Tambari

Page 1

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2017 A PUBLICATION OFF

Extra

27

Telephone: 08187703733 Email: tambari@dailytrust.com

LU X U RY L I V I N G

Hi there!

In Tambari Extra this week, we’re talking about getting rid of eye bags, the health benefits of moringa and a lot more. Our cover personality this week is Mrs. Okwy Chikwekwem, the founder of Spa Castle International, Abuja. She tells us on how she left the financial sector to pursue her lifelong dream of owning her own beauty business. Read all about it inside. Have a lovely Sunday. – Amina Alhassan

Okwy Chikwekwem A desire to make people look and feel beautiful CULINARY

A savoury delight of chicken biryani rice by HAFSAH ABUBAKAR MATAZU

O

ur everyday rice dishes tend to get a bit boring. But jazzing up or giving your typical rice dish an exotic twist will definitely delight your taste buds. A delightful Indianinspired chicken biryani rice ought to do exactly that with a fine blend of flavours, textures and at the same time, give a fine balance your diet needs. Ingredients 300 gms of basmati rice 2 tablespoons of butter 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon of cinnamon 1 teaspoon of turmeric 4 chicken breasts cut into chunks 4 tablespoons of curry 1 cup of chicken stock ¼ cup of raisins A handful of chopped almonds A bunch of coriander, chopped Directions Soak the basmati rice in warm water for five minutes and then rinse with cold water until

the water runs clear. Melt the butter in a pot and sauté the onions with the bay leaves, cinnamon, curry and turmeric until fragrant. Add the chopped chicken and cook till well done. Add the rice with the raisins and pour stock and bring the rice to a boil. Cook the rice for five to 10 minutes until cooked. Stir well and serve hot with scattered almonds and coriander.

Giving your home a modern twist with blinds by HALIMA ABDULRAZAK

T

ry something new; by changing the look of your home with window blinds. They are incredibly durable and amazingly fashionable. Window blinds can be completely customised to complement any colour scheme, and trimmed with decorative details, will give your home a new and refreshing look. Window blinds are very functional and popular. They give the home a warm look. You can use window blinds for any room, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom and your kids’ room. Make your home feel luxurious with different types of window blinds that suit your taste, whether you are looking for something soft, traditional or modern, curtain blinds are a good idea and a nice choice to make. They also provide functionality and style and are e easy and cost effective way to breathe new life t your home. to Window blinds have countless design options f you to choose from to make a fashion for s statement. They also help in providing enough p privacy and light filtering, making sure no one c view into your home from the outside. can Most importantly they help protect kids and p pets from cord injuries: you don’t have to worry m much about their safety when using window bl blinds. So, why not give your home a modern tw twist from your usual curtains and drapes to m mesmerizing window blinds.

Tropical fruit smoothie T

his delicious and nutritious drink is rich in vitamins and nutrients. It is ideal for a healthy diet and pairs well with any meal or on its own. Ingredients 2 cups of soy milk 2/3 cup of tofu (awara) ½ cup of papaya (pawpaw) ½ cup of pineapple

2 bananas ½ cup of mango Vanilla extract Ice Honey, to taste Directions In a blender, add all the ingredients and pulse well until smooth and well combined. Serve immediately.


28

OKWY CHIKWEKWEM

A desire to make people look and feel beautiful

Interview by HALIMA ABDULRAZAK

O

kwy Chikwekwem (née Ukabiala) was born in Umuahia. She is a wife, mother of three, a beauty/skin care expert and an entrepreneur. She is the founder of Spa Castle International, a beauty and wellness centre in Abuja. She resigned from the banking industry to follow her dream of owning a spa. Her dream became a reality when she launched Spa Castle in April 2016.

Educational background I attended TTC Practicing School, Irete, for my primary education from 1976 to 1981 before going to Owerri Girls Secondary School (OGSS) from 1981 to 1987. I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), which I attended from 1988 to 1993. Career background My career in the financial sector spanned from 2001 to 2013 after my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Urban Development Bank, Abuja. I then took a job with the then IMB International Bank in 2001. Between 2001 and 2005, I worked in First Atlantic Bank/First Inland Bank, which metamorphosed into what we have now as FCMB. I took a break from banking to work in a credit bureau between 2005 and 2008. It was very refreshing to experience something different and new but still within the financial sector. Private credit bureau operation was at its nascent stage at that time and I was particularly excited to be part of it and I was actually the one who introduced that to the banks. My job at XDS Credit Bureau exposed me to lots of research. I needed to find out how private credit bureaus successfully operated in other emerging economies and their role in building a robust economy, and I was to introduce and promote that within our environment. The regular presentations to the Money Deposit Banks, liaising with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the approval and

I WANT PEOPLE TO ENJOY WHAT SEEMS TO BE LUXURY TO MANY WHEREAS THEY ARE SIMPLE THINGS OF LIFE licensing of the private credit bureaus all helped me get comfortable with public speaking, and I liked that. Within the three-year period in the credit bureau, I had contacted almost all the Money Deposit Banks, Primary Mortgage Institutions, Development Finance Institutions and even Microfinance Institutions; including some retail outfits in Nigeria. I got some of the banks to sign up with XDS Credit Bureau, created much awareness on how private credit bureaus would help the economy, and I felt it was time to go back to banking. Therefore, in August 2008, I joined the then Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank) as the head of operations. I worked in several branches of the bank for about five years; resigned in December 2013 and decided to do something I knew I just had to do: be a business owner.

// CO V E R

How I got to where I am today as an accomplished woman The number one thing is my desire to make people look and feel healthy and beautiful. I have the zeal to provide a facility that would guaranty health and longevity, make people less dependent on orthodox medication for minor health issues. I want people to enjoy what seems to be luxury to many whereas they are simple things of life. Again, I recognise and appreciate good quality service when I walk into a place, and I wanted to provide same to others as well. I love ‘luxury’, I like to eat healthy, relax, feel good about myself and wear good quality perfumes and make up. I look at the mirror a lot and I always look forward to loving what I see. I just wanted to share some of the things that make me happy with the world. I believe people should enjoy these little things of life every single day and not have to look back to see what they had missed out on. If you think I am sounding vain right now, let me remind you that vanity is all part of living. Growing up I had a very happy and fun-filled childhood. I am the fifth child in a family of six siblings. My dad was a highly principled and disciplined civil servant and my mum was a very lovely, beautiful, hardworking and caring teacher who also had her small business by the side to make extra income. It was a close-knit family. My parents tried to make sure we felt loved and cherished, never forgot our birthdays: they’ll send us birthday wishes no matter where we were and they still do till date. My sisters and I weren’t really allowed to go out that much. In fact, we wouldn’t even attend simple birthday parties except if my parents knew the celebrant. I must have developed my interest in beauty and make up during my childhood days. I have an aunty who lived in England, she still does. She was an agent to Avon cosmetics and she’ll come back from London with some cosmetics/make up items and I had lots of them to try out and play around with. However, my mum influenced me a lot and inculcated many feminine characteristics in me. She always emphasised on good grooming, personal hygiene and insisted we wore our makeup in a way that we looked brighter and not different. Challenges My exposure to makeup and beauty products early in life and having worked in the bank, where I managed funds, people and relationships for a very long time meant I was adequately being prepared to manage any business. However, I will admit that I wasn’t fully prepared for some of the challenges I was confronted with in turning my passion to a full-fledged business: managing our finances, hiring staff with the right skills and attitude, sourcing for different brands of products that would deliver perfect results, yet safe on the skin, getting professional chefs to handle the kitchen aspect of the business; the list goes on and on. The bills were pouring in and we were not generating enough money to cover our costs. These were definitely very challenging, but we just had to keep pushing. Life lessons Life has taught me that in the face of challenges, I can always find strength within me. No one and no situation is strong enough to stop me from achieving whatever it is I set my mind to accomplish. I have learnt to remain true to myself: it is okay and normal to be different. I have learnt that much as opportunities come and go, they are also always around us and we need to have the discerning mind to recognise them and make the most of them whilst they are there. Life has taught me to be nice and kind to people without expecting them to reciprocate or show appreciation. I have learnt that sometimes it is okay to put myself first, do what pleases me and not bother much about what other people think because their opinions do not really matter. Aspirations growing up As a young girl, I wanted different things at different times and I was very curious too. I really wanted to be an architect but didn’t like mathematics that much, and I was eager to drop the subject as quickly as I could and not have to deal with it in the university. Geography became my next option and I ended up enjoying it. Looking back now, I had ultimately aspired to become a very successful woman in life.

TAMBARI SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2017


OKWY CHIKWEKWEM // CO V E R Typical day I usually note my daily tasks the previous day. I wake up each day around 06:00am to have family devotion, especially when the children are around, or I pray with my husband and rush to the bathroom. Breakfast is quickly fixed; I package and throw that into the car. Then I go through my list of tasks, make or return some calls and am on my way to the office. At work, I’ll either be having meetings, attending to clients or resolving one issue or another till around 07:00pm, sometimes 08:00pm/08:30pm. I get home, have dinner and try to spend good quality time with my family. It is much more fun when the children are around because I play with them a lot and that usually provides the opportunity for me to know how their day went and we generally bond. Then I take a warm bath and retire for the day. Most times I go to bed around 11:00pm or 12:00pm just after saying my prayers. Most cherished gift My most cherished gifts are my children. God just decided to bless me with them. How I met my husband I met him during my NYSC. I was living with my cousin here in Abuja and my husband used to come around to see my cousin and we met during one of those visits. We got talking but he never proposed to me until after he had made his intention known to my cousin. In fact, I heard about his intention from my cousin even before the proposal. Everything happened so fast and before I could even understand what was happening, I was already married, and it seemed the children were so eager to be mine as three of them came so quickly. I really cannot be more grateful to God. I feel so blessed. Most cherished attribute of his I have never seen any Nigerian man who is half as supportive and ready to assist his wife in domestic chores as my husband. It doesn’t take anything for him to go into the kitchen and prepare a meal for the family. He is simply amazing and I will always cherish that. Top five things on my wish list To see my children well established in their various careers and homes. Launch my own makeup and perfume brand. To become a global brand someday. I want to appear on the cover of an international magazine. Establish an outfit that caters just for elderly people. Favourite music on replay Jazz and opera. First app I check in the morning/ bedtime WhatsApp. Favourite fashion item(s) Shoes, clothes, jewelry and sunglasses. What I wouldn’t be caught wearing You will never catch me wearing flat shoes, and that is simply because I don’t know how to walk on them. I am trying to learn but would rather wait until I’ve learnt. Favourite travel destination South Africa. I love the cultural mix and the wild life it offers. How I relax Relaxation for me would mean being on my bed with a bowl of mixed fruits and watching my favourite entertainment programmes/channels (The Talk on Mnet, Fashion TV, E Entertainment or CNN). Favourite food Beans with some veggies and a cup of green tea.

ALWAYS SEE EVERY CHALLENGE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A BETTER YOU. NEVER RUN OR BE AFRAID TO CONFRONT THEM Definition of style Style to me means people’s unique way of expressing themselves. That would include their carriage, appearance, mode of dressing, the way they relate and communicate with others. Our style truly makes us who we are. Favourite fashion designers Oscar de la Renta and Gucci. Favourite perfume, designer bag and shoes My favourite perfumes are Absolutely Me by Escada, The One by Dolce & Gabbana, Delicious by DKNY, Gold by Mariah Carey. My favourite designer shoes and bag is Gucci. Mum’s advice that stuck with me over the years “Never envy anyone. Never wish to be like anyone else.” Favourite sport, colour and weather Table tennis, chocolate brown and rainy season.

29

SOCIETY NEWS Compiled by HAFSAH ABUBAKAR MATAZU

Media mogul Mo Abudu makes The Hollywood Reporter’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television List Mo Abudu has been honoured by being included on the list of The Hollywood Reporter’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television. She shared this on her Instagram account saying that, “It’s such an honor and privilege to be included in The Hollywood Reporter’s review of the Top 25 Women in Global TV. The Hollywood Reporter is one of the most respected show business magazines in the world. It’s an honor to continue to fly the flag for Nigeria and the continent. I continue to give God all the glory. Thank you Lord and a big thank you to the EbonyLife team, my family and friends and partners and sponsors who give me so much support.” Abudu started her own TV network EbonyLife TV and has also further extended her empire to movies on which the EbonyLife film division co-produced the box office hit, The Wedding Party.

D’banj brings American model Bernice Burgos for album tour Popular artiste Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo also known as D’banj has brought model Bernice Burgos all the way to Lagos for his album tour. She shared the pictures on her Instagram account revealing the news. Back in April, the duo sparked dating rumours while spotted in the Bahamas. This wouldn’t be the first time D’banj has flown a celebrity model to Nigeria. Back in 2014, he also brought Amber Rose to grace his 10 year anniversary event too.

Yomi Casuals and Grace Onuoha tie the knot Favourite day of the week Friday, and this is just because I came on a Friday and that also ushers in the weekend; the fun and relaxation time of the week. Beauty routine I make sure I don’t sleep with my make up on. I try to drink lots of water to keep my skin hydrated. I enjoy having a steam bath, body polish and enzyme facials once a month, and I also love to have some oxygen infusion facial treatment from time to time. Role model(s) I definitely do admire some women who have made their mark in various fields. They include Mo Abudu, who I hope to meet someday, Folorunso Alakija, Adesuwa Onyenukwe and Oprah Winfrey. Looking back, what I would tell a younger me Always see every challenge as an opportunity to become a better you. Never run or be afraid to confront them.

Omoniyi Makun more commonly known as Yomi Casuals, the man behind the popular fashion brand has tied the knot with his heartthrob Grace Onuoha in Lagos. This comes after the introduction ceremony that happened only a few months back. The list of celebrity guests was very long with Ik Ogbonna, Ubi Franklin, Bryan Okwara, Alexx Ekubo, Oge Okoye, Sandra Ikeji and many more in attendance to celebrate the union.

TAMBARI SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2017 JULY 7, 2015 TAMBARI

000


30

TRENDS STYLE FASHION

B E AU T Y

Getting rid of under-eye circles overnight By HAFSAH ABUBAKAR MATAZU

U

nder-eye circles or eye bags are common. They are mostly found on women with stress, tiredness or for other natural causes. They can instantly transform a youthful face to a more aged one. But luckily enough, there are easy ways to reduce the appearance of these circles overnight with simple remedies. Read on to find out how.

Honey: Honey has a lot of anti-microbial and antiinflammatory benefits. Applying it to the affected area before bedtime will reduce the darkness and swelling under your eyes. Cucumber: There’s a reason why most people use cucumber slices on their eyes. It is soothing, has lightening properties and it is also antiinflammatory. Putting the

b slices li cucumber on your eyes for just 10 to 15 minutes a day can make all the difference. Lemon juice: Lemon juice is packed with Vitamin C and is excellent for lightening the skin. Soaking a cotton ball in lemon juice and applying it to your under-eye for 10 minutes will improve the condition of your eye bags almost immediately. Almond oil: This oil is packed with every beauty properties. Applying generous amounts at bedtime and leaving it through the night will also help improve the darkness underneath your eyes. Black tea bags: After taking your cup of tea, instead of discarding the tea bag, save it and apply it to each eye after it has cooled down to reduce the swelling and dark shadows.

With additional information from the internet DO YOU KNOW... THAT GETTING AT LEAST 6 HOURS OF SLEEP CAN HELP REDUCE THE APPEARANCE OF EYE BAGS?

H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

Health benefits of moringa M by HALIMA ABDULRAZAK

oringa oliefera or drumstick tree, generally known simply as moringa is an Indian tree that has been used in traditional medicine for a long time. It has been used to treat various diseases and infections. It is also highly nutritious and beneficial to people who are lacking in essential nutrients. Moringa is one of the most powerful medicinal plants. It is an important food source for some parts of the world. It is usually cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Some people dry the leaves and then pound them to powder and then add quantities of the powder to tea and other foods. Despite moringa not being common in most parts of the world, today it is becoming increasingly available as people continue to discover its numerous health benefits. Moringa leaves are safe for consumption but they should be taken in moderation. However, it is important not to eat the roots and their extracts because they may contain some harmful chemicals or toxins which

may pose danger to health. It also contains lots of protein, vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, which protect body cells from damage. They also aid in increasing the immunity. Apart from that , moringa leaves act as coagulants attaching themselves to harmful material and bacteria. They help to lower blood pressure and also aid in helping people to sleep well. They have no known impurities.

TAMBARI SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2017

Moringa has laxative effects when taken in large quantities. Therefore, it is advisable to take half to one teaspoon per day. It is great for everyone, especially women. Also note that the dose of moringa depends on several factors such as age, health condition and several others. With additional information from the internet

Dr. Nathaniel Adewole, MOBILE: 0803 8039182 EMAIL: nadewole2013@gmail.com

Developmental delay My baby is 19 months old and a doctor said he was having developmental delay. What causes this and how can we overcome the problem? Developmental milestones are the things a baby is expected to be able to do at a particular time: like smiling, crawling, standing, walking and so on. By six months, the baby is supposed to turn its head to familiar voices and can get hands close to its mouth, though jerkingly. Between seven months to one year the baby can smile, laugh, sit without support and can recognise its name. Also, a baby can crawl or even take some steps before its first birthday. Between 13 and 24 months, a baby can walk, climb and will be good with single words. A little delay along the line may not be abnormal, but unusual delay should arouse the suspicion of developmental delay. Example: if the following are noticed in a one-year-old baby, it seems to be either stiff or floppy, cannot hold its head steadily, cannot sit on its own and does not respond or smile. If abnormality is noticed or if there is unusual delay, a paediatrician should be contacted.

Irregular menstrual flow I am 22 and have been experiencing irregular menstrual flow. The last one I had was around May and since then haven’t seen it. I have taken different drugs and right now I want to start taking lofemina. Please advise. What is your Body mass index (BMI)? Do you have any unusual hair growth in your body? What you are experiencing is called oligomenorrhea: that is menstrual cycle length lasting more than 35 days, but less than six months. Have you seen a gynaecologist? Well, if it was a gynaecologist that assessed you and prescribed lofemina, you can use it. lofemina is a combined oral contraceptive( COCP) that can be used to regulate menses. But in most cases, like yours, drugs may not be needed until fertility is desired when there is no conception.

Still bedwetting at 16

I am 16 years old but still bedwet – Joy, Abuja Bedwetting or nocturnal enuresis is not uncommon in children and teenagers. It can also affect older men and women. Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (PNE) occurs when continence at night is not achieved, while Secondary Nocturnal Enuresis (SNE) occurs when dry period has been achieved for at least six months. The latter occurs more commonly when a child starts experiencing a stressful period or psychological trauma. Bedwetting is twice more common in boys than girls. Causes include: small bladder size, stress, fear, or insecurity, urinary tract infection (UTI), neurological disorders such as a post-stroke situation and sleep apnea or abnormal pause in breathing during sleep. The management approach should be empathic: avoiding undue anxiety and embarrassment associated with it: if not it will worsen the situation. Psychological support is critical to successful management. Combination of interventions: education and reassurance, motivational therapy, enuresis alarms and medication may be necessary. I will suggest you see your family physician.

Black spots on the face I have black spots on my face because I have been suffering from pimples. I have tried several medications but all in vain. Also, I am a virgin and my private part pains me sometimes. My penis gets erect in sleep and sometimes when I am with my friends – James The first problem is called acne. It is common among teenagers during pre puberty. Steps to be taken include: avoid removing the pimples with fingers; it leaves scars behind. Also, reduce oily or fatty food. You may also see a dermatologist for proper management. Early morning erection is normal and not unusual. So do not worry about this.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.