BOLD J U N E
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AFRICAN GIFTED FOUNDATION AN EDUCATIONAL HAVEN FOR BRIGHT YOUNG GIRLS BY TOM ILUBE ART OF SCENT A JOURNEY THROUGH FRAGRANCES FOR EVERY MAN.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, MINISTER OF STATE EDUCATION, MINISTER OF YOUTHS AND SPORTS
Z A I N A B Tr i p l e T h r e a t : M o d e l , A c t r e s s , P r e s e n t e r
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C O N T E N T I S S U E 3 - S U M M E R 2016
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E D I TO R S L E T T E R
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C O N T R I B U TO R S
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E D I TO R ' S P I C K
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HAPPY FEET
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IWIN
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ZAINAB
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TRUE GENT
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A RT O F S C E N T
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LETTER
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G O S LO W
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M A N L I K E TO M
WWW.ORANGECULTURENG.COM INFO@ORANGECULTURENG.COM
E di t o r s
L E T T E R I S S U E 3 - S U M M E R 2016
I believe the saying “only the strongest survive” should be a part of the Nigerian national anthem and pledge. I also believe It should be on a plaque plastered throughout Murtala Mohammed air-port as a vivid reminder to those who pass through. You may ask why I think this should be the case, and my answer, only the strongest do survive in Nigeria. These are trying times for Nigeria and the current recession has had a huge effect on everything in the country, as you would expect. From photo shoot logistic problems due to fuel scarcity, to models cancelling on the day of shoots due to lack of electricity to charge their mobile phones etc. Putting together this issue was a nightmare to say the least. Thankfully, I learnt at an early age that when life throws you lemons, you make lemonade and chocolate cake then leave everyone wondering in amazement as to how you did it. Go the extra mile. Be creative. After all, it is in my job description. This issue has been one of the most challenging to put together, but my favourite so far. From being able to shoot in a wonderful location in Epe for the Iwin editorial, which features amazing pieces from extremely talented designers, Nigeria has to offer, to exploring the human body through the art of tattoos. Just as the fashion world has started paying attention to fashion coming out of Africa, Nigeria has been a country to watch. This has shone more light on all platforms, including Nigeria’s modelling industry.
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Being a model in Nigeria isn't as lucrative a job as in other parts of the world, and models are often disrespected and undervalued. Their faces launch
products into the market, their perfect figures sell many clothes and propel trends; yet to be celebrated and recognised they have to leave our shores and comeback to be valued. I took it upon myself to understand the rationale behind this and see it from both sides of the coin. I decided on Zainab Balogun, Who I knew would effortlessly ease into the role of ‘cover girl’. You all know Zainab as the beautiful, short hair rocking, dewy eyed, extremely poised presenter and actress. However before all of that, Zainab’s creative journey started out with her being signed to Premier as a model at the tender age of 15, in London. I remember her modelling for Tata Naka at London fashion week years back, on the homepage of Net a porter and bagging major ad campaigns here. Her selling power in Nigeria is also undeniable. For example CLAN will forever be synonymous with the name Zainab Balogun. In the issue, Zainab speaks to us candidly about life as a model, the industry and tips on how to make it in the fashion industry.
If our leaders are clueless and out of touch with our generation, it is our job to also educate them and call them out. For this reason, we decided to write an open letter to our leaders; the ministers of education, youth and sports.
As it is the time of year to make decisions about further education/university, people’s fates become even clearer. A handful of people are lucky enough to afford the best education the world has to offer, others are fortunate enough to attend private universities in Nigeria, while majority of the masses have no choice but to have faith in the public education system. The integrity and value of education in Nigeria is rapidly depreciating and we have no one else to hold accountable but our leaders. I subscribe to the school of thought that believes that when you identify a problem, you should always provide a tangible solution.
This issue has been a challenge but it has been a welcomed one for the Bold Africa team. There is nothing like a perfect glass of chilled margarita made from the zestiest of lemons. This issue is filled with the best of seasonal finds for both the ladies and fellas. It is with sheer joy and pride I present to you Bold 3.0
On the coattail of education, I met a man who blew me away with what might seemed like a small gesture. Tom Ilube is the man behind the African Gifted Foundation; a registered UK education charity founded in 2010. The charity is in the process of setting up the African Science Academy in Accra, Ghana. This will be a new all-girls Academy for Science and Technology and it will open in Autumn (Sept-Oct ) 2016. This Academy will be a boarding school serving young African women with outstanding potential. The Academy will be positioned initially as a “Pathway to Engineering, Science & Computing”. Students will attend from across Africa and are admitted after their senior secondary education. They are then prepared to go on to the best universities in Africa and around the world. The best part, it is absolutely free.
x Bella
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BOLD JU N E
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AFRICAN GIFTED FOUNDATION AN EDUCATIONAL HAVEN FOR BRIGHT YOUNG GIRLS BY TOM ILUBE ART OF SCENT A JOURNEY THROUGH FRAGRANCES FOR EVERY MAN.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, MINISTER OF STATE EDUCATION, MINISTER OF YOUTHS AND SPORTS
Z A I N A B Tr i p l e T h r e a t : M o d e l , A c t r e s s , P r e s e n t e r
www.bmafrica.com
E D I TO R I N C H I E F A N D C R E AT I V E D I R E C T I O N : AD E P EJU BE LL A AD E LE KE
A RT D I R E C T I O N :
ADE M O LA OD US AMI & S OMTOC H UKW U OB I
S U B E D I TO R S :
OLU WATOYI N J OLAPAMO, RUTH O LUWASEYI FAJE M I ROKUN & AB I OL A RE NE E NYAM E KYE .
A S S I S TA N T: OBE TOLULOP E
DESIG N:
ANA OSP I NA & N IYI OKEOWO
T H A N K S TO :
Z AINAB BALOG UN, TOM I LUBE , C H RISSA AMUAH , ALAN I AD E RE N LE , AD E BAYO O KE L AWAL , LEYL ARH C ADNE , PAPA TANG O, EJ I RO AMOS TAFI RI , KAYIN S O LA O NALA JA , FEW MO D E LS MANAG EM E NT AN D FUN M I FA GB E MI ,
PRESS ENQUIRIES : b eb old@ bma fric a.com
C O P Y R I G H T 2015 B O L D M A G A Z I N E A F R I C A P U B L I C AT I O N S LT D
Alexander Wang
Anya Hindmarch
Burberry London
E dit o r s
P I C K ' S ME, MY BAGS AND I
As a woman, I believe the handbag you carr y says a lot about your personalit y. From the humble ‘I don't do logos but will gladly make an exception for this season’s Gucci Dionysus’ brag gers, the modern minimalist ‘Manseur Gar vel’ woman, to the young a n d t r e n d y “A n t i g o n a ” b a b e s , a n d t h e s h o w p o n i e s w h o w i l l g l a d l y s h o w o f f t h a t Medusa crest like its her family emblem, there is a bit of personalit y in ever y woman’s handbag. There is a par ticular group called the “in-bet weener s”, the unpredictable ones who buy for no other reason but just sheer love at first sight from the mono-grammed Louis Vuitton, to the modern minimal classics of the Row and Victoria Beckham. I am the president and active member of the association of the “ in - b et weener s ”. This sea son , from updated cla ssics , ador able ba g accessor ies to unbeliev ably cute f anny pack s , bag trends are so diver se and quite fr ankly, a lit tle unfair to my fragile coin purse. Here are a few of my favourite finds this season.
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Chloe
Shrimps
Sophie Hulme
Marni
Michael Kors
Mulberry
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Fendi
Jimmy Choo
Sant Laurent
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SOPHIA WEBSTER
F E E T Sandals, wedges and espadrilles scream sunshine, beaches, saf aris and cruises. From plat form to flat form sandals, the updated classic espadrilles to popsicle coloured heels; there is nothing like a new pair of shoes to get you in the mood for the summer holidays. It is time to indulge and splurge a little, just in time for gelatos, alfresco lunch and seaside dinners.
ACIENT GREEK SANDALS
AQUA ZURR A
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VA LEN T I N O
C H A R L O T T E O LY M P I A
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TOGA PULL A
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GUCCI
OFFICE
SAINT LAURENT
M I SS KG
CARVELA
COMMON PROJEC TS
M I SS KG
No. 21
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I W I N Sup er nat ur a l
Mythical, ethereal and beautiful. PHO T O G R A PH Y A N D A R T DI R E C T ION; OBI S OM T O C R E AT I V E DI R E C T ION; BE L L A A DE L E K E S T Y L I S T; T OY I N JOL A PA MO M A K E U P; L E Y L A R H CA R DN E
DRESS; FRUCHE, HAIR BAND;STYLISTS OWN
DRESS; FRUCHE, HAIR BAND;STYLISTS OWN
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D R E S S ; E J I R O A M O S TA F I R I
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D R E S S ; E J I R O A M O S TA F I R I , RAFFIA VISOR; STYLIST OWN
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D E N I M ; V I N TA G E L E V I S , BODICE; MISSGUIDED, CHOKER; H&M
Za
inab
She is undisputedly one of the best presenters to ever grace N i g e r i a n T V. B e i n g f a v o u r e d b y v i e w e r s fo r h e r p o i s e d
at titude and chic st yle, It only makes sense that Miss Zainab
Balogun’s journey in the creative industr y star ted out at the doorstep of one of the worlds top modelling agenc y.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART DIRECTION; ADEMOL A ODUSAMI C R E AT I V E D I R E C T I O N ; B E L L A A D E L E K E GROOMING AND MAKEUP; LEYLARH CADNE
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B
efore becoming a renowned Presenter, Actress and Producer, she
was once the dewy eyed, smouldering lips, runway slayer, shooting
editorial after editorial with top publications such as Vogue Italia
and PRIDE magazine and snagging features in major international campaigns.
Her eventual tango with the entertainment industry in Nigeria
can easily be noted to her somewhat short but flourished career as a high fashion model in the UK.
As she takes time out of her busy schedule to re-live her
modelling days with us at Bold, both on and off camera, She shares with us her journey. Growing up in South-West London
as a timid 15 year old, struggles with black representation in the modelling world, her big move to the African continent and her growth in becoming the multitalented powerhouse she is today.
A lot of people don't know that you had/have a very healthy
modelling career in the UK before venturing into the world of entertainment and production, tell me how it all started?
It all started at my cousin’s birthday BBQ in Clapham
Common Park when I was about 15. I was scouted by a booker from Premier Models Management, one of the biggest agencies in London at the time. The booker was friends with my cousin’s
best friend and asked if I had ever considered modelling. He told
me I was tall enough, had the face for it and handed me his card. I was asked to come in for a review in a few days. I was completely shocked because the thought of modelling had never crossed my
mind. I was this lanky, awkward black girl who just wanted to tow the line, study law and eventually become a lawyer.
I remember getting ready to go down to the agency with my
sister in law. My hair was braided up in extensions with a peacock
fan at the tip, and I put on my best frock all in the aim to impress. Unfortunately I had the look all wrong! I was meant to go in
clean faced and simple but I didn’t know any better. We signed that day and I received the famous pink Premier portfolio!
I remember interning at the agency, while organising some
tear sheets of Naomi Campbell, I learned that they also
represented her, as a mother agency. This meant that she had
several other smaller, sister agencies however Premier was her main booker. I got more excited about the whole thing and hoped that one day she would walk in and I could finally meet her.
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From Premier, I moved to Attitude and then Models
International in New York. I modelled for a few years after
that, however it was never easy to adapt to such a foreign world. I started getting pushed for commercial jobs and small featured
acting roles. I can’t remember when I started to enjoy this but I developed a joy for reading scripts, learning lines and pretending
to be someone else for a day. Eventually I tried out for bigger supporting and lead roles. To my surprise I got offered some
and thought to myself “These guys must be crazy to let me in!” The love for acting snowballed from there but I thought I couldn’t take it further because I wasn’t trained for it and
decided to shift my focus to something I was sure I could do effortlessly; which was talking my head off !
My interests in TV started shortly after that, on extended
trip to Nigeria for about 3 months. I ventured out with a friend who I had developed an online web series with. We decided to roam the streets of Lagos in efforts to secure content for the
diaspora. We were a little successful and caught the infectious buzz. This was during the December party period which is
probably the most deceiving season to experience in Lagos, as everything is fast and somewhat unrealistic. Somehow the
show dwindled and we heard about an audition for an upcoming drama series featuring some of the most popular
faces in media and entertainment. I thought that it might be easier for me to spread my wings as an actor here and decided
to audition. I got offered the role and moved back for it a year
later. Unfortunately the production didn't go the way we had hoped and it was an eye opener to how things really worked in Nigeria.
This wasn’t the best experience for a young woman, chasing
a dream with minimal savings. I literally went through all my savings and argued back and forth with my parents, who desperately wanted me to return to London to live a simpler life, forgetting how stubborn I was. In my refusal to go broke, I started looking out for auditions and opportunities to meet
fellow creatives to tap into the industry network. Acting at the
time was what I had decided to focus my energy on. Sadly, nobody knew who I was in the industry or what I had done in the UK and I had to prove myself.
I heard about the Ebonylife TV auditions and went for
them. I got offered the role and took it as a strategic effort to get exposure and work my foot into the Nollywood doors as a recognised face. The rest is history! 44
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BODICE; MISSGUIDED
How would you describe the working as a model in general?
Being a model was not always as glamorous and easy as most
people think. There is a skill to it; a skill to selling products, desires and dreams using your body. You have to train hard to be reasonably good at it. I started modelling at a time where it was
somewhat difficult for African and Asian women in the industry. I would often go to castings, walk up to the casting director with my portfolio and get told to go home because they had seen
enough and I was black and wasn’t what they were looking for. It
was hard to stomach as a teen, because I didn’t understand why I wasn’t good enough as a black girl or striking enough unless I was really dark.
As a growing teenager, this took apart my self-esteem. I had
allowed myself be broken by something I didn’t go searching for. I realised over the years that I could make something of this modelling career but a few things would have to suffer and I’d
have to push through a lot of boundaries. I grew some tough skin and pushed on anyway. It eventually started to pay off with me
doing more constant work through campaigns, covers, magazines and more.
What is your most memorable experience?
The most memorable experience was receiving my first tear sheet. This was printed evidence of my first feature as a model in a publication. I had done a shoot for a designer called Angela Plummer. The shoot was implied, meaning that it was alluring and revealed a little bit of skin. I was nervous while I was doing
it and thought that I would be exposed as an imposter. The
collection ran in the newspapers and I remember running to buy a copy and cutting a clip out of it for my portfolio. I was totally amazed that I had actually made the newspaper! The image went straight up on my Facebook that day.
What is your most cherished experience?
My most cherished experience was signing with Models
International in New York. I decided to go to New York with a
friend in the summer of 2009. I was a pretty broke student but I made it hap-pen with the help of my sister in law. I went to the agency for a casting but when I was done they decided to put me on the books. I remember feeling so overwhelmed and happy
that things were moving in the right direction for me. I could finally say that I had international representation, which was a huge deal for any model. www.bmafrica.com
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I love fashion because it’s a lot more challenging and visua corner to the next to get the perfect floating shot (which is n intimidating guy who you have to dom
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ually tasking. You can find yourself having to leap from one not easy by the way) or you are paired up with this gorgeous, minate convincingly to sell a product.
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S W E AT S H I R T; O R A N G E C U LT U R E
Worst experience ever?
The worst modelling experience for me was losing my first booker at Premier Models. My booker at the time was the
same person who scouted me and made me believe that I could be a model. I relied heavily on him to lead me through the industry as a newcomer. As he was also responsible for managing most of the black girls at the time, I lost a significant
element of my journey when he chose to move on. It was really tough for me to find my feet after. I did not bond quickly with
the other bookers and often wondered if they were working as
hard for me in comparison to the other girls. He was in my corner as a black man who understood what the struggle was for a black girl in the industry.
Fashion or Beauty shoots and why?
I think beauty comes easy for me and it’s a little routine especially when you are not playing with out of the box
concepts. I love fashion because it’s a lot more challenging and
visually tasking. You can find yourself having to leap from one corner to the next to get the perfect floating shot (which is not
easy by the way) or you are paired up with this gorgeous, intimidating guy who you have to dominate convincingly to
sell a product. There is a lot on the line in fashion and you have to have a particular look for it. On the flip side, as interesting and popular as fashion was, I soon learned that it didn’t pay so well. You looked ‘cool’ if you got your foot in the fashion door but commercial work was where all the coins were.
Fashion i.e Photos, editorials and campaigns or Runway and why?
When I was younger I would have probably selected runways because of the thrill you get bursting down the walkway to a
room full of strangers. There’s an energy that comes with
having all eyes on you and your signature walk. However as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate editorials and
campaigns simply because they’re less time consuming and once again, the money is better!
Is there a major difference between working as a model in Nigeria and Abroad?
There is most definitely a difference and because of this I chose not to model in Nigeria and began to eliminate it from my www.bmafrica.com
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Modelling was definitely a stepping-stone into figuring out what I wanted. I believe it gave me a great creative and character foundation. I knew how to compose myself professionally and uphold standards regardless of the territory.
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brand. The structure for the industry is heavily maintained in
the West. There are rules and regulations in regards to the profession. The fact that modelling is considered a real job
which one can make a healthy living from is proof of this. There are standards for seasons, sizes etc for designers and
creatives to abide by overall whereas in Nigeria, we’re still waiting for this to happen.
I think agencies in operation in Nigeria work independently
of each other rather than as an association collectively trying to build, develop and protect the interest of the industry. We don’t even have agency standard practices that outline what
services an agency should provide to their roll of models to say the least. There is welfare, fees, development and much more to consider. Therefore there are models and aspiring faces wasted while agencies try to figure themselves out.
I’ve heard countless horror stories of young men and women
paying registration fees and all sorts to be a part of an agency
that does not bring in any work. On the other hand, there are models who think the life is all about fun and simply don’t
respect the art as they should. They make poor choices as a result of this and forget that it’s business that should be treated as such.
Do you think models are respected, valued and celebrated in
D E N I M ; V I N TA G E L E V I S , BODICE; MISSGUIDED, CHOKER; H&M
Nigeria as they are in other parts of the world?
I do not think that models in Nigeria are treated as well as
they could be. This is both the fault of the models, creatives and agencies they affiliate with. You will not be treated better
if you do not demand it collectively. There are models who
broker deals without their agency’s knowledge, some who
undercut their fees and devalue themselves while others do not
take the necessary steps to take care of their bodies to set their brands apart.
We also have brands and agencies who take advantage of all
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of this and young people who are willing to do anything to
pursue their dreams. They often get poorly paid gigs or do not
get paid at all. I feel terrible for them because I know how they should be treated and the value of their contributions. I know
that sometimes when international models come into the country, they are treated as such and in line with international practices while our homegrown faces watch on.
How important is it to be scouted or represented by an agency in general and in Nigeria?
I think it’s very important to have representation unless you
have a fully matured brand that you can shop around independently. The agencies are there to source work and make connections with people that are beyond the reach of the
models. Their job is to broker the best deal possible for you. If you’re not skilled in the art of networking, branding and
negotiating then get someone who is. In terms of being
scouted, this is not mandatory. It is a great story to say that you were ‘found’ by an agency but you can also go looking for the right fit. Agencies have ‘walk-ins’ where aspiring models can visit and have their potential assessed. It’s that easy!
Is it possible to have a blooming career in modelling without being represented?
Again, I think it’s only possible if you are conscious about your positioning and can self manage appropriately. If you have the
ability to source work, handle the legal aspect, negotiate and so on, then why not? I selfmanaged for a while and I do so
currently however I was represented for a long time and ensured that I absorbed all the knowledge I could.
Would you say being a model helped springboard your career into television, acting and production?
Modelling was definitely a stepping-stone into figuring out
what I wanted. I believe it gave me a great creative and
character foundation. I knew how to compose myself
professionally and uphold standards regardless of the territory. I developed a flare for the arts, observing and tackling things differently with the confidence to match. The best thing I ever
got from modelling was the tough skin I had to develop. There
is nothing anyone can tell me that I can not have or pursue, I’ll simply do it and do it well, without them. www.bmafrica.com
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1 23 4
TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE IT IN THE MODELLING INDUSTRY Identify your industry:
There are various types of modelling industries from fashion, beauty, commercial and more. Each industry is different and requires a unique look. Identify which of these industries your look fits into and stick to it.
Stay healthy: Although size and statistics are important in the model world, your health is vital too. Don’t get trapped into putting unnecessary pressures on your body to look a particular way. Having a healthy, balanced diet will do just that for you.
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Be sure that you can actually
model and have what it takes:
Everyone wants to be a model.
Maybe friends and family think you’re pretty or slim however that’s not what qualifies as
model material. You need to be assessed and told by an expert that you have ‘it’.
Practice, practice and more practice! : It is extremely important that you practice and know your body. Models need to be versatile in photos and videos with poses, emotions and looks. You need to be able to portray an array of these quickly and to the standards desired by each client.
5
Be confident: You won’t book some jobs and will probably have some horrible things said about you from casting directors, clients and industry critics however no model has ever had an easy ride. You won ‘t always be everybody’s cup of tea but you must take on the criticism and soldier on. There is always a ‘yes’ waiting around the corner.
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S W E AT S H I R T; O R A N G E C U LT U R E
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BOLD
A D V E RT I S E W I T H U S For more enquiries bebold@bmafrica.com
True
G E N T
Gone are the days where tattoos, piercings and alternative lifestyles are frowned upon, we define ourselves by what we w e a r a n d h o w w e l o o k . H o w e v e r, a t r u e g e n t i s j u d g e d b y h i s deeds and not just the piercing and scribbles on his skin.
P H O T O G R A P H Y A N D A R T D I R E C T I O N ; A DE MOL A ODUSA M I C R E A T I V E D I R E C T I O N ; BE L L A A DE L E K E
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O L FAC T I V E S T U D I O. Selfie eau de parfum
art
O F S C E N T
A smile, flash of the wrist, his shoes, and scent; these are the most memor able thing s a woman judges a guy by. What a man smells like is an integr al par t of who he is, from musk y to aromatic, sweet to spicy; the ar t of scent has the power to propel you from the terr ace of Maison Fahrenheit to the hills of Italy or from the bar in Club 57 to a forest in southern Asia surrounded by Agars. Be it soft and insidious for the modern g uy, or loud and odorous for the social but ter f lies , this sea son wetake you through a journey of both old faithful ’s, revived classics and future scent that will win over any olfactor y lobe.
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AQ UA D I PA R M A Colonia Oud eau de cologne concetrĂŠe
BYREDO. Mister mar velous eau de parfum
LELABO Bergamote 22 per fume oil
BRIONI. Eau de toilette
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AMOUAGE
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FREDERIC MALLE.
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eau de parfum
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JO MALONE. Incense & cedrat colongne intense June 2016
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A letter to the
POW ER S that be
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Dear Mr Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, Prof
as a means of positive progression. While 419-ers scam
Solomon Dalong, Minister of Youth and Sports,
guys clearly do not value education enough and politicians
Anthony Onwuka, Minister of State, Education and Mr
The state of higher learning in the country has deteriorated
over the last 2 decades, to the point of utter embarrassment
and disgrace. It has brought shame to a country already drenched in scandal from its very inception. Your
people both home and away, preying on innocent lives. You
defraud innocent civilians daily with the relentless corruption. They say cream rises to the top, you are the bacteria that curdles and spoils the sweet milk that is Nigeria.
The sign of an advanced nation is its education system.
predecessors have repeatedly failed the youth, my family
How it prepares its youth for the future. There is widespread
you pull up your agbada sleeves and actually do your jobs.
and research are critical for any sort of national development
members and friends included and so I think it’s high time A country dubbed by many as a 'Titan of Africa' is facing
yet another blemish to its already inconsistent reputation, leaving me subtly rolling my eyes at the sheer irony of it all, while my country struggles to place in the top 20 against its
African neighbours in Literacy Rates (theafricaneconomist. com).
A titan protects and cares for it’s cubs, something Nigeria
hasn’t done in years. One look at the WaterAid figures showing 57 million of our compatriots don’t have access to
understanding both home and away that higher education and growth. You may be parents to your own children but
you are also custodians to Nigerian youth, that’s a huge
chunk of what your respective roles entail. But we see little of that. Wait, let me rephrase, we see none of that. You are supposed to lead the next generation as they tug and pull
Nigeria’s hand to greatness. Not lead them as the Pied Piper
did to destruction, but as Moses lead the Israelites to freedom, so you should you lead the youth of Nigeria, of whom so much is riding on.
W H Y I S I T Y O U B I G B O Y S I N T H E S E N AT E A N D S U C H , L I K E T O C O L L E C T A N D S T E A L M O N E Y T H AT I S M E A N T F O R T H E P E O P L E A N D N O T E V E N B E MAG NANIMOUS ABOUT IT LIKE ROBIN HOOD? YO U D O N OT H I N G FO R T H E M AS S ES .
clean water or the fact the government insists of awarding
The median age of the country is 18. These kids should
jobs to foreigners when we have highly skilled workers here
be the priority of every manifesto list. It is sad to see that
complacency of losing budget documents (as they did in
plan. No longer can we be sat back relaxed as other countries
at home. Even the unadulterated lunacy and might I add, January 2016), to see you all don’t have an ounce leadership qualities between you. Why is that? Why is it you big boys
in the senate and such, like to collect and steal money that is
these young people are at the very bottom of every policy youth and education systems pass us by. Action must be taken as to assure Nigeria is not left in the dark ages.
“Education is our passport to the future...” “The most
meant for the people and not even be magnanimous about
powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
tragic, a complete travesty. You ruin our name as much as
must ring true in your current and future endeavours in your
it like Robin Hood? You do nothing for the masses. It’s
Boko Haram and 419 do. Boko Haram do not care about the future of the Nigerian youth, they do not see education
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The words of Malcolm X and the great Nelson Mandela positions. Continuing to fail the youth is not an option.
That passport and direct route to success cannot be
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G R A N TS , B U RS A R I E S A N D S C H O L A RS H I PS N E E D TO B E W O R DS S Y N O N Y M O U S W I T H H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N . F O R T W O T H I R D S O F T H E C O U N T R Y, T H AT I S T H E O N LY W A Y T H E Y ’ L L B E A B L E T O A F F O R D W H AT A R E D E E M E D LU X U R I ES FO R M A N Y I N T H E W EST AND THOSE WHO LIVE IN BANANA ISLAND A N D S H O K I I N Q U I LO X .
imprinted solely on the palms of those
Dalong, know all too well the cost of an
who
children of your friends. Oluwatobi
it can rob from you. Didn’t you spend an
the road, many of whom are unable to
with wealth, like your children and the Olasunkanmi, son of former Minister of
Youth Development, was awarded the William Charnley Prize for excelling at
the University of Cambridge in the United
Kingdom.
Olasunkanmi
adequate education system and the years
unprecedented 9 years studying law which should have only taken you 4? Now positions to mobilise change you sit on your hands and do nothing?
institutions abroad, especially in the UK, Sweden, USA and Germany to receive quality
(internationally
renowned)
education it is but hard not to notice that
this level of opportunity is currently not accessible to the average Nigerian and that should not be the case.
Neither should it be just for those
attending
Nigeria’s
many
private
selling
groundnuts/Agege bread on the side of speak English. This depravity must stop. You have the power to stop it. Do something, stop sitting on your legs!
Companies and international brands
also do so. This is great in theory, but
63% of the population. Those are some
privileged are being jetted off to top
school
still living below poverty line, more than
also the only black student in the As the children of the rich and the
in
like Always and Shell offer scholarships
year that over 110 million Nigerians were
graduating set.
be
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said last
graduated with the best First Class in Law at the renowned University, and was
should
“titanic” figures. The Nigerian Governors
Forum (NGF), informed the world they could not meet their promise of a N18,000
a month minimum wage (£63 per month, $90 a month). Without education those figure will not improve and cannot improve. Education mobilizes people, and stimulates the economy. And by the
sounds and looks of things, Nigeria’s
economy can do with all the help it can get.
Grants, bursaries and scholarships
and grants. Banks like Standard Bank shouldn't government take lead on this?
Shouldn’t the government’s scholarships
be primary and those of independent
bodies be secondary? Not everything can and should be palmed off to foreigners
when we as a country can do it ourselves. We cannot continue to be a pity party for the West or China in the East. Their gain
is far greater than that of those they are supposedly helping. But I doubt you
people care. Less work for you to do, more time to spend at Abuja Tennis club.
Gosh, I feel to throw cold pure water
universities. A well rounded education
need to be words synonymous with higher
on you and the rest of your government
citizen.
that is the only way they’ll be able to
up and see well well’.
should be the right of every Nigerian
Professor Onwuka, you were afforded
the opportunity to study at the University of Washington Seattle, the University of Portland, Oregon and the University of
Sierra Leone. We are not all gifted that chance 3 times over. While you Mr 78
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education. For two thirds of the country, afford what are deemed luxuries for many
cronies. Wake you up small, ‘make una sit It is true that the Federal Scholarship
in the West and those who live in Banana
Board offer between N100,000 and
sweat, scrimping and saving, many will be
they aren't prevalent, they should be
Island and shoki in Quilox. With blood, able to to go to university. I for one would welcome that. I am tired of seeing children
N180,000 per annum to students but common knowledge. N100k is £340 a
year, $500, that doesn’t account for up
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to1/5th of a student’s living expenses, but
mind you, will lead to long term progress.
graduating student in the whole Russian
algorithm calculations, some may need
argument to you and your peers at con-
representative of the Russian Embassy,
it’s a start. There should a means test and
more funds than others. A blanket amount for everyone is archaic and quite frankly ridiculous.
Marketing and PR on ground level
I needn’t display statistics to solidify my gress, as the mere glance to the western world’s systematic approach to education is enough.
I hate to compare my country who is
and through the media is important to
relatively young, to older more established
There is only so many times I want to see
competent education system that allows
get the word out there about scholarships. Wizkid and Tiwa Savage, as cool as they are, advertising soft drinks and top up mobile services. They should help raise
the profile of scholarships and grants
across the country for their fans. They
should be pushing the message that education is important that the powers
that be want the youth to be Nigerian
nations, but one thing they do have is a
them to study and become those doctors
and engineers our parents want us to be. We do indeed have to look to European
countries like the UK, Germany, Sweden and Norway who have exceptional
records. That's who we should be trying to compete with.
Nigeria is the UK’s second biggest
educated, fully functional members of
source of international postgraduate
It’s quite interesting to see the disparity
Ohuabunwa, made Nigeria proud by
society.
between private universities and their federal counterparts. It’s a huge one, akin to the growing divide between Nigeria’s
super rich and it's debilitatingly poor. The quality in education shouldn't be worlds
apart. But it is. Private and public education in Europe and North America are
of an equally high standard, the playing field is level, showing it can be the same here in Nigeria. Do you guys really want Nigeria to excel or are you only bothered
about yourselves? Everyone deserves a
fair chance. The haves and the have nots culture is crippling the progress of the
entire nation and you the establishment only care about maintaining that status quo.
More government funds needs to be
set aside for federal universities, staff need to be paid on time etc. Simple steps like these, that didn’t require much thought
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students, while last year
Emmanuel
making the history in becoming the first
Federation in 2013. Artem Romanov, a
said that Nigerians are blessed with abundant human potential, “It has been
acknowledged in the Russian Ministry of Education that Nigerians have a lot of exceptional talents.” We need to take advantage of these exceptional talents a
not squander them. We have students thriving in spite of a failing system like
Ewetola Michael Adeboye, the overall
best graduating student of the Obafemi Awolowo University in 2014 and Adetutu Wande-Kayode
who
broke
the
Department of Mass Communication’s
record to graduate with a first class from the University of Lagos. Imagine how
many more success stories we would hear
if the crumbling education infrastructure was rectified.
It starts with you. Be part, if not the
black man to make a GPA of 3.98 on a 4
start, of an education revolution. Do not
Neuroscience with the highest honor at
notion of the Nigerian minister, who only
point scale. Ohuabunwa graduated from John Hopkins University. In his first semester at Tokai University, Japan, Akwa Ibom native, Ufot Ekong, solved a mathematical puzzle that students have
fall into the repetitive and stereotypical know how to take, take, take. Invest in our
youth, not Lamborghini Aventadors or Dubai duplexes.
They say it takes a village to raise a
been unable to solve for three decades.
child - (Igbo proverb). As part of that
went on to break a 50 year old academic
takes steps to improve education and
The 24 year old didn’t stop at that, he
record by graduating the ‘Best All
Rounder’ with a first-class degree in
electrical engineering, and getting the highest
grades
the
university
had
witnessed in 50 years. As a medical
student, Olalusi scored a 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for seven
consecutive years at the Russian National
Research Medical University (RNRMU),
“village” — Nigeria, I implore you to
youth prospects. It's more than an urgent matter it's a need. Like air is a must for
living creatures to breath so is the youth for Nigeria to inhale and exhale for years to come.
Yours faithfully, A concerned young Nigerian
Moscow. This made him the best
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go
SLOW
P H O T O G R A P H Y A N D A R T D I R E C T I O N ; A DE MOL A ODUSA M I C R E A T I V E D I R E C T I O N ; BE L L A A DE L E K E P H O T O G R A P H Y A S S I S T A N T S ; I PI NAYO A DE-A K I NG B OY E , OBE T OLU L OPE M A K E U P ; L E Y L A R H CA DN E
T U N I C S E T; JZO FA SHION
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SUNGLASSES; DAPMOD, J U M P S U I T; M A I S O N M I M I . H I M ; BL A SER JZO FA SHION www.bmafrica.com
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TO P A N D S K I RT; S I S A N O
M A N l ike To m
I f i r s t h e a r d a b o u t To m I l u b e t h r o u g h t h e l o v e l y i n t e r i o r d e s i g n e r Chrissa Amuah in a conversation about life, art, Africa and Bold. The topic of the next issue came up in discussion and I explained the need to shed light on the education system in Nigeria. She had an immediate ‘light bulb’ moment and began explaining briefly about an organisation called The African gifted foundation and the man behind it all.
I was impressed, inspired and curious. I had to meet the man
Consumer Markets, a private equity backed information business.
genuine and most important shed light on something this
company with offices in London and New York. Garlik was
with such a grand idea, i needed to know if his intentions were amazing. I told Chrissa to make the introduction.
After all the research (almighty google) and 10 tabs later,
I followed up on the introduction to set up a meeting. We were able to exchange a couple of emails when Tom and I decided to
meet up on a lovely Wednesday afternoon at St pancreas station, as he only had a little window before his train to his next meeting. After all my efforts, I knew this meeting was going to be worthwhile.
There is nothing more exciting than meeting people who
inspire you. Whether it’s through their work, knowledge or drive. Somewhere along the way they acquired impressive accolades that set them aside in life.
He is the founder of Garlik, the online identity protection selected as a World Economic Forum, Davos 2008 Technology
Pioneer. Tom has been an innovator in the technology industry
for over 20 years and is an international expert in cybersecurity. He served the International Telecoms Union, a Geneva based UNagency, as a member of the High Level Expert Group on
Cybercrime and was Chairman of the UK Technology Strategy Board’s Network Security Innovation Platform. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and in 2005 Tom was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in
Technology for his contribution to the field of technology in the UK.
Tom’s passion for education and positive change in Africa
Tom Ilube was educated in Nigeria, Uganda and United
runs deep. There are people who talk the talk and forget to put
Nigeria and obtained an MBA (Finance) at Cass Business
opposite. He not only walks this path but puts in work to create
Kingdom. He read Applied Physics at the University of Benin, School, London. He is Chief Executive of Crossword
Cybersecurity plc, a European stock market quoted technology company. Previously he was Managing Director of Callcredit
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their money where their mouth is but this man is the total
this little ripple of change in a somewhat volatile somewhat unpredictable yet promising continent.
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What inspired the African gifted
foundation?
I believe Africa's greatest resource is
its people and I want to see some of the most brilliant brains on the continent making their mark in Africa and across
the world. I work in technology, from the City of London to the heart of Silicon
Valley and I have met some truly outstanding people. But some of the smartest folk I've ever met have been in Nigeria, Uganda and other parts of the continent. So, I set up the African Gifted
Foundation to help find these amazing young minds and help them on the journey to realising their full potential. Why Ghana?
African Gifted Foundation has run
several events in Ghana. We have found it a great location and very supportive of educational initiatives. It is safe and orderly and very easy to travel to, as we
are taking students from across Africa and we have speakers coming in from across the globe
Why is the academy only accessible to females?
We have found that girls sometimes get put off from following their interest in science and maths, so we wanted to
create an environment that is designed
particularly to attract brilliant your female scientists.
As a university of Benin graduate and an
individual
who
experienced
education in Nigeria as well as in the
UK, how would you describe the quality of Education in Nigeria back then to
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I WORK IN T E C H N O L O G Y, FROM THE C ITY O F LO N D O N TO T H E H E A RT O F SILICON VALLEY AND I HAVE MET S O M E T R U LY O U T S TA N D I N G PEOPLE . BUT SOME OF THE S M A RT E S T F O L K I'VE EVER MET HAVE BEEN IN NIGERIA, UGANDA AND O T H E R P A RT S O F T H E C O N T I N E N T.
now and the system of education in Nigeria compared to the UK?
Nigerian education in the 1970's and early 80s was very good. I moved from a British secondary school to Edo College
in Benin City and I immediately had to up my game academically. There was a level of professionalism across all schools
whether state or private schools. Today, there are still high standards of education in some private schools and a very few state institutions, but unfortunately the standards in many state and federal schools have dropped markedly.
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THE MAIN PROBLEM I S T H E S TAT U S O F TE A C H E RS . NIGERIAN T E A C H E RS N E E D TO BE PAID MO RE AND HELD IN HIGHER R E G A R D . AT T H E SAME TIME THEY SHOULD BE HELD TO A C C O U N T TO DELIVER HIGHER S TA N D A R D S . T EC H N O LO G Y SHOULD ALSO BE D E P LOY E D M U C H M O R E W I D E LY T O M A K E S U R E T H AT ONLINE LEARNING IS AVAILABLE U B I Q U I T O U S LY AC ROSS THE C O U N T RY.
What do you think is the main problem
of the education system in Nigeria and how can it be resolved?
The main problem is the status of teachers. Nigerian teachers need to be paid more and held in higher regard. At
the same time they should be held to
account to deliver higher standards. Technology should also be deployed
much more widely to make sure that online learning is available ubiquitously across the country. This is an exciting time for education across the world and
the Government should encourage
innovation and allow a thousand flowers to bloom.
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How accessible and affordable for
class young scientists each year and
academy
Africa and around the world.
those without scholarships will the be
demographic?
to
the
targeted
sending them off to top universities in
We are a charity school and the academy
If you had the chance to address the
offer full tuition fee scholarships and
what would you say?
is completely accessible. We are able to
living expense bursaries to all our students who require it. No girl that we
want to select will be turned away because they cannot afford the fees.
5 years from now, what do you see the academy achieving?
5 years from now, I would love to see the
Academy producing over 200 world
Nigerian government on education, If I had the chance to address the
Nigerian government on education, I would say that Nigeria needs nothing
less than a national education revolution. It needs to draw upon every innovation
in education from around the world. Nigeria needs to become a learning
nation in order to compete on the world stage.
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BOLD
A D V E RT I S E W I T H U S For more enquiries bebold@bmafrica.com