politics and governance is concerned.

However, the enormous challenges still facing the womenfolk tend to diminish these great

strides. In developing countries like Nigeria, rape, discriminatory traditional practices, sexual abuse by partners or husband and general violence against women remain areas of persisting nightmare.

Politically, women in Nigeria are still confronted with high level of marginalisation and discrimination. After 16 years of democracy we are still waiting for the emergence of a female executive governor.

Nevertheless, the situation seems to be improving and there seems to be a flicker of hope for the Nigerian women. With the emergence of new sets of leaders in governance and other amazons doing well in the corporate boardroom, we can safely say that we are not where we want to be, but definitely we are no longer where we used to be.

Where I would like women placed Nigerian women are still considered good as support and dependable bloc towards achieving any political goal, but not good enough to contest elective positions. The result is the continued appalling percentage of female lawmakers, both at the states and the federal level.

In the corporate world, the number of women in leadership position is still abysmal. Many factors tend to limit the success of women in Nigeria. These include, but not limited to gender inequality in the workplace, community and marketplace. While one may argue that the lot of the Nigerian woman has improved over the decades, there is still an abyss between the reality

on ground and the ideal.

Socio-cultural biases have, in no small measure, limited the Nigerian woman.

The patriarchal society Nigerian women, to a large extent, limit their aspirations and personal achievements.

At the turn of the 21st century, and in the next few years, I would love to see more Nigerian women take more leadership positions in the corporate world, increased number of female managing directors, the emergence of female state governors, senior ministerial positions in strategic ministries and more advanced roles for women in all spheres of life, governance, corporate world and international polity.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon put it aptly, “To be truly transformative, post 2015 development agenda must prioritise gender equality and women’s empowerment. The world will never realise 100 per cent of its goals if 50 per cent of its people cannot realise their full potentials.’’

My dreams I want to witness Nigeria live up to her potential. I want to see the impact the indomitable amazing spirit of the Nigerian can have on the world when we have an enabling environment.

Between work and the home front I have an amazingly supportive family nuclear and extended. Given that we are very simple people, we derive pleasure from the simple things in life.

FASHION NE WS

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

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Quails Event Decor unveils 2015 designs

BY Mulikatu Mukaila

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esidents in the city of Abuja were last weekend thrilled with the official unveiling of the 2015 latest designs by Quails Event Décor and Planning. The event planning company, which had new spices of idea in décor for all sorts of events, showcased its new talents and arrangements as each design came with its purpose.

Ademilola Sakinat Ibrahim, chief

Inglot unveils new cream Foundation for Nigerian women A

new cream Foundation is to be launched into the Nigerian market next week. The product called Advanced Make-up Component cream foundation is a new baby of leading make-up brand Inglot cosmetics.

Foremost make-up artist, Banke

Meshida-Lawal will be at hand to dish out tips and beauty advice to guests.

The cream foundation comes in five exclusive shades and it’s specially formulated for the Nigerian woman.

The event will be held at The Palms Lekki Mall, Lagos

executive officer of Quails Event, told Tambari that showcasing new ideas of décor was aimed at giving clients and other decors new ideas of what they have in stock. She added that old ideas had been flocked on in recent times.

“Every quarter of the year we bring out some of our major works and showcase it to vendors to have an idea of new designs,” she said.

SUNDAY SU S UNDAY Y TRUST T

Tambari SHOPPING MALL

A guide linking shopping malls with clients/customers for the best goods/services at fantastic prices.

THE

Quail EVENTS

THE FLOWER STUDIO A-LAGOS: Plot 2, Adewunmi Industrial Estate, By Yard 158. Kudirat Abiola Way (Formerly Oregun Rd.) Ikeja - Lagos THE FLOWER STUDIO B-ABUJA: Suite 19, POWA Plaza beside Treasury House, Old CBN, Garki 2, Abuja.

Email: demiquail@yahoo.com Website: www. thequailevents.com Tel: 08177742966, 08029293266, 07088604638, 08023214090

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FASHIONISTA

Top-knot Turban

BY Pupwaya Timothy Dibal

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ying a headscarf into a square turban is not easy for some ladies, but it is fashionable and trendy.

Don’t be afraid to play with colours; pick head wraps and turbans that are bright colours or light pastels.

The point is to stand out in these stylish headgears. Scarves come in handy for more reasons than protecting your hair at night. They are great for protective styling during the day.

Rahmah Indimi-Babangida

Trendy coloured shoes

BY Pupwaya Timothy Dibal

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omen are known to be lovers of shoes; and everywhere they go, the shoes they wear create a long lasting fashion statement - from chic flats to lace-ups, wedge sneakers, high platforms etc.

What is trendy for women now is the coloured shoes, which when worn, can add more glamour to your outfit.

Funke Akindele

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

FASHIONISTA

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Colourful Wedding

BY Pupwaya Timothy Dibal

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igerian brides have been making a lot of waves with the kind of wedding gowns and designs they choose for the big day. The dresses and accessories always worn by the brides tend to create a lot of attention because people are always on the lookout to see what she will wear. The line includes bridal accessories such as stunning veils, belts and much more.

The wedding gowns come in different silhouettes and necklines, all elegant and beautifully tailored. Beautiful Aisha went as far as Dubai to get a wedding gown that wowed her guests and Mariana decided to wear something different, which is simple, yet classy. These two wedding gowns are just so hard to choose.

So, if you are on the lookout for something that stands out or timeless, get these tips under your arms.

1. Get any colour of your choice 2. Make sure it fits you like a glove.

3. You should go for fittings until you are satisfied.

4. Choose a fabric and design that work together to give you a perfect look.

GOWNS M

onique Lhuillier is a fashion designer most prominently known for her bridal wear. She owns a couture fashion house in Los Angeles as well as another in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. In 2004, she drew attention when she made a wedding dress for Britney Spears (an international music pop sensation).

Mariana who married the son of vice president Atiku Abubakar wore on of her bridal wears on her wedding day. The dress is an embroidered blue and cream gown from Monique’s collection fall of 2012. The gown is a definition of classy and glamorous, who would have known that blue and cream works together.

Mariana Abba Atiku

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ana Mardini, the designer of the popular Mardini Couture in Dubai, is an epitome of refinement. One look at this beautiful yellow wedding gown worn by Aisha on her wedding day and you’ll know what classic is all about. Aisha knew the best colour that would fit her, and she looked superb and beautiful in it. Her make-up was done by Mamza Beauty. This gown is trendy and timeless, just like Cinderella, one word to complement her look, “WOW”.

Aisha

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MEN’S FASHION

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

Mai Atafo

Model for Millare Fashion

Model for Johnson Collection Ebuka

E SkinnyTIES

BY Pupwaya Timothy Dibal

very man should own a well fitted suit and accessories to go with it. A thin little piece of cloth can complete your formal look. Yes, a tie and a skinny one at that will turn your outfit to a fun and good looking one. This trend never goes out of style and is considered a fashion forward statement.

They come in different colours and designs. Some of the ties have design on them, while some are plain. You can opt for a casual look by wearing a skinny tie with any good suit or a pair of jean and shirt.

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

SECONDARY POST-PARTUM HAEMORRHAGE

WOMEN’S HEALTH

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Dr. Nathaniel Adewole

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada - FCT. MOBILE: 0803 803 9182 EMAIL: nadewole2013@gmail.com

My wife delivered two weeks ago. Since then she has been weak and still sees small quantity of blood. She has gone to where she delivered and was given anti-malaria drugs paracetamol, ampiclox and flagyl Still, there is no improvement. What do we do?

Danladi, Minna.

How is the lochia? Is it having a foul smelling or not? What about her temperature? From the above, the possibility of peuperal sepsis is high. Puerperal sepsis with secondary post-partum haemorrhage is not to be treated lightly. If she delivered in a primary health centre, you need to go to a district or general hospital. There is likely the need for her to be on admission and given intravenous antibiotics.

Another possibility is retained product of conception, which could have resulted to the bleeding and predispose to the peuperal sepsis.

Part of the investigation will include ultrasound to rule out retained products of conception; and if confirmed, would benefit from evacuation, antibiotics and other measures.

HOW DO I MANAGE ASTHENOSPERMIA I have been married for five years without a child.

My wife has been tested okay, and my semen analysis indicate that my count is okay (over 100million), but my motility is very low; just about 5 per cent are motile. Sir, kindly help me on how to improve my motility as I took several antibiotics but no improvement. Kindly assist.

Problem of semen analysis could be low sperm count (oligospermia), abnormal motility (Asthenospermia), abnormal forms (teratospermia), absent sperm count (azoermia ) or two or more combination of the first three. In this case, you are having asthenospermia.

How old are you and your spouse? These are some of the factors that will influence my advice.

Generally, if you have seen doctors and used good medication without improvement in their sperm count or motility, I will advise you to go for assisted reproductive technique like IVF, that is invitro fertilisation. If there is a financial challenge, you can then contact an urologist.

PEPPERISH SENSATION

Good day doctor, I have this issue disturbing me down my abdomen, that is my stomach.

It pains me very well, and whenever I eat food or take anything with pepper I will begin to purge, especially when I am sleeping and with back pain.

From the above, you are likely to be suffering from peptic ulcer disease (PUD). You will need to be evaluated. Meanwhile, for the meantime, take antacids like gellusil, gestid.

Ensure you eat regularly, though it may not be bulky. If it persists, additional drugs will be given for two to four weeks. You can see a gastroenterologist.

SEVERE BACK PAINS

I am 44 and married with three children. I had a miscarriage in 2009 and lost another baby a few seconds after birth in 2011 through a very painful labour preceded by bleeding. Ever since, I have had serious back ache and pains in my legs. I find it really difficult to sit for long. Please help me.

Iya. Yobe.

You seem to be having back ache. Was there peuperal sepsis during the post-partum period? Since there appears to be no per vaginal discharge, there are chances of a primary gynaecological problem. You will need to do an X-ray, especially at the lumbosacral region. It is better to see an othopaedic surgeon for proper evaluation and management.

Please, always include name and address when sending your health enquiries to us. Thank you

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SHOR T INTER VIE W

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015 blue. This reflects man-made luxury metals, crystals and glass.

‘At Quail Events, competition keeps us active and fresh’

Revival: This palette is an expression of beauty and glamour. It blends vintage fashion and art deco with modern popculture. The colour palette is blush pink, lilac, yellow, gold, mint.

There are a few more palettes for this year, but looking at them professionally, we will recommend them for the Nigerian market.

BY Mulikatu Mukaila

A

demilola Sekinat Ibrahim is a creative director at The Quail Events, a décor company that has been in existence for over 33 years. In this interview, she revealed that the company specialised in events decor and styling, custom floral arrangements, wholesale and retail of floral accessories and props. They also run event centres, as well as a design school that specialises in teaching upcoming designers. According to her, the school offers eight courses and has four instructors. They also have three locations in Abuja and Lagos respectively. She spoke with Tambari.

Coming from a florist background, what are the proper ways to arrange flowers for events?

Floristry is art, not science; therefore creativity is key in determining the result of every design. However, there are guidelines in determining the type of floral arrangements to create for an event. They include the type of event, colour scheme, location (indoor or outdoor), design theme (romantic, tropical, modern country etc, number of guests and duration of the event.

These guidelines help determine what type of arrangement to create.

How did you acquire the skills of event planning and decor?

To have a global view of the industry, I attended three schools: Floral Design Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA; Yomanoikebana and Event School, Singapore and Guanghouz Floral Institute, Guanghouz, China.

I also have a 15-year experience in the industry - from working as an event hand to a back-end florist before becoming a creative director.

How do you combine décor and floristry?

Floristry and decor work handin-hand. A decorator’s work is not complete without a professional florist, just as a florist needs a background to showcase his or her arrangements.

However, a florist can be a decorator, but a decorator cannot be a florist.

Therefore it is important to note that for starters in this career, floristry is the first step. I combine design elements

Women require more respect, acceptance and opportunities -Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu INTERVIEW BY Aisha Umar-Halilu

What are the challenges you face?

The challenges we face are mostly in areas of logistics and infrastructure, just like any other entrepreneur.

How is the market competition?

At Quail Events we love competition.

It keeps us active and fresh.

Competition allows us not to rest on our past jobs but to constantly push our design and operations teams to think of creative and effective ways to deliver the best possible service to our customers.

We are constantly training our team and going on design retreats to have fresh ideas for our clients. from decor and floristry to create oneof-a-kind spaces for my clients.

What new decor ideas do you have for 2015?

There are a few trends I will mention.

The confetti palette: This palette is colourful and joyful, with bright hues and bold patterns. It includes tangerine, fushia, bright green, sunshine yellow.

The grand lodge: This is an earthy and simple palette. The colour includes rich brown, ivory, basil and mineral

Z

ainab Shinkafi Bagudu is a Consultant Paediatrician, C.E.O Medicaid Radio-diagnostics, champion of Child advocacy and Cancer awareness. She shares her thoughts with Tambari on the place of women during the recently celebrated International Women’s Day. What is your wish for Nigerian women?

I would like to see a remarkable increase in the level of educated Nigerian women. The most vulnerable women are around us in Africa.

Education is the foundation that will bring a remarkable change in all sectors that will emancipate us. At the moment, only 50 per cent of Nigerian women can be considered literate, compared to the worlds 79 per cent.

A better educated Nigerian woman will reduce our maternal mortality rates, infant mortality, sanitation level, FGM, financial capacity, decision making and so much more.

Cancer has become very prevalent in Nigeria; how prepared or enlightened are women?

Unfortunately, data collection is very poor in Nigeria and most developing countries, which is really a shame because we are living in the age of technology.

Without accurate data we cannot confront the problem of cancer and other communicable and non communicable diseases as we ought to. Solving the problem starts from global awareness about the risk and predisposing factors to available treatment options. We do not have national policies for screening cancer in women, so it will be unrealistic to expect the average woman to be prepared. As such, my response would be that we are not prepared.

Where do you see your decor business in few years to come?

Our projection for the next three years is to open other branches in the country. And we are developing our own new range of African decor props in 2016, which we plan to export.

What legacies would you like to leave behind?

Definitely, I want to make Quail Events move from a second generation to a third generation company. I want to make it a global brand.

Our lifestyles, diets, health decisions reflect this and impact inversely on cancer prevalence rates. This is why non-governmental organisations, civil societies and governments across the country should come together and propose all inclusive solutions.

The International Women’s Day is a day set aside to celebrate women. What challenges do you think women still face in terms of equality with men?

From religious, social, economic and political perspectives, I do not personally believe that women will ever be equal with men. We are anatomically, emotionally and statistically very different animals. However, from all these same perspectives, women require a lot more inclusion. We require more respect, acceptance and opportunities as the world stands today.

Negative discordant factors in our society, such as violence, rape, illiteracy, poverty are all more prevalent against women. There can be no real change in Nigeria if women all over the world are not emancipated to a reasonable extent.

As Nigeria goes to the polls to decide, women as a whole should endeavour to pick leaders that will give them more opportunities for education, employment and empowerment.

Who is your role model?

It’s always easy to answer this question.

Khadija was the first and beloved wife of the prophet, Mohammed SAW. Under his tutelage, she was the first woman to be called to Islam.

She was his pillar of support, a key propagator of Islam and a very successful trader. So she had everything I have spoken of here: education, financial ability, a supportive social structure and much more. If we can emulate her life, Nigerian women will be in a better place.

CULTURE

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

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During such visitation to the forest, the Alake prays to all Egba children at home and in the Diaspora for success in all they do.

Lisabi festival: Celebrating the freedom of Egba people

BY Pupwaya Timothy Dibal

I

n Egbaland, the Lisabi festival is celebrated in March every year.

During the festival, men, women and children assemble at the king’s (Alake) palace in Ake to visit the Lisabi sacred forest, which is located in Oba village.

The forest is believed to house the remains of the farmer, Lisabi AgbongboAlala, who later became a warrior. He led the war that freed Egba people from slavery from the Oloyo people. Lisabi is said to have strategised on how his land would be freed from slavery by uniting the people for an onslaught against Oloyo’s formidable force.

He formed a resistance society made up of farmers as his members.

Lisabi proved to be an energetic leader as he always worked harder than others whenever there was a collective effort to work on each member’s farm. And when it was time to work on his farm, every member promised to do their best. But when it was time to do his farm work, the members realised that he had a different plan. He

During the festival, the people dress in white attires as they head to the scared Lisabi forest.

“Lisabi proved to be an energetic leader as he always worked harder than others whenever there was a collective effort to work on each member’s farm.” declared war, which they eventually won and regained their freedom.

In celebrating this important part of the Egba history, the annual march to the Lisabi forest becomes a major event. During the festival, the people dress in white attires as they head to the scared Lisabi forest. While in the forest, they sing the Egba anthem in their native language: “Lori oke ati petele, ibe la gbe bi mi si o…” (On top of the hills and in the valley, there I was born…). After the anthem, the Alake and his chiefs take their seats while the Oluwos (chief priests) of other Egba towns pay homage to the Alake, informing him that the spirit of Lisabi has accepted the sacrifices. After this, other priests, warriors, Oro cult members take turn to pay homage to the king.

During such visitation to the forest, the

Alake prays to all Egba children at home and in the Diaspora for success in all they do. From there they all return to the palace in Abeokuta, where the crowd sit under canopies to wait for the king and those who went to the forest. When the king and his chief priests have taken their seats, some traditional groups like the Oloroguns, Parakoyis, Kori and the Igunnuko masquerade and others take turn to greet the king and bless him while they receive blessings from him in return.

At the end, the Alake closes the festival with another round of prayers for the Egba people and the nation, after which the Egba anthem is sang again. The Alake and his chiefs will then go into the inner chambers of the palace, and that marks the end of the colourful festival.

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HEALTHY LIVING

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

African cherry

RECIPE:

A bowl of African cherry

Health benefits of African cherry

Called Agbalumo or Udara, in some parts of the country, the African star apple fruit has lots of health benefits.

BY Victoria Onehi Reasons to eat Agbalumo

It could be sweet or sour depending on the one you eat. Agbalumo or Udara as it is popularly called is a seasonal fruit eaten in Nigeria. African star apple or cherry is rich in vitamin and minerals. African star apple is a good source of calcium, with each serving providing you with 10 percent of the amount you require each day. The calcium gives strength to your bones and teeth.

This fruit also contains 5 percent of the daily recommended value per serving of vitamin C and vitamin A. Additionally; one serving of the star apple serves up 2 percent of the iron, a mineral vital for oxygenating your body, that you need every day.

Helps You Lose weight

For those who want to lose weight, eating a serving of cherry( agbalumo) contributes 3 g of fiber to the recommended daily intake of 25 to 38 g. Fiber provides bulk to your diet, which can make your stomach feel full for longer. This can keep you from over-eating and consequently controlling calorie/food intake thereby helping to

control/manage weight. Eating enough fibre can also help protect you from diabetes because you will not be obese.

Gives energy

Nutritionist say 1-cup serving of cherry contains 67 calories. Eating cherry as a snack is a good choice as the calories are low and it provides no fat; however, this may not be enough calories to ease hunger pains and boost energy levels. One serving of star apple also has 15 g of carbohydrates which can supply you with energy.

A recent study by researchers at the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ogun State, Nigeria, shows that the local cherry lowered blood sugar and cholesterol, and could be useful in preventing and treating heart diseases.

Mixed Vegetable curry sauce Take a break from fried tomato stew and try the Mixed Vegetables Curry Sauce with rice Ingredients • 1 carrot • 1 onion • 5 Shrimps • ½ green bell pepper • ½ red bell pepper • 6 lumps of chicken (soft chicken) • 1 tablespoon corn flour/starch (thickener) • 1 teaspoon thyme • 2 big stock cubes • 2 teaspoons curry powder • Salt to taste

Cooking Directions 1. Set the pieces of chicken in a pot.

2. Add the stock cubes (crushed), thyme and the half of the onion that you cut into tiny pieces.

3. Pour water to the same level as the contents of the pot and start cooking on high heat.

4. While that is cooking, mix the corn flour with a small quantity of water to get the consistency of evaporated milk.

5. When the chicken is cooked, take them off from the pot and set aside. Leave the stock (water from cooking the chicken) in the pot.

6. Add the curry powder, the sliced carrot.

7. Stir, cover and continue cooking, again on high heat.

8. Once it boils, add the sliced peppers and the other half of the onion.

9. Stir and continue cooking for 90 seconds.

10. Add the thickener. Stir and add the chicken.

11. Stir and add salt if necessary and it’s done!

Don’t overcook the vegetables. Serve with boiled white rice.

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK Small changes that can lower your calorie consumption: reduce your portion of food and drinks, eat slowly, stop when you are full, and don’t eat right out of the box or bag.

BEAUT Y

TAMBARI MARCH 15, 2015

Coconut oil hair treatment

Coconut oil

BY Mulikatu Mukaila Coconut oil is one of the most effective hair treatments for a very wide variety of hair issues. It works incredibly well for repairing damaged hair that has been overprocessed, heat-damaged, or is just naturally dry.

Coconut oil works well to recondition dry and damaged hair because the molecular structure of coconut oil, unlike other oils or moisturizers that just sit on the hair, is ideal for penetrating the hair shaft, getting past the cuticle, repairing and preventing damage from the inside. People that regularly use coconut oil treatment report increased body shine and manageability with less breakage, static, tangles and split ends. Many also claim that hair sheds less and feels thicker after regular use.

How to use coconut oil as a deep conditioning treatment For a deep conditioning treatment, massage a couple of tablespoons of the coconut oil into your clean, damp hair and scalp. Use more oil where your hair is too dry and damaged. If your coconut oil is in a solid state you will need to warm the oil gently to create a liquid. Allow the oil to sit on your hair for 20 to 30 minutes after application. People with very dry or porous hair may choose to leave it on longer, and some people like to use it as an overnight treatment. To increase the effectiveness of the treatment, cover with a shower cap and wrap your hair in a hot towel (fresh from the dryer) or apply heat with a hair dryer for few minutes. Because the oil is very heavy, you will also need to shampoo the oil out of your hair well after the treatment.

“For a deep conditioning treatment, massage a couple of tablespoons of the coconut oil into your clean, damp hair and scalp.�

15

Packaged Coconut oil

Inspiring Lifestyle

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Back Page

455,000

22,750

477,750

Inside Front Cover

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21,750

442,000

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350,000

17,500

367,500

Centrespread

700,000

35,000

735,000

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SHOPPING MALL 1x1col

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8,200

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20,000

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Total

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24,500

4x1col

16,400

4x2col

32,500

5x2col

41,000

6x2col

49,200

Qtr. Page

66,950

Centrespread

464,285

23,215

487,500

Full Page

257,285

12,855

270,500

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135,715

6,500

142,500

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70,000

3,500

73,500

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5,000

250

5,250

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