CHAIRMAN Edirin Abamwa
MANAGING EDITOR Joy Isi Bewaji
CONTRIBUTORS Mfonobong Akpan Yvonne Williams William Irubor Yusuf Busari Mojola Aturamu Olubunmi Familoni Esosa Omo-Usoh Tega Williams
PHOTOGRAPHER King Solomon All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
ABOUT HAPPENINGS MAGAZINE Happenings Magazine is the close friend to every adult who seeks knowledge, entertainment, thrill and aims at being the very best in every area of their lives.
IYABO OJO ON SINGLE MOTHERHOOD, TATTOOS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONTROVERSIES AND SEX SCANDALS It was crazy many weeks back when actress, Iyabo Ojo was dragged on cyber streets regarding sexual allegations. The vitriol tore through thick air – what was real and what was a lie? It was all too sketchy like a Nollywood script. Iyabo isn’t talking. Why has she chosen silence? Happenings magazine finds out more about the actress… 4
6
The journey been so far
– a fashion icon who knows
The journey has been beautiful.
how the business should be
I started acting in 1998. I started
done. She supports celebrities
with the English industry before
by simply dressing and styling
moving into the Yoruba movie
us up without expecting
industry in 2001.
immediate financial rewards.
Peculiarities of English/ Yoruba movie industry
The movie, Silence, and the need to address Rape
I think it’s just the language. The industry used to be all about the story; now there is a fusion of glamour and story to make it
I have a lot of young ladies that look up to me and have shared their stories with me. Here in Nigeria, we only look
more intriguing.
at the physical aspect of rape;
Living up to the glamorous life
the victim forgetting about the
It’s a bit difficult here because everybody wants you to do publicity for free. There are no credit-based relationships to support the industry, yet we are expected to be on top of our fashion game. We shouldn’t be buying every product/item, partnerships should be nurtured to sustain the industry. Thank God for people like Toyin Lawani, CEO Tiannah Styling
the physical abuse meted to psychological and emotional trauma the victim suffers. So the movie ‘Silence’ highlights on the mental challenges rape victims go through. The movie was a re-introduction to the English genre it starred the likes of Alex Osifo, Tina Mba, Joseph Benjamin, Doris Simon, and Akin Lewis. The response from the market was good. Apart from piracy which is a constant thorn in our
7
8
flesh. The message of the movie was passed across and was well received by the target market. That was the aim and it achieved that.
On Piracy, Copyright Infringement and Okafor’s Law I stand with her as a colleague and friend and I am happy her movie is now out in cinemas. It’s not easy to pour in money into a movie and at the end of the day you have to go to court to fight for the right and ownership. I can’t really say a lot on the matter because I do not know the details; but I recognize the hustle of our craft, and that is why I stand with her because I know she’d appreciate any support at this hour.
Investing and recouping money in movie business
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10
First you have to shoot
determine my style. For
a good movie if you
an award, I have to look
want to make your
glam. Simple but classy.
money back. DVD isn’t best option is to sell
Beauty – genes or regime?
your movie to online
I think it’s the genes.
media streams like
My family is blessed
Iroko, Ibaka TV etc.
with all body types
That’s where the money
- skinny and fat. As
is right now. You can
a woman, the more
also sell to TV stations
you age, you have to
too like Africa Magic.
pay more attention to
For cinema it’s a
yourself. You know as
win-win. The money
ladies we don’t want to
might not come in as
grow old. I take a lot
you desire because of
of water, I take a lot of
tax, but it’s good for
fruits, I don’t eat late, I
branding and meeting
watch what I eat, drink
a certain audience. My
and don’t eat much. I
movies like Silence,
am also into skin care
Black Val, Beyond
products. As a brand of
Disabilities, Astray
my products, I have to
all went through the
look good to represent
cinema.
what I promote.
Defining style My mood determines
Product endorsement
my style. Sometimes I
No, I am not an
just want to be casual,
ambassador or
then the kind of events
endorsed by any
I am heading to will
product just yet.
selling right now, the
‘‘
There are no credit-based relationships to support the industry, yet we are expected to be on top of our fashion game.
11
‘‘
I had to learn how to effectively multitask and make plans, so I don’t sacrifice one for the other.
However, I am currently
at a young age, and as
in talks with Forever
a single mum it wasn’t
Living Product to be
easy. I had to learn how
the face of one of their
to effectively multitask
energy drinks. We are
and make plans, so I
working on that for now.
don’t sacrifice one for
If you are to pick a product you would like to represent in the entire world what would it be?
were much younger it restricted my ability to truly build my career outside Lagos. I had to be home with my kids
That would be my
every day, even if filming
product. I am working
ends by midnight. I had
on my makeup collection
problems with producers
and I am working to
shooting outside Lagos
register my skincare
because I had to come
because I mix my creams
home to check on my
locally. I want to do this
kids, get them ready for
for my daughter, hoping
school for the next day,
by the time she is 18 I
check their homework
would be ready for her.
and all. I channel out
Motherhood and being a celebrity
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the other. When they
time to spend with them. I take a week break in December from work;
Motherhood gives you
every holiday is spent
the depth of what love
with the kids, I get to
means. It allows you
bo bond with them and
understand what it
share moments with
means to truly be in love
them. It’s not an easy
because your kids fill up
one but as they grow,
your heart. I had my kids
they have learnt how to
handle things better.
How old are your kids?
maturity, sex, marriage, all the supposed taboos parents shy away from. As
My son will be 18 in June,
parents we are always in
and my daughter recently
denial, thinking our kids are
clocked 16.
the best; we ignore these
Sex, teenagers and open conversations?
important conversations thereby resulting in our kids learning from their
I advise parents to be open
peers. Parents should bond
about sex issues with their
properly with their kids,
children. My life history
talk to them rather than yell
brought that up. I grew up
at them. Don’t push them
with my granny and there
away.
was no one to talk to me about sex and biological
The love for tattoos
changes in the female
Tattoos are just something
anatomy. I was naïve about
I love. The crown tattoo
so many things. I grew up
signifies my being a queen,
with that mentality that,
and the rose - love. I hope
‘if a guy touches me then
to have my children’s names
I will get pregnant’. As a
tattooed underneath the
mother, I owe it to myself
rose and crown. The tattoos
to educate my daughter on
on my body simply do not
these things. I am giving
have any significance to
my daughter proper talk
anything, I just love them.
on sex and the female body It has bonded us to the
Nollywood Yoruba caucuses
level that we talk about
We had one initially -
everything - from boys,
ANTP (Association of
since she became a teenager.
13
‘‘
Parents should bond properly with their kids, talk to them rather than yell at them. Don’t push them away.
Nigeria Theatre Arts
needed to be cleared so
Practitioners), the
as to give a report back
group broke after some
to their Oga at the top.
issues resulting in other
I was given a witness
groups formed. But right
form which I filled. I
now I am not part of
didn’t even know it was
any group. I work with
going to be used against
everyone. I do not want
her. I had to call my
to be limited or stifled.
lawyer who gave me the
I used to be part of
permission to fill the
Odunfa caucus which
witness form since it
belongs to Ogogo and
wasn’t a petition form.
Yinka Quadri and Abbey Lanre.
Accusations and Kemi Olunloyo
No comments, please.
has been duly informed.
Social media, controversies and bad branding
I haven’t met her before
I wouldn’t like to talk
and according to her
about anything that has
someone sent her a
to do with social media.
message, I don’t know
The last time I talked
about what. All I know
to a media station,
is that I was called to be
Channels TV, on how the
an ambassador of the
young ones can handle
Nigeria Police Academy
pressure on social media,
and they said they heard
I used myself as an
a rumour about me that
example and the story
My lawyer has addressed the issue, and the public
14
On Apostle and Men of God
was turned around to spite me.
As a celeb, social media is important. Do you still want to continue to build your social media presence or are you learning from all the experiences in the last few
months not to put yourself out there anymore? I am going to continue bringing myself out on social media because a lot of people draw inspiration from me. Fans want to see you and a lot of people get encouraged on how you handle certain challenges of 15
your life. I am just going
I am a woman and I
to be mute on things that
understand her pain.
would cause a distraction.
so it really doesn’t make
At what point do you speak up against the allegations?
any difference.
It’s a choice to want to
People are going to believe what they want to believe,
On Tonto’s video confessions and pain
do things in a particular way. When my marriage fell apart. even though
A lot of people wonder
social media wasn’t the
why I walked out of my
in-thing then, I could have
marriage four years after
gone to the press to air
and a lot of people wonder
my issues, but after the
why I have kept certain
whole brouhaha, what
things private. Truth is
next? I would have to sit
certain things need to be
down to have a rethink
dealt with privately as
and ask myself ‘why did I
they would certainly affect
do this?’. Those who are
your kids. My kids are all
my true fans know me
grown and it’s even more
and whatever it is that
sensitive now as they have
would have warranted
their own lives; I have
what happened the truth
to give them the respect
would definitely come out
they deserve. I am not
someday. I do not have
saying Tonto should have
to defend myself. The
being quiet but when it
only time I would defend
started she should have
myself is if and when it
quietly taken legal actions
has to do with legal issues
because you see a lot of
like the Kemi Olulonyo
people would say things.
issue that had my lawyer
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17
coming out with a statement concerning her re-arrest. I have heard worst stories about me in the past and if stories about me get to me, at most I would get my lawyer involved. Kemi said something about me, whether it was true or not, I didn’t give a statement but the other party involved, I heard, got her arrested. I was expecting a court case, evidence and all though‌ I am not interested or ready to sue anybody; I do not want her family coming all up on me and saying stuff. The thing is I do not know anything about what is going on.
Current projects I just shot two movies: Twisted Twins and Blue Prints. My daughter was in the former as my double, as well as myself and Mike Ezuronye. The movie is for Africa Magic. The movies are currently in the studio and would be out soon.
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19
Sex & Boundaries
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF KEMEN’S ALLEGED ACT IN THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE ESOSA OMO-USOH
T
he just-concluded Big Brother Naija Reality TV Show on DSTV left in its wake as much social furore as it did when it commenced in
January 2017. Housemate Kemen was disqualified from the show prior to a scheduled eviction show. His disqualification was on account of his alleged unconsented and inappropriate touching of fellow Housemate Tboss’ genitalia whilst she was asleep. The act had been captured by night vision cameras installed in the house.
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21
The Criminal Code Act in
unnatural offence, indecent
Nigeria makes provisions for
assault on males, indecent
an array of offences with sexual
assault on females, incest,
connotations. These range from
bestiality, sodomy, defilement to
rape, attempt to commit rape,
abduction.
assault with intent to commit
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Positioning Kemen’s alleged
The Nigerian Criminal
act within the context
Code Act defines rape
of the ingredients of the
thus:
aforementioned offences, the offences most likely to succeed
“Any person who has
against Kemen are rape and
unlawful carnal knowledge
indecent assault on females.
of a woman without her
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consent or with her consent if the consent is obtained by force or by means of force or by means of threats or intimidation of any kind, or by fear of harm, or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act, or, in the case of a married woman, by impersonating her husband, is guilty of an offence which is called rape”.
‘‘
Aside rape, the other offence already identified above for which Kemen could be charged is indecent assault on females as provided in the Criminal Code Act.
The punishment for rape as
However, a charge of rape
provided by the Criminal
could be sustained against
Code Act is imprisonment for
Kemen if brought under the
life, with or without caning.
Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (the
It is clear from the above
VAPP Act). The Act defines
definition of rape that a
rape thus:
charge of rape cannot be sustained against Kemen
“A person commits the offence
under the Criminal Code
of rape if-
Act. This is because the important ingredient of penile
(a) He or she intentionally
penetration is absent in the
penetrates the vagina, anus or
facts of the matter as captured
mouth of another person with
in the video. 24
any other part of his or her body or anything else; (b) The other person does not consent to the penetration, or (c) The consent is obtained by force or means of threat or
intimidation of any kind or by fear of harm or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act or the use of any substance or additive capable of taking away the will of such person or in the case of a married person by impersonating his or her spouse�
The glaring differences between the provisions on rape in the Criminal Code Act and 25
the VAPP Act are that: (a) Unlike in the Criminal Code Act, under the VAPP Act; both a man and a woman are capable of committing the offence of rape. (b) Unlike in the Criminal Code Act, under the VAPP Act; penile penetration is not the only proof of rape. The punishment for rape as stipulated by the VAPP Act is thus: “Any person convicted for an offence under subsection (1) of this section is liable to imprisonment for life except(a) Where the offender is less than 14 years of age,
‘‘
the offender is liable to a maximum of 14 years
imprisonment; (b) In all other cases, to a minimum of 12 years imprisonment without an option of fine, or (c) In the case of rape by a group of persons, the offenders are liable jointly to a minimum of 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine” In addition to the punishments listed above, the VAPP Act also makes two noteworthy provisions to wit; Firstly, the Court shall award appropriate compensation to the victim as it may deem fit, and secondly; a register for convicted sexual offenders
Under the law, nothing short of a “yes” or “no” is required to ground the presence or absence of consent in sexual matters. 26
27
shall be maintained and
Under the law, nothing short
accessible to the public.
of a “yes” or “no” is required to ground the presence or absence
Aside rape, the other offence
of consent in sexual matters.
already identified above for which Kemen could be charged
Having identified above the
is indecent assault on females
offences that could constitute
as provided in the Criminal
possible legal consequences for
Code Act.
Kemen’s alleged act, there is a glaring legal snag in the matter
Indecent assault is essentially
that cannot be avoided. It is the
an assault that does not involve
fact that the alleged act did not
rape. Under the Criminal Code
take place on Nigerian soil. The
Act, the offence is punishable by
show was shot in South Africa
two years in prison.
where the Big Brother House wherein the alleged act was
28
perpetrated is located.
matter. The South African criminal justice system is
This necessarily robs the
therefore the appropriate
Nigerian criminal justice
authority vested with the
system of the requisite
requisite jurisdiction to
jurisdiction to address the
address it. 29
offence of rape”. In South Africa, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and
In its definition section, the Act
Related Matters) Offences
defines “sexual penetration” to
Amendment Act No.32 of 2007
include:
makes provision for the offence of rape. The Act defines the
“any act which causes
offence of rape thus:
penetration to any extent whatsoever by-
“Any person (‘A’) who unlawfully and intentionally commits an
(a) The genital organs of one
act of sexual penetration with
person into or beyond the
a complainant (‘B’), without
genital organs, anus, or mouth of
the consent of B, is guilty of the
another person;
(b) Any other part of the body
alleged act, the question then
of one person, or any object
arises; does that mean he is off
including any part of the body
the hook?
of an animal, into or beyond the genital organs or anus of
Whilst it is clear that Nigerian
another person; or
courts cannot exercise criminal
(c) Genital organs of an
jurisdiction in the matter, the
animal, into or beyond the
alleged act having not been
mouth of another person�.
committed on Nigerian soil, Nigerian courts can, however,
With Kemen having since
exercise civil jurisdiction over
returned to Nigeria, and
the matter.
having observed that it is the South African criminal justice system that can address his
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SLOW COUNTRY: THE WORST SCENES FROM THE MOVIE William Irubor
I
was at the premiere of ‘Slow Country’, the latest effort from director, producer, screenwriter and editor, Eric Aghimien.
His 2014 debut movie, ‘A mile from home’, won at both the AMVCA and the AMA awards. So yes, I had grand expectations. Slow Country is a story about love,
32
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trust, betrayal and redemption. Abandoned by her baby daddy, Osas (Tope Tedela), a single mum, Kome (Ivie Okujaiye) is sucked into an under worldly life of crime and grime headed by Tuvi (Sambasa Nzeribe) all in a desperate bid to cater for her son, Peter (Adebayo Thomas). Over all, it was a fair attempt at an action movie.�Action 34
movie� for Nollywood is still and uneasy venture lacking confidence. The technology is yet to be perfected in Nigeria. Make-belief is money-gulping business, and action movies eats a chunk of that dough. Nonetheless, let me state that bullets ricocheting off walls and bursting windows as grenades explode, was quite the thrill. So impressed to
he was trying to catch a bus. That whole scene was a laugh. It could have been done better. Even the cameraman seemed to be running with them and the whole scene was visibly shaking terribly. When he was caught, he didn’t even put up a fight. We are not talking about a marijuana dealer here, a COCAINE dealer. Most of them even carry personal protection like a switchblade or pocket revolver or 9mm because of the dangerous nature of the business.
some degree, yes I was. Yet it was riddled with “obvious” flaws too many to count on both hands and feet. I would only highlight a few… • Inspector Dave was chasing a drug dealer down the street in a bid to get information from him, and it was as though they were jogging. The drug dealer was supposed to be “running for his life”, instead he ran like
• The whole scene where Tuvi murdered his father was totally unnecessary because there was no “apparent” reason for killing the man. He was bedridden, dying of cancer and Tuvi was already running the family business, so why kill him? Not like he was obstructing or hindering anything. Then the room was a joke. It looked nothing like the bedchamber of a once rich and affluent kingpin (as we were made to believe). It 35
was mediocre at best. And
would “instinctively” plunge at
by the way, do all dying
the gunman who shoots their
cancer patients bleed from
kid. They would rather die in
the nose profusely?
the process. But no, the director decided it was okay for a father
• Kome and Osas were
to sit and whimper like a little
quarrelling and she
puppy after witnessing his
pressed a knife very close
child’s murder. Even if the father
to his neck before backing
wouldn’t rush at the assailant,
away. It would have been
he would at the least rush to the
nice to see a little blood
body of his dead child.
trickle from the place where the knife “pricked”
• The one that killed me was
Osas, and then they were
Inspector Dave’s partner who
supposed to have had crazy
wore a very shiny, crispy,
sex…… But again, what do
sparkling “fresh from the
I know.
cleaners” white native attire to a gun battle at the hideout
• Tuvi was rounding up his
of a notorious criminal. White
late father’s debtors. He
native, up and down, to match…..
holds a man at gunpoint
someone please shoot me
while threatening to shoot
already. Who in heaven’s name
his son and daughter who
was the costumier?
had been drugged to sleep. And then the man just sits
• At the end when the trio (Kome,
there whimpering. Tuvi
Osas and Inspector Dave)
shoots one of the kids,
leave the warehouse, it would
and the man still sits there
have been nice to see back-
whimpering. The strongest
up (branded) police cars and
bond is that between a
ambulances arriving after a gun
parent and child, even the
battle that lasted for a very long
most cowardly of parent
time with multiple casualties.
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#ASKHAPPENINGS Dear Tope,
I caught her pants down again, does she deserve another chance? Dear Happenings, My girlfriend and I have been together for 2 years; however, she has cheated on me a few times. The first time was with some guy she met on social media and we managed to work things out after she begged, wept and promised it wouldn’t happen again. Then she cheated again with a different man but I still forgave her. Recently, I went to visit her at her house and caught her again with another guy. I just walked away – it was too much hurt. Now, she is begging again, and wants me to forgive her because she loves me and not them. She says she has ceased contact with those guys and would do anything to make this better. Should I give her a second chance? Thanks Tope.
First off, you don’t say you love a person and then turn around and stab them in the back repeatedly. That being said, the biggest problem with cheating on a significant other is not necessarily the sexual liaison itself, but rather the betrayal of trust, and trust is the glue that holds a relationship together. From your narration, this lady is not committed to, nor does she value or respect neither you nor your relationship. Commitment is all about trust, about making a promise and then consistently keeping that promise. It’s all well and good if she feels bad, but what is she actually going to do differently now from the previous chances you’ve given her? Ask yourself.
38
In my opinion you’ve given her one too many chances and she clearly thinks it’s okay to keep doing it because she knows how to bat her eyelids, cry a few tears and all is forgiven. Keeping in mind that this has happened several times, your best bet is to walk away. It may be difficult considering the time put into the relationship but, it’s not healthy; it’s emotionally draining and selfish. You both aren’t on the same page as regards what you want from a relationship – You want commitment but she’s clearly still having a good time. However, if you feel that once again you can rebuild that trust, it’s your decision to make. Best of Luck!
Am I his sidechick? Why won’t he post my pictures on social media? Dear Happenings, I have been dating this guy for about six months now, he’s a great guy but while I have posted photos of him on my social media platforms, there is none of us on his and this bothers me. He does post other aspects of his life, like photos with friends and family but not any of us together. Should I be worried? Is he playing me? Thank you Sola. Dear Sola, Should you break up with your boyfriend just because he doesn’t post photos of you on social media? I don’t think so. Should you be concerned? Yes, because it could be a red flag. It’s 2017, and social media plays a significantly important role in the lives of many especially the millennials. People tend to share
39
every milestone in their
obligation to do this?
lives for the world to see
So as much as it could be
because that’s basically
a warning sign, It’s not
the times we’re in. So if
necessarily fair to expect that
a guy you’ve been dating
just because it’s important
for a period of time has
to you means it should be
no problem posting other
important to your partner.
activities/events in his
I think if he’s cool with you
life, safe for you on social
tagging him to the photos
media, something could
when you post them and
be up.
doesn’t complain about you
On the other hand, having
doing this, there probably isn’t
PDA photos splashed on
much to worry about.
social media isn’t so much
I think if he is a great guy that
of a guarantee that your
treats you right, like you’ve
relationship would be
said, you should focus more
peachy.
on that. The important thing
Have you talked to him
is that you both love each
about it? Find out if
other and agree on making
there is a valid reason
compromises regarding
he chooses to keep your
matters that are ultimately
relationship offline. Have
beneficial to your relationship.
you thought probably
Wish you the best!
he had a nasty past experience with previous relationships online? Is he just a grown man who’s chosen to treat you differently, or it’s just not his thing, plus he feels he owes the world no 40
THE STYLE GUIDE TO VERSATILE WORKWEAR Does your workwear become monotonous and boring as months go by? Learning to perfect the art of making versatile combos for work is not rocket science, by adding bursts of color, mixing and matching, and simply a surprise element can improve your look tremendously. Here are a few fun tips to making work-day slay-day.
With Blazers, Everything Is Legal
Blazers are the holy grail of work wear, that’s why they can make anything look work appropriate. If you’re fond of buying trendy outfits that don’t seem to fit into your work days, throw on a blazer. Blazers make everything look great! From pleated skirts, to denim, and even mom pants- throw on a blazer during the day, and take it off at night, it’s a great transitioning staple. 41
Never Underestimate the Power of the Pencil Skirt
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Pencil skirts are evergreen. As
good. The rains are upon us and
long as the corporate world exists,
the weather is starting to call for
they’re never going away. They can
thicker outfit choices to ward off
be paired with literally, anything!
the cold- ever thought of matching
From tee shirts, to sweaters,
your pencil skirt to your sweaters?
bomber jackets‌ you name it.
Just tuck in a corner of the hem in
Pencil skirt makes everything look
front and thank me later.
Layering Never Gets Old
Layering is defined as the art of perfecting your mix and match game. Having to pair complementing colors together is a fantastic way to spice up your work wear. Got a sleeveless dress? Layer it with a dress shirt, a turtle neck blouse, or a long sleeve fitted tee and give your dresses a new look. This also works with short sleeve dresses too.
43
You get to play with colors and silhouettes, you can also belt the dress for added oomph. The possibilities are endless.
44
Throw In Some Unexpected Bling
Depending on the work place
better. You get added confidence
rules, jewelry can add character to
to take on your day, you walk
a seemingly regular outfit. It could
with a skip in your step, and you
be a bangle, it could be a lapel pin
always look forward to work when
(yes, women can wear lapel pins
you know a bomb outfit has been
too), or a long pendant. Whatever
planned for the next day. Utilize
your choice of accessory, make it
your wardrobe to its full potential.
pop!
Happy Slaying.
Looking good makes you feel good,
Photo credits are from instagram, @ stylepantry, @_tostos @awedbymoni @ kefilwemobote
when you feel good, you work
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