About time 21

Issue 21 | July 2016 www.verdantzeal.com/abouttime

the next big thing

IDENTIFYING AFRICA’S UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

Editorial

Team Publisher Managing Editor Editor Features Editor Group Director, Production Services Group Director, Content, Synergy & Innovation Creative Director Contributors

Dr Tunji Olugbodi, frpa Cornelius Onuoha Joy Obinyan Osazee Ihaza Ebere Bieni Dipo Adesida Kola’ Omisore Segun Olabode Bola Bello ‘Desola Jimmy-Eboma Fola Omonijo Ayomipo Ogunyode

Production Services

Muyiwa Oduyemi Femi Abati

Photography

Adetayo Okeowo Lameda Images

Design/Concept

‘Niekan Nenty

CONTENTS

6

Sizuul Africa

8 THE

INNOVENTION REPORT

Celebrating Excellence, National Pride & Impact on Humanity.

VS SUPERMAN BATMAN VS

THE PEOPLE

11 18

20

24 26

28

FOOD PORN

30

BRANDHUMOR 34

A VOICE WITHIN

BOOK REVIEW: OUTLIERS

4 | Abouttime June 2016

35 36

EDITOR’S NOTE

Abouttime June 2016 | 5

FEATURE

Bola Bello

SPARKING UP DIGITAL

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

- Steve Jobs

Just a few months old, Sizuul Africa is a digital engagement company and a member of the Verdant Zeal Group. At Sizuul Africa, we are adventurous, creatively curious, fun, and we want to change the world. Just like Google, we build products and platforms that will help our partners effectively engage their audiences. We also own some of these as mediums for commerce, social networking and innovation.

We are unique because we not only create content for the entertainment of our users, we also deploy emerging and existing technology in dynamic new ways. Our intention is to always stay ahead of the curve, to identify opportunities in consumer behaviour before anyone else, and to find the most rewarding way to engage these consumers by creating the tools, apps, sites, content, and other things they'll love.

Our mission is to imagine, create and deploy apps, sites, content and other digital products and platforms that users will love. And we want to be Africa's leading provider of intelligent, useful and entertaining digital engagement platforms that drive growth for our partners and users.

Digital Engagement. That's what we do at Sizuul Africa. We don't sell products; we make friends. We build connections. Connections to your brand that not only make customers come to you, but make them want to come to you, and then keep coming back for more. We create beautiful things online, things that build the kinds of relationships between you and your consumers that last long after our work with you is done.

Our capabilities include, branded entertainment, e-engagement, storytelling, creating unforgettable experiences, developing strategies, building platforms, innovation, brand amplification, and everything mobile. Reach us today at SizuulAfrica.com.

Sizuul Africa A

D I G I T A L

6 | Abouttime June 2016

E N G A G E M E N T

C O M P A N Y

HOW TO MAKE

EMPLOYEES HAPPY

THE CHOBANI AND STARBUCKS WAY

5

EFFECTIVE

WAYS TO USE

INSTAGRAM TO

GROW SMALL YOUR

BUSINESS

1.

Attract Interest – Instagram allows you to showcase your business in a whole new exciting way by sharing your products, services and business ethic to investors and customers through videos, pictures and text.

S

tarbucks and Chobani are leading examples of how companies should treat their staff. While brands can spend millions of bucks to rack up their brand health scores, one major aspect of brand building is how the staff who put in the time and the effort into building a lasting brand, are treated.

Chobani, America's number one Greek yogurt-making company just literally shared their wealth with their workforce. In April, the company's CEO, Hamdi Ulukaya, introduced a growth-sharing plan that gives full-time employees units that are worth around 10 percent of the company (if it is sold or goes public).

Starbucks, the successful coffee shop, is also taking a bold step by offering health insurance to part-time employees working an average of 20 hours per week since 1988. Starbucks also pays for college tuition for full- and part-time employees through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, a partnership with Arizona State University, which launched in 2014. Now tell me how the employees will not die to keep the brand alive!

8 | Abouttime June 2016

2. Target the Gen Y – If your business is targeted at Gen Y, you definitely need to be on Instagram. Not only are they watching content in significant numbers, they are seeking for new content that makes them feel good. With a short attention span owing to a number of multiple offerings on social media, Instagram offers small businesses an opportunity to showcase their services or products in interesting and less formal ways.

3. Tell Your Business Story – Don't just be about the product or services on Instagram, also use the platforms to tell your story. Share tips on how to grow businesses or how you do what you do. It doesn't mean you are revealing your business secrets, what it helps you become is a thought-leader in the space you have decided to play.

4. Attract Talent – By showcasing your work culture or business ethic, you can attract talent to your business. For example, you can share the rapport among the team, your beautiful office spaces and some of the processes that drive the business through Instagram. This way, you can attract the right talent who may have the same business philosophy as your business does.

5. Be Generous – It's not enough to sell your products or services or share your business ethics with your followers and customers, once in a while give away some freebies on your platform or offer discounts (in some cases) to make your audience or customers continue to have a good feeling about you. Remember, nothing sells better than wordof-mouth.

DIS ‘N’ DAT

J

immy Agbaje is considered a brilliant man and I kind of like him, but it looks to me his brilliance is meant only for when elections are around the corner. Since he lost the governorship election, what policy alternatives has he offered to counter the Ambode government in Lagos? None.

a GOVERNOR

His party, the PDP is dead in the state and needs bright men like him to revive it for a virile opposition. But what does he do after each election he's lost? He retires to lick the wounds only to return when INEC blows the whistle again.

This one-party affair in Lagos isn't proper. We can't just swallow APC's prescriptions without opposition.

Bros Jimi, this is not how to win hearts, votes or lead a people, sir. Abeg, Uncle JK, don't come back in 2019 oooo!

L

NA NATIO

M TADIU

S

NAL

TIO OR NA

HAME

?

I

...OF MARRIAGES,

&

I

t appears the marriage institution is being threatened today with the number of couples rushing to embrace divorce. Before you have that lavish wedding, the one popularly called ‘Bella Naija Wedding’, please think again. It's better to have a low key ceremony with loads of love, tolerance and understanding in the marriage than have a talk-of-the-town wedding that would later lead to a talk-ofthe-town divorce.

And please when things go wrong between couples, let's not make jokes of the situation even if the dramatis personae decide to be foolish by washing their dirt before the world. Here are little tips to enjoy a long-lasting, love-filled marriage: fear of God, tolerance and understanding.

May God help us all as we help ourselves.

f we still have a few thinking and visionary men in leadership in the country, then they need to stop joking with governance.

The National Stadium, Surulere is a wasting asset of historical importance begging for revival. This stadium was where we won our first African Cup of Nations trophy in 1980. It is not just an edifice, it is history that can earn us good money.

I once visited the home ground of a football club in Europe during the season break and I was stunned to see thousands of people from across the globe all around the edifice. What were they there to do when there was no game going on? Tour the arena, view the laurels won by the club in time past and purchase memorabilia, making it possible for the club to generate millions of Euros annually aside sponsorship money and match ticket revenues.

Why is this not possible with the National Stadium, Lagos? Why can't we use this edifice to showcase history? Why can't we have a room showcase all the trophies we have won and the memorabilia of our past football legends? If this edifice is well managed and harnessed, it has the potential to create jobs for hundreds of our compatriots who will serve as tour guides, ticket officers and store attendants, thereby generating millions of Naira annually for the government.

I’m tired of complaining, I just want to be a part of the solution.

S BECOMING NEEDLESS THRONES?

ARE TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION

people's cultures and to be the custodians of the Traditional rulers are supposed losing relevance and is n tutio insti e, that once-sacred to command the customs but more and mor seem er long itional rulers as they no kept the power. I am not a fan of trad way the Benin Kingdom has the love I but ld, shou respect and authority they s. year the over d throne sacred and respecte er ed on months ago, but rath Omo N'Oba Erediauwa pass Rumour has it that the late revered king was the of h deat the on, w ng to che than give the public somethi th-West that was disgracefully paramount ruler in the Sou y managed; unlike that of a s ascending the throne toda king new even worse, the making eby ther s, managed. To make matters wler t-cra nigh and princes, playboys appear to be controversial institution. nonsense of a once-sacred ure for managing the custodians of the Benin cult Here is to give respect to the an honourable manner. such in Oba the of n passing, news and successio

Bunmi Amosu is a consummate brand communication specialist and a marketing and content strategist. He currently leads the creative team at a digital marketing shop in Lagos, Nigeria.

Abouttime June 2016 | 9

COVERSTORY

THE

N O I T N E V O INN REPORT

Africa’s the next frontier and there are a million and one bright ideas that will take us there.

Abouttime June 2016 | 11

COVERSTORY

IYALAYA ANYBODY!

Pencils, Nigeria's Innovation and Africa's Path in the 21st Century (Takeouts from the Keynote Address by Professor Pius Adesanmi at the 2016 Innovention Series)

“Iyalaya Anybody” captures the defiance of the Nigerian youth to undertake innovative leaps and make their impact in the sands of time, despite the pitiable state of governance and development.

This was the major expression captured in the Keynote Address delivered at the Verdant Zeal 5th Innovention Series

by Professor Pius Adesanmi of the Literature and African Studies department, Carleton University, Canada.

In this notable speech, he talked about the less ambitious state of the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) to change the world in 17 steps by 2030, when compared to regional and local contents that embrace a wider execution frame, that would entail building a competitive knowledge economy for cutting-edge innovation, especially across its growing young vibrant populace.

For the United Arab Emirates, their Vision 2021 says: “a diversified and flexible knowledge-based economy will be powered by skilled Emiratis … [making] a valuable contribution to their nation's growth by building their knowledge and applying their talent with innovation and drive. More Emiratis will enter higher education… Universities will listen closely to the needs of Emiratis and of their future employers, and will balance their teaching to the demands of the workplace”.

2010

1,206

1,385 1,350

1,620

While giving classic examples in various regions, he stated “Europe is slightly more ambitious, she does not stop at 2030, in her own roadmap to the future”. In an analysis of the Europe 2050 agenda captioned “The knowledge future, intelligent policy choices for Europe 2050”, its vision is

shaped by a few megatrends around globalisation, demographic change and accelerating technology. The document asserted: “At the core of Europe's knowledge economy are clusters of well-funded, internationally renowned universities in some of Europe's important cities, in strong partnerships with regional institutions. The growing demand for continual education and re-training has prompted new efficiencies... Innovation is often open; multinationals, SMEs, universities and other actors, including citizens, work together in fast changing global networks to solve global problems.”

2050

12 | Abouttime June 2016

440 Kenya

S. Africa

160 97 41 63 51 Nigeria

Japan

S. Korea

Pakistan

321 241 271 173 173 127 51 48 China

Indonesia

48 46 Spain

India

60 61 Italy

73 63 73 62 Britain

France

Germany

121 144 73 83 Russia

12 7 Israel

Iran

Turkey

122 78 101 74 95 72 Egypt

51 40 Argentina

Brazil

Mexico

U.S.

2010 and 2050 (millions)

401 312 231 195 156 118

POPULATION ESTIMATES

ESTIMATE

53 43

46

50

25

S. Africa

19 Kenya

Nigeria

Japan

S. Korea

Pakistan

Indonesia

China

18

22

21

25 India

Italy

Spain

Britain

France

Germany

Russia

Israel

Turkey

Iran

Egypt

Mexico

Argentina

Brazil

U.S.

25

27

34

34

35

37

38

38

40

40

40

43

43

50

51 38 30

36 27 24

28

35 30 26

44 43

42

42

40

42

44 42 29

41 37

53

2050

2010

Source: United Nations, Department for Economic and Social Affairs, World Population Prospects: 2012 Revision, June 2013. http://esa.un.org/undp/wpp/index.htm

MEDIAN AGE

The creativity, energy and innovation of African youth will be the driving force behind the continent's political, social, cultural and economic transformation.

Professor Adesanmi stated that the “future will be determined and shaped by those who understand and position themselves as central players for global growth, driven almost exclusively by competitive knowledge economies and economies of competitive knowledge”.

While maintaining that Africa is not left out in what he called the “global text of the scramble for the future of Africa”, he noted that “The Africa Union agenda 2063, is by far one of the most ambitious agenda setting texts, and that confident perspective of the voice speaking in Agenda 2063 is an indication that the African continent is very much aware of a global scramble for a future powered by invention, innovation, entrepreneurs and geniuses”.

COMPARISON OFSCORES

Further affirming Professor Adesanmi's thoughts, the agenda specifically stated; “Young African men and women will be the path breakers of the African knowledge society and will contribute significantly to innovation and entrepreneurship. The creativity, energy and innovation of African youth will be the driving force behind the continent's political, social, cultural and economic transformation”.

FOR NEXT 11 60

G11 2015

56.3

50 40

38.3

38

37.8

30

31.1

29.8

29.9

28.4 23.7

20

23.7

23.1

20 10 Pakistan

Bangladesh

Nigeria

Iran

Egypt

Indonesia

Philipines

Turkey

Mexico

Vietnam

0 Korea

According to him, in comparing narrative voices in these agenda documents, the African narrative voice seem to be saying that “the race to the second half of the 21st century and beyond is going to be powered by genius, invention, innovation and knowledge and not slate cheeps battling for natural resources and colonial punitive expeditions”, In other words, the African Union agenda 2063 seems to be iyalaya yoruba

Variables

Source – Global Innovation Index (2015) https://www.globalinnovationindex.org/content/page/data-analysis/)

anybody

at’s

do spirit th

cious, can-

auda hor for the is a metap s growth. a’ ric Af g in el fu

Abouttime June 2016 | 13

COVERSTORY

beating its chest and saying Iyalaya Anybody to all the other agenda setting texts and literature from Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

Noticeably, all these agendas agree that the future belongs to innovation, invention, knowledge, research and development. But more distinctively that the future belongs to the youth!

Taking a case study of the emergence of the Asian Tigers, he explained that we find the unmistakable footprints of youths, yielding huge demographic dividends through a conjugation of

genius, innovation, energy and work ethic that placed the continent at the forefront of global economic and infrastructural post-modernity.

African youths, ‘the next big thing’, who make up about 65-70% of its populace, are a more cultured IT and tech-savvy generation, that strive to alter the destiny of the African continent, by finding a way (through innovation) to bypass the insurmountable dysfunction of the state of Africa to connect to global and transnational circuits of opportunity. They happen to be the arms upon which the Agenda 2063 is banking on to set up the continent on a global stage.

On innovations, Nigeria currently maintains the 9th position on the list of Next Eleven Economies, as captured in the Global Innovation Index 2015.

“Africa does not have the lack of money but the lack of identity, and lack of unity of purpose. We need to talk and trade with each other.”

“Nigerians in diaspora; they bring in 20-25 billion Dollars FDI a year into Nigeria. That's more than one-third of FDI recorded in 2014 ($80b). In essence, 85% of the money that comes goes into logistics, while 15% is for actual work.

FDI is overstated. We’ve got to resolve your domestic economy and your ability for your economy to generate its capital.”

Joel Chimhanda Founder/CIO, JC Capital

“When we heard the story of Africa rising, a couple of us believed it without questioning it. But why is Africa rising? What is it rising from? We need to have the courage to tell our stories.”

“We should not be begging for FDI because we can actually do it by ourselves.”

Kelechi Nwosu MD, TBWA Concept & President, AAAN

“We need to make Nigeria more tourist friendly, more business and more people friendly.”

“I think we need to go back to the fundamentals. We need to look at the business environment. One of such reasons is because it takes you more than one month to register a company in Nigeria, while in the UK, you can register a company online in 24 hours, so why will I come to Nigeria?”

Audu Maikori Founder/President, Chocolate City Group

14 | Abouttime June 2016

a c i r f A g n i h

T g i B t #Nex

Abouttime June 2016 | 15

AD

EVENTS

Joy Obinyan

pact on

ity.

Human

a

ence, N

g Excell

tin Celebra

ride & Im tional P

, , S T H G LI AMERA C & GLAM GLITZ anguard hosted the cream of Nigeria's political and economic landscape at its annual Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards on April 8, 2016. The ceremony honoured top personalities who had distinguished themselves in their respective professions and spheres in 2015.

V

their contributing roles in infrastructure development, poverty elevation, empowerment initiatives and agriculture.

Oba Otudeko, Uncle Sam Amuka and several other dignitaries had the honour to present the award plaques and certificates to recipients.

Themed The Torchbearers, the event celebrated noteworthy individuals who had shaped the polity in the last 365 days. Eko Hotel played host to the governors, ministers and elder statesmen who came to support their wards and witness the conferment ceremony.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was the recipient of Vanguard Hero of Democracy award. He was lauded for his maverick role in shaping the politics of the country, as well as setting up the then opposition party, AC (now APC), in 2011.

Helen Paul dazzled and stirred the crowd with humour alongside her co-host, Yomi Owope. Musical performances by Harrysong, KCee and Simi got the audience moving throughout the event and Koffi came close to knocking guests off their seats as they succumbed to fits of laughter.

His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, shared the night’s top award, Vanguard Personality of the Year, with immediate past President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, for the historic and peaceful transition of power after the 2015 general elections. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, who received the award on behalf of President Buhari, reiterated the promises the administration made when it took office in 2015.

Four governors, His Excellencies Kashim Shettima of Borno, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, and Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe, shared the Vanguard Governor of the Year award for

18 | Abouttime June 2016

Lifetime achievement awards were bestowed on four distinguished individuals for their contributions to society and their roles in shaping the economy and the face of Nigeria as a whole. Former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, led the roll call of honorees within the category. Other recipients were Senator David Dafinone, recognised globally for producing the most chartered accountants in a family, Otunba Olasubonmi Balogun who pioneered the country's first indigenous bank, and Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Vanguard Businessman of the Year was awarded to Mr Jim Ovia, Founder/Chairman of Zenith Bank. He was recognized for being a pioneer in the automation of the banking process in Nigeria. His feats in business have seen him diversify into other sectors of the economy thereby contribution to the creation of jobs and opportunities for the growing workforce.

Following countless sleepless nights, backto-back meetings and a million reviews and

reverts, the Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards 2015 was a success with a huge turnout and yet another feather in Verdant Zeal's cap. It really was memorable and we look forward to putting together next year’s edition.

Abouttime June 2016 | 19

FEATURE

Fola Omonijo

Pop Culture through the Eyes of a Philosopher

SUPERMAN BATMAN THE PEOPLE VS

VS

20 | Abouttime June 2016

Abouttime June 2016 | 21

rch 22, a M , y a d ed ues eld on T ce with unbridl h s e i r e S n Lecture oved the audie ’s untapped n o i t n e a v m ng Afric nging from i ual Inno tre, Lagos and y n f i n t A n e h t n : Id ra The 5 Civic Ce Next Big Thing ought leaders e h t t a , h e ‘Th by t 2016 e theme ghly dissected ives. h T . y g r at rou ene was tho onsummate cre ice ’ l a i t n e c cutive V , led by e pot o t x E s ( c i i d m am gbo ade unji Olu e organising te such a core ac T r D , r e h conven ) and t ogether t p e u g h t o n i r t o G t t l u ) for p thanks nt Zea Special /GCEO of Verda 8 Measures Ltd ic times. n Gr om Chairma Imuzeze (MD, hese dire econ les nt Mr Char ded discourse i ee much-n

Joy Obinyan

Choice of music I am a fan of MUSIC. I listen to anything and everything.

Right now I am in love with Shatta Movement. Kakai, Kakai!!!!!!!!

Henrietta Malm, better known as Hetty, works with Verdant Zeal Marketing Communications Ltd (VZ Ghana), the headquarters for the Ghana branch of Verdant Zeal Group. She joined the company in 2014 as a business executive, bringing a wealth of experience.

Top 3 music artistes 1. Michael Jackson, 2. Michael Jackson, 3. Michael Jackson. The man was a GENIUS!

The second child and first daughter of her parents, Hetty is divorced and also a student of management at Ghana Technology University College. Hearing her talk about her love for her family and friends puts a smile on one's face, not forgetting her love of food. She is almost always eating something.

Life's philosophy Treat your neighbour the way you want to be treated not the way they treat you

My Verdant Zeal story After residing in Canada for the past 10+ years, I finally moved to Ghana in September 2013. My first job in Ghana was with Brands and Products, a marketing communication agency, which was then taken over by Verdant Zeal. Thus began my journey into this crazy world known as advertising.

It is by far the most interesting, creative and dynamic environment I have ever worked in. There is always a newer and better way of service delivery we can offer to our clients. All we need to do is let our minds journey into the unknown. Nothing is too crazy or impossible. If you can imagine it then there is a possibility for making your imaginations come to life.

Journey to your chosen career It never occurred to me that I was a creative person or would ever work with an advertising agency.

Don't get me wrong, I can decorate your house and it would blow your mind. Great at shopping but I never even thought that I could ever come up with a concept all on my own. I am so grateful to God that I am part of such a community. For me, being creative brings you a step closer to God. It opens your eyes and mind to how truly amazing our God is. Just look around you, such creativity!

am who I am because of them.

Favourite moment of your day My favourite moment of my weekday is when I see my little nieces. They make me want to be a better person. For the weekend, when I see my boyfriend it makes me feel calm and happy; like everything is going to be ok.

External interests, passions and hobbies I love anything to do with children under 6 years old.

They are the most interesting little creatures and seeing the world through their eyes is the best way to see how great our God is.

If not Verdant Zeal I would be a lawyer. It's very interesting and seems the possibilities of how to present a case are endless.

All you need to do is convince the judge and jury with previous related cases which agrees with yours.

Mentors My mentors are my late father, my mother and Helene my best friend.

My mum is one of the most amazing human beings.

She doesn't even know how to yell or get upset. She doesn't judge people and she tries to mind her own business. Just focuses on herself and her family. She taught me how to be independent and also how to put God first in all I do.

My best friend Helene is my superwoman. There is nothing in this world that she hasn't tried and excelled at. She is a painter, designer, carpenter, artist, yoga instructor and she knows how to make good money just investing. What I love most about I love to eat and read. Hate cooking even though her is that she works hard but plays harder. She can food has to be my second favorite thing in the take a whole year off and run off to Bali just to paint world. Also like my TV series, helps to keep me out and do yoga. When I grow up I want to be just like of trouble. her.

What I love the most apart from God is my family. I

24 | Abouttime June 2016

Have more fun, oops I do.

How do you spend your weekends? Life outside VZ? On Saturdays I wake up really early to do my chores then I head over to school to study for a few hours, after that the fun begins. I head over to spend my weekend with my dude just sleeping and cooking and being lazy. Sundays are the best!!!!

My father was one of the smartest people I have ever come across when it came to investing in the What thrills and excites me about my work is the future especially in the future of the next generation. endless possibilities that one can come up with. He was generous to a fault and God was able to Being in such an environment makes up for the provide him with all the resources and talents that routine that life is all about. would help in his generosity.

Plans for the future I see myself running Verdant Zeal Ghana in the next 4 years. I already work with a charity organization run by one of my friends. Hopefully, I will continue to do more charity work with abused kids and women.

What would you do differently in your life if you could do it over again?

Hetty Malm

SECRETFANTASY

Seun

Sanni

Seun Sanni, MD/CEO, Verdant Zeal Gambia Limited joined the group after the Group’s acquisition of majority stake in the Gambian predecessor, early in 2014. With wide experience in IMC and especially an in-depth understanding of the terrain, there was no question about who to steer the new ship in.

Seun is married to Bukola with 2 kids, Tamilore and Ninilola.

My Verdant Zeal story The migration to VZ came absolutely unexpectedly.

I had hosted the Group MD on numerous country visits to the Gambia, mostly as my senior colleague, but when the issue of acquisition sprang up, I didn't have to think too much; I took the offer and within a couple of months, the VZ Gambia story began in the smiling coast. We have since evolved as a major player in the market offering innovative business solutions across sectors in the economy.

Journey to your chosen career Studying English as an undergraduate at the Olabisi Onabanjo University in the 90's, I was in the business of hand-made cards, although at the time, I had no idea where this was going to lead me, I just enjoyed doing it and of course, made little income doing so.

Post graduation, I ended up studying a bit of graphic designs, picked up my first job in the industry as a visualizer and the rest is history. I have not looked back ever since and I really don't think it could have been something else.

keynote speaker. His words still remain fresh and I remember him reiterating and cracking us on how challenging, yet interesting things can get, especially managing work at the home front; those words are true.

Choice of music I am a lover of country music. I really appreciate the evolution of naija hip-hop as well.

Top 3 music artistes 1.Kenny Rogers, 2.Whitney Houston, 3.Kenny G. Life's philosophy However difficult a situation may seem, there is always a silver lining, hold on to the positive and forge ahead.

What would you do differently in your life if you could do it over again?

Create more time to rest.

Plans for the future In the immediate future, I hope to continue to break grounds especially in The Gambia and adjoining markets with local and global pacts, while increasing frameworks for collaboration. I hope to retire into travel and portrait photography.

External interests, passions and hobbies I am really passionate about photography; I love to test my gears out from time to time. I also love to play pocket billiards, guess I am quite good at it.

How do you spend your weekends? Life outside VZ? Occasional outings on Friday nights, I am home all through Saturday watching all the EPL matches.

June through August is unbearable... no matches! I spend other times with the family at the beach or hanging with the kids at the park, mostly on Sundays.

If not Verdant Zeal It will have to be photography and/or videography.

I'll be doing a little bit of traveling as well working across terrains.

Mentors My first real contact with advertising was during a seminar organized by Daystar where TJ was the

“

I am home all through Saturday watching all the EPL matches.

June through August is unbearable... no matches!

“

Favourite moment of your day This must be my time with the family, after work, usually between 8-11PM before resuming for night duty. I work round the clock.

Abouttime June 2016 | 25

EVENT

‘Desola Jimmy-Eboma | Ayomipo Ogunyode

To make a change

26 | Abouttime June 2016

Abouttime June 2016 | 27

HEALTH METER

Boost your metabolism ‌lose more weight

In simple text, metabolism is the rate at which your body process the food that you put into it. If you're trying to lose weight, increasing your metabolic rate may help you to lose more weight.

Can you make your metabolism better? Yes. Boosting metabolism is the holy grail of weight watchers everywhere, but how fast your body burns calories depends on several things. Some people inherit a speedy metabolism while some don't. Naturally, men tend to burn more calories than women, even while resting. And for most people, metabolism slows steadily after the age of 40. Although you can't control your age, gender, or genetics, there are other ways to improve your metabolism.

Here are some of them: 1. Build muscle Your body constantly burns calories, even when you're doing nothing. This resting metabolic rate (RMR) is much higher in people with more muscle. Every pound of muscle uses about 6 calories a day just to sustain itself, while each pound of fat burns only 2 calories daily. That small difference can add up over time. After a session of strength training, muscles are activated all over your body, raising your average daily metabolic rate.

2. Step up your workout Aerobic exercise may not build big muscles, but it sure can rev up your metabolism in the hours after a workout. The key is to push yourself.

High-intensity exercise delivers a bigger, longer rise in resting metabolic rate than low- or moderate-intensity workouts. To get the benefits, try a more intense class during workout or try high intensity interval training (HIIT) which alternates between intense bursts of a physical activity and fixed periods of less-intense activity. Ensure you work all muscle groups of the body, making your workout entail both cardio and strength routines.

28 | Abouttime June 2016

3. Fuel up with water Your body needs water at all times. Water is involved in every type of cellular process in your body. If you are even mildly dehydrated, your metabolism may slow down. Studies show, adults who drank eight or more glasses of water a day burned more calories than those who drank four or less. To make a habit of staying hydrated, carry a bottle of water around (in your car, to your meetings etc.) as this will prompt you to take sips at intervals. It is very important to note that, water cannot be replaced with a fizzy drink, energy drink or any sweetened drink at all, juice inclusive, it's absolutely not the same. Same applies with taking energy drinks while exercising, it's a no-no. Every sweetened/carbonated drink contains its own amount of calories plus sugar-content, so while you are exercising burning a couple of calories, you are sipping calories back in!

However, for people who see water as drab, you can spice up your water with a dice or two of your favorite fruits/veggies such as watermelon, pineapple, apple, lemon, mint leaf, cucumber, grapefruit etc. Also, snack on fresh fruits and vegetables, which naturally contain water, rather than on chips, sausages etc.

“

Eating more often can actually help you lose weight.

When you eat large meals with many hours in between, your metabolism slows down between meals.

A quick physical way to check if you are dehydrated? Urine, clear or very light yellow with no odor means you're well hydrated. The darker and more aromatic your urine, the more dehydrated you are.

4. Snack smart Eating more often can actually help you lose weight. When you eat large meals with many hours in between, your metabolism slows down between meals.

Having a small meal or snack every 3 to 4 hours keeps your metabolism on a high, so you burn more calories over the course of the day.

Extending the time between meals makes your body go into "starvation mode," which decreases your metabolism as a means to conserve energy and prevent starvation.

5. Spice up your meals Spicy foods have natural chemicals that can kick your metabolism into a higher gear. Cooking foods with a tablespoon of chopped red or green chili pepper can boost your metabolic rate. The effect is probably temporary, but if you eat spicy foods often, the benefits may add up.

Keep in mind that although spicy foods do increase metabolism, they only increase metabolism by about 8%, so it is still important to watch your calorie-intake if you are trying to lose weight i.e portion control is key.

rich foods can boost metabolism at mealtime. Good sources of protein include lean cuts of meat, skinless turkey & chicken, fish, tofu, nuts, beans, eggs, and low-fat dairy products.

More importantly, protein acts as fuel for building muscles. So if you exercise regularly, and as you should, perform strength training/muscle building routines, then protein comes in handy to repair the wear and tear of muscles.

7. Recharge with green tea Drinking green tea avails you the consumption of catechins, a substance known to rev up metabolism for a couple of hours. Research suggests that drinking 2 to 4 cups may push the body to burn as much as 17% more calories during moderately intense exercise. Not forgetting its therapeutic and detoxifying properties as well.

8. Avoid crash diets Crash diets, those involving eating fewer than 1,200 (if you're a woman) or 1,800 (if you're a man) calories a day are bad for anyone hoping to quicken their metabolism. Although these diets may help you drop pounds, it comes at the expense of good nutrition. Plus, it backfires, since you can lose muscle mass, which in turn slows your metabolism. The final result is your body burns fewer calories and gains weight faster than before the diet.

6. Power up with protein Your body burns many more calories digesting protein than it does with fat or carbohydrates. As part of a balanced diet, replacing some carbs with proteinDr Olu Fafure (GFI, MPT, WMS) is a fitness, nutrition and lifestyle expert, and a health consultant on Inspiration FM 92.3 (Mondays & Wednesdays, 10.30 to 11.00am). He writes a periodic column in the Saturday Sun and is quite active on Twitter: @Oluooo. He can also be reached on spineloptions@yahoo.com

Abouttime June 2016 | 29

THE TALE OF THE TOMATO-LESS STEW.

FOOD PORN

30 | Abouttime June 2016

Bola Bello

About 2 months ago, we started experiencing adverse scarcity of tomato. The Federal Government revealed that ďŹ ve states were affected by a tomato disease called Tuta absoluta, locally called 'tomato ebola'.

We all know how creative Nigerians are; we love crafting and trying new things. I was blown away at the things I saw online. I came across stew and soup recipes that I never thought were possible. I went on a search across the web and social media to search for the 'lifesaving recipe' and I found many. The one that caught my attention the most was the "Carrot tomato-less stew".

Yes, carrot stew. A lot of people on Facebook and Instagram were sharing how amazing the carrot stew is and I couldn't help but try it myself. The result was AMAZEBALLS!

FOOD PORN

Ingredients for Amazeballs! · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

6 medium size carrots 6 large tatashe (red bell pepper) 4-6 Scotch bonnet pepper (Ata rodo/Habanero pepper) 2 large onions 2 small bulb garlic 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger 1 tablespoon of lemon juice Salt Seasoning of choice Locust beans (Iru) Thyme & curry (optional) Protein of choice (beef, chicken, turkey or fish) Vegetable oil Stock

Method: · Cut carrots into small pieces. · Wash and cut up your pepper, tatashe, and onion into large chunks and cook whole till almost soft. · Add carrots till all vegetables are soft. Take off heat and allow to cool. · Blend (with Iru) to a smooth puree. · Heat oil, add chopped onions and fry till soft and translucent. · Pour in blended pepper/carrot and chicken stock. While it’s still frying, add curry, thyme, lemon juice. Fry till dry. · Add seasoning and your choice of protein. · Serve with rice, spaghetti or any food of choice.

Abouttime June 2016 | 31

FEATURE

‘Desola Jimmy-Eboma

The Law of Attraction as a foundation for living ince its release in 2006, the movie The Secret has introduced millions of people to what is generally termed ‘the law of attraction’. I for one, firmly believe in the power as I've used it to effortlessly create ever-growing levels of success.

S

For those unfamiliar with the term, the law of attraction harnesses the power of the universe to deliver the people, resources and results that you want and need. Most people, who do not live the life of their desires, see their reality as something they have no control over. They see people who have more than they do as simply lucky; just more fortunate than they are. And they often believe that these ones were born with a silver spoon. Thus when they are experiencing their own totally unwanted reality, they see their existence as being unlucky and less fortunate; often describing themselves as victims of an unfair and cruel world.

The trouble with this way of thinking is that it places the power to create experiences outside of ourselves, and leaves us at the mercy of circumstances, events and other people.

In business, it places profits at the mercy of our customers.

In careers, it places success at the mercy of our employers.

In health, it places our vitality at the mercy of our environment.

And in relationships, it places our happiness at the mercy of our partners. ‘Cause and Effect’ reverses this process and places all our experience under the control of ourselves.

So what do I mean when I say cause and effect?

Cause and effect is the fundamental method that we use to create our experiences, the cause being the vibration that we hold, and the effect being the experiences that are drawn to that vibration.

To break this down further I would say that our vibration is made up of our thoughts and emotions, and the effect is made up of the events, circumstances and people who are brought to our reality, as a match to the way we think and the way we feel.

Cause is not just what we think, it is how we think, and depending on what and how we think, the law of attraction aligns effects to our lives, in order for us to keep thinking the same way.

We are cause, and the effect is our reality and every experience we have within it.

Effect is the good experiences that appear to make us happy, as well as the bad experiences that seem to make us unhappy. Effect is your experience, and it was created by you. You are the cause and what you experience is the effect.

Cause and effect is the law of attraction in action, and the sooner you realize this, the sooner you will be able to take your power back and start to create the reality of your dreams.

Understanding that you have created all the experiences you have had, good and bad, is a wonderful thing to know, as it will free you from being the victim of any unwanted event, circumstance or person, and allow you to become exactly what you will like to be.

32 | Abouttime June 2016

Understanding the Law of Attraction What is important is knowing how to work with the law so that it works for us, rather than against us. The law of attraction says that the experiences we align to are brought to us as a match to the way we think and feel.

The law of attraction does not bring desires and wishes; it does not answer prayers and please.

This law simply aligns experiences to us that are a match to the way we think and feel. And as this is law, all experiences that we have, good or bad, are there because of something we have thought or felt.

I am not suggesting that each specific experience can be traced to a specific thought or feeling that you have had about a particular thing. What I am saying is that the events, circumstances and people that you align to, are there to help you think and feel in the same way.

Understanding the law of attraction and the importance of thought and feeling, the way you react to the experiences you have now is a fundamental part of getting the law of attraction to work in your favour.

If you notice, think and feel about the wonderful experiences that you have, and focus your attention to these things, you shall align to more wonderful experiences tomorrow. But if you notice, think and feel about the difficult and unpleasant experiences that you have and focus your attention to these things, you shall align to more difficult and unpleasant experiences tomorrow.

This highlights the importance of your attention, because as you offer energy in the way of thought and emotion to the things you currently experience, you include that energy as an attractive force within yourself, and in turn, the law of attraction is activated to bring you more experiences that keep your energy vibrating in the same way.

This is why people who are in debt, as they offer energy to their debt, align to more events and circumstances that cause more debt. Similarly, people who are in abusive relationships, because of the energy they offer the abuse; they tend to move from one abusive relationship to another.

In understanding the law of attraction, you will realize that whatever you offer energy to; new experiences will come to you that help you to offer the same energy, whether they are wanted or unwanted.

BRANDHUMOR

Kola Omisore

“Behind The Clouds” where Air Peace created a soap opera in the sky

T

oday's marketers have an enormous task on their hands - how can they cut through the thousands of other marketing messages their customers receive each day to engage in authentic conversations? It is a thought-provoking mission, but when you get it right; when you really connect with your customers - the result is noticeable. Savvy markets or brand custodians manage to cut through the noise, captivate and inspire their customers.

Need I tell you, championing new styles in design, art direction and photography is my job.

It does not end here. As a creative thinker, I constantly tinker with existing ideas and modify them if necessary for a new campaign. In the course of doing this, I’ve learned that brand communication connects to emotions more than anything else, especially if it has to do with lifestyle. What this means is that it is imperative to understand the context of communicating across markets, what is appealing and what will, eventually be disparaging.

As an addicted SM user, I came across an advert, through the buzz and talk-ability of it, and what my “Waffy bros” will call “Obito” ad.

At first glance, the Air Peace retro-styled campaign is clever and effective with a strong and supposed-to-be-visually appealing imagery.

I want to believe the intention was to depict the attribute of the brand metaphorically, defining

34 | Abouttime June 2016

peace and showing it. Alas! It went sour.

I asked a rhetorical question. What was the art director, copywriter, agency, and the client thinking? Was the Limpopo King acting the remake of the early 90's soap opera, ‘Behind The Clouds’ unknowingly? Never mind, I just thought I should bring back memories of the early 90's in this ad, Kcee didn't switch on his 'inner light' to see that Naija people don't wait for an eye to blink before stoning a bird. He was not spared.

The response the ad got on social media was close to what our super-hyper singer, Vico, garnered on YouTube!

Social Media, according to Peter Kim of Chei Worldwide, is the graveyard of all brands. Does that mean KCee was finally laid to rest? Your guess is as good as mine. It seems Mr Limpopo's music career started limping afterwards...

In the first edition of BrandHumour, I said that the trend and rampant usage of celebrities in pushing popularity for brands would boomerang soon as celebs are almost often associated with scandals. Just think what Tiwa Savage's scandal could do to brands like Pampers and Pepsi…

You all know the saga.

After Air Peace and KCee got the backlash, the brand manager moved on to greater things with the ambassador. The new set of Air Peace adverts are a testament to this.

A VOICE WITHIN

Segun Olabode

Epp?

“

I

was awoken by the noise of people shouting and general commotion. What followed was unbelievable; a loud explosion that shook the foundation of the ground I was standing on, with a fireball like that seen in the movies. I looked out the window, everywhere was in chaos. I quickly rushed to pick my kids and then wife, in that succession. It was not until we got outside the house that I found out we were being attacked, more like being invaded, by who we did not know. We just started to run.

As I, sorry, we were running (we could not drive because people were everywhere and the city was in disarray), we could see private jets and helicopters being shot down. Who was attacking us we did not know, but it was clear we had to run for our dear lives and everyone was headed into the bushes which came out of nowhere, because all the while we were in a very populous urban city.

Once we got in the bushes, I heard prayers from all religions. I could bet now that I heard a Hindu prayer, I even heard someone reciting incantations to disappear to a foreign land and my immediate thought was to hold on to the person if it began to happen. All of a sudden my pastor dashed past, alone. Ah ah, this man sef dey fear? In that same twinkling of an eye I saw someone who looked like a popular serving governor brush pass me alone too. If not for blood ties with my family I almost dashed off leaving them behind because it dawned on me that we were all by ourselves. I was still in that thought when I heard “Make una run oh, run dem are Kwom!” Kai! Wayo! It was my wife that took off with one of my kids, so I picked the other kid (at this point I had to be thankful they were just two. What if them be six? I almost hoped that I was not married sef).

And so we continued on our marathon that did not have a finish line. Suddenly, I could not see my family. I was disoriented. I had to stop to search for them (did I mention that all this was happening in

All of a sudden my pastor dashed past, alone. Ah ah, this man sef dey fear? …if not for blood ties with my family I almost dashed off leaving them behind

“

WhoYou

the dead of the night?). The zeal to move on left me as I continued to shout out their names and quickly noticed that I was not alone, In that instant, I remembered my aged mum, sister, brother and was wondering if they were safe. What brought me out of the thought was the voice of my daughter shouting “Daddy. Daddy. Daddy oh, wake up! I’m hungry!”

Choi! So it was all a dream? Good God! What kind of vivid realistic dream was this that showed the true realities of who really matters to you and how you should care for them (when you still can, that is).

And that no matter how powerful or wealthy, we can all get lost and helpless. I quickly held on to my kids and then wife (even for real life I still put the kids first, chio! Make this woman no read this tori oh!). It was only when I had washed my face that reality hit me - there are people who had and are going through all this, parents have had their daughters kidnapped, cost of living in the country has gone up, businesses folding up, workers sacked, looters of public fund were being disgraced daily (while some others were still looting. Fear God oh!), tomato suddenly developed Ebola, and we are still eating it oh (wait oh, shebi we declared war on bushmeat in some time past? Hmmmm).

Well, to sum it up in the style of a popular persona, what I just deduced was that it didn't matter whether you are rish of pour, what matter is the carater you are showcasing and who e epp.

A voice within.

To be continued...

Abouttime June 2016 | 35

Joy Obinyan

BOOKREVIEW

Published in 2008, Outliers: The Story of Success is Malcolm Gladwell's third consecutive bestselling nonfiction book, following Tipping Point (2000) and Blink (2005). Outliers deals with the cultural and societal forces that give rise to opportunistic individuals. Through a series of case studies, Gladwell insists that we have all too easily bought into the myth that successful people are self-made; instead, he says they “are invariably the beneficiaries of hidden advantages and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn and work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot.”

Gladwell defines an outlier as a person out of the ordinary “who doesn't fit into our normal understanding of achievement.”

In Outliers, Gladwell attempts to answer, "What makes some people successful while others cannot seem to realize their full potential?" In contemporary U.S. society, people are considered successful when they embody particular traits and characteristics: diligence, self-sacrifice, intelligence, talent.

However, Gladwell says that the conditions and circumstances surrounding our lives are the significant influential factors that determine our success, not our inner ability or talent. An outlier's recipe for success is not personal mythos but the synthesis of opportunity and time on task.

Framed around the biblical parable of the talents, or “The Matthew Effect,” Part One examines opportunity as a function of timing.

Canadian hockey players born closer to the magic birthday of January 1 reap advantages that compound over time. Likewise, computer programmers Bill Joy and Bill Gates, both born in the 1950s, have taken advantage of the relative-age effect to become industry giants in the 1980s. Gladwell not only debunks the romantic mystique of self-determinism, but also the myth that genius is born, not made.

He claims that Mozart and The Beatles are not so much innate musical prodigies but grinders who thrived only after 10,000 hours of practice. Gladwell cites chance opportunities, such as birth during a certain time period and demographic luckiness, to be overwhelming factors in determining a person's success. He 36 | Abouttime June 2016

In Outliers, Gladwell attempts to answer, “What makes some people successful while others cannot seem to realize their full potential?" shares the stories of many outliers who have met their potential by harnessing the chance opportunities that have come their way.

Part Two of Outliers focuses on cultural legacies, which Gladwell says “persist, generation after generation, virtually intact...and they play such a role in directing attitudes and behavior that we cannot make

sense of our world without them." Gladwell is more eclectic here, and he examines both success and failure. He shares the story of Christopher Langan, a man who has an incredibly high IQ score, yet works on a horse farm, spending his free time exploring and researching questions that will never be published or recognized. Growing up in an unstable family situation, Langan never had opportunities for success and has had to work alone. And as Gladwell points out, “no one ever makes it alone.”

Langan's story contrasts that of Robert Oppenheimer, one of the crucial designers of the nuclear bomb; he, too, was brilliant, but he came from a wealthy family, had a degree from Harvard, and was very successful. He identifies critical differences between these two geniuses that led one to fame and the other to become a rancher with less than 2 years of University education – Practical Intelligence and Social Savvy.

He deftly moves from the dooming “culture of honor” in Appalachia to the rice paddy cultivation in China that fosters patient problem solving. Gladwell is at his best when he illustrates how a cultural legacy of failure can be transformed into one of success.

Korean airlines, once very likely to crash their planes because of rigid power structures among pilots, have since fostered collaboration in the cockpit and, therefore, attained high safety ratings.

The structure of Outliers is based on the case studies that Gladwell uses to support his claims. Within the chapters, Gladwell challenges commonly held beliefs by finding people whose circumstances go against the grain—outliers in a world of sameness.

Culled from www.enotes.com

VZ ADDITIONS/BIRTHDAYS

April’s a

Osazee 10 Tayo 15 Seyi 19

38 | Abouttime June 2016

introducing

Adedeji Stanley Adei Proud parentS

Mr & Mrs Stanley Adei 38 | Abouttime June 2016