Wings issue 25 by Wings

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

ISSUE 25 DECEMBER 2015–FEBRUARY 2016

THE INFLIGHT MAGAZINE OF ARIK AIR

DISCOVER THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM ARIK AIR’S DESTINATIONS AS WE CELEBRATE OUR

25TH ISSUE!

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WELCOME

Message from the Arik Air Family

A EDITOR IN CHIEF Emma Woodhouse EDITED BY Owen Bailey DESIGNED BY Phil Millard

PUBLISHER Inflight Publications Wings is published by Inflight Publications on behalf of Arik Air. Address editorial enquiries to editor@arikwings.com ADVERTISING SALES Nsikan Udo-Osoh ads@arikwings.com Call/Text +234 806 888 8686 Printed at Rotocayfo Impresia Ibérica, Barcelona All material is copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the copyright holder. While every effort is made to ensure all prices and data are correct at the time of publication Arik Air is not responsible for editorial errors. Opinions expressed in Wings are not necessarily those of Arik Air and Arik Air does not accept responsibility for advertising content. Any images or transparencies supplied are at the owner’s risk.

s we come closer towards the end of another successful year, I would like to take this opportunity to say how much we appreciate your continued support. As a token of our appreciation, Arik Air has launched a brand campaign rewarding our passengers with surprise gifts mid-flight, in what we call the #ArikCares Special Give-Away Promotion. The promotion is running until the end of January 2016 and you could be one of our lucky winners today on our flight. With the festive season upon us, it seems like the perfect time to enjoy a glass of our new wines available on board our international routes. In support of the African continent, we have selected a boutique vineyard in Cape Town, South Africa, to supply our Premier Class and Economy Class wines. The Wildekrans Wine Estate is just an hour away from Cape Town city centre, so we are pleased to be supporting local wine producers. On another note, we have recently resumed flight services to Monrovia, Liberia. Flights to Monrovia were previously suspended in July 2014 in the wake of the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease. We are delighted to be able to return to this fascinating destination. We have also increased frequency on the Lagos to Douala via Cotonou route from four to six weekly flights. The new schedule (which took effect on 11 October, 2015) is aimed at further enhancing connectivity across the West Coast. Moving into 2016, we want to remind businesses that we take our corporate relationships very seriously. We are the airline for businesses and that’s why we offer a comprehensive Corporate Travel programme. Arik Air’s Corporate Travel allows you to save on business travel expenses and offers a wide range of cost-effective advantages so you get more value out of your business travel. For more information, contact corporatesales@arikair.com. In this edition, Wings is celebrating its 25th-issue milestone with a look back at the many highlights from the magazine so far. Dip into our Best Of Wings feature for insider tips on Arik destinations, health, beauty and fashion tips, inspirational business ventures, wise words from our interviews with the stars, a showcase of great travel photography, and much more. We hope that you will enjoy the 25th edition of Wings magazine. Thank you for travelling with us today and we wish you (and your loved ones) a very Merry Christmas and an equally Happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon. Fly Safe, Fly Well, Fly Arik Air.

EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER

Wings is the inflight magazine of Arik Air and is published on a quarterly basis for Arik Air through Better Media B.V and its Nigerian subsidiary, Inflight Publications Ltd. The magazine is free to passengers on Arik Air flights worldwide. Please note that unsolicited manuscripts for publication in the magazine are not accepted. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Editorial materials and opinions expressed in Wings do not necessarily reflect the views of Arik Air or the Publisher. Arik Air does not accept responsibility for the advertising content and products and services mentioned within Wings are subject to change without prior notice.

Dr. Michael Arumemi-Ikhide Group CEO, Arik Air

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ISSUE 25 DECEMBER 2015–FEBRUARY 2016

CONTENTS

36 68 48 54 12 SEAT 1A 11 LIFESTYLE The forefront of travel news and trends

20 GALLIVANTER What’s on and when at Arik destinations

FEATURES

22 REVIEWS

44 THE BEST OF WINGS

Books, blogs, films, art and music

26 FOOD & DRINK Restaurants, food trends and epicurean adventures

30 INFLIGHT RESPITE Wandering and pondering

32 HEALTH & BEAUTY Wellbeing, trends and more

36 FASHION The Lagos Fashion & Design Week 2015 show report

46 48 54 56 58 60 62 66 72 76 86 92 98

10 Tips For Life And Love 10 Ideas For Intrepid Travel 10 Best Things To Do In NYC 10 Musical Highlights 10 Foodie Highlights 10 Thoughts On The Future 10 Undiscovered Treasures 10 Tips For Relaxation 10 Fashion Highlights Your Best Shot 10 Inspirational Ventures 10 Best Festivals 10 Inspirational People

105 ARIK ZONE News, onboard information and useful contacts

117 WINGTIPS Embark on the trip of a lifetime with Wings’ destination guides

CONTENTS

Contributors

Meet some of the talented people behind this issue…

Lakin Ogunbanwo

Helen Jennings

Nana Ocran

Lakin Ogunbanwo is a Nigerian photographer based in Lagos. Celebrated for his bold fashion and portrait imagery, In 2013 CNN profiled him as one of ‘Africa’s most exciting new photographers.’ Though you wouldn’t know it from his photos, he says, “I’m very shy and sensitive.” The musician Asa and author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie are among his most memorable subjects: “I’ve always been a huge fan and having them in my space was really special.” His provocative photographic style combined with a sensitive perspective make for getting the best out of Nigeria’s most impressive women. Thankfully, he was on hand to shoot the Lagos Fashion & Design Week for Wings (page 36).

Helen Jennings is an awardwinning editor, journalist, author and stylist based in London. She is author of New African Fashion, the first coffee table book to delve into the contemporary African fashion industry, published by Prestel. Her work has appeared on the BBC, CNN, MTV, Grazia, and The Guardian, among others. Helen always has her finger on the pulse of what’s happening in fashion and popular culture in Africa’s coolest cities. This issue, she brings us the inside stories from the front row of the Lagos Fashion & Design Week show (page 36), and rounds up the best boutique hotels, spas and beauty salons in Lagos (page 32).

Nana Ocran is a London-based writer and editor who specialises in contemporary African lifestyles. She was Editor-in-Chief for the Time Out Group’s series of guides to Lagos and Abuja as well as also being a Pan-African trends watcher for the Paris-based cultural think-tank, The Breakthrough Innovation Group. A long-term contributor to Wings, she loves spotting cultural happenings and trends on the continent: “I’m constantly learning, learning and learning some more about people and places across Africa,” she says. Nana gives us the tastebud-tingling lowdown on London’s global restaurant scene on page 26.

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Chief (Dr.) Roy K. Lillyman Principal and CEO

Your passport to the latest travel, lifestyle & entertainment news 12

LIFESTYLE

GALLIVANTER

CULTURE LIST

FOOD & DRINK

INFLIGHT RESPITE

HEALTH & BEAUTY

FASHION

From Trunki Broncos to Skip Hop Zoo Neckrests, check out the latest kiddie travel

Your guide to the festivals, cultural highlights, parties and general fun and frolics at Arik destinations

Must-see events and entertainment from December to February and beyond

Wings tests out the latest international flavours to be found on Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s streets

A psychologist reveals the hidden reasons behind why we travel, and how we can benefit

Kick back, relax and be pampered at the latest luxury spas, hotels and salons in Lagos

The hottest new trends and designers fresh from the catwalk at Lagos Fashion & Design Week

ONE FOR THE ROAD

New travel experiences worth trying out

SEAT 1A

LIFESTYLE The forefront of travel news & trends

Nano Technology This lightweight buggy folds easily for trains and planes.

Child-Friendly Travel Setting off on holiday with your children can present its own set of challenges to parents, but these innovative designs are here to help WORDS ROB LAING

Easy Riders

TRUNKI BRONCO AND BLUEBELL RIDE-ON SUITCASES The experience of travelling through airports and waiting in queues can be especially frustrating for your little ones, but Trunki cases can beat the boredom. These rugged Bronco and Bluebell and horse-themed ride-on suitcases will make globetrotting even more fun for children with four wheels to travel on and hand-luggage friendly dimensions (18 litres capacity) to ensure you can carry it on the plane with you. ÂŁ39.99 each trunki.com

Travelling Light

On The Case Horse around in the departure lounge with this Trunki ride-on suitcase.

MOUNTAIN BUGGY NANO TRAVEL STROLLER Travelling often means difficult and stressful decisions for parents; what do you take with you and what gets left at home? The challenge of taking a pushchair on an airliner is off-putting for many, despite how essential a buggy can be. The Mountain Buggy Nano Travel Stroller is an award-

winner thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lightweight (6kg) and folds down small enough to be carried on planes and trains (56 x 31 x 51cm when folded), making mobility with your baby or toddler one less thing to worry about. $249.99 mountainbuggy.com

Time Of Your Life

VTECH KIDIZOOM SMARTWATCH PLUS In addition to 50 different clock-face designs to choose from (and the option to download more), this touchscreen Smartwatch for ages five to 12 can film video, take and edit photos and even

Lifestyle | SEAT 1A

sun and street lights through hotel or apartment windows. It’s made with premium black-out material and is attachable with secure rubber suckers, but also adjustable with Velcro. The blind can fit window sizes up to 130cm x 198cm and folds down into its own carry bag, but may prove so useful you’ll want to use it at home. £29.99 gro-store.com

City Living

TOCA LIFE: CITY APP Toca Boca has a well-earned reputation producing quality and value-packed children’s apps for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. Now, Toca Life: City is the latest in a new series aimed at five years old and over. Design your character, interact with others and explore the city’s vibrant locations, including a shopping mall and theatre. There’s no in-app purchases to prevent unwanted spending, and parents can even switch off the app’s music for when they want some peace and quiet on holiday.

The Price Is Right Keep grubby paws off your iPad with this Apptivity Case.

has games to play. An ideal way for your child to capture highlights of their holiday while keeping boredom at bay, it’s rechargeable via USB, too. £39.99 Vtech.co.uk

Safe Keeping

FISHER PRICE APPTIVITY CASE FOR IPAD With so many great apps for kids

Gro To Sleep The Gro Anywhere blackout blind.

available, it’s no wonder they keep reaching for your iPad. Keep it safe for you and fun for them with Fisher Price Laugh And Learn Apptivity case. Compatible with iPad 1, 2, 3 and Air, the case locks your Apple device inside to keep it safe from dribbling, teething and unwanted pressing on the home button. Fisher Price also produces free learning apps you can enjoy,

$35 www.fisher-price.com

$2.99 each or $3.99 for iOS when bought together with Toca Life: Town play.google.com itunes.apple.com

Lights Out

Rest Assured

with or without the case.

GRO ANYWHERE BLIND We all need our sleep, and travelling abroad with children into different time zones and climates can be disruptive. The Gro Anywhere Blind is a portable solution to block out

SKIP HOP ZOO NECKREST Sleeping while travelling can be difficult, so make things more comfortable and fun for your child (age two to four years) with this soft velour Skip Hop Zoo Neckrest. Its Zoo range offers a

Character Building Toca Life: City is a fun-packed app for smart phones.

SEAT 1A | Lifestyle

Velvety Sleep Help junior sleep on long journeys with the Skip Hop Zoo neckrest.

number of travel accessories featuring colourful animal characters, including this owl. $13 www.skiphop.com

A Walk In The Park

CITY WALKS WITH KIDS: 50 ADVENTURES ON FOOT An unfamiliar city can offer the chance for adventure, but can be

daunting for parents looking for child-friendly entertainment and places to eat, while taking in the sights. The City Walks With Kids series is available in card, paperback and Kindle editions for London, Washington DC, Paris, San Francisco, New York and Toronto to help you on your way. From $12 amazon.com

Pixie Pot The fun designs of My Carry Potty will help toilet training while travelling.

Handle With Care

A Little Wonder

From £19.99 mycarrypotty.com

$24.99 duematernity.com

MY CARRY POTTY Helping your child through the transition from wearing nappies to using a toilet for the first time can be especially challenging when you’re on holiday, but My Carry Potty offers a way to take the stress out of potty training. The bright colours and animal designs will appeal to kids, but the secure locking mechanism, handle, leak-proof seal and robust plastic construction are highly practical for life on the move, too.

Seats You, Sir My Little Seat is a compact and portable high chair.

MY LITTLE SEAT When you’re eating out and a highchair isn’t available, My Little Seat is an ingenious solution to make sure everyone gets a place at the table. It’s a compact fabric highchair (for children age six months or up to 35lbs in weight), with a five-point harness that can be assembled in seconds. It fits on round- and square-backed chairs (but not airline seats, it should be noted) and folds down to the size of a nappy in its own bag: and it’s machine washable.

SEAT 1A | Lifestyle

Up your sleeve The ‘ultimate travel jacket’, Baubax has 15 features including a neck pillow, eye mask and pockets for your passport, blanket and iPad. Bye-bye, carry-on. baubax.com

Nice and slow Long-form storytelling is making a comeback in a media environment saturated with clickbait and listicles. http://narrative.ly

Hidden gem New Smartphone app GLP (Great Little Place) is like Tinder for travel, profiling only little-known restaurants, bars and cafes. Local users submit profiles, which means you’ll be able to stay well off the tourist trail. Trends taking off Fads ready for landing

Making a meal of it Why must fries be served in a pencil holder and ice cream on a slate? Air your grievances about outlandish restaurant serving methods. wewantplates.com

Standing ovation They can keep their standing desks. We prefer Altwork Station. Designed by aerospace engineers, the workstation reclines into a position akin to being in bed, with a monitor, laptop, and mouse floating above you.

Heart of darkness How much do you hate fumbling around for your eye drops at airport security? Stash this baby in your bag. kangaroolight.com

If The Tech Fits… Five new wearable gadgets to help you stay in shape on your travels Speaking Sock SENSORIA SMARTSOCK FITNESS RUNNING SYSTEM Gone are the days when a sock was content to merely sit there in your running shoe – the Sensoria SmartSock goes many steps further by actively helping to improve your running form. The socks are infused with comfortable textile pressure sensors, and tell you in real time when you’re striking with the heel or ball of your foot. You can also see a heat map of your running style on the accompanying mobile app; the socks will also give you voice feedback as you run to maintain a desired running rhythm. $199 www.sensoriafitness.com

Vivo Voce

GARMIN VIVOFIT 2 This new version of Garmin’s popular wearable fitness tracker not only times your activity and provides data; it also learns your current activity levels and then assigns an attainable daily goal. Best of all, if you’re inactive for an hour, it will tell you it’s time to move with an audio alert, and will display a red move bar which a couple of minutes’ activity will remove. Wear it to

bed and it will monitor your sleep patterns, and you can wear it in the shower or while swimming. Designer versions are available, too. $99.99 www.garmin.com

Watch Your Stress Levels

BEING WATCH The Being watch is a wearable fitness tracker with a difference. It not only tracks your heartrate and your sleep patterns, offering insights into both, but it also provides insights into health and stress to build up a detailed picture of your own mindfulness. It differentiates between good stress and bad by mapping your mood into four different zones by sensing energy from heart-rate variations and blood pressure, and provides stress-reduction exercises. Oh, and it tells the time, too. $199 www.zensorium.com/being

Brains In Your Trousers

BELTY GOOD VIBES This upcoming product from French company Emotia is lauded as “the world’s very first

smart belt integrating Artificial Intelligence”, in order to track the rhythm of your everyday activities and provide statistical feedback and other data. Its main USP is that it contains an electric motor that automatically loosens when you sit down and automatically tightens when you stand up. It connects to your smartphone, so that you can fine-tune how tight you want it to be, and it also contains an accelerometer to provide activity metrics through its app. www.wearbelty.com

Sensor Achievement

NIKE + SENSOR Sports giant Nike has a high-tech supplement to its Nike + range of footwear, which tracks time, distance, pace and more, updating you while you run. Granted, you need a pair of Nike+ ready shoes and a device (such as an iPod Touch, iPhone or Nike Sportswatch) to sync it to, but the sensor itself is relatively inexpensive and fits snugly into the sockliner of your shoe. After your run, you can go online and upload your calories burned and other info. £15.24 www.nike.com

SEAT 1A

GALLIVANTER

What‘s on & when at Arik Air destinations

When until 1 January Where Calabar A whole month of events during the Calabar Festival means that you’re spoilt for choice. Throughout December, there are theatre performances, fairs to please the foodies and fashionistas alike, and stellar music performances. Everyone from Alpha Blondy and Akon, to Fat Joe and NeYo have performed here, so it won’t be surprising to hear that almost a million people from around the world showed up last year. In addition to the entertainment, there are ‘Big Idea’ discussions, Q&A sessions, and workshops for young and old alike. All this leads up to the Calabar Carnival, held on 28 to 29 December. Called ‘Africa’s Biggest Street Party’, and with good reason, it’s a parade of around 100,000 costumed partiers showcasing the dance, drama, and music of the region. www.carnivalcalabar.com

When 2 to 8 January Where London Stewart Lee is known for the layers upon layers of irony and acerbic wit he brings to his audiences, displaying feigned contempt and self-awareness that’s as charming as it is funny. He brought his acclaimed Edinburgh show A Room With A Stew to London back in September. In the New Year, he’s returning to the Leicester Square Theatre stage, armed with new energy after the Christmas break. Don’t expect a softening of his act because of the holidays, though – he’s known for being a

razor-sharp wit, no matter when or where he’s performing. A Room With a Stew is an opportunity to see the freshest material from the comic, as he’ll be trying out new ideas for the fourth television series of Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle. www.stewartlee.co.uk

Calabar Carnival

A Room With A Stew

Gallivanter | SEAT 1A

Mumford & Sons

Banjul Fine Arts Festival

When 29 January to 7 February Where Various cities in South Africa

When 11 to 23 January Where Banjul

Mumford & Sons are a curious band, bringing a West London accent to banjo-inflected Americana. They’ve long been known for a near-faultless imitation of the American folk-rock that’s been simmering beneath the pop charts for decades, ever since Dylan went electric, but their pop sensibilities have brought this to the surface along with their contemporaries Laura Marling and Fleet Foxes. They’ve been surprisingly popular in South Africa for years, ever since their single, I Will Wait, hit the charts – and the

Gambian music has long been critically acclaimed, but it’s only in the past few decades that Gambian painters, sculptors, and other fine artists have enjoyed a similar level of public interest. Artists like Momodou Ceesay, Njogu Touray, and Edrisa Jobe have raised the profile of Gambian art, and this festival aims to celebrate them and a plethora of other artists working both in The Gambia and abroad. In a few short years, it’s grown from a small local art show into a nationally-recognised fine arts festival, with around 200,000 collectors and art lovers expected to attend this year. The festival undoubtedly centres around the exhibitions, featuring a range of talented veterans to innovative emerging artists, but there are also plenty of side events, including a youth art competition, artist demonstrations, and live music.

advertising soundtracks, of course – and they’re now one of the most-requested live acts in the country. Live, it’s not hard to see why: they’re not superstars on stage, but they do manage to get their audience to sing along and dance more than most acts of their genre. They’ve got the miles on the clock to match, too, having headlined 13 festivals across Europe and America in the summer of 2015 alone. This tour sees them finally answering their South African fans’ pleas, with six dates across the country, kicking off in Cape Town. Tickets sold out in seconds online, but they’re still available at selected record stores across the country. www.mumfordandsons.com

NYC Restaurant Week

Argungu Fishing Festival When February Where Sokoto A frenzied celebration of fishing and fun, the Argungu Fishing Festival was launched in 1934 to mark a peace agreement between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom. Four days of water sports, donkey and camel racing, traditional boxing and wrestling, a goat skinning competition, feasts, dancing, and market stalls culminate on the last day for the biggest event Argungu sees all year. It’s back this year, with the river

replenished by the years-long break it took a few years ago. On the festival’s last day, thousands of fishermen, watched by thousands more lining the water, plunge into the Matan Fada River in twos, carrying huge calabashes and traditional fishing nets in a rowdy competition for the biggest catch. The winner comes away with more than pride: one million Naira (more than US$7,500) is the reward, along with a new minibus. Argungu is about 60 miles outside Sokoto, so some planning is involved before you visit, but it’s well worth it for the friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

For two glorious weeks, over two seasons a year, some of the best New York restaurants throw open their doors and offer prix fixe menus that are actually affordable – and not just for the billionaires. More than 100 of the best New York restaurants are participating this winter, from the likes of Nobu, Le Cirque, and Café Boulud to trendy newcomers on the food scene, so mere mortals get the chance to tickle their tastebuds without emptying their wallets. Better yet, every participating restaurant offers menus at the same price – $25 for a three-course lunch, and $38 for a three-course dinner, so there’s no hemming and hawing over where to get your jaw going, with a truly international selection on offer. For more information on NYC Restaurant Week and for bookings, go to the site below. nycgo.com/restaurantweek

When 20 January to 5 February Where New York City

SEAT 1A

CULTURE LIST Books, blogs, film, art & music

African Imprints Magic realism, modern and retro pan-African photography, an exhibition tome, plus a book and web project — cultural publications from December to February and beyond WORDS

NANA OCRAN

Picturing Africa “I personally believe that no one can see Africa the same way its residents can.” So says Habiba El Gendy, a Cairo-based artist and one of seven other photographers featured in African Lens 2. Beautifully curated by creative artist Aaron Yeboah Jr., this luxurious 122-page, second-edition publication celebrates African photographers “both in the motherland and across the 22

African diaspora”. The images are specifically presented without page numbers or contents, which creates a smooth visual flow that’s interspersed with fairly minimal text by each contributor. Names include Yannis Guibinga (Gabon), Emmanuel Afolabi (Nigeria), Ralph Chikambi (Zimbabwe), Cedric Nzaka (Kenya and South Africa), Didiwho (Kinshasa), Samuel Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso) and twin sisters Carbon Copy (Johannesburg). From street art to portraiture and industrial or rural landscapes, African Lens 2, according to Yeboah Jr., provides “an open window into the world of Africans”. Africa Lens 2 is available to order via the website: africanlens.co.

World Of Cinema From Lagos to Dakar and Accra to Abuja, Africa doesn’t do so well when it comes to its number of existing cinema venues. Of course, Nollywood, with its DVD then live-streaming

culture, took advantage of this way back in the 1990s, but despite the growth of chains like the West and East Africa-wide Silverbird cinemas, there’s been a steep decline in the continent’s communal film-going culture. The recently published book, Angola Cinemas, may have a Lusophone focus, but its spotlight on the culture of retro Angolan cinema buildings chimes with much of the continent’s silver-screen story. Released by actor and director Miguel Hurst in collaboration with photographer Walter Fernandes, Angola Cinemas springs from a regeneration project by the Goethe-Institut to rebuild some of the country’s movie houses. Images of tropically designed venues including Luanda’s Cine-Teatro, Benguela’s Cine Kalunga and 54

others in all their faded glory, speaks volumes about the possibilities of bringing so much more of Africa’s dynamic film history and communal cinema culture back to life. Angola Cinemas is published by Steidl Books and the Goethe Institut (steidl.de).

Waiting Game Culminating in a book launch at the end of 2015, the ‘waiting’ project is the creative result of a collaborative partnership between British photographer Jason Larkin, Photoworks national development agency in the UK and the British Council’s Connect ZA arts programme in South Africa. While living in Johannesburg, Larkin found that as an observer, he was drawn to the constant images of people

Cinema Paradiso New book Angola Cinemas documents restored communal film venues.

Standing In The Shadows Jason Larkin’s project adds an aesthetic dimension to waiting.

literally standing and waiting — usually for transport — in various parts of the city. It was the static body postures, often caught in shadows, that caught his photographer’s eye. So, out of this came his visual enterprise. Larkin explains: “The geographical zoning that democratic South Africa has inherited, as well as an apartheid-era transport system, means workers can wait hours to start a long ride home, making

the daily commute an evident legacy of an unjust system that still persists today.” Although the book is the result of Larkin’s own speculations, the wider project also features a website that hosts a poetic collection of stories by writers who have contributed their unique interpretations of Larkin’s waiting theme. ‘waiting’ is published by Fourthwall Books (South Africa) and Photoworks (UK) and can be ordered via photoworks.org.uk.

Word, Symbol, Song West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song is a beautifully designed, highly visual tome that accompanies the same-titled exhibition currrently running at London’s British Library. More than a must-have coffee table book, this expertly researched 23

SEAT 1A | Reviews

duo, Disun and Ige, the two boys contemplate the choices they may need to make in order to swap their Lagoonside ghetto for the more salubrious areas of Victoria Island and Broad Street. No flash in the pan, author Nukoya spent a period of seven years completing this novel, so it’s highly fitting that the book was launched in the presence of well-known names including musician Bez, poet Odia Ofeimun and Funke Treasure Durodola of Radio Nigeria. The Baron Of Broad Street is available via elnukoya.com.

Millennium Tome West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song is both a book and British Library exhibition.

Feeling Butterflies

“The objects on display don’t just tell the history, they are the history” Gus Casely-Hayford

In writing sections of the book, one of the many historical figures that stood out for Casely-Hayford was King Mansa Musa I of Mali. Best known as the world’s wealthiest person (back in the 13th century), his less-often considered contribution to West African history is his development of the region’s libraries and intellectual traditions, a cerebral thread that’s deeply embedded in the four-month exhibition. We urge you to visit, to uncover more fascinating stories. West Africa: Word, Symbol Song is at the British Library until 16 February 2016: www.bl.uk.

publication is co-edited by cultural historian Gus CaselyHayford and curators Janet Topp Fargion and Marion Wallace. The book is the result of a four-year conversation that started when the British Library first considered the exhibition. It’s a publication that traces a millennium’s-worth of history through objects, artwork and textiles from the Middle Ages right up to today’s leading writers 24

and artists. Casely-Hayford’s focus was on Mali and Ghana. “One of the things I’m really interested in is how old traditions still resonate for people in West Africa,” he says. “When northern Mali was raided, the way to undermine the regime was to burn manuscripts to try to destroy the material culture that represented it. So, the objects on display don’t just tell the history, they are the history.”

Street-Savvy This second novel by awardwinning author El-Nukoya has the grand title of The Baron Of Broad Street. Shining a fictional, but critical light on the conflicting worlds of Lagos’ haves and have nots, the book’s plot unfolds in Nigeria’s metropolitan land of opportunity — a place where upward mobility is limited. Told via the ‘all means necessary’ escapades of a Makoko-based

London-based author Irenosen Okojie takes it as a compliment that her writing style has been described as ‘odd’. What’s clear is that her natural fascination with tales of human character, behaviour and fantasy, are all present in her debut novel, Butterfly Fish. Two stories in one, the narrative is split between contemporary London and 19th-century Benin, while taking in mid-20th-century UK and Nigeria along the way. The plot mover is Joy, a young photographer who uncovers hidden family secrets that take her on a historical journey. Okojie’s literary influences are Ben Okri, Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Toni Morrison, Chinua Achebe and Deborah Levy — and the resulting magic realism that runs through the novel shows that Okojie is a dynamic new writer worth watching.Butterfly Fish is published by Jacaranda: jacarandabooksartmusic.co.uk.

SEAT 1A

FOOD & DRINK Restaurants, recipes & epicurean adventures.

Global Palate Eat your way across three continents, from Africa to Europe and Asia, without stepping a single foot outside London WORDS

Suya. Been? Enjoy this Nigerian street-food delicacy in east London.

NANA OCRAN

op ups, bistros, kitchen cafés and full-blown restaurants — in London town, you can sample every kind of cuisine and take your tastebuds on a globetrotting adventure. In a city where so many outlets are staking out their culinary territory in popular spaces for convivial dining, we checked out the flavours of Greece, Nigeria, Japan, Italy, France and India in a miniroundup of some of the latest ventures that are causing a stir as part of London’s international food scene.

Suya Society suyasociety.com “If people love suya as much as we do, of course we’ll open more restaurants!” This is Katri Josling, founder of Suya Society, a watch-this-space Nigerian pop-up that launched in east London at the end of 2015. The favoured Nigerian street food, of skewered and grilled meat with fish, chicken or beef options come rolled in the famous yaji

spice mix — a Hausa speciality — of black, red or white peppercorns, ginger and chilli. All ingredients are organically sourced, and other dishes include luscious salads and — of course — the relentlessly popular jollof rice. UNIQUE OFFERING: We have to highlight the yaji spice, as well as a speciality chilli oil that can be tweaked to suit all palates.

Hungry Donkey Greek Kitchen www.hungrydonkey.co.uk At less than a year old, Hungry Donkey is the first of what could be a London-wide chain, if owner Markos Tsimikalis sees his vision through. What he has is an already popular outlet for 100-per-cent Greek food — a rarity in London — as Greek/ Cypriot fare tends to be more familiar. Dishes are priced at a point to ensure the local city workers and residents will regularly stop by for authentic food, from a menu that includes gems such as dakos barley rusk

Food & Drink | SEAT 1A

Get Me To The Greek A 100-per-cent Greek menu awaits you at the Hungry Donkey.

starters, which are drizzled in olive oil and served with tomatoes and feta. Mains feature the lamb ‘plate me up’ with beautifully soft cubes of meat, hand-cut fries and a bumper portion of sweet cherry tomatoes and red onions, all sprinkled with mild herbs and pepper. The location is good — just a few stone throws from the bustling Spitalfields and Petticoat Lane markets, and situated on a street lined with retail shops including a few selling African

fabrics if you want to get your printed Super Wax on. SIGNATURE DISH: Moussaka. Dated perhaps, but on constant order.

Shoryu Ramen shoryuramen.com A drum roll welcomes every customer who enters Shoryu Ramen, which offers ‘a little piece of Japan’ in Soho’s Kingly Court food hub. A supremely comprehensive southern-Japanese menu comes with a nifty glossary,

THE SPICE SHOP

BOOKS FOR COOKS

thespiceshop.co.uk Flavourless food is a sin, so this one-stop spice shop could be a lifesaver if you’re looking to perk up your favourite dishes. Strategically placed right opposite the Books For Cooks store, the Spice Shop is a haven for obscure and everyday herb and spice needs, from shallot puree and beetroot powder to loose teas and flowers; from lemon verbena to cornflower petals.

booksforcooks.com Although it has serious competition from the aforementioned Spice Shop, this bijou Notting Hill store has been described in the past as the ‘best-smelling shop in the world’. That’s essentially because of the small test kitchen for in-house chefs at the back of the bookstore. Recipe books as well as publications on food history from around the world make this place heaven for serious foodies.

SEAT 1A | Food & Drink

In London town, you can sample every kind of cuisine and take your tastebuds on a globetrotting adventure making the extensive choices easier to navigate. Among the must-have starters are deliciously warm and succulent steamed Shoryu buns. These feel like you’re biting through soft mini clouds to get to the fillings of chicken, pork, prawn or halloumi. Mains include the classic, subtly spiced and generously sized Tonkotsu ramen (pork bone broth boiled for over 12 hours), which is served with thick or thin noodles, and flavoured with spring onions and flat and crunchy kikurage mushrooms. Dishes are deceptively light and extremely filling, so rounding things off with a small dessert like a scoop of sticky rice-covered mochi ice cream (salted caramel is a

lovely choice) makes for a pretty good end to a meal. UNIQUE OFFERING: Shōchū — which is a distilled alcohol imported straight from Japan’s Kyushu Island.

Salaam Namaste salaam-namaste.co.uk ‘A tour of the subcontinent’ is what to expect from Salaam Namaste’s cuisine, where authentic Indian dishes are all beautifully presented. There are two London

Food & Drink | SEAT 1A

Amen To Ramen Shoryu Ramen offers ‘a little piece of Japan’ in Soho’s Kingly Court food hub.

outlets with different menus. At Bloomsbury, closer to the centre of town, dishes feature gorgeous starters of scallops three ways, with coriander and lime, coconut, and tomato sauces. A wide selection of mains include traditional dishes of Rajasthan spicy lamb with roasted red chillies, a King Prawn patia with onion, garlic, ginger and Persian spices. Owner (and sometime airline purser) Sabir Karim is passionate about the food and has bagged a series of awards for his skills as a chef. SIGNATURE DISH: Pistachio chicken korma, which has the most exquisitely flavoured and textured sauce this side of India.

Galvin Bistrot de Luxe www.galvinrestaurants.com A Gallic institution on Baker Street, Galvin Bistrot de Luxe is an expansive venue with slick waiting service and a choice of fine-dining menus. The Sunday roast options are a good weekend treat and include

Galvin And Hobs Fine dining par excellence at Galvin Bistrot de Luxe.

starters such as smooth broccoli soup with tarragon, pumpkin seeds and a fresh sprinkling of pomegranate seeds. Roast rump of Galloway beef with Yorkshire pudding and horseradish sauce is a bumper main option, while a vibrant risotto of Cheltenham beetroot with chunks of feta is a comforting afternoon choice. SIGNATURE DISH: The chef’s

starter creation of white crab with scallop mousse topped with Béarnaise sauce.

Zerodegrees zerodegrees.co.uk Even with its huge size and generous floor space between tables, Zerodegrees restaurant, on the edge of Blackheath Common, manages to remain

intimate, warm and homely. A full and comprehensive menu is mainly Italian and includes 20 pizza choices — from a margherita to caramelised pear and Gorgonzola. There are also pasta and risotto dishes and a few nods to other nationalities, including kilo pots of mussels, lobster bisque or Creole options. The drinks list is extensive, although it’s the freshly brewed craft beers that consistently earn the biggest thumbs-up. What the venue is best known for is family-style service and, undoubtedly, the home-brewed beers that are dextrously produced in the impressive, in-house brewery. UNIQUE OFFERING: Six intriguing flavours of craft beer produced in the venue’s impressive micro brewery. 29

SEAT 1A

INFLIGHT RESPITE Wandering & pondering

Travel Positive Wings asked acclaimed author and psychologist Dr Alice Boyes for her opinion on some of the positive benefits of travel, and how to minimise anxiety when we arrive at our destinations

Illustration © wittayawic/iStockphoto.com

With leisure time becoming more digitally focused, would you say that travel is now more or less desirable? “People are increasingly placing value on live experiences (like travel and concerts), and experiences over an excess of material possessions. With so much information available, and easy worldwide communication, people are able to expand their travel horizons to destinations that previously might have been outside their comfort zone. The internet is also allowing people to have more diverse travel experiences, such as staying in Air BNBs vs. hotels, or travelling independently instead of going on an old-school bus tour.”

“Travel broadens the mind”. How, though? “Any experience that creates feelings of awe, such as an impressive waterfall, will trigger more expansive cognition. Our physical environment is important in triggering our thinking patterns, so when you switch up the physical stimuli 30

you are exposing yourself to, you’re going to have different cognitions. You also learn about yourself through travel and exposing yourself to new and unfamiliar situations. Travel can also help you gain confidence in things like your ability to cope with the unexpected and your problem-solving capacities.”

How can travel help you develop your positive mental outlook when you’re back home?

“In various ways… it helps you appreciate what you have, like modern conveniences that not everyone can access. Getting refreshed and having a boost in positive emotions can help if you’re feeling jaded or bored in your life. “You may seek out more new experiences at home as a result of travelling, for example, be more adventurous in trying different cuisines. And having more self-confidence and faith in your capacities to adapt to situations and solve problems can help you have a more positive outlook.”

Could you recommend a mindfulness exercise to reduce anxiety when in a different culture? “It can help to take a pause when you're travelling. Instead of heading straight out of the airport after a long international flight, give yourself a few minutes to sit down and adjust to the temperature, the sounds, and all the sights and smells. “When you do this, you’ll find you’re less likely to make poor

decisions or mistakes due to feeling overwhelmed or frazzled. Also, be aware of the emotional effects of jet lag, and give yourself time to adjust before you start making too many judgments about whatever place you’ve arrived at.”

Where does an expert in relaxation go to relax — what’s your own favourite holiday spot, and why? “Oahu, Hawaii. It’s an easy travel destination given that it’s a short, direct flight for me living in Las Vegas. It’s the perfect temperature, meaning no dealing with feeling too hot or too cold, and there are few bugs. I get my fix of perfect blue ocean and forest all in one island. Plus, a good friend lives there so I get to see her as well as have a beach vacation.” Doctor Alice Boyes, PHD is a contributor to Psychology Today and is the author of The Anxiety Toolkit – Strategies For FineTuning Your Mind And Moving Past Your Stuck Points, available from amazon.com

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SEAT 1A

HEALTH & BEAUTY Well-being, inside and out

Pamper Lagos Feel good outside and in, with visits to the best luxury hotels, relaxing spas and essential salons in Lagos WORDS

HELEN JENNINGS

f Lagos had a motto, it would be ‘work hard, play hard’. So it’s no wonder that residents and visitors alike feel the urge to switch off and indulge in some much-needed TLC from time to time. With new boutique hotels and luxury spas opening up all the time, and health and beauty brands beginning to flood the local market, there’s now plenty of ways to slow down, recharge and relax. Here’s our pick of the best spots to unwind in the city that barely ever sleeps.

L’EWÀ Studio

TV presenter and actress Eku Edewor teamed up with stylist to the stars Debola Falana to open L’EWÀ (meaning ‘beauty’ in Yoruba) earlier this year. The studio has a downtown NYC vibe with exposed brick walls and contemporary furnishings. One

room is dedicated to on-trend hair and nails, while the other is all about natural makeup. L’EWÀ is only accessible through the I.Am.Isigo fashion store, so it’s hard not to pick up something to wear en route, too. BEST FOR… ‘Groomed but real’ eyebrows and dreamy nail art facebook.com/lewastudio

The Wheatbaker

One of the most exclusive hotels in the city, this Ikoyi bolthole is owned by South Africa’s Legacy group and has become an essential destination since it opened four years ago. The Wheatbaker offers a first-class spa with three treatment rooms, plus a steam room, outdoor swimming pool and fully equipped gym with personal trainers on hand to guide you through a bespoke regime. And once you’ve done a workout and

Near And Spa The Wheatbaker is a luxury bolthole offering worldclass spa treatments.

Health & Beauty | SEAT 1A

HOME HELP

These new local brands will help you pamper yourself without leaving home POLISHED Celebrity stylist Veronica Odeka launched Nigeria’s first nail-polish brand this year. Vane’s elegant packaging features a diamante-topped lid, while fashion-led colours include Sunny Delight (golden yellow), Pretty Posh (nude) and Always Diva (baby pink). instagram.com/vanepolish JUICY Lagos has not been immune to the cold pressed-juices craze,

Get Fresh The L’EWÀ Studio is a fresh and luxurious beauty salon in Lagos.

been preened, you can show yourself off here, too, as the hotel is a popular choice for Sunday brunch. BEST FOR… Quiet drinks and couple’s massages

sourced, organic botanicals and essential oils from around the world. The extensive range includes collections promising equilibrium, anti-aging, gentle care, illuminate and Pro Clear

legacyhotels.co.za/en/hotels/ wheatbaker

BMS Spa & Fitness

One of the most established spas in the city, BMS remains hard to rival. As well as treatments, it has a relaxation pool, jacuzzi, steam room and wine bar. Its USP is its Balinese therapists, whose aim is to treat your mind, body and spirit in equal measure. BEST FOR… A Celebration Of Life package which includes an aromatherapy flower bath, body scrub or mask, full massage, Paloma Dead Sea facial, manicure and pedicure, hair crème bath or wax or prakus steam plus drinks zombms.com

ORÍKÌ

Just opened in July, ORÍKÌ (meaning ‘your crown’ in Yoruba) is a new brand and boutique selling all-natural beauty and grooming products for skin, hair and body. Entrepreneur Joycee Awojoodu’s interest lies in establishing an African luxury skincare line using ethically

Brand New Joycee Awojoodu brings us ORÍKÌ, an ethical skincare range.

with homegrown varieties making the most of local, organic fruit and vegetables. Simply Green sources from small-scale farmers to create its range, which includes Funky Beet, Pick Me Up, Refresh and Get Naked. Try a three-toseven-day cleansing package. simplygreenjuice.com CLEAN Ilera Apothecary is a capsule range of skincare. Simple packaging and authentic ingredients give products such as Delicate Serenity shower soap and Action Level shaving lotion a cool, calm appeal. ileraapothecary.com

SEAT 1A | Health & Beauty

results for both men and women. There’s also a spa, grooming parlour and Halo hair clinic open for business. BEST FOR… The Illuminating cleansing cream with acai berry, sunflower and jojoba oils, aloe, oat flour and sea buckthorn oil orikigroup.com

Maison Fahrenheit

One of the most recent editions to the Victoria Island social scene, this contemporary

Tranquillity Central Ikoyi’s new George hotel offers sophistication with an Italian flavour.

boutique hotel opened in late 2014. Designed by Anselm Tabansi of Lagos design studio Svengali, Maison Fahrenheit has a South Beach appeal with 30 minimalist rooms, a swimming pool, two restaurants serving international cuisine and the main attraction – the rooftop Rue 80 lounge. Large Buddha sculptures gaze on magnanimously as partygoers dance and mingle and DJs play the latest naijapop.

BEST FOR… Booking the all-white Wow suite, with its padded walls, marble bathroom, modernist furniture and balcony views of the ocean

fahrenheithospitality.com

The George

A member of the Mantis group, this newly opened 62-room hotel in Ikoyi offers a quiet and sophisticated place to meet and greet. The décor leans toward Italian decadence, with velvet

textures, and Renaissance masters on the walls. A terrace and fitness centre overlook the outdoor pool; two restaurants fuse local and global cuisines. No loud club here – instead, business clients do deals while perusing the extensive wine list in the Da Vinci bar. Mona Lisa would most certainly have raised an enigmatic smile. BEST FOR… A bottle (or two) of Pinot Noir. thegeorgelagos.com

PRE-LAUNCHING THE

ATLANTIC RESORT BUSINESS & RESIDENCE Your individuality and vision are reﬂected in the place you choose to work or live in.

www.grenadineshomes.com

Away from the maddening crowd and yet within the excitement of the business center of Lagos, Victoria Island. The project is located on Water Corporation Drive, off Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island Annex. Atlantic Resort, birthed differently to be the most iconic destination for work, live and play in Africa – a symbol of excellence. Conceptualized by the UK arm of HOK, the largest Architectural & Engineering firm in America working in conjunction with ECAD architects. HOK Architects designed the masterplan for Dubai Marina and ECAD is the designer of BAT Towers on Kingsway Road, Ikoyi. A 5-Star concept requires the best of contractors to execute that is why Grenadines Homes has pre-qualified leading contractors in Nigeria such as Cappa and D’alberto, Elalan and Julius Berger for the execution of this project. Brash Brands, the creative branding agency that breathed life into the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa Dubai, is defining the unique personality of the Atlantic Resort for attraction, sustainability of value and class for would-be investors and home owners.

It's not just another highrise project, Atlantic Resort is the Beauty and the Brilliance, the Style and the Substance. Pre-sale available at N1,293,400 per sqm for office space and N887,096 per sqm for residential. (All prices are subject to upward review without prior notification)

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Office Address: 11 Floor, Churchgate Towers, PC 31 Churchgate Street Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. th

SEAT 1A

FASHION Style news & tips from fashion’s new frontier

Show Time Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week 2015 marked its fifth anniversary with its biggest event to date WORDS

HELEN JENNINGS PHOTOGRAPHY LAKIN OGUNBANWO

ate October saw Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week (LFDW) celebrate five years of promoting Nigerian fashion talent. The annual four-day event at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island featured Spring/Summer 2016 collections from around 70 emerging and established designers. It also hosted a retail showcase, an Anniversary awards ceremony and a number of talks debating the future advancement of the fashion industry in the region. “Our goals this year were to reconnect the industry with LFDW’s primary goal of positioning fashion as a growing contributor to Nigeria’s economy, and to recognise those people on the scene who have contributed to our evolving fashion landscape in the last five years,” says LFDW founder, Omoyemi Akerele. While big names such as Maki Oh, Lisa Folawiyo, Lanre da Silva Ajayi and Tiffany Amber have all made waves internationally, Akerele is most proud of LFDW’s ongoing Fashion Focus initiative that develops new designers with a mentorship scheme. This year, 16 finalists made it to the catwalk alongside Fashion Focus alumni 36

Lookin’ At Lagos Tiffany Amber’s collection was a homage to the city.

Tiffany Amber

Las Gidi lady Tiffany Amber opened the first day of shows with a little help from Nigerian supermodel Oluchi Orlandi, who made her only catwalk appearance of the week. Entitled Marina, this collection was dedicated to Lagos. “From its original settlers to the high-rise buildings to the cacophony of bus drivers, road sellers and pedestrians, this season captures the voices that should be heard,” says designer Folake Coker. These inspirations were translated into boat and building prints as well as sparkling embroideries exclaiming ‘No wahala’ and ‘Sisi Eko’ on a delightful array of fluid silhouettes. THE LOOK

Dream Team Grey’s design theme was to achieve your dreams.

such as Sisiano, Gozel Green and Ejiro Amos Tafiri. “Discovering new talent and offering professional business development is at the very heart of what we do and when we see these young talents thrive, it’s our greatest achievement.” Here’s Wings’ rundown of 10 of the best shows from LFDW 2015…

Nkwo

Global nomad “My intention was to create a modern version of iro and buba,” explains Nkwo of her unisex collection. “It was also important that everything was made in Africa. The ase-oke supports Nigerian crafts, the denim is from market traders and I used Ugandan sisal rope, which is usually used to tether goats and bundle goods, to create manipulated embellishments.” THE LOOK

Loose indigo- and white-hued pieces layered over one another, featuring both raw edges and bead detailing.

Grey

THE LOOK Uptown girl Grey presented its most confident collection yet; a reflection of designer Rukky Ladoja’s desire to inspire the brand’s customer to achieve her life and work goals. “These are structured dresses to fulfil her dreams in, separates that make her feel lighter and patchwork looks that imitate the complexity of her daily routine,” she says. Laser-cut silks in bold brights and printed jersey in soft pastels complemented silk jacquards in earthy blues and greens.

POC

THE LOOK Minimal goth Showing as part of Fashion Focus, up-and-coming menswear designer Papa Omisore stood out for his collection, which was inspired by the Lagos Eyo Masquerade. He went so far as to have a festival dancer take to the catwalk ahead of his models, who each wore monochrome tunics over skinny jeans and gladiator sandals. Simple yet impactful.

Fashion | SEAT 1A

Maki Oh Dapper Papa Papa Omisore’s POC collection was inspired by the Eyo Masquerade.

Free spirit For SS16, Amaka Osakwe studied philosophical thinking on the meaning – or lack thereof – of life. While she came to the conclusion that existence is futile, the collection is in fact full of verve, or as Osakwe calls it, “restrained surrender.” Her signature adire silks featured teardrop, scribble and wave motifs, while delicate laces, quivering feathers and lurex knits THE LOOK

gave sultry silhouettes an unmistakeable frisson.

Loza Maléombho

THE LOOK Dancing queen This rising Ivorian star was inspired by the Zaouli masks and traditions from northern Côte d'Ivoire for SS16. Long burlap dresses exposed hips, wide kente skirts flashed legs and baggy organza trousers slouched just so. A palette of sky blue, leaf green and warm orange offset by black and white made for a fruity offering. No wonder models and designer alike felt compelled to dance all the way the catwalk for their final lap.

Kelechi Odu

In The Nkwo Everything in the Nkwo collection was made in Africa.

Phil-Oh-Sophical Maki Oh won the LDFW’s inaugural award for womenswear.

Burlap Of Honour Ivorian designer Loza Maléombho showcased organic colourschemes.

THE LOOK Dressed-down gent His first full collection since 2012, Kelechi Odu surprised fans of his dapper suits with this relaxed collection of fuss-free pieces. The designer said that the gathered necklines and hood additions referenced safety clothing worn by medics in disaster zones, but there was nothing heavy about this menswear. Easy, breezy pieces in cotton and linen included cropped bomber jackets, open blazers, granddad shirts, wrap-front chinos and boiler suits in shades of navy, lemon, baby blue and mint.

Safety First Kelechi Odu’s relaxed menswear.

SEAT 1A | Fashion

Meet Me In Harmattan Maxivive from Babatunde Oyeyemi.

Fruit Flava A splash of rainbow colours from Orire Omatsola’s Ré.

FROM THE FROW

All the essential chit-chat from LFDW 2015…

LOOK AT ME LFDW was not short of catwalk theatrics. Kiki Kimanu’s epic show featured extroverted TV presenter Denrele Edun aka ‘the Caitlyn Jenner of Nigeria’ giving it his all, wearing high-heeled stilettos. Meanwhile, April by Kunbi dedicated her show to Bond girls in red, white and black with 007 appearing at the end to strip one model to down to her lingerie, whisk her off her feet and carry her away.

SO NOW The biggest catwalk trends at LFDW were off-theshoulder shapes – turning shoulders into the new erogenous zone; fringing – ranging from unravelled ase-oke to shredded silk; lace, including Chantilly to Broderie anglais; culottes – for boys and for girls; and blue – from classic navy to Yves Klein.

AND THE WINNER IS… LFDW held its first-ever awards ceremony to honour five people who have helped shape the event to date. Maki Oh won for womenswear, Mai Atafo for menswear, Zashadu for accessories, Ejiro Amos Tafari for emerging and Kelvin Godson for best model. Hip, hip hooray!

Maxivive

Ré

THE LOOK

Travelling preacher Emerging designer Babatunde Oyeyemi presented his harmattan collection, entitled Arodan – The Dark Triad. The mood was sporty yet sombre and ranged from agbada and bubu through to safari suits and overalls in cottons and hessians. Standout pieces included a clear PVC top, deconstructed trousers held together with oversized buckles and a shirt worn with a dog collar.

Retro gypsy Orire Omatsola made the most of her signature kohbaslot embroidery techniques and youthful aesthetics with this collection. There was rather a lot to smile about here. Bouncy ra-ra dresses, bell-bottom trousers, off-the-shoulder tops, frilly pants and long waistcoats covered the rainbow, from pastel pink and turquoise to blood red and sun yellow with fringing and stripes also in the mix.

Lanre da Silva Ajayi

THE LOOK Sexy mathematician Lanre da Silva Ajayi closed LFDW and received a standing ovation. Bespoke geometric prints dominated her line-up of chic jumpsuits, tunics and wide trousers in luxe silks and laces. “The idea was to start with a regular shape that can tessellate, such as a hexagon, and then modify it,” she explains. “The collection features strict forms and simple cuts that provide movement and colour.”

Fashion | SEAT 1A

Shape Shifting Lanre da Silva Ajayiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work modified geometric shapes.

LFDW Best Of The Rest Sit back and enjoy some more designer highlights from the runway of Lagos Fashion & Design Week

Ade Bakare

April By Kunbi

Fashion | SEAT 1A

Mood Lighting The Federal Palace Hotel is a world-class show venue.

Iamisigo

House Of Kaya

Bridget Awosika

Gozel Green

SEAT 1A | Fashion

Sisiano

T.I Nathan

Washington Roberts

Quick Turnaround A view from behind the curtain.

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COVER STORY

THE OF BEST Wings magazine celebrates 25 issues with a look at the inspirational people, places, cultural happenings, wit and wisdom weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve encountered at Arik destinations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; read on to make the most of your destination, with our expert tips and insights

COVER STORY

elcome to our 25th issue celebration! Over the following pages, we’ve taken the opportunity to look back at some of the highlights from our past 25 issues. Perhaps you’re reading Wings for the first time, so we’ll begin our retrospective with a look back to issue 1, with our Editor In Chief, Emma Woodhouse… “Wings launched in 2009, during a palpably exciting time for so many African cities. Arik Air’s list of destinations has changed faster in the time since than most of the world’s cities. Since we launched, a wave of creative energy has been rippling through fashion, photography, literature, business and even adventure travel in West Africa and beyond. But what is it that makes a place like Lagos – not without its challenges – hold such a spot in people’s hearts? Where it lacks in tourism infrastructure it makes up for in energy, passion and humour – or put another way, it’s the people that make a place. We decided that instead of producing an extended brochure of a magazine, Wings should be just like one of our destination cities. It should be like a Dakarois or a Lagosian: its content should be eclectic, vibrant and with an eagerness to grow and change. As you read through this magazine, we hope you’ll be struck by the sheer creativity and passion of the people and ventures we’ve had the pleasure to cover while putting the magazine together. We set out to highlight the soul of places and meet some of the people making them buzz. And we’ve had so much fun so far. Keep on being adventurous, keep on learning and connecting with other people everywhere you go. Whether it’s for business, leisure or to visit friends and family – people are where the real gift of travel lies. Enjoy the following collection of illuminating highlights from our first 25 issues, and we look forward to welcoming you onboard for many more.” Emma Woodhouse

CONTENTS 046 048 054 056 058 060 062 066 072 076 086 092 098

10 Tips For Life And Love 10 Ideas For Intrepid Travellers 10 Best Things To Do In New York 10 Musical Highlights 10 Foodie Highlights 10 Thoughts On The Future 10 Undiscovered Treasures 10 Tips For Relaxation 10 Fashion Highlights Your Best Shots 10 Inspirational Business Ventures Best Festivals 10 Inspirational People Of Wings 45

COVER STORY | 10 Tips For Life And Love

tips for 1 LIFE & LOVE

If you’re a little new to, or worried about, the rules of attraction, then help is at hand. The sassily titled All Women Stalk blog is pure unadulterated feminine fun. The site’s section on Love will have you match-fit in no time on everything from relationship deal-breakers, flirting, the key to a long and happy marriage, sex infographics, songs to help you through a breakup and much more besides. love.allwomenstalk.com

FOLLOW YOUR NOSE

In issue 7, Nigeria’s first bespoke perfume entrepreneur, Belinda Brown, had this top tip for a heavenly scent… “Scent is a mixture of biological response, memory and psychology. It conjures the most immediate emotion. When choosing a scent, don’t become influenced by the marketing or name on the bottle. Bring it back to your own reaction and how it makes you feel. Perfume is such a personal thing. You have to love it even if nobody else does.”

Wings has priceless tips and homespun wisdom for all you travellers out there, to get the most out of your journey through life…

GO HEADOVER-HEELS

10 Tips For Life And Love | COVER STORY

for the future. Do they mostly coincide with your own?

LEARN STUFF

Openculture.com, “the best free cultural and educational media on the web”, offers free courses, podcasts and audio lectures on almost every imaginable topic, from technology to stand-up comedy. You can also access entire series of life-affirming lectures and courses via iTunes-U, through the iTunes store. openculture.com

“Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.” Even on a first date, ask your prospective lover about their desires, dreams, and plans

BE MINDFUL OF MINDFULNESS

James Baraz, a renowned teacher of mindfulness, defines it as: “Being aware of what is happening right now, without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will);

SEPARATELY BUT TOGETHER

being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).”

STOP FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF

Or maybe if you find the platitudes of the typical self-help manual aren’t working for you, why not try the more direct approach? How To Get A Grip by Matthew Kimberley promises to give you the kick up the backside you know you need, and is a helpful and occasionally hilarious take on the subject of self-improvement. howtogetagrip.com

KNOW THYSELF

One of the world’s leading psychology magazines offers personality and happiness tests online, with subjects ranging from ‘Do you know how to say no?’, ‘What’s your attitude to money?’ and ‘How do you see your future?’ www.psychologies.co.uk/tests

HAPPY DAYS

In 2011, we reported on a major Gallup survey that rated Nigeria as the happiest nation on the planet. Journalist Bim Adewunmi offered us one possible explanation why: “Daily (Nigerian) life is hardly one glorious Technicolor dance sequence but I have never lived

in such a happy place – and I once lived in hippyville California. I think the joy comes from seeing and living through the worst that life can offer; it is an optimism born of hope.” yorubagirldancing.com

THE SMALL STUFF

Gaylene Gould from Central London’s School Of Life shop runs a Realising Your Potential Course with this simple yet pertinent reminder to reconnect with simple pleasures “like walking through leaves, drawing cartoons or tinkering away on an old piano. It’s these small moments that hold the key to our unique sense of joy”. Try her exercise: write down seven moments when you've felt most alive, and then think about how you can bring those moments back into your life, even if it’s in small doses. theschooloflife.com

THAT’S THE SPIRIT

Spiritual coach and author Caroline Shola Arewa’s healthy life strategies read like a symphonic lifestyle to-do list. Her must-dos include factoring in dedicated ‘alone time’, creating a life plan, cultivating an attitude of gratitude and identifying your life mentors. See her site for free tips and downloads. www.shola.co.uk

COVER STORY | 10 Ideas For Intrepid Travellers

ideas for INTREPID TRAVELLERS Here’s a selection of the best off-grid destinations, extreme holiday ideas and unusual expeditions Wings has covered so far…

FIVE ALIVE

Kruger Wild Camping South Africa, £390 It may be a classic ‘bucketlist’ travel experience, but seeing the Big Five still remains one of the most exhilarating adventures there is, especially when it involves spending nights tucking into Springbok steak by a log fire under the stars, then staying in a tent with howls of the park outside. This four-day trip will see you up at dawn to track the park’s iconic animals as they hunt and feed, learning tracking tips from your expert guides and taking open-top 4x4 game drives and thrilling nature walks. www.intrepidtravel.com 48

10 Ideas For Intrepid Travellers | COVER STORY

Train d’Ebene (Ebony Train) Benin, from 400 Fcfa (about £610), on request You needn’t let the lack of a public railway service in Benin put you off travelling the West African gem by train. Charismatic hotelier Guy Catherine refurbished two attractive 1920s railway carriages and runs them privately between

his three guesthouses along a single narrow-gauge track from the major city of Cotonou in the south to Parakou in the north. Up to 30 people could take this leisurely 450km journey in style, passing through Benin’s rainforest and villages, taking time to stop off and see the markets, palaces and sights and meet the locals. www.hotels-benin.com

THE SOUNDS OF SENEGAL

Never Mind The Mbalax Music Holiday Senegal, £1,375 (annual) Dakar is home to one of the most vibrant music scenes in Africa – and on this 11-day tour, you can experience it all, from hip-hop to Mbalax dance music to the more traditional forms of folk, reggae and roots. The knowledgeable tour leaders will take you to Dakar’s hottest nightspots for late-night gigs and sets, at nightspots including Youssou N’Dour’s Thiossane club. There are also trips down to the beach for some chill-out time and to learn to play the djembe drums. www.songlines.co.uk

INVISIBLE LONDON

Unseen Tours: London’s Street Voices London, £7-£10, daily Fancy a unique perspective on London? A truly alternative insight into the UK capital’s most popular neighbourhoods is provided by these professional guided tours taken by homeless

or formerly homeless people. Volunteer network the Sock Mob set up the tours to call on the guides’ insider knowledge of areas such as buzzing Brick Lane, Covent Garden and trendy Shoreditch, and most of the revenue from the tours goes to the guides. sockmobevents.org.uk

VOLUNTOURISM, SIERRA LEONE

Tribewanted (Sierra Leone), from $400 per week Tribewanted is a non-profit organisation that’s the brainchild of British entrepreneur Ben Keene, and its profits are invested in local communities.

Its trips combine a beach holiday experience with a sustainable development project, and in Sierra Leone, volunteers spend a week or more on John Obey Beach near Freetown, helping build a sustainable resort in a friendly fishing community. www.tribewanted.com

BENIN RAIL

COVER STORY | 10 Ideas For Intrepid Travellers

THE QUAD SQUAD

West African Powersports Brusubi, The Gambia An unmissable experience for thrillseekers, Gambia’s West African Powersports offers an adrenaline-fuelled ride through idyllic terrain. Set up by British petrolhead Peter Morril, the company offers five-hour, 60km guided quad-bike tours with lunch, and electric all-terrain buggies will soon be available as a stealthier option for birdwatchers.

www.westafricanpowersports.com

SURF AFRICA

South Africa South Africa is the best-established surfing destination on the continent, with breaks suitable for absolute beginners up to world-class surfers and everyone inbetween. Reliable links from Johannesburg add to the convenience, and famous breaks include Jeffreys Bay (home of the Billabong Pro surfer tournament); Elands Bay and New Pier. Plus there are great places all over KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern and Western Capes… Surfers, you’re spoilt for choice. Visit during November to March.

10 Ideas For Intrepid Travellers | COVER STORY

TastemakersAfrica app The world’s only Africa-focused digital travel destination for the modern jetsetter, the TastemakersAfrica app by the Rare Customs travel company is a digital gateway to insider-curated trips for an ‘Afropolitan’ experience. The app offers VIP experiences, bespoke itineraries and group packages for excitement-packed journeys that empower local tourism and provide unique holiday adventure. tastemakersafrica.com

FOR THE DRILLSEEKERS

Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary Cross River State, Nigeria Founded by Liza Gadsby and Peter Jenkins, the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary and Drill Ranch work to preserve and rehabilitate Nigeria’s primate

species and their natural habitat. Supporting the group’s tireless conservation efforts has great perks, too – particularly when you find yourself staying in one of the site’s six secluded, romantic guest cabins and hiking along canopy walkways through stunning rainforest. pandrillus.org © Jonathan Perugia

DIGITAL DESTINATIONS

CURATED EXPEDITIONS

Another World Adventures Various destinations, see site for info From horse-trekking and an immersive 56-day drive across Africa, to sailing across the equator from South Africa to Europe, Another World is not

your average tour operator. Co-founder Larissa Clark says: “We enjoy helping people find West African experiences in particular, as it’s a region of the continent that’s largely under-visited, and travellers get a chance to experience people and places that others seldom get to.” anotherworldadventures.com

COVER STORY

Best things to do in

NEW YORK

Wings presents the ultimate Big Apple itinerary: galleries, food, festivals, films and… more food

WEB SAVVY

First up – orientate yourself with one or all of the following selection of New York-focused sites, containing reviews, recommendations, offers and more, from the culinary to the cultural: yelp. com, tripadvisor.com, nycgo. com, www.timeout.com/ newyork, gothamist.com.

HIP HOTELS

With 100,000 rooms to choose from for visitors to New York, standing out from the crowd and offering a unique luxury experience is of prime importance for hoteliers. Which is why the latest crop of luxury NY hotels are repurposing old architecture and pushing the envelope of design in ingenious ways. Among them are The Marlton (marltonhotel.com), opened in 2013, which was

previously home to American literary icon Jack Kerouac, who wrote two novellas here; The Pod hotel (thepodhotel.com), offering mid-range options in quirky and attractive setting; The Library Hotel (libraryhotel.com) with its writing den and rooftop poetry garden, and The Paper Factory (thepaperfactoryhotel. com) with its floors laminated with old New York newspapers.

WINNING BEGINNING

Award-winning New York-based photographer and Wings contributor Jason Florio has this tip for breakfast: “My secret spot in New York has to be Patisserie Claude’s on West 4th Street in my Greenwich Village neighbourhood, hands down. It’s a very lo-fi French bakery. The pain-au-chocolates there are my daily addiction.”

COVER STORY

A WALK IN THE PARK

Okay, so there’s Central Park, but if you fancy seeing how New York does social regeneration, visit the Highline Park (thehighline.org). This mile-long park built on a section of former elevated freight railroad running along lower Manhattan has walking tours, stargazing, horticulture and even Tango lessons, plus a welcoming, community feel.

MEAT ME IN MANHATTAN

New York’s sweltering summer sees one of the tastiest carnivorous spectacles on Earth – the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party. Held in June at Madison Square Park, this congregation of the country’s most talented pitmasters takes place against a backdrop of the heady smells of

cooking meat and the music of the Southern states.

ARTY FACTS

There are over 100 contemporary art galleries scattered from the Upper West Side of the city, across Brooklyn and beyond, so what to go and see on a short(ish) stay? Well, we’d recommend the new Whitney Museum Of American Art in the city’s meatpacking district, which relocated and opened last May, for a showcase of over 3,000 American artists (whitney.org). For an unrivalled collection of modern masterpieces, the Museum Of Modern Art (moma.org) will keep you busy for hours. Finally, if your taste veers towards the eclectic, you should make time for a visit to the Matthew Marks Gallery (matthewmarks.com) for contemporary painting, photography, film, sculpture, drawing, printmaking and much more besides.

NIGHT MOVIES

If you’re in New York in the summer, the city’s urban

parks, especially Central Park, host cultural productions under the stars from the likes of the New York Philharmonic and The Metropolitan Opera. The Lincoln Center Out Of Doors and Central Park and Bryant outdoor film festivals provide rare opportunities to catch a classic movie in a T-shirt and shorts.

TREAT YOURSELF

HAPPY MEALS

Feeling the need to pamper yourself after all this touring around? The Four Seasons hotel (fourseasons.com/ newyork) near the shopping Mecca of Fifth Avenue boasts one of the city’s premier spas, with signature treatments such as the Big Apple Antioxidant – a head-to-toe body scrub in brown sugar and apple enzymes designed to dissolve the daily grime and cleanse the pores.

For two glorious weeks in January and February (and again in the summer months), some of the best Big Apple restaurants offer prix fixe

menus that are actually affordable, even if you’re not a card-carrying connoisseur of fine cuisine. More than 100 of the best New York restaurants participate, including the likes of Nobu, Le Cirque and Café Boulud. The clincher of the deal is that every restaurant offers menus at the same price – $25 for a three-course lunch and $38 for a three-course dinner.

APPETITE FOR INSTRUCTION

Up and down Manhattan Island and further afield in Brooklyn, cooking schools are offering travellers the chance to learn how to cook delicacies with specialist half-day courses. So if you’re a food lover looking to expand your culinary repertoire, you could do so by booking into the International Culinary Center (internationalculinarycenter. com), the Pizza A Casa Pizza School (pizzaschool.com), the Natural Gourmet Institute (naturalgourmetinstitute.com) or Haven’s Kitchen (havenskitchen. com) for starters. And mains.

COVER STORY | 10 Musical Highlights

MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Inspirational words, must-hear artists – featuring the likes of Youssou N’Dour, Fatia Rolling Dollar, Temi Dollface, African music festivals and much more

Afrobeats, Anglobeats The UK has taken to the Afrobeat genre with a vengeance.

MUSICAL ROOTS

Youssou N’Dour’s golden voice and pioneering sound may have garnered him two Grammy Awards and seen the BBC describe him as the “best-known African musician in the world”, but if anything, this 56

worldwide recognition has only intensified his love for his home city of Dakar, Senegal. “Music gives hope to young people,” N’Dour told Wings, back in issue 3. “They see someone like me who grew up in the Medina but through music, has been able to succeed internationally.” By staying at home, he has created a Senegalese recording industry with world-class studios, launched a microfinance institution and is in the process of starting a bank. He also owns a newspaper and radio station, as well as the famous Thiossane nightclub, where he performs every Saturday night until 4.30am.

How’s that for dedication to your home turf? Find out more at www.nonesuch.com/artists/ youssou-n-dour

FESTIVAL ON THE NIGER

Ségou, Mali, February (annual) This three-day music blowout in the former capital of the Malian Empire takes place on a stage that literally floats on the waters of the Niger river. Attracting an audience of 15,000, the lineup is packed with internationally renowned talent and has hosted Salif Keita, Youssou N’Dour, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré and many others. A mix of traders

come from around the region, and there’s a diverse range of cultures on hand to entertain and amaze. For info, see the site: festivalsegou.org

HEY MAMA

The MTV Africa Music Awards has stablished itself as a crucial event in the world’s music calendar, providing a definitive poll of African music tastes and showcasing them to a worldwide audience of around a billion viewers. It returned in 2014 after a three-year hiatus, and the 2015 event took place in Durban, having previously been hosted in Abuja, Nairobi and Lagos. Keep

10 Musical Highlights | COVER STORY

ingredient you put in your food. You spice it up and that’s the way it is for me when I write in English, Yoruba or sing in French. Music has no barriers or frontiers. The most important ingredient in making music is that it’s universal.” Find out more about Asa at:

asa-official.com The Universal Angélique Kidjo’s music has truly multicultural appeal.

Rolling On Highlife legend Fatai Rolling Dollar leaves a rich musical legacy.

your eyes peeled for 2016’s nominees at the site below. mama.mtv.com

LAGOS LIVE

Gidi Culture Festival Lagos, Nigeria, March (annual) The Gidi Culture Festival has been dubbed ‘Nigeria’s Coachella’ (Nigella, perhaps?), but the outdoor festival, preparing its third outing in 2016, is like no other. “It’s about creating affordable, accessible entertainment for the youth of Africa,” says co-founder Chin Okeke. And the bill of upcoming talent, featuring styles and genre blends from all kinds of urban

African music, makes it a vibrant showcase for the international breakthrough talent of the future. Keep your eye on gidiculturefestival.com for line-up announcements.

STONE FREE

Bukola ‘Asa’ Elemide’s latest record, 2014’s Bed Of Stone, was an intensely personal, pain-filled but ultimately uplifting and soulful work. Her lyrics, sung in both English and Yoruba, her mother tongue, grace a mix of genres from rock to jazz, and for her, this blending of language “comes out naturally”. She told us in issue 20: “It’s like an

RIP FATAI ROLLING DOLLAR

In 2013, the music world lost a true great in Fatai Rolling Dollar. The veteran Highlife musician was praised by then-president Goodluck Jonathan, who said Fatai’s death had left a vacuum that would be hard to fill. When Wings spoke to the artist in 2011, he told about his heartfelt wish to leave a legacy to help future musicians: “I’m planning on establishing a music school at Ikorodu; I’m calling it The Fatai Rolling Dollar Foundation. The plan is to get musical talent off the streets and train them to become professionals. I’m presently funding the project all by myself.” The project was never completed, but Rolling Dollar leaves behind a musical legacy that stretched over six decades.

SING IT BACK

Grammy-winning Beninoise singersongwriter and activist Angélique Kidjo has been called “Africa’s premier diva” by Time Magazine. When Wings interviewed her in 2012, she spoke of her activism, and explained that her ultimate reward is when she goes to Africa and hears people singing her songs. “People stop me and say I did something for their life or I spoke for them. When I was last in Benin, ladies were crying, hugging me and not letting me go. When people ask how I sing

so confidently and with such strength, I say, ‘Do you not understand? Not only do I have the whole continent supporting me, I have nine million people in my country who support me. How many artists in the world have that?’”

ROLLING DOLL

Nigerian superstar-inwaiting Temi DollFace (above) has recently formed a Nigerian supergroup called The Collectiv3. She told Wings in issue 22: “My dream is to shatter stereotypes and prove that pop music can be both intelligent and experimental. I’m not looking to be a name that’s reckoned with only on the alternative music scene, but as an artist who can represent Nigerian music in general, like Fela Kuti did and still does.” Hear School Your Face at: collectiv3the.com

TASTE CONTROL

Bad music driving you mad? Then check out Brooklyn-based Hype Machine. The company keeps track of 846 music blogs across all kinds of genres. Press play for better music, whatever your flavour, at: Hypem.com

THE RISE AND RISE OF AFROBEATS

Since Kanye West signed D’banj to his record label back in 2011, the cross-fertilisation of music under this huge umbrella of a term has seen a movement emerge forging a triangular route between Ghana, Nigeria and the UK; the latter has seen radio shows, club nights and even concerts at the O2 appear under the banner… And while emerging genres don’t stay static for long, we say let’s celebrate the rise of African pop in the mainstream. 57

COVER STORY | KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Fresh And Organic All good dishes begin with fresh ingredients.

FOODIE HIGHLIGHTS Some mouthwatering morsels from Wings’ flavoursome forays into the world’s finest food

A TASTE OF LONDON

London, UK, June, November (annual) Foodies, look no further. Celebrate food and drink this summer and winter at Taste Of London, the UK capital’s first and largest pop-up restaurant festival. Now in its 12th year, you’ll see five days of demonstrations and tutorials from the UK’s finest chefs, as well as be able to try delicacies and wine from around the world. london.tastefestivals.com

A TASTE OF AFRICA

London is also home to a range of Ghanaian and Nigerian restaurants that have 58

made a name for themselves. Here are some of our favourites: 805 Bar Restaurant (www.805restaurant.com) – pop in for a Chapman cocktail; African Kitchen Gallery (Drummond Road), with its Iberian and Nigerian chefs; The Gold Coast bar (www. thegoldcoastbar.com) for Ghanaian and North African cuisine plus African-flavoured DJ nights upstairs, or Mama Calabar (mamacalabar.co.uk) with its 100-plus Nigerian dishes to choose from.

BOOK A TABLE

Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio spent three years

Yo Yolele! Sengalese chef Pierre Thiam.

Good Taste The Taste Of London Festival is on in June and November.

and $1 million visiting 80 people around the world to document what they eat on a single day for their book, What I Eat. Showcasing such extremes as a world-champion hot-dog eater in New York and the wife of a Maasai chief in a village near Narok, in Kenya, fascinating juxtapositions between different cultures pack the pages – food for thought, indeed.

PAN AFRICAN

Back in issue 10, Wings invited a selection of African celebrity chefs over for dinner to whet our appetite for food from their various countries. Expand your cooking

10 Foodie Highlights | COVER STORY

Cape Of Good Taste South Africa’s bobotie starred in Wings’ Food Olympics.

and bobotie (South Africa). Try them all, but not in one sitting.

SMART CHEF

Food blog 1qfoodplatter. com, run by Nigerian dietitian Iquo Ukoh, features healthy takes on recipes like Calabar-style Coconut Rice and Grasscutter Stew, plus ideas on how to keep your cholesterol low, your food light, and how to gobble down your gari, guilt-free.

PRO PLATES

Where Chefs Eat isn’t an elitist caviar club; it’s a hefty tome packed with more than 2,000 recommendations from the world’s greatest chefs, from culinary mad scientist Heston Blumenthal to Joel Robuchon, who share where they themselves eat. Recommandations include an obscure herring wagon in Stockholm and a ‘wet burger’ joint in Istabul…

horizons by checking out Senegalese-born Pierre Thiam’s Yolele! Recipes From The Heart Of Senegal cookbook; the doyenne of Cape Malay cuisine, Cass Abrahams’ Cape Malay: Food From Africa; experimental contemporary South African cook Margot Janse, whose restaurant, The Tasting Room, has been listed as 37th best restaurant in the world by the San Pellegrino Best Restaurant Guide, and Ethiopian-born, Swedish-adopted chef Marcus

Samuelsson’s The Soul Of A New Cuisine book.

OLYMPIC APPETITE

In 2012, Wings celebrated the London Olympics by pitting great national dishes against each other to find the gold standard for food from various Arik destinations. Highlights from those podium winners include the sunday roast (UK); suya (Nigeria); apple pie (USA); thieboudienne (Senegal); peanut stew with fufu (Ghana);

FIVE FROM FIVE

In issue 17, Wings asked five food experts from five cities to dish up their city’s top taste destinations. Food blogger Dobby from Lagos said Ogbono soup from Agbojo market in Festac; Chef Victor at Chez Victor in Abuja recommended Souris d’Agneau, from his own restaurant (which does sound delicious, to be fair); Accrabased blogger Freedes went for mixed seafood and grill from the Bojo Beach Resort; author Patricia Pascol in Luanda recommends the street vendors

around the city’s beach area, and Thuli Gogela, Cape Town writer, recommended Mama Africa in Long Street, and AmaZink Eatery in Stellenbosch.

MAY CONTAIN NUTS

The Groundnut is an artistic food collective in South London that produces events around food, with a delectable menu of dishes that reflect the owners’ mixed cultures and backgrounds. They have a cookbook, too. Head to: thegroundnut.co.uk

TABLE TRENDS

New York’s sudden crazes for a particular food can cause panic, long queues and even make the news. Here’s where to sample the latest and trendiest taste sensations: cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery (thanks to Sex And The City for that one); Sriracha (a spicy chilli sauce on practically every casual dinner table in the city), and cronuts (a cross between the croissant and the donut) from Dominique Ansel Bakery.

Cro Crazy Cronuts – a New York cross between croissants and doughnuts.

COVER STORY | 10 Thoughts On The Future

Thoughts ON THE FUTURE Collected musings on Nigeria beyond the country’s Golden Jubilee and Africa’s future from Wings interviews

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

In 2010, author Tokunbo David contemplated Nigeria in its 100th year of independence. “Sino-Nigerian relations are at an all-time high and will be even more so as China invests in the infrastructure of our future – renewable energy. In the future, every country will be Made In China, and Nigeria is already ahead on the assembly line.” 60

NATIONAL TREASURE

On the subject of national figureheads, David speculated: “By the time Nigeria would have lost the last of its old-guard literary titans (i.e. Wole Soyinka), multiple award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie would have long since continued in the time-honoured role of straightshooting, if rather demure, national conscience.”

VOX POPS

In 2010, Wings contributor and author Nana Ocran interviewed Lagosians old and young on their views of Nigeria at 50. “Pride in the Nigerian identity existed as much then as it does now,” was her summary of the attitudes of older interviewees, whom she asked to describe the nation in the present. “‘Uniquely creative and relentlessly resourceful’ was

one patriarchal epithet. ‘A place of optimism with a rich palette of cultures’ was another.”

CREATIVE THOUGHTS

Wings asked creative personalities for their message to Nigeria at 50. Writer Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s response: “Normally, when people ask about Nigerian independence what comes to mind is that the colonial masters left 50 years ago, and yet, in a sense they are still with us. They still rule our minds. We are still obsessed with what they are doing, how they see us, what they think of

10 Thoughts On The Future | COVER STORY

area, why not build tech neighbourhoods? They could be scattered across the country, with a fund of, say, $5K, that’s put in place for new startups.”

THE AFRONAUTS

Award-winning photographer Cristina De Middel’s cult-favourite Afronaut series features ‘Afronauts’ shot fashion-shoot-style, to create her vision of what the run-up to an African space mission might look like. Find out more at: www.lademiddel.com

our books, and I wish we could move beyond that.”

KEEN SPIRIT

Filmmaker Kunli Afolyan said: “Nigeria’s golden jubilee is a good thing but I think there is a whole lot of work to do, especially when it comes to the standard of living in this country. I am proud to be a Nigerian, because there is this spirit in all of us that helps us to make a way whenever there seems to be no way.”

STRONG WOMEN

Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti commented: “Well, the

next step is for women. Women have a long way to go all over the world. I encourage women to take us forward in the next 50 years. We are strong mothers, sisters and daughters. I didn’t grow up with money. My father was poor but just look at the following he had because he fought for what he believed in.”

SPENDING POWER

When considering ways West Africa could ready itself for greater investment, Eric Stambler of PRI Project Development asserted: “By 2020, if current growth rates are maintained, African consumers

will buy nearly $1.5 trillion worth of goods and services. This is more than 50 per cent higher than Russia’s consumer market, and nearly the size of India’s.”

FUTURE CITIES

In issue 22, Wings considered ambitious technological projects in African countries, such as Ghana’s City Of Light and Hope City and what they meant for Africa’s future cityscapes. Josiah Kwesi Eyison of iSpace, would prefer to see hub communities across the country. “The idea of Hope City is great,” he told us. “But rather than have one dedicated

BLOCKBUSTER FUTURE

Africa’s cinema is fuelling global perception change. “For decades, Africans have produced what they do not consume, and consumed what they do not produce,” said entrepreneur Andrew Rugasira in The Wall Street Journal. “But that is rapidly changing. For instance, Nollywood is now home to the fastest-growing film industry in the world, releasing an estimated 2,000 titles a year – much higher than the US’s 500 and India’s 1,325.”

COVER STORY | 10 Undiscovered Treasures

UNDISCOVERED TREASURES For a holiday with a difference, try these hidden gems at Arik destinations

Bird Is The Word Meet the dawn chorus at Joyea Lodge.

www.gambia.co.uk

Yola, Nigeria The sleepy town of Yola at the Northeastern edge of Nigeria bordering Cameroon has plenty of underrated attractions nearby. The Gashaki Gumti National Park in Serti is within a day’s drive, and is home to an extensive variety of flora and fauna. Meanwhile, Gembu, at the top of the Mambilla Plateau (itself the highest point in Nigeria) is a fantastic place to go for breathtaking views with mountain ranges in the distance. Gembu is strictly for the adventurous, however, and definitely not ideal for vertigo sufferers.

PALMARIN PARADISE

Colines de Niassam Lodge, Dakar, Senegal Wake up in one of 13 individually designed lodges or baobob tree huts at Collines de Niassam Lodge. Situated just three hours from Dakar, this eco-lodge sits on the edge of temperate delta waters. Electricity is solar powered, food is grown organically in the surrounding gardens and there’s a wealth of things to do, from watching traditional Senegalese wrestling to pirogue sailing and going on a hyena trip. niassam.com

Birdwatching in Tanji Banjul, The Gambia A relaxed introduction to birdwatching, hosted by Gambia Experience, takes participants on a breathtaking guided tour of the Tanji Bird Reserve. Stops are made in Banjul, Sarro and Lamin. Among other things, set off to meet the ‘dawn chorus’ at Joyea Lodge on Mandina Bolong and take a traditional African dug-out canoe through the mangrove creeks, to explore the narrow waterways around Kubuneh Island.

OLA, YOLA

HELL BENT FOR FEATHERS

CULTURAL FIND

Brooklyn Museum, New York Harried culture seekers in the Big Apple could do well to bypass the crowds and head to this museum. It was the first American museum to present African objects as art, and alongside its African gallery also houses masterpieces from Monet to Cézanne. www.brooklynmuseum.org

10 Undiscovered Treasures | COVER STORY

On The Wavelength Angola and Liberia have world-class surf, with great natural breaks.

SECRET SURF

Surfing in Liberia and Angola The relatively small size of Liberia’s surf scene is totally at odds with the quality of the surf there, with 350 miles of exquisite shoreline. Robertsport is the place to go, with waves you can ride for over 200 yards and a small, avid community of local and foreign surfers. And after along wait, the restoration of peace in Angola means that it’s a paean to the solitary surfer’s dream of pristine waves and keeping beaches all to yourself. Expatriates from Luanda go to Cabo Ledo on weekends to ride, and they say it’s one of the longest point breaks in the world. wannasurf.com/spot/Africa/Angola

COVER STORY | 10 Undiscovered Treasures

GET YOUR GROUP ON

Madikwe Game Reserve Lodge, South Africa South Africa’s Madikwe Safari Lodge is a gorgeous home from home where friends or families can bond over spa treatments, mountain views, bush walks and game drives. There’s the choice of one of three suites, which have private decks and plunge pools. abercrombiekent.co.uk

Game On The Madikwe Reserve is ideal for groups and families.

Free To Roam Access the Turtle Islands from Freetown for unrivalled tranquility.

WILD BEACHES

Turtle Islands, Freetown, Sierra Leone Six hours by boat from Freetown, the eight Turtle Islands are the ultimate Castaway fantasy. There’s no electricity, no mobile phone signal, and no tourist accommodation. But the islands’ few inhabitants are only too happy to put visitors up and cook for them, and the local beaches are dazzling. www.rainbowtours.co.uk

10 Undiscovered Treasures | COVER STORY

PRIMATE REAL ESTATE

Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone Situated between Monrovia and Freetown, Sierra Leone’s wildlife-packed Tiwai Island is a little-known coastal paradise

that’s well off the beaten track. Those who brave the roads to get there will be rewarded with a procession of wildlife, including many endangered species, including no fewer than 11 species of wild primates in their natural habitat.

Ghana Mission Kakum National Park, within reach of Elmina, near Accra.

Elmina, Accra, Ghana With its crumbling old colonial buildings, lively fishing port, old Dutch fort and ravishing

beaches, the little town of Elmina is among the jewels of Ghana’s coast — and is three hours from Accra. Nearby is the city of Cape Coast and the Kakum National Park.

Secret Society Sierra Leone’s Tiwai Island is packed with rare wildlife.

ELMINA FOREVER AGO

SERENITY CENTRAL

Clarens, Johannesburg, South Africa For a diverting mix of culture, good food and idyllic countryside, the village of Clarens, in the Rooiberg mountains three hours’ drive south of Johannesburg, is hard to beat. Clarens has a dramatic Boer War history, but is now an artists’ colony, with galleries, clothing boutiques and vintage furniture stores: plus the Clarens Brewery, well-known for its artisanal beers and ciders.

Mountain High Visit Clarens in South Africa for breathtaking landscapes and photo opportunities.

COVER STORY | 10 Tips For Relaxation

Tips for RELAXATION Sit back and chill with these top tips for relaxation and wellbeing from Wingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; health experts

GIVE YOURSELF A FACELIFT

There are about 50 muscles in your face which you can manipulate to make you look radiant. To firm your forehead, place your index fingers just above your eyes and pull down your eyes while raising your eyebrows. Repeat this exercise 10 times. For succulent lips, suck on your finger as hard as possible and slowly remove it. For brighter eyes, sit with your eyes closed and relaxed. Keeping them shut, lift your eyebrows and stretch your eyelids down as far as possible. Keep in this position for a count of 10, relax and repeat 10 times. Warning: If you are doing this on a plane, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely you will freak out your neighbour. 66

10 Tips For Relaxation | COVER STORY

GET SMART

A 2009 Harvard University study linked education with happiness and longevity, stating that higher education can add a year or more to one’s lifespan. If you are lacking a degree, don’t worry. “Education changes how people approach things, cognitively,” says Professor

NAPPING BY NUMBERS

20 The number of minutes of nap time it takes to boost alertness. Non Rapid Eye Movement sleep makes it easier to awake without feeling groggy. 60 If you sleep for this many minutes, then you’ll be better at remembering facts, faces and names. 90 The full cycle – this many minutes includes lighter, deeper

David Cutler. “What’s involved here is a change in life.” Educated people make better decisions and have a healthier perspective on the world around them. Download free lectures at free-ed.net, take free online courses at openculture.com or listen to interesting people from a range of backgrounds at: bbc.co.uk/radio4

and REM sleep. Improved emotional and procedural memory and increased creativity are your rewards. 4-7-8 Can’t get to sleep? Breathe in through your nose for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, and exhale through your mouth for eight seconds. Repeat until you feel relaxed. This studied combination of numbers affects the brain and slows heartrate.

OUT OF MIND, OUT OF SIGHT

All photos © iStockphoto.com

Choose a quiet place to sit in a comfortable position with your back straight. Sit cross-legged or in a chair. With eyes and mouth closed, turn your attention to your breathing. Breathe naturally, preferably through your nostrils, and become aware of the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. Allow busy thoughts to leave your mind and focus only on the sensation of breathing. It will take a while. Don’t worry. When you’re able to focus only on breathing, allow a feeling of light to spread throughout your body with each inhalation. Do this until you feel truly calm and relaxed.

Inner Minute Meditative relaxation techniques can be practised anytime, anywhere.

COVER STORY | 10 Tips For Relaxation

INCREASED METABOLISM

Indulge in the fresh fruit basket. Pineapple, which is approximately 85 per cent water, also contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down proteins, promotes good digestion, and helps to eradicate some stomach problems. Grapefruit contains fat-burning enzymes and the water content in watermelon helps the body burn fat. Also, put some extra chilli sauce in your food (though maybe not on the pineapple and grapefruit). Chilli, ginger and garlic boost metabolism, while chilli also helps curb food cravings.

ME TIME

Selfishness may be a much-derided quality, but it isn’t always a bad thing. So in 2016, take time to pamper yourself. Most importantly, take time to look after your mental health and wellbeing. Find out more about yourself with a range of free online personality tests at sites such as humanmetrics.com, and find a range of mental health and visualisation exercises at: spring.org.uk

7 Natural High Kickstart your metabolism by incorporating fresh fruit into your diet.

YOU, 2.0

Okay, so one way or another, we’ve all got to work. But you can always increase your productivity for more free time. 99u.com is an excellent free repository of smart business and creative ideas, presented through videos, workbooks and practical list-based articles such as ‘Email etiquette for the superbusy’, ‘How to make your side projects wildly successful’, and ‘Building businesses that last’. 99u.com

Work For You 99u.com has plenty of hints for leaving work-based stress behind you.

DELEGATE YOUR LABOURS OF LOVE

MTD Management Training’s advice on letting go: until you’re ready to let go of a project that you consider to be your baby, take it step-by-step. Use phrases like “let me know how you get on” until you feel ready to say “no need to check with me, you decide.”

COVER STORY | 10 Tips For Relaxation

Body Movin’ Sample the holiday nightlife and strut your funky stuff – you’ll be fitter for it.

Dolphin Friendly Southern Africa Yoga Safaris offers dolphin yoga expeditions.

OR MAYBE TRY DOLPHIN YOGA

Cheryl Lancellas, owner of boutique travel company Southern Africa Yoga Safaris, runs yoga retreats but also offers a dolphin yoga holiday (to humans, not dolphins – they can’t even master the Fish Pose). “Dolphins are therapeutic in themselves,” she explains. “If you are in the water and they choose to interact with you, they play with you. Their unconditional love and great energy they exude are tangible to us and that is therapeutic, as is just being in the warm water of the Indian Ocean.” sayogasafaris.com

EFFORTLESS FITNESS

On holiday, hit the local nightclubs. Dancing is a fast route to fitness and overall health. An hour of dancing can burn up to 1,000 calories. In your everyday routine, turn the radio on while you’re doing chores. Moving your hips while hanging up the washing or doing the dishes is not just good for muscle tone, but is also an excellent mood-enhancer. “Listening to music,” says researcher Sandra Siedlecki, “has a significant effect on reducing pain and depression and increasing feelings of power.”

COVER STORY | 10 Fashion Highlights

FASHION HIGHLIGHTS

The best African-inspired fashion to strut down the Wings runway, from designer goods to street chic

YES WE KANGA

WHO: Chichia WHAT: Playful prints Christine Mhando fuses her Tanzanian roots with her London lifestyle to inform her brand’s aesthetic. Worn by Beyoncé and featured in Vogue Italia, Chichia is now known for turning East African kanga in to fun pretty pieces. This season is entitled ‘Hadithi Hadithi’, Swahili for ‘Story Story’, and is dedicated to Tingatinga paintings, featuring tropical birds and floral prints. chichialondon.com

10 Fashion Highlights | COVER STORY

WOOLLEN WONDER

WHO: Nicholas Coutts WHAT: Designer Nicholas Coutts has been making his own loomspun textiles since he was a young boy growing up in Cape Town. A recent graduate of the city’s Design Academy and the 2013 Elle Magazine Rising Star Award winner, he has shown on international stages. Take note, because his soft, woollen arts-and-crafts womenswear is destined for imminent greatness.

STYLIN’ SHORTS

WHO: Òkun WHAT: Beach chic Men’s swimwear is given an African flavour at Òkun, which means ‘the ocean’ in Yoruba. The brand’s signature tailored shorts come in various lengths with custom prints inspired by heritage textiles. London-based Nigerian creative Bola Marquis hopes Òkun “updates perceptions of Africa while championing its richness of design.” okunbeachwear.com

LAGOS FASHION AND DESIGN WEEK

WHAT: Fashion event WHERE: Lagos, Nigeria This important annual African fashion celebration takes place in October in Lagos: see our show report on p36. As well as showcasing inspiring collections from the industry’s biggest – and hottest – names, a programme of workshops and panels facilitate skills and knowledge transfer and networking. lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Show Thing Lagos Fashion & Design Week is an essential date in the African fashion diary.

SARTORIAL STREETS

WHAT: Street fashion bloggers WHERE: Various cities Wherever you are, you can pick up the thread of these style-savvy street-fashion conscious bloggers for tips on blazers, bow ties, bling traditional prints, modern twists and more. LONDON (www.thegentlemanblogger. com) CAPE TOWN (thatskattie.com) WINDHOEK (louxthevintageguru.tumblr. com) JOHANNESBURG (anthonybila.tumblr.com), NEW YORK (erykahachebe.com) NEW YORK, WASHINGTON, PHILADELPHIA & LAGOS (www.the4acesdate.com) OSTENTATION & STYLE (ostentationandstyle.wordpress. com) JOHANNESBURG (teeteeiswithme.com)

NATAAL

WHO: Helen Jennings, journalist WHAT: African fashion, art and culture website Wings contributor Helen Jennings is editorial director of Nataal, a new international brand celebrating contemporary African fashion, art and culture. Head to the site for intriguing features, a musical heads-up and more. nataal.com

MAKI OH

WHO: Amaka Osakwe WHAT: Lagos-based international fashion brand Helmed by Nigerian designer Amaka Osakwe, Maki Oh has perfected the craft of subtly incorporating naturally dried Adire motifs, season after season, and taken its style to the world. “Aroused by a strong sense of identity and African culture,” the blurb runs, “Maki Oh creates alluring conversational pieces that fuse traditional techniques with detailed construction.”

Stylin’, Profilin’ Check out the blogs above for some on-the-spot fashion reportage.

Oh A Go-Go Maki Oh’s Amaka Osakwe.

Digital Destination Helen Jennings, nataal.com.

COVER STORY | 10 Fashion Highlights

KOSHIE O

WHO: Nina Baksmaty WHAT: Ghanian designer In 2013, Ghanian designer Nina Baksmaty of Koshie O launched a global campaign to celebrate strong, modern-day women. She tapped the star of Fela’s US tour, Michelle Williams, Grammy winner Mya and model/actress Eva Marcille (pictured below) to each design a piece for her SS13 collection. Find out more about her latest ranges at her site. koshieo.com

10 RED

WHAT: Men’s fashion designers WHERE: Various African countries Here’s a dose of fashion for the boys, from experimental and sophisticated African designers making a name for themselves around the globe:

Mental Strength Angolan mens’ fashion house Projecto Mental is making waves.

laurenceairline.com okunoren.com projectomental.com armando-cabral.com adriaankuiters.com www.orangecultureng.com

THE LANGUAGE OF COLOUR

No matter what your taste, thinking more about what your choice of colour says will help you dress to impress

The energising colour of action, inner power and strength. Wear sparingly, as it can be seen as overpowering and aggressive.

MENSWEAR, AFRICAN-STYLE

ORANGE YELLOW GREEN Orange can be warm, happy and optimistic. It’s good for creating connections and social activity.

The colour of the sun and creativity, it stimulates the mind, and is therefore good for business.

Green denotes health, growth and vitality. It’s a healing and expansive colour with a sense of generosity and compassion.

BLUE

A safe and reliable colour, often used by those in authority to cultivate trust. Wear this shade in interviews.

INDIGO

The colour of the night sky resonates with stillness, wisdom and intuition. Use it when important decisions need to be made.

VIOLET

Violet is a peaceful colour that represents the spiritual. It implies meaning, purpose and the union of body and mind. It’s often seen in religious attire.

COVER STORY | Your Best Shot

YOUR BEST SHOT Discover the stories behind the most breathtaking photo-stories and images from our past issues, plus expert photography tipsâ&#x20AC;Ś

Your Best Shot | COVER STORY

ECCENTRIC LONDON

Jonathan Perugia London – the birthplace of subcultures from mods to New Age Travellers, the city that gave us dandies and Oscar Wilde, a building that looks like a pickle, and the mayor with the messiest hairdo. For this feature on the UK capital’s taste for the outrageous and eccentric, photographer Jonathan Perugia shot singer Bumi Thomas and designer Emmy Collins modelling looks that epitomised the style of London’s Afropolitan creative community. jpfoto.com

CAPE COAST FISHERMEN

Nana Kofi Acquah This sinew-straining shot by Nana Kofi Acquah shows Cape Coast fishermen at work. Visitors to Accra will know all about the city’s famed Labadi Beach resort, but Ghana’s west coast is also home to Busua village, with its beach resort, overlooking the Atlantic. It’s earning a name for itself as the annual spot for the Asabaako music festival every December, and the gently sloping beach, lined with guesthouses, is perfect for swimming and snorkelling in the winter and surfing during the summer rainy season. Busua is half an hour from Sekondi-Takoradi.

COVER STORY | Your Best Shot

PRIDE

Andrew Esiebo Regular Wings contributor, Lagos photographer Andrew Esiebo, travelled to eight West African cities to photograph barbershops. Amidst swivel chairs, football posters and shaving cream, he discovered and documented a world of aspiration, inspiration and the makings of male identity. “The idea was influenced by my encounters with some barbers in Lagos,” Andrew told us. “In 2009, I did a street-photography project and was naturally drawn to barbershops. For me, the way they designed their venues and the use of textures was charming from a photographic point of view.” See Andrew Esiebo’s website for more on this and a range of other fascinating photography projects. www.andrewesiebo.com

RIVER GAMBIA EXPEDITION

Jason and Helen-Jones Florio Inspired by the journals of Gaspard Mollien, an obscure French explorer who ventured to the source of the River Gambia in 1818, husband-andwife team Jason Florio and Helen Jones-Florio embarked on the first recorded source-to-sea journey since, along a 1,044km route along one of Africa’s last major free-flowing rivers. “On day five of paddling,” they told Wings, “a bull hippo sprung from beneath the surface, about six metres immediately in front of us. As we careened towards him, he submerged again… Once we calmed down and grew quiet, our guides, Abdou and Dbou said, almost in tandem, ‘Wow, that was amazing, that was the first hippo we’ve ever seen.’” floriophoto.com

Your Best Shot | COVER STORY

COVER STORY | Your Best Shot

Your Best Shot | COVER STORY

COCKTAIL

Namsa Leuba Namsa Leuba’s fashion portraiture series comments on the representation of the female body in Africa today. The images are about female archetypes that are at once fictional, fantastical and commercially viable. This image was exhibited at the annual LagosPhoto Exhibition. www.lagosphotofestival.com

SUNU STREET

Siaka S. Traoré Photographer Siaka S. Traoré took to the streets of Senegal on a mission to elevate appreciation for dance, capturing amazing images of dancers in their natural environments. This image, titled Le Penseur (The Thinker), shows hip-hop dancer Peter near one of Dakar’s fishing markets. “Showing dancers interacting as part of the landscape of the city allows the community to see the value of dance and regard them differently,” says Siaka.

COVER STORY | Your Best Shot

LIBERIA ’77

Victor Politis “Imagine life without photos. No smiling faces. No family snapshots. No record of your past. Welcome to Liberia.” These are the opening words of a project called Liberia ’77 — an ongoing effort by two brothers to recover some of the visual and photographic history of the country that was lost or destroyed during the conflict. The collection of over 2,000 images of pre-war Liberia was displayed in Monrovia’s National Museum, and you can see more about the project online at the site below. liberia77.com

Your Best Shot | COVER STORY

PATCHWORK (MY GRANDAD’S CAR SERIES)

Karl Ohiri “All that is left of my grandad’s memory is a photograph and the car he once owned,” says Karl of his collaborative project with artist Sayan Hasan, displayed at the recent African Contemporary Photography Auction in London. “With the last photograph of my grandad slowly fading, I decided to try and preserve the last artifact that represents his existence,” Karl explained. “The act of bringing the car’s remains to the UK and merging my ancestral past with my present life in London is an exploration into the importance of personal history, family and migration.” www.karlohiri.com

EVERYDAY AFRICA

Peter DiCampo and Austin Merrill Photojournalist Peter DiCampo and writer Peter Merrill began the Everyday Africa Instagram project and book in 2012. The goal? To showcase daily life and counteract stereotypical media images. The project has since gained global recognition, and has grown to become a continent-wide collective with over 150,000 followers. everydayafrica.tumblr.com

COVER STORY | Your Best Shot

DON’T TAKE PHOTOS MAKE PHOTOS “You don’t take a photograph,” said renowned photographer Ansel Adams, “you make it.” Wings regular, professional photographer Jonathan Perugia, offers his tips

s a photographer with over 15 years of experience, I still find that sometimes the best way to find inspiration is to go back to the basics of photography and composition. Whether you have a mobile-phone camera or the latest top-of-the-range model, these tips will help you create better images and have more fun with your photography.

ENJOY YOURSELF!

Treat photography as a game for your eyes: experiment and practise and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Photography is about learning to see in a new way and capturing your subjects with confidence. Explore and wonder at the world through your camera.

SEE THE LIGHT

Light is the essence of photography. It creates shape, mood, drama, and beauty; and it both draws and distracts attention. Become more aware of how the position of the sun in the sky affects your subject matter. Midday gives

harsh shadows in portraits, but brings out the blue of the sea, for example. Early morning and late afternoon, dubbed ‘the golden hour,’ give soft golden light.

BE AWARE OF COLOUR

Notice how a scene combines beautiful, striking or contrasting colours, and be conscious about the way you include or exclude them. Notice how colour catches the eye, and can direct attention within an image.

PLAY WITH SHAPE

Our eyes love geometric shapes. Become more aware of how you can use shapes to simplify and create interest in an image. We can use shape to simplify a composition, to create balance and harmony, or intentional imbalance for dramatic or unsettling effect. For example, using a ‘frame within the frame’ composition – creating a ‘window’ in your image with trees, doors, and windows, for example – can simplify the image and help focus the attention of the viewer.

FOLLOW THE LINES

Notice how lines can direct or distract attention. Fences, paths, and walls are all ways to create perspective and draw the eye into the image.

PLAY WITH SCALE

Sometimes, we need a sense of scale to give context and meaning to an image – often having a human or animal element does this effectively.

SEE LIFE FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE

Get down low, stand on a chair; notice how the visual and emotional impact of your image is affected by the position of your camera. Looking up at the subject of a portrait, for example, gives them a different air than if you are looking down on them.

GET PHYSICAL

Photography is about using and moving your body, not just your zoom lens. Move close to your subject, look at the tiny details of the scene, go far away and take a

wide view of everything. Notice how each movement changes the elements of the composition.

TIME IT RIGHT

The split-second we click the shutter is a vital part of constructing the image. Anticipation is important – be ready to press the button. With compact digital cameras, sometimes there’s a delay between pressing the button and the shutter firing. Having the button half pressed can minimise that.

THE RULE OF THIRDS

If we divide the frame into three equal segments vertically and horizontally, the intersections are considered ‘strong’ points to place the point of interest. The position of the horizon – how much or little sky we include – affects the feeling and meaning of the image.

LOOK AT THE BACKGROUND

Sometimes all we need to do is take a small step to dramatically improve our image. Beware of trees or lamp posts sticking out of the back of heads! Jonathan Perugia’s clients include The Guardian, Calvin Klein, and the UN. See more of his work at jpfoto.com.

Your Best Shot | COVER STORY

Scale, Lines, shape and light The Kings Cross development shot by Jonathan Perugia for Wings.

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COVER STORY | 10 Inspirational Ventures

INSPIRATIONAL VENTURES

Socially-conscious businesses bringing about positive change – from Nigeria's Flying Doctors to Street Champs footballers

GOOD AS NEW

WeCyclers WeCyclers is a waste-management company based in Lagos which incentivises people in lower-income areas to recycle. It uses a points-based system which sends SMS messages to people every time they recycle and awards points, which can be redeemed for gifts. WeCyclers works with FMCGs such as Coca-Cola and collects data about its operations, providing insight into consumer patterns. WeCyclers has won several international awards. wecyclers.com

Useable Tech Kopernik’s tech development empowers local communities.

SUPPLY AND DEMAND

Kopernik The Kopernik organisation is an NGO that connects simple technology with ‘last mile’ communities to reduce poverty. Local organisations in developing countries submit proposals for their technology needs, then Kopernik bridges the gap between the technology’s inventors and those who are in need of their inventions. There’s also a review mechanism to rate products for manufacture, giving a voice to local communities as part of the process. www.kopernik.ngo

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | COVER STORY

3 Sounds Of Soweto Buskaid offers musical education and the chance to tour internationally.

SOWETO SYMPHONY

Buskaid Voted one of the most inspirational orchestras in the world, Buskaid is a music project that is turning youngsters in South Africa’s most challenged townships into professional musicians. Set up by British viola player Rosemary Nalden in 1992, this charitable trust created the Buskaid Soweto String Project and Music School and has toured internationally, and played the BBC Proms. Find out more at the website below. www.buskaid.org.za

FLYING DOCTOR

Dr Ola Orekunrin Doctor Ola Orekunrin is one of the youngest doctors to qualify in the UK and is founder of West Africa’s first air-ambulance service, Flying Doctors Nigeria. “I decided to set up Flying Doctors in November 2009 because at the end of my junior doctor training, my sister died in Nigeria,” Dr Ola told us in issue 3. “I was born and brought up in Lowestoft, but one of my sisters who had the sickle-cell trait died because she couldn’t get access to the right medical care quickly enough. That was a big wake-up call for me… When I realised there wasn’t an air-ambulance service in Nigeria, I thought that was something that was desperately lacking and it was something that matched my skillset as a physician and as a pilot.”

Flying Visit Flying Doctors Nigeria is the first service of its kind in West Africa.

flyingdoctorsnigeria.com

COVER STORY | 10 Inspirational Ventures

Sandra Obiago Filmmaker Sandra Obiago has worked for over 15 years to empower Nigerians. “The medium of film is very influential,” she told Wings back in issue 10. “It can change people’s attitudes, their behaviour and opinions.” Sandra started making films to tell stories about Africa for Africans, and has produced documentaries and docu-dramas, some within the Nollywood genre. “The idea is to use the Nollywood genre as a vehicle for messages that aid development.” See her films at the site below. www.cultureunplugged.com

LEAP Africa Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability And Professionalism Africa is a non-profit organisation that provides the skills and tools for personal, organisational and community transformation. In 2012, Wings met two of its award-winners: 13-year-old students Peter Alumon and Kehinde Ogundipe from Immaculate Heart Comprehensive in Lagos State. The pair had devised a project to provide small traders of the Onigbonbo market with sight screening and blood-pressure checks. leapafrica.org

And… Action Sandra Obiago is a renowned documentary filmmaker.

GIANT LEAP

Young Apprentices Peter Alumon and Kehinde Ogundipe helped small traders with health checks.

THE MEDIUM AND THE MESSAGE

10 Inspirational Ventures | COVER STORY

7 Social Fabric Kinabuti creates employment and transferrable skills in local communities.

STREET CHAMPS

The Street Child World Cup, Brazil In 2014, Wings discovered more about the Street Child World Cup. Taking place in the year of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the Street Child World Cup hosted a 10-day international festival of football in Rio featuring street children from across 19 countries. The organisers partner with local charity groups concerned with safeguarding the rights of street-connected children, and their projects are ongoing. www.streetchildunited.org

MODEL CITIZENS

Kinabuti, Lagos Kinabuti, a fashion label based in Nigeria, was established in 2010 by Caterina Bortolussi and Francesca Rosset. It trains women from the local area as models, and teaches single mothers how to silkscreen, as well as creating employment opportunities and experience for many local people in various roles relating to the label’s activities. “We found that half the people we train are still working a year after the training, using the skills we gave them,” said Francesca. www.kinabuti.com

COVER STORY | 10 Inspirational Ventures

WEST AFRICA UNITED

Unite 4 West Africa Larissa Clark, co-founder of Unite4WestAfrica.org and a regular Wings contributor, is working with partners across the region to dispel myths and travel fears for visitors to West Africa, while supporting some inspiring grassroots efforts. Raising media awareness and fundraising for effective projects is at the heart of the campaign’s aims: you can find out more and contribute at the site below. unite4westafrica.org

BRIGHT IDEA

mPedigree Network Bright Simons is president of Ghana’s mPedigree Network, a company which has developed an anti-counterfeiting system for organic foods. The method is simple – each product contains a code that the buyer simply texts to a free number, receiving a message back telling them whether it’s authentic or not. The hope is that mPedigree and similar products will help eliminate the use of fake drugs, which can have tragic consequences due to the harmful and illegal substances they contain. mpedigree.net

COVER STORY | 10 Best Festivals

BEST FESTIVALS Let your hair down at the best festivals at Arik destinations â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from cultural celebrations to all-night parties, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re guaranteed a great time

10 Best Festivals | COVER STORY

Party Capital Europe’s biggest street party, the Notting Hill Carnival.

WALKING ON SUNSHINE

Calabar Carnival Calabar, Nigeria, December (annual) This 32-day-long annual festival was conceived in 2000 to celebrate the Cross River annual Christmas Festival. It sees thousands of revellers parade along a 12km route, and the event is accompanied by world-class concerts and competitions. If you’re in the region, Africa’s biggest street party is not to be missed. calabarfestival.com

WILD IN THE COUNTRY

Wilderness Festival Oxfordshire, UK, August The UK has a music festival for every day of the summer, and the king of them all is Glastonbury. But not all of them are obsessed with late-night dance-tent raving, and the Wilderness Festival has something for everyone. Set in the grounds of a wooded 800-year-old estate, the bill sees acoustic and rootsy music alongside masked balls, wild swimming, a lakeside spa, horseriding and workshops for the kids – you’re more likely to come across a wild deer than a

Red Bull banner, making a welcome change from the UK’s typically more corporateminded music festivals. wildernessfestival.com

FELA-BRATE GOOD TIMES

Felabration Week, Lagos, Nigeria, October (annual) The annual Felabration honours the memory of Nigeria’s most famous musical export, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, with an eight-day programme across multiple venues. There’s great music, of course, and joining current Afrobeat stars in the 100-strong lineup is a varied selection of artists influenced in some way by the great man. Documentaries, plays, photo exhibitions and nights of dancing and partying into the early hours await. www.fela.net

WOTE’S GOIN’ ON

Chale Wote Festival James Town, Accra, Ghana, August Accra’s Chale Wote Festival is West Africa’s largest independent public arts festival, with 10,000 visitors taking in street art in all its forms. Graffiti, art installations, murals, experimental theatre, film, live

music and design workshops are presented alongside boxing showcases and extreme sports. Each year, there’s a theme: last year, it was the interplay between natural resources and human population. accradotaltradio.com

UTOPIA ON EARTH

Africa Utopia festival, London, September This major annual pan-African festival in London is a cultural hybrid of talks, workshops, live performances, fashion shows and African retail. The 2015 show featured Afrobeat legend Tony Allen, Senegal’s Orchestra Baobab and much more on the music side, while the rest of the programme focused on the exceptional creativity and artistry of the continent’s leading lights. Now generating interest in New York and across Africa itself, Africa Utopia looks set to grow and grow. southbankcentre.co.uk

HILL BILL

Notting Hill Carnival, London, UK, August (annual) Held each August Bank Holiday since 1966, the Carnival is the largest party of its kind in Europe, and arguably London’s

most exciting event. The streets of West London are paved with sound systems, steel bands and the smell of jerk chicken and patties, while over a million revellers and 40,000 volunteers create an ever-evolving weekend celebration featuring Mardi Gras-style floats, parades, food stalls and street parties. thenottinghillcarnival.com

NON-STOP HIP HOP

Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, New York, USA, July (annual) The home of hip-hop celebrates the positive aspects of hip-hop culture by highlighting the artform’s legacy of artistic progression and social change. A great lineup of artists isn’t the only attraction; dancing, panel discussions, art and – of course – a block party are all taking place across various venues. bkhiphopfestival.com

OSUN, HERE IT COMES

Osun Festival, Osogbo, August (annual) The week-long Osun Festival celebrates an Orisha goddess whose counterpart is found in mythologies around the globe: the goddess of love and fertility. Here, she’s the goddess of the 93

COVER STORY | 10 Best Festivals

River Osun, and a specially selected virgin heads a procession to the river bearing offerings. It’s a solemn, religious affair, but there’s a joyful mood in the air, reaching its peak at a huge festival on the last day. tours.logbaby.com/osunosogbo

NOTE OF SOPHISTICATION

Luanda Jazz Festival Luanda, Angola, July to August (annual) Held annually since 2009, the Luanda Jazz Festival is a veritable oasis in Luanda’s cultural landscape. Held over three days at Cine Atlantico in the city’s heart, it’s a celebration of the genre with a great balance between the local and the international, with smooth soul and earthy blues also on show. You can flex your own musical muscles at a series of workshops 94

and afterparty DJs ensure the fun continues through the night. jazzfestival2016.com

FISHERMAN’S FRENZY

Argungu Fishing Festival, Argungu, Nigeria, March (annual) The usual fishing scene of salty, white-whiskered men plunging a line into placid waters is completely absent here. The Argungu Fishing Festival is frenzied affair packed with fishing and fun. It consists of four days of water sports, donkey- and camel-racing events, dancing and markets. And for the final-day showpiece, fishermen in their thousands plunge into the Matan Fada River in pairs, carrying calabashes and nets, competing to net the biggest catch and the annual prize. northernnigeriatourism.com

10 Best Festivals | COVER STORY

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COVER STORY | 10 Inspirational People

INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE

Excerpts from Wings’ features and interviews with the great and good

profiting from the system as it is today, to come out frankly and acknowledge that we have been sitting on top of an artificial construct.” You have done so much for Nigeria, particularly on the political scene. Do you have any regrets? “Oh! Quite a few. For instance, I think in our youth, we made the mistake of thinking that all that was required of us was faith. We were so confident that those who had taken on politics as their main vocation had enough progressiveness to be able to tilt the odds in favour of the progressive in Nigeria. We failed to recognise the extent of the possibility of treachery and of negative compromises. So with our early involvement in the politics of the nation and continent, we should have got together and begun to mobilise on our own. Outside of that, I don’t think my path would have

Poetic Justice Woye Syinka spoke to Wings in our first issue.

GLOBAL LAUREATE

Woye Soyinka Nobel Prize winner Woye Soyinka has played an enormous role in the cultural and political tapestry of Nigeria and – through his eloquent prose – the rest of the world. He spoke to Wings for our first issue in 2009, and gave his thoughts on the country… What has been the greatest single improvement in the country since the 1960s and 70s? “I haven’t seen improvements in terms of utilisation of resources, neither human or material. I don’t see them in terms of infrastructure, health, education and electoral practices. I would say the arts 98

represent one unarguable section of advance in the nation.” What areas have deteriorated since that period? “That’s no problem to answer! Health, education, roads and the economy are part of a system that has a laissez-faire attitude to entrepreneurship that favours the individual.” Are you disappointed with Nigeria? “Yes! Of course I am, but I am not disappointed with Nigeria as an entity for the simple reason that it has become increasingly difficult to recognise Nigeria as an entity.” What is the way forward for Nigeria? “The way forward is for more people from all parts of the nation, but especially those

Queen Of Comedy Andi Osho finds the humour in her UK/ Nigerian background.

been any different, I would still, first and foremost be a creative person, but still have been involved to the extent I have been in the political life of whichever environment I might have been born in to.” What is your message for young Africans? “Don’t opt out as many have decided to do and don’t continue to believe that the system cannot be overturned, because the system has been overturned and the future is yours. Don’t give it up.”

OSHO TIME

Andi Osho Self-professed actor, comedian, writer and shoe lover Andi Osho is currently promoting her new short film, Brit.I.Am. She spoke to Wings in issue one about her background as a Nigerian growing up in the UK, and offered her insights on Nigerian humour.

“Growing up Nigerian in London was tough. There was a real tension between Caribbean and West African kids and a discomfort for me around my ‘African-ness.’ I didn’t feel a sense of pride about it until I got to my late teens when Soul II Soul came out and they used a lot of African imagery in their marketing. Suddenly, it became cool to be African. I asked my mum ‘do you have any African tops I could wear?’ ‘Oh, so now you’re African!’ she would joke. “Time goes on, you look inside yourself and you feel proud of who you are. I went through an angry phase when I felt rejected by Nigerians because I didn’t speak Yoruba, my parent’s language. People used to harass me and ask, ‘Why don’t you speak your own language?’ and ‘When was the last time you went home?’ I have a lot more peace with it all now and I have loved going to visit Nigeria and experiencing the colours, the heat, smells and the turns of phrase and meeting people in my family I had only heard of. Still, I can’t bring myself to being categorised or categorising myself. “In the UK, we have a very sophisticated comedy culture. We are savvy with how we receive humour and what we can get. I’ve found that black audiences respond much more to the comedy of recognition. When I talk about my experiences of being Nigerian

people respond much more than to the social commentary – the dry, sarcastic stuff. If I talk about stuff that happened when I was a kid, they fall apart. When I have a Nigerian audience, it’s like getting out the Christmas decorations – I have to get out my jokes about Nigerians. They love it. It’s an interesting learning curve – getting to know my people.” www.andiosho.co.uk

STAR QUALITY

Petina Gappah African literature’s acclaimed rising star, Zimbabwe-born Petina Gappah, spoke to Wings in 2010 about flying, avoiding shrimp and her inspirations… Who inspires you? “Definitely not politicians.” When are you happiest? “When I am with my son, when I am reading or when I am reading to my son.” What was the first book you ever read? “I do not remember the very first one, but the first book I ever owned was a Shona storybook that I won for coming top of the year in Grade Two.” Do you read or sleep when you fly? “I read and make sure to watch the films that received really bad reviews: better to watch them for free than pay to see them.” Do you have any tips for first-time flyers? “Whatever you do, do not eat anything that looks even remotely like shrimp. Trust me on this.” Where did you draw your inspiration for your coming novel? “From Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov, one of the best novels ever published.”

Fresh Narratives Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie is helping rewrite the story of modern Africa.

Where is your favourite holiday destination? “Zanzibar and St Barts, which are perfect in my imagination as I have never been.” www.faber.co.uk

THE POWER AND THE STORY

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie The author of Half Of A Yellow Sun and The Thing Around Your Neck is already a pre-eminent literary voice of our time. She spoke to Wings about the importance of expressing the multitude of African stories and righting the wrongs of misrepresentation. Coming to the United States for the first time, Adichie recalls her shock at her roommate’s

attitude towards her. “Her default position toward me, as an African, was a kind of patronising, wellmeaning, pity. My roommate had a single story of Africa. A single story of catastrophe.” She believes that Western literature is partly to blame for this. “If all I knew about Africa was from popular images, I too would think that Africa was a place of beautiful landscapes, beautiful animals, and incomprehensible people, fighting senseless wars, dying of poverty and AIDS, unable to speak for themselves, and waiting to be saved.” She admits that misreprentations of Africa have made her more defensive when writing about her continent. “I find myself thinking, should I 99

10 Inspirational People | COVER STORY

COVER STORY | 10 Inspirational People

write about this? Will they misunderstand?” But she does not shy away from difficult subjects and believes that it is both possible and important to write about all aspects of African life, politics and history. “Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign,” Adichie says. “But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanise.”

AFROPOLITAN MAN

Andrew Dosunmu Nigeria-born, Londonraised fashion photographer, music video and film director Andrew Dosunmu spoke to Wings in 2010 about his upcoming feature-film debut, Restless City. Dosunmu talks at a rate of knots in the most endearing Franco-Nigerian-by-way-ofBrooklyn lilt. “The world is global. I would only miss New York if I didn’t have a place here. If I can come and go as much as I want, then how can I miss it? I will never miss New York just like I will never miss Lagos. I just want to be able to have a foot in 100

both worlds.” But for all his globe-trotting posturing, there’s only one place Dosunmu truly calls home. “Ultimately, Lagos is the place I want to be. I want to make films in Africa. There is so much that needs to be done here and I really want to play my part,” he says. Of Restless City, he adds: “It is a beautiful story. It’s about two young black people falling in love, in the city and it’s very poetic, you know? You don’t usually see black people in that context. When it comes to black film, there are always these clichés: it either has to be a comedy or a gangster film. “But this is just a beautiful, poetic film. It’s almost like watching a Godard, just with black people in it.” “For me, it is very important that photography and filmmaking can be used in the reverse – to decolonise images of Africa because almost everything that is known about us is known through photography,” he says. andrewdosunmu.com

ZINA GOES TO NOLLYWOOD

Zina Saro-Wiwa Award-winning filmmaker, writer, producer and presenter Zina Saro-Wiwa is the daughter of late human rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. She spoke to Wings in 2011 about her Nollywood-themed exhibition, Sharon Stone In Abuja, and her love for the industry. Why is the exhibition called Sharon Stone In Abuja?

“Nollywood film titles are one of my favourite things about the industry. I have bought films simply for their title… The title encompasses the ambition, the independence, the commerce, the national pride and the cock-eyed bravado of Nollywood. Sort of does it in one fell swoop.” In what way is Nollywood rewriting cultural history? “Nollywood is the first time Africans are, on a mass scale, telling our own stories through a mass medium with no interference from foreign bodies. Many African films in the past have relied on funding from Europe, especially in the Francophone African countries and the resulting films have high artistic merit, but were seen by very few people in Europe or Africa; Nollywood films are seen by all strata of society and literacy is no barrier. “For all its flaws, it has inspired filmmakers all over the continent – and I daresay the diaspora – to make use of comparatively cheap digital

10 Inspirational People | COVER STORY

MADE IN AFRICA

Ozwald Boateng OBE Celebrated British designer Ozwald Boateng OBE is known for crafting exquisite suits. In issue 18, he told Wings of his biggest project yet, the Made In Africa Foundation, founded in 2011 to fund feasibility studies and master plans for infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, ports and environmental health around Africa. “$400 million of funding for feasibility studies and master plans across sub-Saharan Africa could develop over $100 billion of infrastructure projects, which in turn would create a value of $1 trillion across Africa, increasing GDP by two per cent and lifting 200 million people out of poverty.” www.madeinafricafoundation. co.uk

www.zinasarowiwa.com

YOU GO, GRANDMA!

The GoGo Getters Football Club of Orange Farm, a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, is made up entirely of grandmothers. Photographer Andrew Esiebo created a fascinating series of portraits that add up to a refreshing representation of older African women. “The image of African women,” Esiebo says, “is often one of an oppressed woman, confined by tribal customs, with limited authority, freedom and conception of the self. Women’s sad faces often accompany African stories of famine, poverty and violence. The

grandmother’s regalia, their proud postures on the field along with the charm of their intimate spaces and love for their families, create a powerful scenario in which sport is a means to express a new gender and generational identity.” www.andrewesiebo.com/ altergogo

PEOPLE, INC.

advantage of the many technological innovations pioneered elsewhere. “But we must also ensure that Africa creates the type of environment that fosters innovation and rewards those entrepreneurs who bring new ideas to life, and put them into practice.” tonyelumelufoundation.org

JUST GIVING

Patrice Motsepe And our final mention goes to Soweto-born Patrice Motsepe, who (with a net worth of $2.65 billion making him South Africa’s richest black man), announced at the time of issue 23 that he’s to give half of his wealth to improve the lives of the poor. So sometimes money can buy class, it would seem.

Tony Elumelu Tony Elumelu, one of Africa’s foremost business people and philanthropists, told Wings in an interview in issue 16 of the revolutionary effect his concept of Africapitalism can have on the continent. The concept is an “inclusive brand of capitalism” based on four pillars: Home Grown Initiative, Long-term Investment, Impact Investment and Increased Competitiveness. “Africapitalism is simply saying there’s a better and more ethical way to invest in Africa for a sustainable future for our children; a way in which investors look at individual growth strategies that will build local value chains. I would like to see both African and international investors review their strategies for Africa. Yes, we are open for business – but not at any cost. “African economies are uniquely positioned to take

Coutesy of Ozwald Boateng

technology and tell their own stories.” Do you notice common themes in Nollywood films? “The conflict between traditional and modern values seems to be the overriding theme that cuts across all genres in Nollywood. Whether it’s comedies, historical dramas, gangster films… That central conflict seems to provide rich material. You could also say that women and their role in society, money and power are all Nollywood obsessions.” Which three words would you use to describe Nollywood? “Prolific, emotive, magnetic.”

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106 Inside Arik 108 Onboard Tips 109 Fleet 110 Safety & Services 112 Route Map 114 Contact Us www.arikair.com

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INSIDE ARIK

WINING AND DINING

ARIK SUPPORTS FINE AFRICAN WINES FROM THE WILDEKRANS ESTATE

ver wondered where the wine you sip on your flight is made? Arik Air, in support of the African continent, has chosen to source all onboard wines from the Wildekrans Wine Estate, which sits just an hour away from

Cape Town city centre. Each of Arik’s long haul services – New York, London and Johannesburg – will have a ‘From Our Cellar’ wine menu card in Premier Business Class that will be offered with food menus. Split between the two

travel classes, the Economy drinks choices will include Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot while our Business Class passengers will have a selection of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Franc Merlot and the sparkling

LAGOS TO DOUALA EXTRA FLIGHTS TO CAMEROON’S LARGEST CITY

Destination: Douala Arik Air has increased the number of Lagos to Douala flights.

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Arik Air has added extra frequencies to its Lagos to Douala flights. With Cotonou as the midway point, this route has increased from four to six weekly flights in a new schedule that launched in October 2015. Explaining the increase, Managing Director of Arik Air,

Method Cap Classique Chenin. Additionally, we will continue to carry Champagne in Premier Business Class on all longhaul services. The new wine selection will be slowly introduced to all domestic and regional Business Class services (those departing after 10am) during the course of the next few months. Arik Air has celebrated the launch of this new wine selection with a lavish winetasting event in Lagos

Chris Ndulue, said: “Nigeria and Cameroon share a lot in common as good neighbours, and Arik Air is always happy to provide connections needed to foster closer relationships and promote trade.” As West and Central Africa’s largest airline, Arik’s extra Douala service – which also provides convenient connections to some of the airline’s international destinations, such as New York – means the airline increases its current number of around 120 daily flights, further cementing its identity as Africa’s fastest growing airline.

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FACE TIME MEET JORGE PAIXÃO — MANAGER, GDS CONTROL AND PRICING, ARIK AIR UK

“The main tasks of my job are GDS (Global Distribution System) troubleshooting, pricing, training, passenger handling, and managing network-wide queries. I started working in the the airline when I was 19, just as a need to work. I was a mailroom attendant, then, as the years have gone on, the travelling and the wonderful people I have met

everywhere have kept me in the industry. “The most challenging things about my job are trying to implement and maintain a high level of professionalism and understanding with the staff that I am in direct contact with. The best part is when I achieve this. I’m based at Arik’s London office, so I don’t get to see any internationally known faces; the only ones I see are the colleagues working here. Over the last year, I’ve managed to travel to Nigeria, USA, Portugal and Italy. “My dream destination is Brazil, simply because the people, atmosphere, food and magnificent beaches are a spectacle to be hold. Oh yes, and Caipirinha!” “What advice would I give to anyone wanting to do my job? Have lots of patience.”

Travelling with benefits

A simple way to join Arik’s Frequent Flyer programme

Pearl, Bronze, Silver or Gold memberships are free as part of Arik’s Affinity Wings programme. Customers can

sign up via a straightforward online booking process. Members can accumulate points which enable them to earn and redeem valued air miles, with benefits featuring allowances for excess baggage, lounge access and special spending deals with a range of Arik’s commercial partners. Not bad – especially for all those travelling long haul to international destinations. Arikaffinitywings.com

YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS ARIK AIR CORPORATE TRAVEL

Team Natural Arik Air sponsors Larry ‘The Natural’ Ekundayo.

BACKING A WINNER

Enterprising travellers will be happy to know that Arik Air offers a level of attention to detail when it comes to business travel. With an unbeaten safety record and the biggest network in West Africa, the airline has a range of cost-effective advantages that include discounted company fares,

priority check-ins at selected airports, last-minute seat guarantee, fast-tracked refund of unused tickets and ongoing expert support, among other key services. To talk about the Arik Air Corporate Travel programme in more detail, please contact: corporatesales@arikair.com 08077791154

ARIK AIR SPONSORS RISING STAR OF BOXING It was #teamnatural at Arik Air’s Lagos headquarters, when London-based Nigerian welterweight boxer, Larry ‘The Natural’ Ekundayo, stopped by the offices for a visit. In the city during August and September, Ekundayo wanted to say thanks for the airline’s support. As one of the major sponsors of the World Title hopeful, Arik Air welcomed Ekundayo, who

arrived in town, along with fellow boxer Olusegun Ajose and coach Daniel Adekunle (Ashimota). Ekundayo presented the Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph ArumemiIkhide, with souvenirs, and the relationship is set to continue with the Chairman promising that the airline would support the boxer with any of his fights in Nigeria.

It’s Business Time Find out more about the advantages of Arik’s corporate sales programme.

www.arikair.com

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ONBOARD TIPS

HEALTH & COMFORT DRESS FOR COMFORT

EQUALISE EAR PRESSURE

Loosen shoe laces, belts, tight socks and ties for maximum comfort.

During ascent and descent, changes in the cabin pressure can cause a feeling of discomfort in your ears. Chewing gum or sucking and swallowing will help equalise the pressure in your ears. Babies or young passengers may suffer more acutely. Consider providing them with a dummy to suck on.

ENTERTAIN YOURSELF Enjoy a film, read your copy of Wings or explore your personalised in-flight entertainment system. Arik Air offers a great choice of Hollywood and Nollywood movies, radio channels and a map display.

HYDRATE Try and drink eight ounces of water every hour. Avoid drinking too much tea, coffee and alcohol, which are diuretics.

ADJUST YOUR SEAT Use the seat recline as well as the lumbar support to find a comfortable position. All Arik Air seats are fitted with a footrest which, while aiding your comfort, will also help relieve pressure on your calf muscles.

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MOISTURISE To combat dry cabin air, pamper yourself with a good-quality skin moisturiser, provided as standard to Premier Class passengers.

GIVE YOUR EYES A BREAK Contact lenses may cause eye irritation due to the dry cabin air. We recommend that you wear your glasses in flight. Your eyes will feel fresher and less tired when you arrive.

CIRCULATION SAFETY Try doing seated leg exercises every couple of hours throughout the flight to help prevent stiffness and swelling. Lift your knees, while at the same time clenching your thigh muscles and pointing your toes up and down and around in a circular motion. Repeat this between 10 and 20 times with each leg. Doing these exercises whilst flying will help you feel better when you arrive. When resting, try to make sure your body is in a comfortable position and turn frequently so your body is not constricted or stretched for long periods of time. Try to avoid sleeping for long periods without changing position.

n Pay close attention to the safety briefings at the beginning and end of the flight and know the location of all exits including how many rows away you are from an exit. n Be aware of which electronic devices are and are not allowed to be used during the flight. If you are unsure of our policies, consult a crew member. Mobile phones are not permitted for use at any time whilst on board. n Follow the instructions of the crew at all times and be respectful of them and the other passengers. n Inform the crew of any disruptive behaviour, follow their instructions, and be courteous. n Be aware of safety procedures, relax and enjoy your flight!

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FLEET AIRBUS A340–500 n Number of aircraft in fleet 2nn Number of seats 237nn Length 69mnn Wingspan 63.45mnn Cruising speed 881km/h

AIRBUS A330–200 n Number of aircraft in fleet 2nn Number of seats 217nn Length 58.82mnn Wingspan 60.3mnn Cruising speed 871km/h

BOEING 737–800 n Number of aircraft in fleet 4nn Number of seats 148nn Length 39.5mnn Wingspan 35.7mnn Cruising speed 828km/h

BOEING 737–700 n Number of aircraft in fleet 9nn Number of seats 124-149nn Length 33.6mnn Wingspan 35.7mnn Cruising speed 828km/h

BOMBARDIER CRJ1000 n Number of aircraft in fleet 1nn Number of seats 92nn Length 39mnn Wingspan 26mnn Cruising speed 870km/h

BOMBARDIER CRJ900 n Number of aircraft in fleet 4nn Number of seats 74nn Length 36.40mnn Wingspan 24.85mnn Cruising speed 881km/h

BOMBARDIER DASH8 Q400 n Number of aircraft in fleet 4nn Number of seats 72nn Length 32.8mnn Wingspan 28.4mnn Cruising speed 660km/h www.arikair.com

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SAFETY & SERVICES TICKET PURCHASE Bookings and e-ticket purchases can be made by calling our reservation desks or call centres or online at www.arikair.com. They can also be made by visiting our airport or regional offices or via select travel agents. Please see the Contact Us page or our website for further details. You can access all up-to-date fares by going to the booking engine on our homepage. A booking cannot be cancelled online once it has been

confirmed. However, you can call our reservations office or visit your local Arik Air office for cancellations or to reschedule a booking. Note that an administration charge may be charged for cancellations or rescheduling of flights. If you choose to pay for your fare by cash, you may collect your ticket from our city office, or local airport office. Passports should be valid for more than six months from the date of travel. We advise you to contact the embassy or consulate of your transit and final destination for visa requirements.

Special Fares Promotional and special fares are posted on our website on a regular basis. Please go online and check www.arikair.com for updates.

CHECK IN n Arik Air check-in counters open in Nigeria two hours before departure for domestic flights, three hours before regional flights, and four hours before international flights.

Arik App With the Arik Air App, you’re in charge of your flying experience. The app is free to download on Blackberry, iOS, or Android devices For more information, visit arikair.com/ arik-air-mobile-app

www.arikair.com

For international flights, checked in baggage allowance is:

PREMIER BUSINESS CLASS 3 pieces at 30kg max per piece.

ECONOMY CLASS 2 pieces at 30kg max per piece. n The total number of bags allowed for any guest is eight pieces. n Do not overfill suitcases and bags beyond their weight or volume capacity. This can lead to breakage of handles, zips, wheels or other damage caused to your baggage. The airline is not liable for these types of damages. n It is advisable to label all baggage with your name, destination and contact details.

n Keep any baggage labels or receipts in a safe place. You may be required to present them upon leaving the airport. n It is advisable to clearly label or tie a coloured ribbon to your luggage in order to identify your bags easily. n Guests are permitted to carry one piece of hand luggage at 12kg maximum. n Knives, nail scissors, tweezers, lighters and other sharp or explosive objects are not allowed in hand luggage.

n At check-in, please present your passport and ticket together with anything else you were asked at the time of booking to bring with you, such as your company ID card. n Knives, nail scissors, tweezers, lighters and other sharp or explosive objects are not allowed in hand luggage. Please see the notices at the airport. n Guests who fail to complete check-in procedures on time will not be permitted to travel. n Premier Business Class guests are entitled to use business class lounges at Johannesburg International, London Heathrow, New York JFK and Lagos Murtala Muhammed International airports. n All guests must complete check-in for their Arik Air flight prior to check-in closure which is 30 minutes for domestic flights, 60 minutes for regional flights and 90 minutes for International flights. Strict

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closure of check-in at all airports is to ensure our flights depart on time. Once we have accepted guests at the check-in desks, we close the flight at the stated latest check in time to permit the necessary calculations and preparations for an ‘on-time’ departure. Re-opening our guest list after check-in closure puts the flight at risk of delay, i.e. the flight could miss its allocated take-off slot.

ONLINE CHECK-IN Online check-in allows you to avoid long check-in queues at the airport and confirm your seat in advance. It opens 24 hours before the scheduled departure time of your flight and closes five hours before international flights, and three hours before domestic and regional flights. Log on to www.arikair.com and follow the prompts to the online check-in service, then follow the instructions.

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UNACCOMPANIED MINORS Unaccompanied minors are well looked after on all Arik Air flights. Our crew will assist with all of the complicated airport details and forms and will help unaccompanied minors call home at our cost to let parents know they are okay. Onboard, we make sure the youngsters have a great time with lots of goodies and attention. In fact, they probably won’t even notice that mum and dad aren’t around! We will carry unaccompanied minors only upon completion and signature of the necessary forms by a parent or guardian. n Domestic Flights Arik Air does not carry unaccompanied minors under five years.

SAFETY STANDARDS

MEALS

Arik Air is committed to ensuring that a safe, hazard-free environment prevails throughout its areas of operation, for both employees and guests, by meeting or exceeding all flight, occupational, and environmental health and safety standards. The management considers safety as the number one priority for the airline, and is committed to minimising the possibility of accidents by implementing a safety program provided by the Corporate Safety and Security Department.

A choice of international and Nigerian cuisine is available to all guests on Arik Air flights. Vegetarian and children’s meals are available to guests on designated routes. Requests must be made at the time of ticket purchase online or via our call centre or reservation desks a minimum of 48 hours before the flight. On international flights, soft drinks, wine, cocktails and snacks are available to Premier Class guests at the Kira Bar.

WHEELCHAIR SERVICE Elderly guests and guests with walking difficulties are entitled to wheelchair service. However, requests must be made at the time of ticket purchase or reservation.

CHILDCARE We provide a variety of amenities to ensure a stress-free flight for parents of babies and small children. Please ask a flight attendant for assistance. Diaper changing boards are located in selected toilets.

AIRBUS A340 & A330 CABIN FEATURES

n International Flights Arik Air does not carry unaccompanied minors under five years of age and also if there is a transfer prior to the final destination.

CARRIAGE OF INFANTS If you are travelling with an infant under 24 months, you can include them on your seat booking by making an Infant reservation. Newly born Infants under seven days old will not be accepted. For safety requirements, infants must be accompanied by a guest aged 21 years or above and booked in the ratio of one infant per adult. Infants under 24 months on the day of travel may fly for a significantly reduced infant fare per one-way flight, provided they sit on an adult’s lap. If the infant reaches the age of two years prior to the return journey, contact Arik’s reservations directly to book a seat, as safety regulations require that a seat is allocated. Proof of age may be required, so please have the infant’s valid photo-ID available for inspection.

Premier Business Class guests on international flights enjoy fully flat seats with a 10-motor vibro massage system, full control by touchscreen suite, electric leg, head and armrest extension and rotation, mirrored privacy dividers and on-board social bar area. Our economy seats provide extra leg space, and all seats are equipped with individual entertainment systems.

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ROUTE MAP

NEW YORK CITY

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SOKOTO

KANO

KADUNA

GOMBE JOS

ABUJA

YOLA

ILORIN IBADAN ENUGU

LAGOS

ASABA BENIN CITY WARRI PORT HARCOURT

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OWERRI UYO CALABAR

ARIK AIR DOMESTIC ROUTES

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UK LONDON

SENEGAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN

DAKAR BANJUL GAMBIA

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WINGTIPS Your definitive guide to Arik Air destinations 118 Abidjan Abuja Accra 119 Asaba Banjul Benin 120 Cotonou Calabar Dakar 121 Douala Enugu Freetown 122 Gombe Ibadan Ilorin 123 Johannesburg Jos Kaduna 124 Kano Lagos London 125 Luanda Monrovia New York City 126 Owerri Port Harcourt Sokoto 127 Uyo Warri Yola

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WINGTIPS

ABIDJAN

CÔTE D’IVOIRE An industrial and modern city, Abidjan has a number of cultural offerings for business travellers as well as tourists en route to one of The Ivory Coast’s bountiful beaches. Notable spots include the Galerie d’Arts Pluriel, (Rue des Jardins) which is run by a local arts historian, and the Musée National (32 Boulevard Carde), which houses traditional artworks. The Cathedrale St Paul (Boulevard Lagunaire) is also well worth a visit. BUY The Marché de Cocody (Boulevard de France) has a top floor geared for souvenir-hunters, with intricate woodcarvings, masks, textiles, jewels, and timeless examples of Ivorian art. If you’d like a more local feel, though, head to Marché de Treichville on Avenue Victor Blaka. It’s in a Chinese-built building, but inside you’ll find a truly Ivorian market experience, packed to the rafters with everything from unusual foods to exquisite antiques. BON APPETIT Don’t miss eating

at one of the many maquis dotted along the streets of Abidjan. Unique to the country, they’re a type of open-air restaurant serving simple but delicious braised chicken and fish dishes, cassava, and the ubiquitous Ivorian stew, kedjenou. On the opposite end of the scale is Aboussouan (Boulevard Giscard-D’Estaing), which takes these very same maquis dishes and perfects them into haute cuisine, pairing them with a selection of wine. Englishlanguage website abidjanito. com, provides comprehesive coverage of dining and nightlife. BED TIME Most good accommodation is found in the streets between the Musée National and the bottom tip of the Abidjan Plateau, where you’ll find the Novotel Abidjan (+225 20 31 80 00), which boasts an excellent view and all the business-traveller trappings. A more humble but no lesser stay is found at the Villa Anakao (Cocody Il Plateaux, +225 49 74 21 13), a boutique hotel with a handful of personalised rooms, with artwork handpicked by owner Caroline and her family. HIP TIP Take a break from the shopping and nightlife of Abidjan and explore Banco National Park and its stunning wildlife; its previously difficult trails have now been upgraded. Don’t forget your camera!

ACCRA GHANA

Ghana’s exceedingly welcoming capital marries a vibrant music and nightlife scene with a distinctive traditional culture. Add easy links to ecotourism hotspots, and you have yourself a spot-on holiday destination. A lot of attractions are contained between the Waterfront High Street and Makola Market. Other historically-relevant pockets include James Town, and Cape Coast Castle, the seat of British colonial administration from 1664—1877. www. touringghana.com posts up-to-theminute information. BUY Hone your bargaining skills at Makola Market on Kojo Thompson Road and The Centre for National Culture on 28th February Road. Both stock stunning

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ABUJA NIGERIA

Nigeria’s neatly planned capital boasts quite a few intriguing landmarks. Among them are the National Mosque, Zuma Rock, and the Ecumenical Cathedral. Take in the view from Kpaduma Hills. BUY Bring on the bling at Wuse Market in Zone 5 which sells stunning West African fabrics. Bwari Pottery (Old Suleja Road, Bwari (call ahead on +234 803 452 8805) to arrange your visit and a barbecued fish lunch) offers unique ceramics. Buy art at Life Strokes gallery (Life Strokes, Dunes Center, 44 Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, 0803 304 3822) and Signature Gallery (Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, 09 5233849). BON APPETIT For Nigerian fare, try Nkoyo (K-City Plaza, Malabo Street, (+234 705 953 0000) and Ceddi Plaza,(+234 9291 4917). Al Basha Palace (11 Cassandra Crescent, off Usuma Street, Maitama) serves fresh Lebanese food. The Secret Garden (Riverplate Park, off Ahmadu Bello Way, (+234 8060 722 177) does superb Italian pizzas. For a light and healthy bite, head to new kid on the block Café de Vie (11 Adzope Crescent, off Kumasi Crescent, Wuse II, (+234 816 666 6696 or +234 803 636 7606).

BED TIME The international hotel chains are concentrated in Central Abuja. The Transcorp Hilton in the Maitama District houses four restaurants, a large shopping area and a casino. (Transcorp Hilton, www.hilton. co.uk/abuj, 234 (0) 9413 181 184). Summerset Continental Asokoro (104 Kwame Nkrumah Crescent, Off Thomas Sankara Street, Asokoro, (+234-9-2208504, +234-903-933-3764) has a quirky feel and a breezy rooftop bar. The Nordic Villa (52 Mike Akhigbe Way, Jabi, tel +234 703 682 9922) combines a simple aesthetic with the natural beauty of its setting near Jabi Lake. Bamboo House (3 Salt Lake Street, Maitama, tel +234 813 388 0002) is a mid-range option for travellers. The hotel’s outdoor bar is a popular meeting place. HIP TIP Catch a stunning Abuja sunset at Barcelona Hotel (23 Blantyre Crescent, Wuse II, (+234 814 137 5819).

handicrafts and kente fabric. BON APPETIT Accra is home to varied cuisine. Discover the much-loved Buka, a casual, partly open-air rooftop, chop house (Buka, Osu R.E, adjacent to the American Embassy Visa Section. Tel 233 21 782 953). The nearby Osu Foodcourt on Cantonments Road and cafes on Labadi Beach are good for fuss-free family dining. BED TIME Budget hotels are concentrated between Adabraka, through Asylum Down and up to Kokomlemle Road. The Cavalry Methodist Guest House comes recommended (Cavalry Methodist Guest House, Barnes Road, opposite the National Museum, 021 234507). In the upper bracket, The Golden Tulip is good value with a free airport shuttle service (Golden Tulip, Liberation Road, 021 213161). Luxe it up beachside at La Palm Royal Beach

Hotel, 5km from the city centre and one of Accra’s most upmarket hotels. (La Palm Royal Beach, Pleasure Beach, 021 771700). HIP TIP Head out to one of Ghana’s national parks or craft villages. Kumasi is famous for its kente cloth loom-workers. Visit Ntonso for Adinkra cloth, Asuofia for bead-making, or Anpobame Krofron for brass.

WINGTIPS

ASABA NIGERIA

With vibrant neighbourhoods and a swath of the River Niger running through it, Asaba has a vibrant urban culture that is great for business and leisure. The city is ethnically diverse and mostly composed of Igbo speakers with Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko,

Ijaw, Hausa and Yoruba communities. Asaba is replete with cultural sites, the most popular of which are Asaba Beach, River Ethiope source, Kwale Game Reserve, Jamieson River, Chief Nana’s Palace Living History Museum, The Royal Palace Of The Obi (traditional ruler), Mungo Park House, and Escarvo Beach. Enjoy recreational fare at the Bombardi Beach Party Resort, Olona Ranch & Holiday Resort and Leisure Palace Amusement Park in Effurun. BUY Ogbeogonogo Market is the biggest street market in Asaba, located in the heart of the town within Oshimili south local government area. The market has over one thousand traders and attracts large crowds of daily customers. BON APETIT In addition to a variety of local cuisine on offer at street corners, eat

BANJUL

THE GAMBIA Often bypassed in favour of The Gambia’s seaside resorts less than an hour away, Banjul is an unlikely gem. Originally named ‘Bathurst’ after British colonial Henry Bathurst, Banjul was once a port used to hamper the slave trade after the Abolition Act of 1807. Today, the crumbling city on an island is a destination with a compelling national museum, an atmospheric old town and views across the Gambia River. Its manageable size is an added bonus. Discover the pleasure of Banjul with a leisurely stroll coupled with a flexible itinerary. BUY Barter and banter at Albert Market where aisles of shabby stalls burst with a treasure trove of quality souvenirs. BON APPETIT In contrast to the Atlantic coast which has a more varied selection, simple chop shops abound. Michel’s on 29 July 22 Drive, is one of the few

restaurants open from early morning until late at night. Afterwards, head to Queens Nightclub on Renee Blain Street. The slightly seedy late-night scene is made up for with sublime Gambian music. BED TIME A lot of the better hotels are on the coast though Carlton Hotel is a satisfactory city centre guesthouse (Tel 228670; fax 4227214, 25 July 22 Drive). On the top-end, try Atlantic Hotel (Tel +220 4228601/6, corinthiahotels. com; Muammar al Gadhafi Ave). The sprawling resort has all the amenities you would expect including a private beach, pool, gym and nightclub. Gambia. co.uk is one of the best sites for detailed holiday and accommodation information. HIP TIP Birdwatch from a pirogue along the mangroves of Oyster Creek. Most hotels organise pirogue trips, though you can also book independently at Denton Bridge, 3 km west of the city centre.

out at one of many city hotels and restaurants, including Larryville Hotel & Restaurant on Brigid’s road, and Dema Kitchen on Ezenel Avenue. BED TIME Place a reservation for a stay at the Grand Hotel (grandhotelnigeria. com/+234 8037584941) or enjoy the sedate atmosphere of the Amena Hotels & Resort (+234 056342646) in Oghara. Other accommodation spots are the Nelrose (+234 046300688) on Government House road and Wellington (+234 080550244) in Effurun, a little over a 10-minute car ride from the city centre. HIP TIP Festival season is between March and December. The more popular festivals that you might want to mark in your calendar are: Ulo (held in July), Aja (in August) and Iwaji (celebrated in September to mark the end of harvest).

BENIN NIGERIA

The Kingdom of Benin is still immersed in age-old traditions making it one of Nigeria’s most fascinating destinations. According to local lore the Bini people founded the empire in 1880 AD. Today’s reigning Oba is the spiritual leader of the people of Benin. Sights include The Oba’s Palace at King’s Square, and The Benin National Museum, which houses a large collection of bronze, brass and ivory treasures spanning five centuries and the ramparts of the Old City Wall, once the world’s second largest man-made structure after China’s Great Wall. BUY Purchase brass statues and witness the making of Benin brass heads at the shops along Igun Street or go for the full market experience at the Oba’s market. BON APPETIT New Benin Market, northeast of the city centre is home to great street

food and suya along with bars and shops that stay open late. Saidi Centre has one of the best restaurants with a Chinese, Lebanese and European menu. BED TIME Numerous hotels of varying standards are dotted around the ring road. Among these, the Constantial Hotel sets a high standard coupling wellappointed suites with internet access, a gym and pool (24–26 Airport/Ogba Road, opposite Benin Airport exit gate; +234 52-257-122, constantialhotel. com). Samsy Hotel on Adesuwa Road in GRA also comes recommended. HIP TIP Make a trip to Okumu Eco Resort, 35 km from the city centre. On tailored nature walks visitors can look out for over 200 species of birdlife, monkeys, civets and butterflies (okomuecoresort.com, Tel +234 808 468). Also, on the last Sunday of every month a Motocross race is held in the town and is often attended by Edo State’s governor. www.arikair.com

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CALABAR NIGERIA

COTONOU

REPUBLIC OF BENIN BEHOLD Many visitors use Cotonou as a starting point en route to Ouidah or Porto Novo however the city offers a number of points of interest such as the Italian neo-renaissance cathedral in the city centre. For cultural performances contact the Centre Culturel Francais located near the French Embassy on route de l’Aeroport (21 30 08 56) or the American Cultural Centre on Boulevard de la Marina (21 30 03 12). BUY The incredible Dantokpa market near the Boulevard Saint Michel spreads all the way to the lagoon. Inside, discover an enthralling fetish market selling dried, whole animals and voodoo apparatus. If you prefer handicrafts to whole dried goat, check out the Centre de Promotion de l’Artisanat on Boulevard St Michel. BON APPETIT Local cuisine consists of Beninois street food and a small but growing selection of international

restaurants. Chez Maman Benin near Cine Benin and Chez Clarisse are favourites. Le Petit Four on Boulevard Steinmetz is a charming art-deco coffee shop with Wi-Fi, pastries, pasta and oven-baked pizzas. After dinner head to So What! Off Boulevard Steinmetz for infectious live music (21 31 06 66). BED TIME Most of the accommodation is found in the Ancienne Pont area or Akpakpa rather than in the centre, including Benin Marina on Boulevard de Marina (21 30 01 00, www.benin-marina.com). Business travellers flock to Novotel Orisha on Boulevard de la Marina which has a large pool and high-end French restaurant (novotel.com, 21 30 41 77). HIP TIP VooDoo followers from around the world travel to the beautiful coastal town of Ouidah for the annual VooDoo festival in early January, to receive blessings and participate in ceremonies. 60 per cent of Benin’s population practise the religion.

BEHOLD Since the colonial era and crowning of King Archibong III by Queen Victoria in 1878, this 16th-century port city has been a popular holiday destination. Explore colonial architecture around Henshaw and Duke Town including the governor’s residence, Mary Slessor Residence and the Calabar Museum. Nature enthusiasts: spare the time to travel to Agbokim Waterfalls surrounded by lush green valleys and near to the Afi Wildlife Sanctuary, Refome Lake and Kwa Rapids. For wildlife, visit the Afi Mountain Drill Ranch (pandrillus.org) and Cercopan Primate Rehabilitation Centre (cercopan.org).

SENEGAL

Senegal’s capital is a frenetic study of contrasts, brimming with creativity. Take in the views with the Chi Chi Dakarois,

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HIP TIP Every December 26th, Calabar comes alive for a weeklong carnival featuring parties, parades and a load of fringe activities (calabarcarnival.org).

BUY Pick up textiles and handicrafts at Watt Market or delve in to a local experience at Marian Wet Market. BON APPETIT Food from Calabar is renowned. Sublime suya is served up at Bogobiri Corner. More formal diners can head to Freddy’s for Lebanese (Freddy’s, 90 Aketong Drive, 087/232 821). If you’re a fan of bars with kitsch names, have a post-prandial boogie around Nelson Mandela Street at La Luna, Paradise City and Tuxedo Junction.

from the roof of the Hotel Independence on Place de l’Independence. Stroll through the IFAN Museum on Place Soweto. Go for a beach dip at N’Gor or on private beaches such as at the Hotel Lagon 2 or Plage de la Voile d’Or. Better yet, catch a 20-minute ferry ride to the tranquil Île de Gorée. After sunning, pop a long dress over your bikini for a tour of Dakar Grand Mosque, styled after Casablanca’s Mohammed V Mosque.

DAKAR

BED TIME Recommended hotels include The Mirage (themiragecalabar.com, Plot 230, Mcc road Calabar, +234 80372 26046) and Transcorp Hotel at Murtala Mohammed Highway (+234 (0) 807 773 1111, transcorphotels.com). 25 km from the airport, Tinapa Business Resort offers a host of facilities and activities +234 87 232300, Tinapa.com.ng).

BUY Fill up on fruit and veg at Marche Sandaga, the city’s centreville market where you will also find unique souvenirs like briefcases made of recycled beer cans. 500m downhill from Sandaga, you’ll discover a former Mauritanian silversmiths’ yard, the Cour des Orfevres. BON APPETIT Dakar teems with world-class restaurants, bistros and cafes, though many are closed

on Sundays. Scrumptions Senegalese meals can be had at Keur N’Deye (821 4973; 68 Rue Vincens). Excellent, free listings magazines are available at hotel lobbies. BED TIME Hotel Lagon 2 is modelled on the interior of a ship and has views over the rocky cliffs as well as access to a private beach (www.lagon.sn, 338 89 25 25). The luxury Sofitel Teranga remains popular with business travellers (889 2200, Place de l’Indépendance) but for a boutique experience, try Hotel Sokhamon (hotelsokhamon.com, 338 89 71 00). HIP TIP Discover unrivalled nightlife like the world-renowned Thiosanne, owned by Youssou N’Dour (Sicap rue 10, 338 24 60 46) or head to Just 4 U, a live music institution, serving authentic local fare (824 3250, just 4u@sentoo.sn, Ave Cheikh Anta Diop).

WINGTIPS

DOUALA

CAMEROON Cameroon’s economic centre is a bustling port city known for business rather than tourism. In contrast to the capital Yaounde, visitor-worthy spots can mostly be covered within a few hours. Your best bet is to visit the cultural centres. Highly recommended is Doul’art (Place du Gouvernement, Bonanjo, + 237 33 433 259, doualart.org), a non-profit cultural centre and gallery opened in 1991. Artists work on the cultural and urban identity of Douala. BUY Find a selection of art, crafts and antiques at Marche des Fleurs (Street R1.221, Douala-Bonapriso). Conveniently located on the main road from downtown towards the airport, it’s famous for Cameroonian wood products. There’s also a good souvenir market on Ahmadou Ahidjo Avenue.

ENUGU NIGERIA

The Igbo capital of Enugu has regained its vitality from its heydey when coal was discovered in the area. Enugu which means ‘top of the hill’ became the capital of the Eastern Region in the 1930s. The National Museum (58 Abakiliki Road) is open from 8am-4pm daily and features Igbo artefacts, textiles and weapons. BUY For an authentic experience, head to the city’s main market, Ogbete Market. Hanidcrafts, souvenirs and household goods are also available at the Artisan Market and New Market. BON APPETIT Station Road has a large selection of chop houses. BED TIME Nike Lake Resort has 200 air-conditioned rooms, a

BON APPETIT There’s an open-air drinking and dining culture in Douala so places to eat are not hard to come by. The city is also home to quality international cuisine. French restaurant, La Fourchette (Quartier AKWA, Rue entrée SHO plus et AXA, +237 99 92 64 66), is favoured by business visitors. Try local dishes, seafood and steak at La Cigale, in the Bonanjo neighbourhood, where you can also enjoy live music and a glass of South African wine. BED TIME Unlike in some West African cities, Douala’s hotels are mostly reasonably priced. Business hotels equipped with pools include the Akwa Palace (920, Boulevard de la Liberte, hotel-akwa-palace. com), as well as international chains such as Le Meridien (35 Avenue des Cocotiers, +237 3 343 5000, starwoodhotels.com) and the Ibis (Rue Pierre Loti, Bonanjo, (+237 334 25760, Ibis.com)

HIP TIP Tourists are advised to venture out. Nearby beaches include Limbe, 90kms from the city and Kribi, a popular beach two-hours drive from Douala. Further afield, wildlife lovers flock to Waza National Park and trekking in the Mandara Mountains.

restaurant, bar, pool and tennis courts (Nike Lake, 042 557 000, proteahotels.com). The nearby, and smaller Zodiac Hotel also has a good restaurant, a pool and satellite TV (042 457 900, 5 Rangers Ave, Independence Layout). Lucha Guesthouse caters to the budget traveller (042 253 795, Nweko Lane, off Ogidi Street).

Balmaya Arts & Cafe (32B Main Motor Rd, Congo Cross). BON APPETIT Aberdeen is home to many good restaurants. Dine on exemplary seafood and international cuisine at Alex’s Restaurant with a clear view over Man of War Bay (64 Cape Road, 23222 272957). Handily, there's also a nightclub next door for night caps.

HIP TIP Visit the Holy Ghost Cathedral near Ogbete Market or catch a Sunday service in order to gain a sense of Enugu’s religious scene.

BED TIME Football fanatics should book the ‘Beckham Room’ at Hotel Barmoi named after their most famous hotel guest. The football star may have skipped town: however, the excellent amenities, pool and sea view remain (hotelbarmoi.com, 75C Cape Road, Aberdeen 232-22-234933). Budget travellers: check out Family Kingdom Resort on Lumley Beach Road which boasts – strangely but charmingly – extensive playgrounds and the wandering deer.

FREETOWN SIERRA LEONE

THE APHROLOUNGE

Enugu’s coolest lounge/hangout. Visit Aphrolounge Kitchen with Chef Stan for exquisite breakfast, Continental and African dishes. Bring your own bottle every Thursday night. Aphro-Jazz night on Sundays. Space for events rental: weddings, parties, luncheons and more. 5/14 Cathedral Drive, Independence Layout, Enugu info@aphrolounge.com Phone 080 5418 6612, 070 6647 3825, 07054509700 Open 9am-Midnight weekdays Club nights Wednesday, Friday & Saturday www.aphrolounge.com

Despite recently emerging from a decade-long civil war, Freetown is blossoming rapidly. Enjoy the nightlife and beaches before the tourists rush in, in their droves. Take in the 500-year-old cotton tree, a symbol of freedom since former slaves settled the town in the 1800s. Thousands of bats fly out en masse at dusk. From here, hop to the Sierra Leone National Museum. Take in views of the city from Tower Hill, ocean views from Lumley Beach and Krio architecture around Pademba Road. BUY The Big Market on Wallace Johnson Street brims with bric-a-brac and traditional household goods. For a more streamlined selection check out

HIP TIP Sample Freetown’s ‘anything goes’ nightlife. Try Paddy’s Bar (Sir Samuel Lewis Road, 232 22 272 962). The club, which once entertained diamond dealers, UN troops and an exotic range of and sordid characters has a new lease of life, post-conflict. It now boasts a large dance floor, cheap drinks, seafront outside area, and great hip hop, West African and dance music to get you moving. www.arikair.com

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GOMBE NIGERIA

A confluence of economic activity, Gombe is positioned with Borno and Yobe to the north and east, Taraba and Adamawa to the south, and Bauchi to the west. Lying in the savannah lands of the Gongola River basin, Gombe has been a major agricultural centre since the railroad was built in 1963. The State boasts captivating hilly scenery, best seen by driving along the Filiya – Kushi-Burak-Bangunji road to places like Tula, a historical town with an old prison and mud hut housing. Gombe is predominantly Hausa-speaking with the Fulani in the centre and north and Tangale in the south. There are

BUY The traditional crafts of weaving and dyeing are common practice, while modern textile manufacture began in the early ’70s. A tour of the markets and roadside stalls offer up a good selection of colourful souvenirs. BON APPETIT There are chop houses as well as hotel dining options however a trip to Bauchi offers a more extensive range of eateries. BED TIME The Gombe Holiday Inn on New Market Road is a good bet (Tel +234 72 20295) or try the A.Y Guest House on Dukka Road for budget accommodation. HIP TIP Yankari National Park, a short trip from Gombe, is a stunning hidden gem for wildlife watchers and is probably Nigeria’s best national park. Late December to May are good months to watch birds, buffalo, baboons and elephants. The park has a safari truck that takes tours at 7.30am and 3.30pm daily or you can drive your own vehicle if you prefer. You can sleep at the nearby Wikki Warm Springs Hotel (077 542174).

ILORIN NIGERIA

A sojourn to Alfa Alimi’s mosque would not go amiss if you are looking for some of the true local culture. Built in 1831, it is relatively undeveloped as a tourist destination but a beautiful example of the importance of Islam in the city and surrounding region. Further afield are the Owu Falls, the highest natural waterfall in Nigeria, and surrounded by lush rainforest. BUY Ilorin allegedly has the biggest traditional pottery workshop in Nigeria, so head to Okelele to find some great gifts for family and friends back home. Aso Oke textiles are also great traditional gifts from this area. You can find souvenirs at the Kwara State Council For Arts And Culture gallery. BON APPETIT If you’re looking for

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BUY Do your grocery shopping at the Agbowo Shopping Complex, opposite the University of Ibadan, in the city centre or the Big Treat Supermarket (+234 8 074 386 831) on Oluyole industrial estate. There are farm and flea markets at Dugbe, Bodija and Mokola, and the Palms Mall (+234 1 2714491-3), with its new cinema, is at the Liberty Stadium Road and Express Road.

also numerous minority tribes each with their own language. The state has a population of over 2,300,000 and 11 separate administrative areas.

IBADAN NIGERIA

Ibadan is the largest city in Africa in terms of geographical mass; it was the former capital of Southwest Nigeria excluding Lagos, and currently the capital of Oyo State. Its historic significance in the affairs of the declining Oyo Empire have endowed it with a lot of places to see and its location at the edge of the Yoruba heartland makes it an ideal location for an exploration of the major Yoruba cities. There is charm in the old colonial city seen in the sprawling rusty rooftops of its downtown houses, tropical weather and varied geography. Your itinerary should include visits to one or more of the city’s iconic landmarks: Mapo Hill, Irefin Palace, IITA Forest, The University of Ibadan and its Zoological & Botanical Gardens, Cocoa House, the Bower Memorial Tower, and Old Oyo National Park.

Nigerian food, try the eba and okoro soup at the Royal Restaurant Ilorin (Ahmadu Bello Avenue GRA; +234 31 741 666), whose bakery also sells pastries. During the day, enjoy a light meal at competitive prices at the Brunch Café Ilorin (9B Ahmadu Bello Avenue GRA; +234 805 569 4022). The meat pie comes recommended. BEDTIME The Kwara Hotel (9A Ahmadu Bello Avenue PMB 1476; 031740836;), three km from the airport, is ideal for the business traveller and others who are used to comfort. Leave time between meetings for a stint in the squash court and a dip in the pool before heading out after the day is done to the in-hotel nightclub. Closer to town is the Kingstone Grand Suites (7 Ahman Pategi Road; 07031184505; 08076553519), where you can drink at the in-house bar before heading to the restaurant for African or Chinese (or both,

BON APETIT Try the Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant (Premier Hotel, Mokola/+234 8 051 222 640), Kokodome Restaurant (Cocoa House, Dugbe/+234 0 275 10918) and the popular Mama Ope (Mokola/+234 8 0 6969 6141) for good, home-cooked traditional Nigerian meals. BED TIME Premier Hotel (+234 2 201 2345) is located on top of a hill in Mokola where visitors can see the city below. It offers a range of services and recreation facilities including a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, car park, and internet access. Other choice hotels are Kakanfo Inn (+2342 2 311 471) and D Rovans (+234 275 08128). HIP TIP Jump on a bike for an urban adventure. A journey from one end of the city to the other costs around N100. Okadas (motorcycle taxis) are cheap and are available everywhere.

if you’re an adventurous eater). All rooms have air conditioning and satellite TV. HIP TIP Go to Shao for the colourful Awonga Festival. This fun-packed event is held every year in celebration of the River Awon, which is said to house a goddess who oversees the marriages of maidens during the festival.

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JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa’s beating heart is a dramatic metropolis and stage for the ups and downs of a fascinating country. A trip on a City Slicker bus, which you can hop on

and off at your leisure, will take you to major tourist attractions. Good places to hop off are Constitution Hill (constitutionhill.co.za) and Gold Reef City. In Ormonde you’ll find the illuminating Apartheid Museum (011 309 4700; www. apartheidmuseum.org), which is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. BUY The City Slicker buses go past major shopping centres like Eastgate Mall on Bradford Road in Bedfordview (eastgateshops.com). Wire-work and other township-produced crafts make great gifts. Held every Sunday in Rosebank Mall’s multilevel car park, the Rosebank Rooftop Market has a great range. Head to Sandton for upmarket shopping. BON APPETIT Jo'burg caters for all tastes. Recommendations can be found

JOS

NIGERIA The lush countryside surrounding Jos, especially the area around the plateau, is well worth a visit. In Jos itself, you’ll find an interesting exhibition on the pottery and artefacts of the central Nigerian people at the Jos National Museum, open daily from 8am to 5:30pm. A more unusual museum is the Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture, which houses impressive full-scale reproductions of the country’s monuments. BUY Most consumer goods can be found at Terminus Market on Bauchi Road or between Bauchi Road and Ahmadu Bello Way. Leather and basket-work crafts are sold in the shops on Museum St, the south end of Beach Road, and on Noad Avenue. BON APPETIT There isn't as large a selection of restaurants in Jos as in other cities. Bight of Benin (Zoo Garden Road) has a selection of well-cooked

at food24.com, a website that has an easily searchable database by cuisine and city, with customer reviews. BED TIME No matter what your price range is, you have your pick of hotels in Johannesburg, but try to stay in the northern suburbs as the city centre can be dangerous at night. Good listings can be found at johannesburg-venues.co.za, which you can search by suburb, type of hotel, and star rating and which has a clickable area map. Tripadvisor.com is also a highly reputable source for unbiased recommendations. HIP TIP Want a good night out but trying, if at all possible, to avoid the same old tourist traps? joeblog.co.za is a comprehensive daily look at what’s going on in Jo’burg.

authentic dishes and there are a smattering of Lebanese and Chinese restaurants. BED TIME Rooms at the Hill Station Hotel (Tudun Wada Road; 073 455 300) have air conditioning, satellite TV, and tranquil surroundings. There are several guesthouses, most of which are comfortable and equipped with wifi and other amenities. These include Les Rosiers (1 Resthouse Road; 0803 357 5233; lesrosiers.sampasite. com) and Elim Suites (elimtopsuites.com). Rooms are at a range of prices, but most are generally inexpensive. HIP TIP Interested in ethical shopping? You’ll be pleased to note there is a fairtrade craft shop run by the Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria (1 Museum Street; open from 8am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays and on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm). Have a look at the goods on offer before you travel by going to fairtradenigeria.org.

KADUNA NIGERIA

The Kaduna National Museum (Alli Akilu Road) is open from 9am to 5pm every day. Of particular note is its Gallery Of Nigerian Prehistory, from Neolithic times, as well as the recreation of a Hausa village behind the museum. BUY Although most of Kaduna’s market (off Ahmadu Bello Way) is given over to consumer goods, you can also find gifts for friends and family. Pick up a bargain from the range of textiles, leather goods and Kaduna pottery. BON APPETIT Sample traditional Northern Nigerian food at Food Palace (1 Alkali Road). For relaxing al fresco dining, head to Sou’s Place (2 Waziri Ibrahim Crescent; 0803

588 6404), where you can also knock back a few beers, a rarity in Kaduna. BED TIME If you’re used to your creature comforts, go to Mohammed Buhari Way, where the best hotels are located. The Command Guest House (Mohammed Buhari Way; 062 242 918; commandguesthouse@ yahoo.com), offers air conditioning, TV, and hot water. You can also take advantage of its snooker room, and tennis and squash courts. A good option for the budget traveller is The Duncan (6 Katsina Road; 062 240 947) which has a good restaurant. Some of the 20 rooms have air conditioning and TV. HIP TIP Artisans in the back of Kaduna National Museum produce beautiful handloomed cloth, metalwork and other crafts. These make for excellent gifts. www.arikair.com

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LAGOS NIGERIA

Africa’s largest metropolis is one of the world’s most multi-faceted cities brimming with cultural curiosities, and some of the best music, art and literature anywhere. Exciting developments are affecting the megacity, and most of the best bars, restaurants, galleries, hotels and boutiques are on Victoria Island.

KANO NIGERIA

Built in the 15th century and declared a national heritage site, the Gidan Makama Museum holds ethnographic and historic exhibits on the Kanawa Civilization and Hausa Land. The majestic Emir’s palace opposite the museum is also architecturally striking, but its interior is by invitation only. Also go to the Kofar Mata Communal Dye Pits, which are a relic of Kano’s skin-dyeing trade and the oldest in Africa (1498!). BUY Go to Abubakar Rimi (Sabon Gari) Market for household items, jewellery and clothing. If you’re looking for gifts, Kurumi Market, founded in the 15th century, has brass, silver, stone and wood carvings, sculptures, and leather products. Textiles and fabric can be found at Kwari Market.

BON APPETIT Relaxing drinks can be had at the French Cafe (Race Course Road). Good places to go for Nigerian dishes and meals from the rest of the continent are Ten-O-Five (Post Office Road) and Pounded Yam & Co (Lodge Road). BED TIME Business travellers enjoy Tahir Guest Palace Hotel, which has in-room WiFi, conference facilities, and a travel agent (4 Ibrahim Nastsugune Road; 234 64 315281; tahirguestpalace.com). Set in a quieter part of the city, is the Prince Hotel, with a pool and a well-rated restaurant (1 Tamandu Road; 234 64 200601; princehotelng.com)

BUY For souvenirs, try Lekki Market or Quintessence (Suite C6, Falomo Shopping Center, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, quintessenceltd.com). Head to Palms Shopping Mall for restaurants, a supermarket and international brands (BIS Way, Lekki – Lagos, 234 1 27144913, thepalmsshopping.com). BON APPETIT Lagos is home to an ever-increasing number of good restaurants. Pick up a

UNITED KINGDOM London is one of the world’s most multicultural and creative cities, home to 7.5 million people, with 300 languages

spoken and set against stunning historical architecture. Arm yourself with an A-to-Z map book available at most corner shops and an Oyster Card which allows you to travel easily on public transport. Take in the city from a double-decker bus and trawl free museums like the National Portrait Gallery, the British Museum, and Natural History Museum. Go for a night stroll along the South Bank or a whiz around the London Eye. Time Out London Online posts the day’s events in theatre, film, art, comedy, music and dining. BUY Swing by Oxford Street for Topshop, Selfridges, and Liberty. Vintage lovers love Portobello Market in Notting Hill (Fridays) and East London’s Brick Lane. BON APPETIT London is arguably the food capital of the world. It's impossible to

www.arikair.com

BED TIME Eko Hotel & Suites is a self-contained expat hub (www. ekohotels.com, +234 1 262 4600 19). The Sofitel Lagos, in Ikoyi, is equally high-end (Bankole Oki Road, Ikoyi, +2341 4615 40922) as is The Federal Palace Hotel (26 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, 1-262-3116). Of the boutique hotels Bogobiri Guesthouse is a favourite (9 Matatma Sule, Southwest Ikoyi, bogobirilagos.com, 270 7437). HIP TIP Pay homage to Afrobeat at The New African Shrine (1 Nerbc Street, Agidingbi, Ikeja). Sleep off Sunday at Bar Beach.

HIP TIP The annual Durbar Festival is a dazzling display of cultural and equestrian might held at the Emir’s palace to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitri and Eid-el-Kabir festivals.

LONDON

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copy of Time Out Nigeria available at Quintessence gallery (see above) or check out www. lostinlagos.com for the latest listings and openings. If it’s authentic street food you’re looking for, then you should definitely try the suya at Ikoyi Hotel Ikoyi Hotel, Kingsway Rd, Ikoyi).

choose our favourites. Search for unbiased reviews at www.london-eating.co.uk. Foodies adore Borough Market by London Bridge tube. BED TIME Visit www.laterooms.com and www.lastminute.com for bargains. Business travellers often choose the Hilton Paddington for its proximity to Central London and the Heathrow Express. HIP TIP London’s a big city. Simplify airport transfers to and from wherever you are staying (+44 207 701 4321, Simplyairports.co.uk) leaving you free to enjoy the best of each season. Welcome Spring at Regent’s Park and late Summer at the Notting Hill Carnival. In Autumn, climb Primrose Hill for bonfire night. Come Wintertime, get your ice skates on and go to Somerset House.

WINGTIPS

LUANDA ANGOLA

Perched on the Atlantic coast overlooking a narrow sandbar known colloquially as the Ilha, the hot oceanside setting of Angola’s capital city is a study in contrasts.

After decades of conflict, Luanda has seen a massive boom in construction where stability has attracted foreign investment in the city. The government is also investing heavily in and around Luanda, including in the construction of several six-lane highways leading out of the city; other infrastructure projects include the reconstruction of railroad lines and a large new airport. BUY Peruse a range of local crafts at reasonably low prices at Benfica Handicrafts Market just south of Luanda. Other shopping sites include Maianga Luanda (+244 924 091680) and Belas Shopping, Angola’s first shopping mall. It features nearly 100 different shops, a cinema, restaurants, and a central square for live entertainment.

Monrovia, both on the street and in restaurants, especially around Sinkor. Liberian chop shops are as close as you can get to home cooking here, and fortunately they are located on almost every street. The long-standing Golden Beach restaurant (Tubman Boulevard) serves fine food and, as its name suggests, is a great place to grab a cocktail and watch the sunset.

MONROVIA LIBERIA

There is an understandable lack of tourist traps in Monrovia – but all the better to see the local flavour. The National Museum (Broad Street, open every week except Sunday and Monday) is worth a visit. About threequarters of its collection of 6,000 artefacts were looted during the war, so it is both an example of and a chronicler of Liberia’s recent history. BUY Waterside Market (Mechlin Street) is definitely the place to go for souvenirs, especially beautiful textiles and intricatelymade handicrafts. The market is big and bustling, so it’s also a great place to people-watch. Be your own oasis with a cool drink as the frenetic atmosphere surges around you. BON APPÉTIT There is an extensive array of good food in

BED TIME Business travellers will find comfort at The Cape Hotel (Mamba Point; +231 77 006633; www.thecapehotel. com.lr), which offers internet and all other modern conveniences with a smile. The restaurant here comes particularly recommended. For comfy and affordable accommodation, the Mokos Bed and Breakfast (19th Street Payne Avenue; +231 11 23165 15897) is clean, homely, and very good value for money with TV, A/C, and internet included. By far the best thing about Mokos, though, is the good security and very friendly staff. HIP TIP Head to Robertsport (Robert’s Port), a small fishing village near the Sierra Leone border, for some great surfing. It is also the home of the Robertsport Community Works, which alongside its community outreach programs also offers eco-tourism, sea turtle rescue programmes and free yoga lessons.

BON APPETIT If you’re in the mood for Portuguese cuisine, visit Portugalia (222 309677) located on the coastal Ilha de Luanda or the more international Restaurante Bordao (Avenue Murtala Mohamed Luanda, Ilha/222 309028) where the hip flock in the evenings. BED TIME Four-star guesthouse Rouxinol (+244 923 745 078/ +244 923 581 308, Beco de Moçambique no. 16, Bairro Cruzeiro), located near the embassies in Miramar is popular with foreign visitors. Rooms start at $180 per night. HIP TIP Wildlife park Kissama (also spelt Quiçama), situated 70km south of Luanda comprises a swathe of coastal savannah where elephants, water buffalo and sea turtles are easily accessible.

NEW YORK

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Places to sight-see are a dozen-to-the-dime in NYC . Don’t miss views of the Statue of Liberty from the free Staten Island Ferry (1 718 727 2508; www.siferry.com) and the Empire State Building (1 212 736 3100; www.esbnyc.com) or get lost in artistic reveries at the Museum of Modern Art (1 212 708 9400; moma.org) For those who want to get off the well-worn track try the numerous walking tours available. Official tourist information can be found at nycgo.com. BUY New York is famous as a shopper’s paradise, and many flock to the big department stores like Macy’s (151 W 34th Street; macys.com), Barneys (660 Madison Avenue; barneys. com) and Bloomingdale’s (1000 Third Avenue; bloomingdales. com) for everything from designer duds to kitchenware. Children will never want to leave the giant toy paradise FAO Schwarz (767 Fifth Avenue; fao. com). For hip boutiques, go to the Lower East Side and Williamsburg. Looking for something to take back home? T-shirts and mugs emblazoned with the iconic ‘I Love NY’ logo make great souvenirs. BON APPETIT Order the pastrami on rye and recreate the “I’ll have what she’s having”

scene from When Harry Met Sally at Katz’s Deli (1 212 254 2246; katzdeli.com). You’ll be hard pressed to go a block without finding an amazing restaurant selling everything from bialys and bagels to Michelin-starred cuisine. Remember to tip well. Waiters earn much less than the minimum wage; 15 to 20 per cent of the bill is expected. BEDTIME You are spoiled for choice with New York’s luxury hotels, one of the most famous of which is The Plaza (1 -212 759 3000; 1 800 759 3000; Fairmont. com/theplaza). Rooms start at $595 a night, though, so for cheaper options try newyorkhotels.com. A notable one is the Pod Hotel (1 212 355 0300; thepodhotel.com), where for $89 dollars a night you can have clean rooms with iPod stations, free WiFi and LCD TV. HIP TIP Things move fast in NYC. Find up-to-date information at Newyork.timeout. com. For deals on tickets visit lastminute.com. www.arikair.com

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WINGTIPS

BON APPETIT You can rely on hotel restaurants and chain fast food like Crunchies on ITC Junction and Mr.Biggs on Okigwe Road. There is also a good choice of Nigerian eateries on Ekwena Crescent off Wetheral Road including Best Lady, Renny’s Place and DE Simeons.

OWERRI NIGERIA

The heart of Nigeria’s tropical Igboland and formerly the capital of the Republic of Biafra, the lush landscape of Owerri has a wide variety of natural and cultural attractions to lure visitors, including outdoor activities around the Oguta Lake, hot springs, craft markets and ancient shrines. Reliable listings and updates can be found online, at www.imostate. gov.ng. BUY Souvenir Igbo arts and crafts of all kinds are on offer at Owerri’s Mbari Cultural Center, Eke Nguru in Aboh Mbaise and lgwekala Shrine in Umunoha.

BED TIME The city centre is home to an extensive range of accommodation, most located on or off Port Harcourt Road. Two of the better mid-range options are the East Gate Hotel (eastgatehotelowerri.com, Plot C, Ugwu-Orju Layout, + 234 083 233560, 305387) and the recently opened Rockview Hotel which also has branches in Abuja and Lagos (Rockviewhotels.com) If you’re into 80s maximalist decor and a spot of roulette on your travels, the sprawling Imo Concorde Hotel and Casino, 30 minutes from the airport off Port Harcourt Road has 203 rooms with balconies, a business centre, a nightclub, conference rooms, sports facilities and a casino. HIP TIP Imo State plays host to vibrant festivals, dance performances and masquerades. To find one that coincides with your visit, see the following website:

PORT HARCOURT NIGERIA

If time and flexibility is limited, head to Port Harcourt’s State Museum at the bottom of Azikwe Rd for outstanding examples of objects from the area’s ethnic groups, including colourful masks and utensils. There are also a few small parks throughout town. Port Harcourt is known throughout Nigeria as ‘the garden city.’ BUY There are supermarkets on Azikwe Rd and two markets in the Old Township including the bustling Creek Rd Market. BON APPETIT For upmarket dining, eat at Ororo at Le Meridien Hotel. Hotel Presidential, on Aba Expressway houses Why Not Lebanese Restaurant, and 4,5,6 has some of the best Chinese in

SOKOTO

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www.arikair.com

BED TIME Hotel Presidential is the city’s oldest and very popular with foreign visitors (GRA Phase II, Aba Road, +234 (0)84-461 500, hotel-presidential.com). Le Meridien Ogeyi Place is possibly Nigeria’s most luxurious hotel. Each room has a jacuzzi and there is a pool, spa and meeting rooms (45 Tombia Street, GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt, +234 84 461 770). The Protea Hotel Garden City is another good business hotel (Km16 PH/Aba Expressway Port Harcourt, +234 84 465 700 proteahotels.com). HIP TIP The Old Township by the waterfront is a bustling hive of activity and the most atmospheric and interesting part of town although going with a guide or local resident is recommended.

is also a supermarket and Middle Eastern restaurant called Double 7 on Abdulahi Fodio Road. Don’t expect to find alcohol. Northern Nigeria is an Islamic region with strict restrictions on nightlife and alcohol consumption.

NIGERIA

Located in the extreme northwest of Nigeria, Sokoto is the seat of the Sokoto Caliphate, and home of the Sultan of Sokoto, regarded as a spiritual leader to many Nigerian Muslims. The proud and orderly town has a rich and colourful history. The Fulani are thought to have migrated there from Mali in the 13th century. In 1807, Usman Dan Fodio’s jihad led to the creation of the caliphate. Historical sites of interest include the Sultan’s Palace, Shehu Mosque and Bello Mosque on Sultan Bello Road. The Waziri Junaidu History & Culture Museum on Alli Akilu Road is also worth a visit. The colonial era room contains fascinating – and amusing – artefacts including a throne given to the Sultan by Queen Elizabeth with a carving of a naked boy on

town. Sopranos Bar (7 Abacha Rd, 0803 312 3878) is a local favourite for night caps.

BED TIME There are four or five hotels on and around Kano Rd. However service and amenities are not of a high standard. These include Giginya Hotel (060 231 262, Bypass Rd) and Shukura Hotel (060 230 006, 10 Kano Rd). it. The culturally insensitive chair had to be redesigned before the Sultan could sit on it. BUY Shopping is limited although roadside stalls sell a range of textiles and food. One would be better off ambling through Sokoto Central Market, an adventure in itself. BON APPETIT The Young Shall Grow bus terminal serves good Nigerian food. There

HIP TIP Time your journey to coincide with the legendary Argungu Fishing Festival, easily the world’s most visually explosive fishing event. Thousands of participants compete to catch fish in the Matan Fada River, diving in to wrestle the fish with their bare hands – some weighing upwards of 50 kilos. Fringe events include wrestling and a parade.

WINGTIPS

UYO

NIGERIA Satisfy your inner historian at the Uyo Museum (Wellington Bassey Way). Beach lovers can head to the Ibeno Beach, farther afield but worth the journey. Ask your concierge for directions on how to get there. BUY Akwa Ibom state is famous for its raffia creations, with everything from baskets to ties made out of the fibre – it’s evidently more versatile than most people think. Good souvenirs also include textiles from Uyo’s textile mill, and handicrafts, all of which you can find in the Akpan Andam Market or the Entrepreneurial Village. BON APPETIT Try the delicious afang soup, featuring smoked fish and shredded afang, and ekpang nkukwo, made from two types of yam and yam leaves. You can

get these and other dishes at the amusingly named Oliver Tweest (Dominic Utuk Avenue), which is also good for breakfast. Please, sir, can I have some more? BEDTIME Lovers of luxury will revel at the brand new Le Meridien Ibom (234 0 708 0660; Nwaniba Road PMB 1200). The resort offers everything you’d expect from the Starwood Group, along with a golf club and riverside marina. Those who want clean, comfortable surroundings but don’t want to empty their pockets too quickly should try the Tevo Hotel (+234 852 00694; 41 Udoh Street), which is cheap and cheerful. HIP TIP If you’re lucky, you can catch a show by the Ekemini Dance Group, which builds on Akwa Ibom State’s tradition of dance and drama. The group’s performers come from all ages and walks of life. Most performances are arranged around major events in the traditional calendar.

YOLA NIGERIA

WARRI

Uvwie Modern Market is also worth a visit.

Warri is a predominantly Christian oil city in Delta State with a population that has increased rapidly since the oil boom in the 1960s. The city developed as a port during the late 1800s, when it became a centre for the palm oil trade and other major items such as rubber, cocoa, groundnuts, hides, and skins. Warri has a vibrant culture and kind people. A good way to spend a weekend is a visit to Abraka Beach, 30 minutes away from Warri by car. The beach is famous for its natural flowing spring water, and there are plenty of recreational facilities including canoeing, golf, fishing, and swimming.

BON APPETIT Most hotels have decent restaurants. There are fast-food joints and Nigerian eateries on Effurun Rd.

NIGERIA

BUY Warri’s main market is an incredible site to behold. Weave your way through colourful vendors touting fruit, vegetables, ankara textiles and more.

BED TIME Thanks to the number of oil companies operating in the area, there are a lot of hotels in the Effurun neighbourhood. Of the larger hotels, Hotel Excel (Refinery Rd, Effurun, www.hotel-excel.com) is quite professional. A step down but equally comfortable is the Godatin Hotel Number 2, Ayoro Lane, Off Enerhen Rd, www.godatinhotelslimited.com). HIP TIP Wetin you dey talk? Try learning a few phrases in Pidgin, the common language of Warri. Warri pidgin is famous throughout Nigeria for being expressive and authentic. Its superstrate is English with influences from dialects like Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.

The capital of Adamawa State is a spacious town on the banks of the Benue. Formerly the capital of the Fulani State until the British arrived in 1901, the town is divided in to two parts, the old town and administrative centre, Jimeta. Yola is also home to the American University Of Nigeria. BUY Yola is an easily navigable town where most of what’s available is visible on the roadside including textiles, fruit and vegetables. BON APPETIT Choice is limited. The Pool Bar Restaurant on Garkida Road on the north side of Jimeta has a choices of dishes, a garden and cold drinks. Dreams on 13 Atiku Abubakar Road next to the police roundabout serves burgers, chicken and other fast food standards. BED TIME Located across the road from AUN and the new Federal Law School, AUN Hotel opened in 2012. It's wellmaintained, tastefully decorated and comprises a conference center and spa, (AUN Hotel, 228 Modibbo Adama Way, 0805 870 5555, www.aunhotel.com). While most hotels are located in

Jimeta, 5km north of the city centre. Jokems Airport View Hotel, (075 627127, jokemsairportviewhotel.com, 9 Gumti Rd, Kofare Industrial Area) is near the airport. HIP TIP 6700 square kilometres of mountainous forest and savannah land border Cameroon. The area is now Gashaka-Gumpti National Park, site of a major World Wildlife Fund project and home to chimps, lions, elephants, leopards and hartebeests. There is simple accomodation in Serti, a village on the Yola – Gembu road where rangers and vehicles are available to hire. The trip is not for those who like creature comforts, but adventurers will definitely be rewarded with an experience to remember. www.arikair.com

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WORLD’S MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR A NON SURGICAL TUMMY TUCK now favoured by international celebrities

Style your body Every now and then, a product comes along that really makes a difference – That product is a revolutionary exercise tool called TechnoShape. Many people store layers of fat in their “problem zones” – the stomach, and for some women, the hips and thighs. Reducing these layers is often quite difficult, even with regular exercise and proper nutrition, causing many people to seek invasive solutions such as liposuction and other painful and expensive procedures. This phenomenon is caused due to poor blood circulation in the subcutaneous fat layers. Maybe you have experienced this for yourself. Try taking this simple test: touch your belly area after you finish a cardiovascular workout. You will notice that these areas are still cool to the touch as compared to other parts of your body.

TechnoShape changes everything When you wear the TechnoShape pressure chamber while performing gentle cardio exercise on a treadmill or an upright bike, you increase the blood flow to the localised area of the midriff – your problem zone. By applying pressure pause therapy, alternating pressure to fat layers while you exercise, it increases circulation thereby making fat available as the primary source of fuel required by the working muscles during the simultaneous exercise.

“Its patented technology of pressure/pause therapy combined with gentle cardio exercise tranforms the body’s ability to burn fat around the midriff” TechnoShape can be used with any cardio equipment

Joe “I am a golf pro and find it difficult to lose from my stomach area. With TechnoShape I lost 14cms from my belly area in just 4 weeks! Without the aches and pains of the gym TechnoShape changed my body image for the better!” Katy “The results have been superb. I noticed weight loss on my waist really soon. I quickly had my definition back. Within weeks I was back to my normal size 8. Without these sessions, I know I wouldn't have lost the weight so soon.”

Let’s be honest. Not everyone likes to do push-ups or work out at high levels of intensity. You don’t have to be in great shape to get visible results with TechnoShape. Just exercise at moderate intensity wearing the TechnoShape pressure chamber 3 -4 times per week for 40 minutes and fat will be noticeably reduced. Most users lose up to 3 inches in just 4 weeks.

“I lost 29cms in just 5 weeks” Maria • Fast results - melts away fat from the stomach & back • Lose up to two trouser sizes & more in just a few weeks • Perfect for men and women of all ages • Continuous inch & fat loss with regular use

Machine price for private home use from GBP £15,500 Exclusive of freight and local taxes

We deliver worldwide

0044 7770 642625 • email: sales@technoshape.net • www.technoshape.net • 0044 121 333 6969