...NOT IN THISDAY STYLE? THEN YOU’RE NOT IN STYLE
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SUNDAY, February 26, 2012
L A I C E P S tion edi
nduka obaigbena bill clinton atiku abubakar cherie blair
e h t t a z t i l G s d r a w A Y A D S I H T
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oh what a night! The 17th Annual Awards have come and gone. All the anticipation, the preparation, the excitement, the merriment, the glamour, the ambience have been captured for you in this special edition we have painstakingly prepared for you our dear readers. Every year, you wait with abated breath to see who wore what. Who was the best dressed? Who looked like a princess? Who was most dapper? Who outshone everyone? Not to worry, the pictures are all here for you to decide. Some things never change and as usual, former President Clinton, the guest speaker, was on form and the most profound point of his speech was when he said 95% of our body makeup is exactly the same worldwide and only 5% is what differentiates us in terms of colour but we expend 95% energy on the 5% difference! Food for thought don’t you think? Needless to say, the Award recipients got the opportunity to take pictures beside him which must have been most thrilling for them posing next to the dashing President! Another pleasant surprise was Cherie Blair, the second guest speaker, who gave a motivating speech about appreciation and empowerment of womanhood. She jokingly said a colleague had told her husband when he was a Member of Parliament that he would not amount to much politically because he was always home by 8pm. A few years down the line, he rose to become Prime Minister! Simply put, her message was basically on couples learning how to row the boat together as a team to get a smoother sail. Mo Abudu of ‘Moments with Mo’ and Funmi Omitowoju also brightened up the stage as hostesses of the event. Mo was adorned in an exquisitely beaded dress by Badgley Misckha Couture while Funmi opted for a simply divine kaftan from Dubai. Both were resplendent in their attire and held their own pretty good. They coasted through the evening with effortlessly as they announced the recipients and invited them to the stage while the Chairman and Publisher of ThisDay Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena gallantly welcomed his hosts on stage. As with every grand event, all good things must come to an end. This was no different. The guests had time to exchange pleasantries after which everyone headed home with big smiles on their faces for an evening well spent!
credits STYLE TEAM EDITOR RUTH OSIME STYLE CORRESPONDENTS FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI • KONYE NWABOGOR GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION ALEX OVIAZEE • CHARLES KAMMA ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II HEAD, PRINTING PRODUCTION OBI AZURU CONTRIBUTORS MOJI DANIEL-ALLEN • RUKAYAT MOMODU EDIRIN OKUMAGBA • AYODEJI ROTINWA FOLARIN ODUBEKO P H O T O G R A P HY SUNDAY AGHAEZE • MUBO PETERS REZE BONNA • AKINWUNMI IBRAHIM EWERE IWELU ANDREW •ONUWA EGEDI GODDAY
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The 17 Annual THISDAY Awards th
by Funke Babs KUFEJI and ayodeji rotinwa
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he 13th of February 2012 will go down in the annals of history as the day when an event of colossal proportions took place in the commercial capital of Nigeria, Lagos State; the 17th Annual ThisDay Awards. The awards ceremony has over the years become a must-attend event that celebrates paragons of excellence who have contributed their quota in the growth and development of Nigeria and its people, who have delivered on good governance and have overall made a positive impact in their different fields and endeavours. Noted for attracting personalities of international repute and standing, this year’s edition was no different with the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, in attendance, alongside Mrs Cherie Blair QC, leading human rights lawyer and wife of the Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair. This year’s edition was most unique as it was celebrating exclusively Women of Distinction, who have broken barriers, excelled against all odds and have ultimately made a difference and men who have given a lifetime of service to their country and have left an indelible mark in the sands of time. The evening was one of class, glamour and sophistication which started off with a regal reception at the penthouse Sky Lounge of Eko Hotel & Suites which had a breathtaking view of the Atlantic. Awardees and guests alike arrived in their numbers, looking resplendently dressed with the ladies in glamorous floor-length dresses and jewels and the men looking dapper in tuxedos and three-piece suits. At the lounge, guests were treated to the finest of wines and champagne and exotic finger foods as they mingled, conversed, networked and caught up with one another. It was an indeed an awe-inspiring gathering; Senators, former Vice Presidents, captains of industry, private sector heavyweights all in one room. All this was to set the tone for what was to come later in the evening.
CHAIRMAN & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, THISDAY NEWSPAPERS, NDUKA OBAIGBENA
HIS EXCELLENCY, KAYODE FAYEMI, executive GOVernor of EKITI STATE with BILL CLINTON
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Coordinating minister of economy & honourable minister of finance, dr ngozi okonjo-iweala with bill clinton
After the reception, guests proceeded into the Expo Hall of the hotel that had been beautifully decorated in monochromatic hues and laid out in a grandiose manner, fit for kings and queens. The ushers blended in nicely with the theme of the room decked in gold-toned dresses. The evening began in earnest with ace on-air personality Olisa Adibua introducing the evening’s comperes, Mo Abudu of Moments with Mo and Funmi Omitowoju. The two delectable ladies took to the stage and soon welcomed guests to the ceremony and reeled out the names of the women who would be honoured later in the evening. It was then time to welcome one of the Guests of Honour, former President Bill Clinton, to give his speech and host of the night and Publisher, ThisDay Newspapers. Nduka Obaigbena did justice to this. Clinton’s speech was indeed a heart-warming one in which he appreciated Nigeria and her people and the increasing roles women were taking in the determination of our political, economic life as a people. Cherie Blair’s speech was no different in which she emphasized that womanly qualities, which obviously the fairer sex has in abundance, are very beneficial to the development of any nation. Both speakers had question and answer segments with Minister of Finance, Ngozi OkonjoIweala and His Excellency, Governor, Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi after their individual speeches. In between speeches and afterwards, the awards were handed out to the recipients by Bill Clinton and Cherie Blair. The evening’s proceedings were punctuated by renditions of Whitney Houston classics in remembrance of the music legend that passed away a few days ago. At the end of the night and a sensational night it was, there was no doubt whatsoever that Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of ThisDay Newspapers was a man who knew how to put on a show. One can only wonder what greater things are to come next year. Save the date!
The hostesses
Funmi Omitowoju
Talk show host Mo Abudu of Moments with Mo was clad in a black and red top beaded dress with a draped chiffon lower half which complimented her svelte figure and was made by Badgley Misckha Couture while Funmi Omitowoju wore a beautifully cut black silk kaftan with strategically placed hand pinted and daintily beaded flowers. Both highly successful professional women took time out to add their own touch of class to the glamourous event. They joked between themselves and the audience and worked superbly well together as a team.
mrs cherie blair qc, wife of tony blair, with bill clinton, the 42nd president of the united state of america
MO ABUDU
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THISDAY Style. Vol 17, No.6152 Sunday, February 26, 2012 TR
THISDAY Awards lifetime achievers
MOHAMMED MAGORO ATIKU ABUBAKAR
EBITU UKIWE
AKPORODE CLARK
FELIX IBRU
OLUJIMI JOLAOSO
IGNATIUS OLISEMEKA
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SUNMI SMART-COLE
ADEYINKA ADEBAYO
DOMKAT BALI
DAVID EJOOR
RASHEED GBADAMOSI
IYA ABUBAKAR
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ADUKE ALAKIJA
OMOTAYO OGUNSULIRE
OBI JOSEPH CHIKE EDOZIEN
ABBA KYARI
PRISCILLA KUYE
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THISDAY Awards Women of distinction
FOLORUNSHO ALAKIJA
DIEZANI ALISON-MADUEKE
NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA
ITUNU HOTONU
FLORENCE ITA-GIWA
BOLA SHAGAYA
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SAUDATU SANI
DORA AKUNYILI
ROSE CHINYERE UZOMA
ONYEKA ONWENU
ZAINAB KURE
IBIDUN ALLISON
OLUSOLA OBADA
ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA
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KA’AMUNA IBRAHIM KHADI
KA’AMUNA IBRAHIM KHADI
ibukun awosika
Funke Opeke
Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim
STELLA OKOLI
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TOYOSI AKERELE
mariam uwais
FUNKE OSIBODU
omobola johnson
ARUNMA OTEH
maryam inna ciroma
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chris anyanwu
faith tuedor-matthews
doyin abiola
uju ifejika
eki igbinedion
nnenna ukeja
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BLESSING LIMAN
nkoyo toyo
ola orekunrin
sefi atta
ayo obe
sola david-borha
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bola adesola
aderonke kale
mayen adetiba
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Green with Envy BY EDIRIN OKUMGBA
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hat’s not to envy about these three women who made an impact on the night? Their various shades of green complimented their skin so well as the glided down the red carpet. They certainly caught the eye of many admirers as they decided to take a different colour route and embrace the colour of nature. Kudos to them.
NKIRU ANUMUDU
ADAEZE AGUELA
NIKE OSHINOWO-SOLEYE
Accessories BY EDIRIN OKUMGBA
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ou can never undermine the importance of a good accessory. Sometimes it can make or break your outfit and these damsels sure hit the right button! Nkiru’s shoes were the talk of the night as all and sundry could not take their eyes off the flowered heel. She complimented it with her Chanel suit and bag to match. Talk about a true fashionista to the core, as usual, she carried it off superbly. Nike’s necklace was spot on too as it certainly woke up her cute girly outfit and as for Adaeze, she just looked like a princess in her plunging dress with the lovely necklace!
TOPE OLUSOLA
MUKA NWOKEDI
VENNISA BANIGO
Frills to Thrill BY MOJI DANIEL-ALLEN
ooking for perfect ways to wear frills without risking Lgeous looking like a runaway bride? So, here they are! GorPamela and Shade’s sweetheart neck and one-
arm dresses just finished it off perfectly, mixing girly with sexy for the best, and easiest, outfit ever. Team with heels and shiny hair, you’ll look divine. After finding all of these damsels, I can’t even remember why I was scared of trying frills, but it’s now one of my favourite trends!
SHADE BAKARE
PAMELA YOUGH
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Ladies in Black BY FOLARIN ODUBEKO
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lack is always the number one choice for women especially because it looks good on all the different body types. Whether you are small or large, you can never go wrong when you wear black. Black has always been the safest color to rock when in doubt as a last minute resort or as a comfort zone color. We spotted a few celebrities rocking the color and they looked absolutely divine or maybe we should let you be the judge of that.
FATUMATA SOUKOUNCE
EVELYN OFFOR
NADYA RUTH-FROESCH EUNICE
EVELYN OKERE
GRACE EGBAGBE
ABBA FOLAWIYO TOKE MAKINWA
TRACY NWAPA
RITA EMERHOR
DEOLA SAGOE
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All Suited Up BY AYODEJI ROTINWA
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eeping in line with the formal tradition of demure, darker hues, the men at the awards ceremony came out all suited up. From threepieces, to tuxedos, to double-breasted suits that all smacked of Saville Row, the men did not disappoint, complimenting the ladies nicely. They proved on the night, that it’s not only the women who deserved all the attention and the flashing lights of the camera.
JOHN DARLINGTON
NIYI ADEBAYO BOLAJI AKINYEMI
TUNDE SOLEYE
ALEX OTTI CHIKE OGEAH
SAM AMUKA
A Dash
SONNIE AYERE
of Colour S
ome men on the night decided not to tow the wholesomely traditional black and white and went for a bit of colour. From stately hats, to ties, shirts and mufflers, they succeeded in jazzing things up.
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PAUL OBANUA
ITUAH IGHODALO
EDOZIEN
HERBERT WIGWE
AIGBOJE AIG-IMUOKHUEDE
FUNSHO LAWAL
BISMARK REWANE
OSCAR IBRU
RAFIU LADIPO