November issue

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Mediaroomhub November Issue

StyleFocus Zainab Balogun

Men’s Fashion Swanky Jerry

Governor

Rochas Okorocha Redefining the Norm!

Contents November 2017

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EDITOR IN CHIEF

COVER STORY

Azuka Ogujiuba

HEAD OF GRAPHICS Oluwatobi Ogidiolu

GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA

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SENIOR CORRESPONDENTS Oluwaseyi Akindunbi Oluwapelumi Sharayi Abigail Ocheibi

MEN’S FASHION

INTERVIEW CONCIERGE

Daniel Oluseyi Joel Tochi

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CREDITS Photography: Ty Bello

SWANKY JERRY OLUWAPELUMI SHITTU

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COVER PHOTO STORY

CORRESPONDENTS

CIRCULATION C-CHELSEA COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT US MEDIAROOMHUB 7 Panti street, Adekunle, Sabo Yaba, Lagos, nigeria Mediaroomhub is a bimonthly publication in Nigeria by c-chelsea communications.

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Style Focus ZAINAB BALOGUN

For subscription enquiries, please log on to www.mediaroomhub.com For advertising-related inquiries, log on to or call +234 803 311 9984, or mail us at info@mediaroomhub.com All rights reserved, Mediaroomhub 2017

EDITORS NOTE degree holder in Environmental Design and a presenter on EbonyLife TV teen series Moments Z. She's a determined and hardworking young lady who is making hay while the sun is still shining. In her interview, she shares on how she juggles her career and her other dreams and aspirations.

We know everyone loves good fashion, so our fashion and Asoebi Circuit pages has the trendiest Asoebi styles and tips on how to rock your pleated silk skirts.

There are also beautiful tips from our business and health pages which we know you will definitely find quite handy.

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elcome to the month of November, the penultimate month in 2017. It's been an eventful year so far, we are grateful and definitely looking forward to the new year.

much negative contents about him in the media with little or nothing about what he has said or has to say. It was a pleasure listening to him as he discussed his government in Imo State, the demolition of the Ekeukwu Market and his views on the renewed Biafran struggle.

This month, we had the opportunity to have a beautiful conversation with His Excellency, Governor Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha of Imo State. He is probably the most misconstrued governormisconstrued because there's so

We love it when young men and women are going for what they want boldly and seizing every opportunity that comes their way.

It is with this regard that we reached out to Oluwapelumi Shittu, a 22 year old Masters

Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week, one of the most anticipated fashion events in Africa held from the 25th to 28th of October, 2017. It was a beautiful and interesting event. On our events page, we share highlights of the four-day events, from the street styles to the amazing performance from artistes like Tiwa Savage and Di'ja. We also attended the Memorandum of Understanding (M O U) signing of the Rochas Okorocha Foundation and Jacob Zuma Foundation which held in Owerri, Imo State. We have beautiful pictures from the merger for a great cause.

We hope you find this edition as interesting as always.

Azuka Ogujiuba PG | 6 | SEPTEMBER 2017

COVER STORY Governor Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha

by Azuka Ogujiuba

The Executive Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha's grass to grace story reads like a fairy tale and so are the numerous strides of the enigmatic leader both in politics and philanthropy.

His leanings already suggest he's not one to be ruffled by a plethora of damning rhetoric. In this no holds barred interview with MediaRoomHub, the humanist of great repute and leader of note spoke about life at 55the many travails and triumphs.

What are your life’s reflections at 55?

My 55 years in this world bring a lot of memories of the past.

Looking back, I can only say, to God be the glory, because in 55 years, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly sides of life. The bad is: I came from a very poor home, I wish I had come from a rich family but I didn’t. I grew up in Jos; that’s where I had my primary, secondary and university education. Then I got into business. From business to politics and that’s where I am today. So, I thank God. The good side of it is that I have seen the mercy of God; coming from nothing to something. That for me, is good. The ugly side of it is getting close touch with death and still being alive. If you remember the Nigerian Airways plane crash in Kaduna that claimed over 64 lives; I was on the plane when it crashed, I survived it. The Bellview plane crash that killed many people, same week PG | 7 | SEPTEMBER 2017

former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s wife died in 2005; I had gotten my boarding pass, I walked up to the gate before I turned back.

As one from a poor background, how did you make your money?

I was born in Imo State but because of poverty, I called on my parents to borrow money so that we could leave the city to avoid shame. We left for Jos where we were selling tomatoes and vegetables. That was the business that was thriving, so I saw myself hawking on a daily basis. I had to go to school there and changed from morning to afternoon school to make ends meet.

While in primary school, I bought my first television set, a black and white TV at the age of nine. I also bought a commercial bus at the age of 14 and I bought a motorbike for my mother at the age of 12. When I finished my secondary school, I became a school proprietor at St. Mark’s Institute of Commerce and later a commercial college, those were institutions that I established. Although, the schools did quite well and they helped me a lot and after some time, I had a very challenging moment with the natives and the school was closed. There are ups and downs of life. What really gave me my real first money was the Balanga Alaphabetic Construction Company that had finished its contract of constructing the Balanga dam. We were to sell their used equipment. I was instrumental to selling the used equipment worth over N10 million when one US dollar equaled to N1. That was how I made my 10 per cent commission of $1million.

I re-invested my $1million in the remaining goods. I bought most of the cars and equipment, I sold them and made a lot of money. I had so

much money then.

Thereafter, I engaged in proper car sales. I was selling used cars and I went from there to selling brand new Peugeot cars. That gave me the first opportunity to supply the first 1,000 pickups and 1,000 private cars to the Nigeria Police Force and they were dispensed across all the states in Nigeria. That was in 1993.

You were into all kinds of businesses, but what exactly was your childhood dream?

One day, I was taking my father from Barkin Ladi village to Jos, that was when I was in school, I just bought a Mazda bus and I remembered telling my father on the way that I was going to be the President of Nigeria. And he said to me, ‘I know and I believe in you’.

So, I’ve always dreamt of where I am going and I honestly didn’t see poverty as a clog in the wheel.

Though poverty was biting hard, it just wasn’t tougher than my will to be who I want to be. So, I’ve always had tall ambitions from childhood.

Did the story of the late MKO Abiola not resonate with you when you were veering into politics?

No, I’d never imagined any end in my life. I’ve always seen the prospects. And believe me, it depends on the motives, I didn’t get into politics to just make name, I didn’t do it for the glory of the job, I came into politics in agreement with my philanthropy. I would have no business with politics if not to reach the larger society.

That’s what brought me into politics because I was quite a comfortable person before I joined politics. I joined politics because I vowed to God that if He blesses me, I

would be a blessing to others. And that if He honours me, I will honour Him because on my own I can do nothing, but I can do all things through Him. That resolve is my driving force. I’ve always used this opportunity to serve the larger society. That’s why my style of politics is different from any other person’s in this country. I wasn’t scared and I never saw Abiola as a role model or anybody for that matter.

I carved my own niche myself and my vision is to touch lives and make the society better.

You have driven the advocacy for education long before you became a governor, are you into this advocacy because of the lack you also once experienced?

It’s just like asking me whether worshipping God is a good idea. It was something in my spirit. I cannot even tell that this was the reason I thought education was key. I went to school in a very difficult circumstance and I almost missed school completely. My education wasn’t quite regular because I had to combine street trading with schooling. I changed from morning classes to afternoon classes to make ends meet, so I understand the importance of education. I admired those who could speak good English and anytime I went to functions, I saw those who had gone to school standing out. And I would see those who had not gone to school looking at the educated ones as though they were gods. That was

To be great is to be misunderstood

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I have always dreamt of where I'm going, and I honestly don't see poverty as a clog in the wheel.

I have seen the mercy of God coming from nothing to something

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where the inspiration came from and I believe it’s still the best inheritance you can give a child. I said to God that if I am educated, I would help others to get education because I understand the pains of those who couldn’t go to school. At that point, I decided that I must begin Rochas Foundation to give education to those who ordinarily would never have gone to school. I started by going to Mosalashi Jimoh (Jumat Service in the mosques) to give them foods, but immediately I saw too many children coming around, I asked myself a question; ‘how long would I keep feeding these children before they become useful to themselves?’ So, I built a school in Owerri, Kano, Jos, Ibadan, Ogboko and today we have schools in Sokoto, Zaria, Yola, Adamawa, Bauchi and Enugu. Cross River is coming up and again, we just built the Rochas Foundation College for Africa where we’re admitting five students each from all African countries.

So right now I have over 15,000 students and over 2,000 of them are graduates, over 1,000 are working in the Police, Army and these are children who just found themselves on the dark side of life.

Why did you choose to open up to Africa in commemoration of your 55th birthday?

My concern is for the black race, Africa. I honestly have wondered what can unite Africa. I used to be President of the Red Cross.

One of the challenges we had was that there was no common thing uniting us other than being black. The only language we tend to sing was ‘poverty’ and I don’t see 10 years from now, I see 500 years to come. That’s the difference.

The children from across Africa are here with different stories and they are doing very well. My idea is that someday some of these PG | 11 | SEPTEMBER 2017

children would become African leaders and bring about prosperity in the land.

There are children from South Sudan, Liberia, Guinea, Ethiopia, SierraLeone and we are expecting others.

How really do you see life?

I see vanity. I see what is not worth it after all. That’s the reason I feel we should do things that benefit humanity. I think God created life to mean nothing.

I work not for the profit but the glory of the job.

What are the greatest challenges before you as the governor of Imo State?

I don’t have any challenge at least, none that I know.

This is so because before I became the governor, I’d expected much more problems than I found.

Remember I aspired to be the president and I’d pursued this ambition three times before I came back to become a governor.

Have you dropped your ambition to become the president?

No, I’ve not dropped my ambition to become the president, I’m only respecting the gentleman called President Muhammadu Buhari whom I think has what it takes to change leadership in this country. And I’m waiting for his declaration, if he’s running, then I should support him.

On the scale of 1 to 10, how would you honestly rate your performance as a governor?

I think I had scored 15 over 10. You may be surprised I’m saying this but you can ask me why and how.

There’s no aspect of life in Imo State that I’ve not touched positively, infrastructure had been a lot better than what the state

had, education is free from primary school to university, security is better, people now trust government unlike before, government is now closer to the people. I challenge any governor in this country dead or alive to dare say they’d performed better than me.

If these truly are what you’ve focused your energy and the state’s resources to doing, doesn’t it bother you that the narratives outside suggest something else?

It doesn’t bother me because to be great is to be misunderstood. I don’t want people to understand me. If they understand me I won’t be great. So those who write and say negative things about me help me a lot because if you know the real Rochas, you’d come closer and slap me because you know I would never harm you. If you know me well enough, you’d know that you could even take my property and I wouldn’t ask for it. So I find these things protective, my enemies have really created a good name for me.

me politically but for how long would I keep responding to those negatives? Most people come to Imo State and they’re shocked. If you were told in Lagos that there’s a state house like this in the East you probably won’t believe. But I understand bad news sells. If you say that Okorocha is a wonderful man, a God-sent, who would read it? In Imo State, I have over 1,700 projects going on and that’s unprecedented in recent history. I sound boisterous nowadays, it’s not my nature but sometimes you must tell it as it is.

How were you able to make education free up to the university level?

It’s the same as asking me how we have survived with Rochas Foundation, it’s a vision and the Bible says my people perish for lack of knowledge. How was the first aircraft built? Vision!

That’s why I keep saying let visionary leaders lead irrespective of where they come from. We always want You were accused of our friends, kinsmen, pulling down Ekuku relatives and so on to lead Market without an and that’s why we languish alternative. Is that true? in this country. No country, okay, maybe one or two I don’t even want them to countries can do free know the true story. But education from primary to that’s not true. The whole of university level. Has Ekuku Market had 3500 anybody asked me how I’ve shops, I’ve built 11,500 been able to achieve free shops and nobody has education? Even the talked about it. This is so government hasn’t asked. because they don’t want me I’m still providing uniforms, to take credit for anything lockers, shoes, books and good. Even my daughter so with quality teachers to feel very worried that her train these kids. But how daddy is not getting fair many people have come to publicity and that’s why I ask me how we’ve managed allowed this interview to achieve this? When I otherwise I won’t grant it. started with Rochas There are always what we Foundation, the first news call fault-finders and most that greeted that people you find writing development was that I was negative things about me going to do politics and are not fact-finders. That’s needed popularity. For 17 how some people would say years now I’ve run the my wife and I have a chaotic foundation and I’ve been a marriage. I have the best governor and I had not marriage and family in the jettisoned the programme. world. They think writing Instead I’m extending our reach to Africa and I’m sure things like this will destroy

I've always had tall ambitions from childhood PG | 12 | SEPTEMBER 2017

the next thing you would hear now is that Rochas wants to be the president of Africa. So why should I waste so much time explaining that to everybody who fails to understand me?

Where are your plans for 2019?

I have so many windows open in 2019 as I wait for Mr. President to make his declaration, I want to be politically relevant and I have made the decision never to watch my country sink. This I would do without losing my foundation which is a huge challenge on its own. If Buhari declares to run for the office again in 2019 I will support him because the man has a character to develop Nigeria. He has a thick skin that we need. We have a faulty foundation and I see Buhari as that man who can build the foundation that we need.

But I don’t see him as someone who will build this nation with a fantastic finishing with nice furniture. He’s just going to build a solid foundation upon which success and prosperity for the land shall be accomplished. And that’s where people like me would come in.

What’s your take on the IPOB youths agitating for Biafra?

IPOB was overpriced.

These young men are seeking relevance as a livelihood, and to tell you how daft some people can be, any mad man can just rise one day and lead a senseless agitation and he’d get followers

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IPOB was overpriced. These young men are seeking relevance as a livelihood, and to tell you how daft some people can be, any mad man can just rise one day and lead a senseless agitation and he’d get followers.

Even the way IPOB was handled by the government wasn’t right. I kept telling the government that this young man, Kanu Nnamdi, is inconsequential in the matter, treat him like whom he really is. But now he had been given some national attention branding the whole Igbos as IPOB members and it’s the reason for the quit notice some gave our people in the North. The matter is laughable.

You cannot imagine me Rochas asked by IPOB that let’s go to war and I follow. That’s the greatest insult to people of the East. Even if you come today and start a church you name ‘Kill Every Human Being Church’, some people will still join you. There are always people for everything you do. I would have handled the issue differently.

How would you have handled it?

First, I understand the problem that this is an agitation by a young man and I will make sure I circle him out from the rest of the society, I’d make him a loner within his area and I will not brand the entire people wrongly. There are no better people to stop IPOB than the Igbos.

Even ordinary youth groups of South East could have stopped IPOB. When you start something and a bigger force takes over, everybody relaxes. It’s like in political campaigns, when they’re going to campaign they carry a lot of people, 1000 people to visit a small village of 200 people. And when you get there people would just fold their arms and

start watching you dance for them. The SouthEast should be properly engaged to finish this idea because it’s a local matter.

You’ve said a few times that you’re a Hausa man. How do you mean?

I am a Nigerian first and foremost. I grew up as a Northerner, I speak fluent Hausa, I write Hausa and I understand the Hausa culture, that way I’m a Hausa man. I’ve been in Hausaland longer than I had been in Igboland.So why can’t I claim to be Hausa man? My first thought was to run for governor of Plateau or Kano. In fact, when I came to Imo, I was an unknown person because I never went to primary or secondary school in Imo. Most people don’t know me and that is part of the problem I am facing right now because the elites don’t understand me. If I had gone to the same schools with them, they would have known my behaviour from primary or secondary school. So they brand me with everything their minds conceive.

Hausa people gave me my childhood, they trained me up to the university but Igbo gave me parentage. My parents are Igbos but my business success came from the west. It was a Yoruba man that was my partner who became a millionaire. Having been born an Igbo man, brought up by the north and empowered by the west, I’m a Nigerian.

There’s no one that believes more in Nigeria than me. If there’s such person let him so speak of his activities. If I didn’t believe in Nigeria, I wouldn’t have built my schools in Ibadan (Rochas Foundation) with over 10,000 poor students there. Once upon a time, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was shocked when I took about 87 students from his village, in Owu. He was surprised to see that those are the kids I call my children. I built schools in Jos, I’m not from Jos, I built a school in Yola, am I from Yola? I built in Bauchi, Cross River and so on. We don’t say we believe in the unity of Nigeria theoretically, we must do something practical to prove it. As I speak to you, there’s no single Northerner with meaningful investment in Imo State. No Northerner has a million naira investment in Igboland, no Yoruba man has a million naira worth of building here. That’s why I say if there’s any region that is Nigerian it’s the Igbo.

Go to Lagos you’d see Igbos, does it mean they have no land in their own states? You go to Kano, Kaduna and everywhere you’d see Igbos, they’re more Nigerian than anyone else, they should be given kudos for that. Where will the Igbos go? Would they leave those properties there and come home?

What’s your take on restructuring?

What are you restructuring? It’s a poor workman that quarrels with his tools. What Nigeria needs is to get it right. Once things are right from the top, everything will be fine with the country. The agitation is a complaint about not carrying some people along. Anytime there’s insufficiency in the system, people PG | 14 | SEPTEMBER 2017

must cry foul. Once there’s no poverty who cares about such propositions?

How did you meet your wife?

Meeting the first lady is the best thing that has happened to me.

Believe me, she’s God’s gift to me and I’m very blessed to have her. The reason I say I’m blessed is not because I have the financial resources but because I have the best family you can think of in the whole world. Most people don’t even know I have biological children because you won’t see them behave like governor’s children.

They even behave like visitors in their father’s house. My wife is equally blessed. She had built over 170 homes for the poor.

She doesn’t believe in gold and all these frivolous things most women flaunt. Our life is life of service. So meeting her was a great honour. I was quite young, I was like 24 years old and my father fell sick and my mother was working in a school as a cook. My sick father slumped in the bathroom and I looked for him everywhere for about 30 minutes and when I saw him, he was quite heavy with diabetes.

When I went to give him a hand, he told me he wanted me to go and marry. He said he wanted to see my wife before he dies.

He was quite young too because he was just a little over 50 years old. I promised him that I was going to marry, so that was how the search for wife started.

I joined politics because I vowed to GOD if He blesses me, I will be a blessing to others Photography: Anny Roberts PG | 15 | SEPTEMBER 2017

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President Jacob Zuma deserves the honour - Gov. Okorocha he visit of South African President, Mr. Jacob Zuma, and the unveiling of his statue standing magnanimously at the Heroes’ Square in Owerri, Imo State by Gov. Rochas Owelle Okorocha, stirred a whirlwind of onslaughts more prominently on the social media these past weeks.

downplayed is the serious meeting President Zuma had with Imo businessmen and others from outside the State at the Ikemba Ojukwu Centre, including Leo Stan Ekeh of Zinox Computers, Dr. Pascal Dozie of Diamond Bank, Chairman of Innoson Motors, and a host of others which will not only benefit the entire South East region but the country at large.

But the governor insists that celebrating an African leader like Zuma and honouring him with a statue shouldn’t cause such uproar if there were no political undertones to the saga.

As a precursor to the unveiling of the statue was an award handed the president and Gov. Okorocha explains why he deserves the honour; “Today, we have decided to honour you for your love for education. Though you were deprived education in your early days in life, you are working to make sure that every poor Child went to School. Your love for education is the connection between you and the government and people of Imo State.”

Through his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor reminds his critics and nay-sayers that some unveiling of notable Nigerians like the former vice president, Alex Ekwueme, had preceded Pres. Zuma’s but wasn’t greeted with commensurate funfair.

He submits that three politicians (though unnamed) are behind the social media trial which he’d shrugged off and regarded as dead on arrival. Okorocha believes that they are eyeing his seat in 2019 and their overriding goal is either to install the next governor or become the next governor.

The governor believes that the MoU signed by the Jacob Zuma foundation and Rochas Okorocha foundation would better the lives of indigent children willing to have a qualitative education and it’s one of the legacies the critics found too profound and consequently seek to ruin.

The occasion was also to finally put to rest the remains of Xenophobic tendencies resulting in needless deaths of Nigerians in South Africa. And in Pres.

Zuma’s speech, for the very first time since the serial attacks, he remarked; “No South African must kill a Nigerian and no Nigerian must kill a South African.

The relationship between Nigeria and South Africa should be stronger than any other part, for the sake of the Continent of Africa. Africans must come together to address African problems. We are the same people”.

Among several other reasons highlighted for the honour bestowed on the President Zuma are the aforementioned.

Another significant intervention

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My style of politics is different from any other person's in this country

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I work not for the proďŹ t but for the glory of the job

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Once things are right from the top, everything will be ďŹ ne with the country.

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CIRCUIT ASOEBIby Oluwaseyi Akindunbi

Statement Bows Simple and easy is no longer fun.

Fashion in itself is shifting towards daring and bold. Lately a lot of bold trends have permeated the fashion industry. And with asoebi it's quite interesting to know that creativity is not restricted.

A fusion of several other fabrics like velvet, crepe, mesh, satin and organza with asoebis to achieve a perfectly detailed style is so in at the moment. The use of appliquĂŠs is gradually giving way to the use of these fabrics as a form of embellishments like dramatic bows, statement sleeves, and trains on asoebis just to move out of the norm.

Fashion is not static, it evolves overtime. We are happy that our local asoebis are not out of the equation. Here are some of the avant-garde asoebi styles that caught our eyes recently.

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HOW TO HANDLE POST GRADUATION DEPRESSION

by Victor Ugoo Njoku

have always known that they would be a thing as post graduation depression. But, since no one ever talk about it, it never bothered me until I graduated from the University. Saddled with feelings that I'd regard as minor depression, I decided to research. It's crazy to think that no much research is done about post graduate depression.

Even though that within the first year of graduation, the best of us are depressed freaked out about job hunt; have panic attacks, rising from responsibilities and feeling of inadequacy; the fear of the need to abandon dreams temporarily; the need to go back to school as an escape and the realization that there's not much from life after all.

Let's take a lil look through these depression signs before going over how to handle them.

1. Job Hunts: When you hear the statistics, you can't help but be scared. We know the rate of unemployment, the number of graduate produced yearly, the fact that top executives are complaining that Nigeria graduates are half baked, the fact that every job needs some years of experience.

Info like these, makes you wish you still have at least one more year, you just can't deal. You spend the first few months visiting jobberman daily, sending out CVs and applications, and perhaps blaming your father for not having connections and the innocent witches in your village for frustrating you.

2. Responsibility Panic Attacks : You suddenly begin to feel like the weight of the whole world lies on your small shoulder - some Merlin PG | 33| SEPTEMBER 2017

kinda feeling. You want to be an 'on-the-spot-ready-made' adult. You start to drink responsibly, to dress responsibly (in suits and tie), you want to stop keeping late nights, and you start figuring out exactly what to do and how to pay your bills. You continue like this, until, you can't get enough of the boredresponsible being you have turned into.

3. The Feeling of Inadequacy : You begin to wish you weren't an adult yet. Pele.

You just begin to think that you are not old enough, experienced enough and qualified enough to handle your stuff. After all, you never existed before. You start looking for a way to feel better about yourself. You begin work as an administrator in different group chats, commenting on every post on Facebook and Instagram, thanks to the change you get from a few older relatives.

year expenses, and you have needs that got to be met.

6. You want to go back to school : You suddenly start to think of getting more degrees, just as a way to escape. In your head, you know you hate school and that you don't need more degrees. But, you are not quite sure you are ready. So, 4. Need to abandon your you begin to pursue your dreams temporarily : Being an masters degree, to buy undergraduate provides the yourself more time. Ji si ike. luxury of having big dreams, which is locked in your Now, you are wondering how wearing a convocation gown. to go about this. Getting Now, you are out of the gown, more alcohol, and hanging only to realize how wrong you out with friends some more have been. You begin to isn't what you need. realize that your dreams need Investing all your time on money to be funded. It begins social media, will only to dawn on you that you may worsen the issue. Waiting for need to abandon some of the next episodes of Empire your dreams for a while to be and How To Get Away With able to foot your bills. You Murder isn't what you need begin to talk with older either. I don't have all the friends, and you realize they solutions either, but you can all left their dreams, but never try out my recommendations went back to them. You are and add some of yours if you left even worse. have any.

5. Officially Broke : You have First, you have to accept the always thought that students fact that you are depressed. are broke until you graduated. The realization of that would Money doesn't seem to be definitely propel you to seek coming from Momma and solutions. You would have to Papa. Come on, they haven't talk to older people, your even recovered from the mentors and do a little financial stress of your final research your self. There's

no perfect way to kill a rat, but knowing the many ways to kill the rats, will give you options.

So accept the problem and seek answers.

Stop the comparison game totally. That Nneka got a job before you doesn't make her better. Jennifer's blog being the talk of the town doesn't mean she's more creative than you are. Comparison causes anxiety. When you compare yourself with others, you neglect to focus on yourself and what you can do or achieve. You only end up focusing on people who hardly know of your existence. For me that's too much work.

How about some self research. Have you bothered to think of your passion. For me, this is a time to take a leap, and damn your comfort zone. Don't dwell on the fact that there are no jobs, or that you couldn't get any. That's too much negativity. Focus on what you have, on what you can do. No doubt, you need a source of income, but don't focus on that so much that you begin to lose yourself.

There are a lot of opportunities out there, grab as many of them as you can.

Carpe Diem.

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STYLE FOCUS

ZAINAB BALOGUN -by Oluwaseyi Akindunbi

Effortless, understated, and simple are the words with which I would describe Zainab Balogun's style. It's not in your face yet it makes you give a second, third or probably fourth look.

She's got the perfect and fit bod to pull of any style or type of outfit. Her legs definitely "do not lie" in those wide-legged pants trousers and mini skirts or dresses. Every curve is in the right place so she's wearing every detail well.

The fact that she also hardly ever uses bogus or statement accessories is like an extra toppings on an already delicious cake.

While I absolutely do not think there's anything wrong with bogus or statement accessory, I believe it's mandatory to know what works for you personally as regards fashion ( and I daresay in every aspect of life) and in this case, Zainab definitely knows what works for her.

She has perfected how to make herself stand out without looking overly flamboyant.

She wears the cloths, they are definitely not wearing her.

Enjoy, as we bring you some of our favorite Zainab Balogun looks.

Outfit: Navy blue jacket Caesar Couture Shoes: Prada from Viamilano Luxury Stylist: Mag Payne Location: The George Hotel PG | 35 | SEPTEMBER 2017

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Men’sFashion

SWANKY JERRY -by Oluwatobi Ogidiolu

Swankyjerry's style presence is like a Moorish idol among the fishes of the ocean, brilliant colours and loose fit as he often wears them with something to act in place of a crown on his head. He is definitely the King of "slayers in men's fashion in Nigeria. Can there be anyone better at commanding such radiant presence as he does? Yes, but we are yet to discover one. We believe this snippet will give you a guide to his fashion sense and you can also go through this peek to checkout his recent style combinations.

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LOOK BOOK -by Oluwaseyi Akindunbi

“ABEOKUTA” Mazelle Studio recently unveiled their pre Spring/Summer collection titled Abeokuta. These Adire pieces inspired by her visit to Abeokuta With pieces made from Ankara, Adire & Aso-Oke, the Abeokuta collection takes its inspiration from ancient Abeokuta with a modern twist on local classic textiles.According to the designer Mariam Afolabi: “Our interpretation of the spirit of the Abeokuta woman is colorful and vivacious. We want to celebrate her through our pieces.”

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Pop Champagne!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DON JAZZY 26th November PG | 41 | SEPTEMBER 2017

STREETSTYLE

How To Rock Your Pleated Skirt?

“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” — Rachel Zoe

by Abigail Ocheibi

Beyonce. Photo Credit: Instagram/Beyonce

Chelsea Oliver.. Photo Credit: Instagram/Chelsea

Tara Durotoye. Photo Credit: Instagram/Tara

More exciting facts about pleats? They come in different colours as seen above as well as numerous lengths. So go ahead, rock a pleated skirt today!

Toke Makinwa. Photo Credit: Instagram/Toke

Ladies, being stylish goes beyond appearing in just so many outfits to creating your own style. This comes from your ability to combine both colours and pieces together.

Bonang Matheba. Photo Credit: Instagram/Bonang

Well, today we have decide to pick randomly, a piece you can rock stylishly in so many ways and we are here to show you how.

D.O.F.E. Photo Credit: Instagram/D.O.F.E

Ebube Nwagbo. Photo Credit: Instagram/Ebube

Again, looking sexy is gradually becoming " a norm" since it's never original in the first place. Ladies, nothing stands you out more than creating your own style and comfort.

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Debbie Beeko. Photo Credit: Instagram/Debbie

Mercedes Richards. Photo Credit: Instagram/Mercedes

Stylemeafrica. Photo Credit: Instagram/Stylemeafrica

Mediaroom has put together quite a number of celebrities as well as individuals rocking different colours and shades of PLEATED SKIRT just to inspire you to create your own style.

Voguish. Photo Credit: Instagram/Voguish

Solange. Credit: Instagram/Solange

Boity.Photo Credit: Instagram/Boity

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HEALTH TIPS

CAUSES OF ILL HEALTH AND WAY OUT OF THEM (I) he joy, peace, goodness, freedom, and favour that accompany sound/good health cannot in any way be compared with anything; neither can it be purchase with any amount of money from anywhere or from anybody. I have heard of a health condition where the person's blood cannot bring in oxygen naturally; and they have to artificially oxygenate his blood in the hospital. It is therefore imperative for us as humans to cherish the gift of good health and give all that it's going to take us to improve and maintain good health condition.

There are different types of health condition responsible for our wellbeing and wholeness: Physical health, Emotional health, Mental health, Social health, Spiritual health and Environmental health. These must all be maintained and continually improved upon by ensuring that right and good stuff goes into our being.

Often time we pay more attention to the appearance/packaging of what we consume, our taste bud needs and the quantity that fills our stomach; and pay little or no attention to the content, the quality, the processing and the right way to consume the substances that build us as living beings. This has been a major reason why we suffer ill health.

We shall therefore address one of such conditions that predispose us to ill health.

(1) Acidic body system – From our basic PH understanding from secondary school, we know that for any living organism to survive and thrive well; the PH value should be very less acidic (6.5 and above), neutral or slightly alkaline. Acidic medium depletes and destroys things (living or non-living), while neutral and slightly alkaline medium makes living things grow. This same principle applies to our body system as living organisms.

Our body system is made of tiny living thing called cell that depends solely on what we consume to maintain the body natural functioning and processing. They have their natural/original PH conditions under which they perform their functions optimally. The PH condition should be very less acidic (6.5 and above), neutral or slightly alkaline. This condition is derived what we consume as food. Our source of food comes either from Plants (the manufacturer) or Animals; and their end products determine what remains in our body.

Animals are a major source of protein – These release various forms of acids like amino acid, sulphuric acid and other compounds. Ones you kill an animal, the system cannot form new substance anymore; you can only access the ones that have been formed before the death of such animal. Moreover, they have to be cooked thereby reducing the quality and quantity of nutrient in them..

Plants (the producers) – These are brightly coloured living things that produce the food that all living things feed on.

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Their end products are usually slightly acidic, neutral or alkaline.

As long as they have their producing elements they are still producing living substances. Most time they have to be eaten raw, this way the nutrients are directly available to the body system without loosing much of the quality and quantity in the food. Examples are vegetables, herbs, spices and fruits.

Seeds and Nuts – These are the powerhouses for the producers, Deborah Ogundolapo so they are nutrient full Nutritionist, Business Owner Legumes and grains - they are the end products of a manufacturing process form plant (reason why they are usually with dull colours like brown or white and not brightly coloured) and no longer have any manufacturing content in them. They also have to be cooked which diminishes the nutritional content in them Man-made foods - alcohol, refined sugar, processed foods, soft and carbonated drinks, canned foods, flavourings and preservatives, sweeteners etc.

These are made largely with acidic and unnatural substances that are strange to the body. They are also highly processed so they have little or no nutrient in them.

Chemicals and Pharmaceutical products - antibiotics, painkillers, drugs, chemicals from pesticides, herbicides, radiations etc. If you read the contents of these stuffs, they are largely compounded with acidic substances.

THE WAY OUT Plants, seeds and nuts and foods that can be eaten in their raw state are the food sources that are alkaline forming foods, and are able to neutralize the effect of acid forming food thereby bringing our body system to a neutral PH condition suitable for effective cell functioning. Such foods are also nutrient-dense food and are able to nourish, repair, rejuvenate and build our cells.

Other sources of food have mostly acid forming end products, and such substances reduce the availability of nutrients to our system, and also destroy nutrients from our body, therefore they should be eaten in minimal quantity. v Eat lots of Plants produce especially the green and brightly colored ones. Aim at including 50%-60% (minimum) of them in your meal. v Eat a handful of seeds and nuts daily v Don't eat cooked food or acid forming food before noon. v Do not combine food with high protein content and high Carbohydrate content. v Avoid processed food or man-made food like sugary foods, alcohol, carbonated drinks etc. v Take a lot of water to maintain the hydration level of our body system.

BUSINESS

BEAUTY Primers are the perfect base you need before applying your foundation. According to Lisa Niven of Vogue, they do for your skin what lingerie does for your figure, they smooth, flatter, conceal and hold things in place, so that everything you put on top of them looks immediately better. Whether you want to blur wrinkles, mattify, minimise the appearance of pores or even out skin tone, primers do this whilst creating a perfect base for make-up and helping it to stay put for longer. Yes, it might take a minute longer to apply another layer every morning as part of your beauty routine, but it's the difference between your make-up sliding off by noon and it staying put until the end of the day. And wouldn't you consider that a minute well spent? Once you start using it you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

These are some of the primers that are good for everyday use.

Source: Vogue Daily

THE BEST FACIAL PRIMERS

TOOLS FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

by Oluwaseyi Akindunbi

There are many free business tools available online for entrepreneurs, these tools simplify the process of organizing business activities such that levels of efficiency and productivity can be increased.

To avoid the confusion that comes with choosing the right tools for your business, here are factors to consider - Your business goals/vision.

- Current challenges faced within your business - What your business lacks or requires

budget.

6) Wordpress / blogger - Blogging is a cost effective way small businesses can invest in digital marketing and its mostly free to operate. Using wordpress /blogger, you can create a blog that makes your website/business more visible in the digital space.

Below is a list of online business tools to help your business grow bigger and faster

7) Mailchimp - You can create and send bulk emails to a contact list using the mailchimp platform. They have templates to make the process even easier. They also features for personalization and analytics (among others) that let you check the performance of every email you send out.

1) Google my business : Businesses can create a free profile on google search engine with google my business. The business profile on google my business comes up when there's a search for your business on the google search engine. It can also improve your business ranking on google.

8) Skype - Skype is an internet calling service used to set up video conference calls between computers/mobile devices across various locations of the world. It can be used for client meetings as well as employee updates. Skype is a way to make sure distance is no longer a barrier for personal connection in the business world .

2) Google analytics - This is a way to measure your digital marketing efforts . It involves monitoring and analysing how your audience interacts with your website so you can suit your marketing plan to achieve more positive results.

9) Google keyword planner - Its probably because i have set digital marketing goals for my businesses this year but I am a bit obsessed with this tool at the moment. Digital marketing is a pathway for growth in the online era so if you are running your startup /small business on a shoe string budget, i recommend you take time out to understand digital marketing. The google keyword planner helps you identify keywords with which people search around your kind of business/area of interest on google, it also lets you gauge how competitive these words are on the google search engine as well as how many people searching for them.

3) Wave : This is a great bookkeeping tool for small businesses. It can be used to keep financial records within the business with the option of generating invoices for transactions amidst other features.

4) Evernote : This is one of my best tools. I use it to keep track of thoughts, organize my schedule and take notes. It has great features that allow you to store information from the internet, share notes with friends plus you can sync it with your devices so you have access to it anywhere and at anytime.

5) Canva - If you need to create smart , quick and visually appealing graphic designs for your business, you can use templates from canva to make it happen on a "no or low"

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by Olayemi Olajide

10) hootsuite - This is a social media management tool; with it you are able to manage your various social media profiles from one dashboard. It saves you the time and stress of putting out posts on various social media platforms one at a time. With hootsuite, you can do it all at once as well as pre schedule post. This tool can be used to measure social media performance and to track social media engagements.

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FEATURE

BROKEN

TRUST

by Lekan Adeola

Every night Bisola would come into my room and we would engage in talks directed towards life goals, dreams and purpose. I didn't have much options on the table. I struggled to refrain myself from touching her owing to the fact that my friend Felix might feel betrayed if I told him eventually.

The fact that I was too naive to read between the lines and see her true intentions also held me back. What would she do or say if I made advances.

Would she jump at it? Would she plant a dirty slap on my face and storm out of the room? Would she call Felix right away to inform him? Hard to guess. So I decided to be on the safe side of the crossroads. I did try to probe by mentioning Femi in several of our discussions but her response wasn't clear enough to say she didn't feel a thing for Felix.

On this bright Saturday afternoon, I heard a knock on my door. I answered and it was her, Bisola. Gorgeous in her nude stretchy short gown. For a moment I just stood at the door staring at her, most especially her upstanding boobs. Bless my soul, I wanted to grab them. It took a lot of restraining.

"Gosh you look stunning," I PG | 49 | SEPTEMBER 2017

said. My face brightened like I had seen an angel. "Are you off to somewhere?"

"Yea, I'm off to...your place," she said, smiling.

“You're funny and that's cute," I said. "Please come in."

She already knew her way around.

She went straight to the kitchen and opened a couple of pots which turned out to be empty.

"Do you mind some noodles?" She asked.

An air of surprise swept through me. Until then she hadn't acted so free in my room.

"Of course not," I answered.

I didn't have anymore noodles in my kitchen so I breezed out to by some from 'mama Simbi' down the street.

Just as I was returning, I thought that I heard someone call out my name. I began to look around. At a corner beside a 'baba ijebu' shop stood this young man. His face wasn't familiar. I walked up to him.

"How are you, Wale?" He asked.

"I'm doing good," said I. Bemused by how he even knew my name.

"I know you don't know me. Bisola has told me a lot about you."

That was when my heart skipped a beat. Seriosuly?

"Have you noticed she likes you?"

He went on.

At this point I was dumbfounded.

"The thing is, she doesn't know how to tell you. So she asked me if I could. I'm like a brother to her

and she feels free to tell me anything."

He said.

"Bros, it's not like I don't like Bisola, I do but I have a girlfriend. I'm in a serious relationship. So I can do anything serious with her," I said.

"She told me already. She knows you have a girlfriend and she already promised she won't intrude. She won't be jealous. She won't bug you. In this situation, you call the shots."

Then consider it done, I thought to myself. I felt like jumping out of my skin. I couldn't stop imagining what I would do to Bisola when I get home.

"Okay bros, no problem." I said.

"Thank you very much, Wale." He said.

"Excuse me." I left in a hurry.

When I entered my room, Bisola was sitting on the bed. I threw pack of noodles aside and rushed at her like a hungry lion would it's prey.

She was ready for it - the event that followed. She already knew the outcome of my discussion with his 'brother' whom I later got to know his name as Idris.

I started to undress her, kissing her all over.

I began to thrust. Bodies mixing.

Heavy breathing. Then my phone began to ring. On the display is the picture of my girlfriend as the caller. I stopped thrusting. Even though I let the phone ring on until disconnect, an air of guilt swept through me. Then I came out of her.

"What the matter?" She asked.

"I have a girlfriend."

"I know. That's not a problem. I won't bug you," She said. Then she planted a kiss on my lips. "I won't ask for too much.”

"Are you sure?" I asked.

She nodded accent.

To be contd

What's that one thing a lot of people don't know about you?

INTERVIEW CONCIERGE

OLUWAPELUMI SHITTU

by Oluwaseyi Akindunbi

"Young and getting it" is the perfect phrase to describe Oluwapelumi Shittu, a 22 year old graduate of Architecture from the University of Lagos and an MSC holder from same institution. She's one of the cohost on EbonyLife TV's "Moments Z". In this interview she shares alot on her career, her experience so far at Ebony Life TV and her aspirations.

Going on Moments Z was probably an interesting experience for you, can you share on this?

It was definitely an interesting experience because I was quite confused about what to do after school. I knew I wasn’t as passionate about Architecture as I was with talking or presenting group projects in school. Moments Z helped me discover a whole new world called ‘presenting and hosting’ which for one minute, never crossed my mind as a career path/option. I mean, during the auditions, I got to meet people I never ever dreamt of seeing, stayed at Sheraton all through. It was just beautiful and completely different from the life I was used to.

On one hand, you have a masters degree in Architecture from the University of Lagos and on another hand you are a TV presenter, how do you juggle both?

Yes, I do have a masters degree in Architecture. Nothing truly is ever a waste. I’m not doing anything that pertains to Architecture right now, because I’m all about exploring and advancing in this new terrain that I’ve found myself in. But I know that one way or another in the future, I would definitely do something that relates with Architecture.

Don't you think that you might have to give up one for the other at some point?

I’m not giving up on anyone, the PG | 51 | SEPTEMBER 2017

I’m very empathetic and emotional. I can cry for Africa over the littlest thing, my tear glands have a mind of their own.

What are your hobbies?

Hobbies: dancing, talking, conceptualizing.

How do you relax and unwind? Would you grab a book, listen to music or do something else?

you are who you chose to be

I’ll listen to music and then sleep off, I love to sleep, a little bit of light reading here and there but, I take relaxing to the T and sleep till my eyes are heavy. I watch animations, fantasy and chick flicks as well.

How would you describe your style?

My style is definitely Afrocentric. I love everything about African print: adire, asooke , Ankara. I love them!!! I’m also a laid back kinda person, probably because of my Archi background where you had to make sure you’re dressed comfortably enough to work for hours. So, you’ll definitely see me wearing big shirts and baggy trousers, probably rubber slippers as well lol.

Where's that one place in the world you would love to visit with your best friend or boyfriend?

Oh my!!! I really want to go to Greece and Seychelles.

Who is a complete woman to you?

beautiful thing about this life is that God has given us the power and capacity to do a lot of things as once.

If people have various businesses that they own, why can’t I juggle two different professions as well and even have more.

One can say you are "living your dream to an extent", however we would like to know your goals and aspirations. What are those things you are hoping to achieve in the nearest future?

I really want to touch lives. I feel like life shouldn’t be all about making money or being famous, but about impacting your community and the world at large. That is what I truly hope to achieve. I might go into movies, have my own talk show, partner with organizations to design sustainable and low income housing for the less privilege etc... I just want to be a salt on this earth. You know what I mean!

What are the valuable life lessons you've learnt since working in EbonyLife TV?

I’ve learnt a lot working in EL. I should probably write a book about that basically though. I’ve learnt about the importance of God. I mean we pray before we shoot everytime, we are so conscious about God in every little thing. That to me is so awesome, especially when you’ve heard all sorts of things about the industry in the first place. I’ve learnt to always be professional. There’s no excuse for mediocrity. I’ve learnt to always make sure you are friends with the crew and everyone in general, I mean over here at Ebonylife there’s no need to raise your nose at anyone, there’s just this humility everyone possesses. I’ve learnt to always be eager to learn and teach; people look at you. The eager you are to learn, the eager they are to teach. I’ve learnt to love what you do.

It’s always obvious when you’re passionate about what you’re doing. I’ve learnt that we ourselves don’t know our own limits, what you think is your breaking point might just be your starting point. I’ve learnt to have fun, I’ve learnt to also put my skills out there, to let people know what I can do. Don’t let your light be hid under a bushel, show people what you can do so that when the need arises, you’re the first person they’ll call.

A complete woman is one who isn’t intimidated by what people say. She knows what she wants and she gets it.

She’s one who knows her purpose and walks in it. She’s aligned with the will of God. She doesn’t hide her flaws or pretend to be perfect. She’s made her mistakes but has

grown from them, knowing it only makes her story interesting. She’s not afraid to love. She’s not self centered, she’s aware of the needs of those around her and tries to meet them.

What's that favorite word, quote or phrase that resonates with you and keeps you going?

“You are who you choose to be” If you choose to be successful, you will be. If you choose to be laid back and wait for left overs to be tossed at you, that’s what you’ll be. Even if prophets and priest have said you are destined for greatness, if you don’t choose to get up on your feet and work, that success will only be a dream or fantasy that you’ll never see happen.

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MRH EVENTS

THE M.O.U SIGNING BETWEEN ROCHAS OKOROCHA FOUNDATION AND ZUMA FOUNDATION.

by Oluwaseyi Akindunbi President Jacob Zuma of South Africa was in Nigeria on the 14th of October and in Imo State specifically for the M.O.U signing between Rochas Okorocha Foundation and Zuma Foundation. The Rochas Okorocha Foundation and the Zuma Foundation are owned by the governor of Imo State; His Excellency, Rochas Anayo Okorocha and the president of South Africa; His Excellency Jacob Zuma respectively.

The Zuma Foundation is partnering with the Rochas Okorocha Foundation on carrying out humanitarian services within Africa. It is believed the fusion of both foundation will enable them cover more grounds and do more, just as the saying goes "two heads are better than than one".

This event was held at the Rochas Foundation College of Africa where almost 50 children and teenagers from different countries in Africa are being given free education. President Zuma alongside Governor Okorocha visited the students in their classes after M.O.U signing ceremony.

At this same event, president Zuma was conferred with a chieftaincy title. He was given the traditional title of “Ochiagha Imo” by Eze Imo, HRH Samuel Ohiri. The chieftaincy title certificate was presented to him by former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He also had a road named after him in the city of Owerri.

See photos from the event.

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MRH EVENTS

Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2017

by Oluwaseyi Akindunbi The Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2017 held from the 25th to the 28th of September 2017 at Eko Atlantic in Victoria Island.

As one of the most anticipated fashion events in Africa, it was attended by various fashion enthusiasts all over the world. From fashion bloggers to fashion designers to fashion photographers to fashion illustrators, the fourday event was packed full of people with common interest; which is to feed their fashion hunger.

Actors, actresses, musicians, social media influencers amongst others came out in their very fashion forward outfits to be a part of this beautiful events. Some came out to show support to designers who have become friends overtime while some just came to have a good time. Whatever their reasons, we are happy they were there because they made the show an eventful one.

Various designers across Africa such as South Africa's Gert Johan Coertzee and Maxhosa by Laduma; Ivory Coast's Loza Maléombho; Senegal's Sophia Zinga amongst several Nigerian designers like Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Style Temple, Maki Oh, Mai Atafo and more wowed the audience with their beautiful collection.

Tiwa Savage, Di'ja and Isaac Geralds are some of the musicians that performed on the runway during the four-day event. Guests were later treated to an exclusive performance by Jidenna and Tiwa Savage at the Heineken after party on the last day to mark a beautiful end to the Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2017

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Men’s Fashion Swanky Jerry

Redefining the

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Rochas Okorocha

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