CHINKATA EZINNE
The Visionary Redefining African Fashion Retail
EDITOR’S NOTE
Ezinne Chinkata, founder of Zinkata, a fashion retail store in Lagos, has been known to say that fashion found her when asked about her shift from a science-based background to fashion. It happened while she was at a crossroads, exploring various opportunities open to her as a career option after her first degree and her Master’s degree. Amid all the dialogue, styling kept coming up as an option, so she took the bold step to interview for an Editorial Stylist’s role with a magazine, and as they say, the rest is history. You might ask what has influenced her career. Chinkata cites her mom as her influence. According to her, her late mom, who owned a made-to-measure fashion business when Chinkata was young, was very creative, and she (Ezinne Chinkata) saw fashion as a means of selfexpression through her mom.
Read Ezinne Chinkata’s story on pages 8 to 10.
Pantone announced the colour for 2025 to be mocha mousse. If you are wondering how to wear this warm shade of brown, look no further; our fashion pages show you how. Scroll to pages 4 and 5.
Over the years, the beauty landscape has developed dramatically. Makeup has changed from full glam to fresh-faced looks. In the new year, some outdated beauty trends are making a comeback. We highlight these trends on our beauty page. See page 12.
As the new year approaches, many have drawn a list of resolutions; remember that these resolutions are more achievable if we create specific goals.
Happy New Year!
Until next week, enjoy your read.
Onah
@onahluciaa + 2348033239132
AUSTYN OGANNAH
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Executive Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa
Writer: Johnson Chukwueke
Graphic Design: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’
Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun
Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘SunZA’
www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown
Mocha Mousse How to Wear Pantone’s Colour of The Year 2025
S is For Solitude
Ezinne Chinkata The Visionary Redefining African Fashion Retail
11 Organise Your Space For The New Year
Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity - Contributing Editor
Odunayo Ogunbiyi is an ex pharmacist with a passion for food and pampering. Writing about her exploits wherever in the world she may find herself is just her way of staying sane in this zany world.
Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm - Contributing Writer
Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.
Dorcas Akintoye @mila_dfa_ - Contributing Writer
Dorcas Akintoye is a dedicated writer with more than 2 years prolific experience in writing articles ranging from food, entertainment, fashion and beauty. She has a National Diploma in Mass Communication from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. She loves writing, listening to music and playing scrabble. She is a highly-skilled, enthusiastic, selfmotivated professional writer.
Sally Chiwuzie @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind
- Contributing Writer
Sally Chiwuzie is a non-practising barrister who owns the brand #Unshakable. She is the author of Silent Symphonies, a fictional love story, and the creator of the podcast Chronicles of #Unshakable Truths.
ONAKOYA BIMPE
Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron
How to Wear Pantone’s Colour of The Year 2025
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
Every year, Pantone, the universal colour language for many industries, announces a colour that sets the tone for fashion, design, and culture. For 2025, that colour is Mocha Mousse—a light brown shade that evokes a yummy, warm sensation, just as its name suggests. Mocha mousse is more than just a colour; it’s a mood that reflects elegance, subtlety, and a sense of timelessness. This article will show six ways to incorporate this Pantone colour of the year into your wardrobe.
1
START SMALL WITH ACCESSORIES
If you’re not ready to go all out in a mocha mousse ensemble, start with accessories. Consider a pair of shoes, a scarf, or a handbag in mocha mousse. These small details can easily make any outfit more sophisticated. Style a mocha mousse handbag with a neutral ensemble, such as a black dress or a white shirt and jeans, for a sophisticated contrast.
2 MOCHA MOUSSE
INCORPORATE IT INTO WORKWEAR
Mocha mousse’s understated yet fashionable look makes it ideal for business environments. You can wear it to work with blouses, skirts, or a fitted mocha mousse blazer. For a sophisticated, workappropriate appearance, pair a mocha mousse jacket with either a white pencil skirt or black tailored pants.
3
TRY A MONOCHROME OUTFIT
A monochromatic mocha mousse ensemble is a headturner for people who enjoy making strong fashion statements. If you wear a dress, jumpsuit, or matching top and pants in this shade, you will stand out while still looking sophisticated. Trendy monochromatic styles make getting dressed easy but still stylish. You can add dimension by combining different materials, such as a satin mocha mousse blouse with linen pants of the same colour.
5
GO CASUAL WITH DENIM
Mocha mousse is excellent with denim for an everyday outfit. Wearing a denim jacket over a mocha mousse dress or a simple mocha mousse t-shirt with blue jeans will make you look effortlessly fashionable. Denim gives mocha mousse a laid-back vibe, making it perfect for informal occasions.
4
MIX AND MATCH WITH CONTRASTING
COLOUR
Mocha mousse is an excellent match for contrasting hues like navy blue, mustard yellow, or olive green. Mixing and matching can create colourful and striking combinations. While keeping your ensemble vibrant, the hues’ contrast accentuates mocha mousse’s beauty. You can look stylish and playful by pairing a mocha mousse skirt with a navy blue blazer or a mocha mousse sweater with olive-green slacks.
DRESS UP FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS 6
Mocha mousse is a stunning option for formal occasions or evening attire. The beauty and grace of a mocha mousse gown or cocktail dress are evident. The colour complements all skin tones and gives formal attire a certain softness. Silver or rose gold jewellery are metallic accessories that can be worn with your dress to enhance the ensemble further.
The 2025 fashion colour, mocha mousse, is here to elevate your outfit. Everybody may embrace this adaptable colour, whether you start slowly with accessories or go all out with striking monochrome ensembles. What are you waiting for, then? Make mocha mousse your go-to colour in 2025, and let your clothes speak for themselves!
SALLY CHIWUZIE
@unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind
In a quiet cabin perched on the edge of the Scottish Highlands, Sarah found herself wrapped in the arms of solitude. The wind sang a mournful tune outside, ruffling the ancient pines, while inside, the crackling fireplace provided a melody of its own. Sarah’s life had been a whirlwind of social obligations, professional milestones, and a constant need to stay connected. Now, in the heart of winter, she had chosen to disconnect.
S IS FOR SOLITUDE
One night, as the snow fell heavily, she decided to confront her discomfort. She sat by the window, her journal open in her lap, and began writing. Words poured out about her childhood dreams, her hidden insecurities, and the #unshakable truths she had avoided for years. She realised she had spent much of her life striving to be seen and understood by others but had never truly seen or understood herself.
Loneliness, she mused, was the absence of connection, while solitude was the presence of self. Could one exist without the other?
The turning point came on a bright morning when Sarah ventured into the nearby woods. There, among the frost-tipped ferns, she encountered the delicate tracks of a deer. She followed them until they led to a clearing, where the animal stood, watching her with cautious eyes. The encounter was brief but profound. At that moment, Sarah felt a deep connection — not to another person, but to the world itself.
‘Even alone,’ she whispered, ‘I am not lonely.’
wasn’t about escaping others but about returning to herself, stronger and more whole.
Her friends noticed the change. ‘You seem different,’ one remarked over coffee.
‘I feel different,’ Sarah replied. ‘I used to think solitude was something to avoid. Now I see it as necessary — a way to understand who I am so I can give the best of myself to others.’ Her friend frowned. ‘But aren’t we supposed to need people?’ ‘Of course,’ Sarah said. ‘But how can we truly connect with others if we are disconnected from ourselves? Solitude taught me that relationships aren’t about filling a void; they are about sharing the strength we build in our quietest moments.’
The idea was radical — or so her friends said. ‘No man is an island,’ they reminded her repeatedly. But Sarah wasn’t seeking isolation out of despair; she yearned to develop a relationship with herself.
Solitude can be both a gift and a burden. Sarah had spent the first days of her retreat luxuriating in its offerings: the unbroken silence, the freedom to think without interruption, the ability to read, write, and simply be. It felt like meeting herself for the first time after years of losing her identity in the chaos of the world.
But the line between solitude and loneliness proved fragile. By the end of her first week, Sarah found herself staring at her phone, aching for the buzz of a message. The emptiness of her inbox was a whisper in the dark, hinting at a creeping fear: Was this all there was to her?
Her days took on a new rhythm. Each morning began with yoga by the fireplace, and each afternoon with long hikes through snow-dappled trails. She rediscovered her love for painting, capturing the landscapes around her in vibrant strokes of green and gold. As the days passed, she came to see her solitude as an act of kintsugi—a way to repair the broken parts of herself with golden threads of understanding and self-compassion
By the third week, she no longer reached for her phone. Instead, she marvelled at the stillness that had once unnerved her. In the silence, she could hear the sound of her own thoughts, and for the first time in years, they didn’t overwhelm her.
Sarah’s retreat ended with the new year. When she returned to the city, she found herself changed. The clamour of daily life no longer felt oppressive; instead, it reminded her of the choice she now had — to engage with the world without losing herself in it. She had learned that solitude
Sarah’s journey was a testament to the #unshakable truth that growth often begins in the stillness of solitude. While loneliness can leave one yearning for connection, solitude offers the gift of introspection and renewal. The saying ‘No man is an island’ may hold wisdom, but even islands thrive best when they are rooted firmly in their foundations.
Sarah had found hers, and in doing so, she became #unshakable.
We have come to realise that being #unshakable is not perfection; it is about striving to be the best version of ourselves in existence at any point in time; therefore, when the sometimes uncomfortable yearnings for solitude come tugging at me, instead of banishing these thoughts, I indulge them and after writing Sarah’s story above, I fully intend to be more intentional about solitude. As a side note, solitude isn’t always running away to the hinterlands; sometimes, it is, for example, going for a run (or whatever your ‘thing’ is). We can explore that another time, but in the meantime, what does solitude mean to you?
‘See’ you next week.
EZINNE CHINKATA
THE VISIONARY REDEFINING AFRICAN FASHION RETAIL
Nigeria’s
fashion retail industry has advanced significantly, evolving from a budding market to a thriving sector that can now compete worldwide. Over the years, retail has greatly impacted how Nigerian fashion is viewed and consumed domestically and abroad. The fashion retail business has increased awareness of African fashion and given local designers a platform to showcase their creativity and workmanship to a global audience by bridging the gap between designers and consumers.
One of the major figures in this industry is Ezinne Chinkata, a trailblazer whose contributions have changed the perception of African fashion retail. After earning a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and a background in Biology and Genetics, Chinkata pursued an unexpected career path in fashion, which she has dominated for the past 15 years. Chinkata has had an enduring impression on the fashion industry as the founder of ZINKATA, a retail business devoted to empowering women and promoting African designers. Her brand demonstrates her dedication to empowering women and advancing the “Buy African” movement.
In this interview with Dorcas Akintoye of THEWILL DOWNTOWN, Ezinne Chinkata discusses her 15-year journey in the fashion industry, the challenges and triumphs of building her brand, the lessons learned from a decade of running her retail store, and her vision for the future of African fashion.
What inspired you to transition from a sciencebased background to a career in fashion?
I quite often say jokingly, “Fashion found me” in response to this question, but there’s quite a bit of truth to it. It happened pretty naturally. I was at a crossroads at the time, where I was exploring the various options available to me regarding career opportunities after my Master’s degree in Environmental Management and a first degree in Cell Biology and Genetics. In the midst of all the dialogue, styling kept coming up as an option, and I took the bold step and went ahead to interview for an Editorial Stylist’s role in Elan magazine, recommended to me by a friend and from my very first Editorial, I was in neck-deep right through till date. I am truly thankful.
What were some of the challenges you faced when starting your career, and how did you overcome them?
“My
Fifteen years ago in Nigeria, there was hardly any structure or association to guide an aspiring fashion stylist/ entrepreneur on how to put together packages, get creative guidelines, and help set up a business. What we had in abundance was great talent, a fast-exploding industry and a growing network of extremely talented creatives. I navigated through this unique terrain by trying as best as I could to be: professional, ethical and, most importantly, go in with a genuine desire to put in great work and satisfy the clients. I took on a lot of fashion courses from international schools and asked for help and mentorship from all over the world, where and when possible. I had quite a few challenges, but I had such a fervent desire to succeed, and this fueled my narrative as well as how I tackled each job.
Who or what has been your biggest influence in your career?
Christian faith keeps me grounded and helps me make the right decisions as well as stay centred. A commitment to staying professional at all times and giving my absolute best always helps me steer through life’s daily demands.”
How do you select the designers and brands featured in ZINKATA? We select brands that meet our customers’ needs and align with our business values. Authenticity, a clear design aesthetic, and an ingenious embrace of Indigenous silhouettes are some of the qualities we look for.
What role does customer service play in the success of your retail store?
It plays a very important role. We are extremely customercentric.
How does ZINKATA promote African designers and the “Buy African” movement?
Most of the items we have in store are Made in Nigeria/ Africa. We create PR targeted at promoting the brands we carry in-store, highlighting their unique stories. We also take time out to find and harness new talent through Zinkata and offer all the help we can to help foster their growth. We also encourage our customers to buy Nigerian/ African by running a well-curated store filled with African merchandise. In their own way, our customers started a beautiful movement and helped create an avenue for the industry to grow and continue to evolve.
“I quite often say jokingly, “Fashion found me” in response to this question, but there’s quite a bit of truth to it. It happened pretty naturally. I was at a crossroads at the time, where I was exploring the various options available to me regarding career opportunities after my Master’s degree”
My mom was very creative; through her, I saw fashion as a means of self-expression. I spent a lot of time in her hair salon called Gorgeous. In my early years, she owned a madeto-measure fashion business, and this was such an exciting place to visit. Her flair for putting together bold colours and staying true to her authentic self influenced me greatly. My Dad was hard-working, smart and extremely meticulous. His long career in banking, as well as his entrepreneurship pursuits, was truly one I admired and learnt from. He taught me the importance of hard work, transparency, great customer service, and consistently showing up. Thirdly, Africa, particularly Nigeria. I am a true Patriot! Through fashion retail, we pay homage to our culture and traditions while embracing our own unique style.
“Start honing your skills as well as exploring different areas of fashion. Internships are a great way to ease into the field and it also gives you the opportunity to know if a career in fashion is truly for you.”
What inspired you to create ZINKATA, and how did you bring your vision to life? I was passionate about helping women feel great about themselves by guiding them to help find the right fashion items for their style personalities. I also loved the idea of using indigenous fashion to achieve this. Launching a store with a foundation steeped in these values was the next step. We opened Zinkata’s first doors ten years ago.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to build a career in the fashion industry? Start, it can be in the smallest way. Start honing your skills as well as exploring different areas of fashion. Internships are a great way to ease into the field and it also gives you the opportunity to know if a career in fashion is truly for you.
What key personal values or philosophies guide your work in the fashion industry?
My Christian faith keeps me grounded and helps me make the right decisions as well as stay centred. A commitment to staying professional at all times and giving my absolute best always helps me steer through life’s daily demands. Lastly, I am quite fluid in my ideas especially with regards fashion rules. I believe they exist solely as a great reference point and it can be tweaked to suit everyone’s personal beliefs and convictions.
What are some common misconceptions people have about the fashion retail industry?
The sheer amount of hard work and strategic planning required to run a retail store is not immediately evident to the casual onlooker. They often think it’s just a fun, glamorous, and easy job.
What do you think is the biggest opportunity for growth in the African fashion retail space?
Utilising technology to make African fashion readily available globally, as well as all the different parts that would make this work, especially production.
What do you think sets African fashion retail apart from global markets?
Our culture and traditions are indelibly intertwined in the garments we produce and retail. This gives each garment a special magic that can’t be replicated and makes us stand out. Our production style is more slow fashion, which also gives our fashion pieces a certain charm. It is more personalised.
COVER
How has the fashion retail industry evolved since you started 10 years ago?
In so many ways. It’s bigger, broader and more developed, yet, we have many gaps to be filled to create a sustainable ecosystem.
What does celebrating 10 years of ZINKATA mean to you personally and professionally?
Ten years for me and the business means so many things but most importantly it gives us a renewed zeal to keep pushing and evolving. I am so grateful.
Looking back, what has been the most rewarding part of running ZINKATA for 10 years?
The positive difference we’ve made in our customers’ lives as well as our contribution to aiding the growth of the fashion industry. I am truly in awe of how far we’ve come and so thankful to everyone, it is all as a result of your support.
Organise Your Space
FOR THE NEW YEAR
Declutter With Purpose
Begin by checking every item in your home to decide what truly serves you. Go through closets, drawers, and cabinets room by room, asking yourself if you use each item regularly and what value or joy each item brings to you.
You can donate or discard what you no longer need. For sentimental items, keep meaningful ones and consider storing them in memory boxes. Decluttering creates physical and mental clarity, allowing your home to breathe.
Create Smart Storage Solutions
An organised home requires functional storage. Use bins, baskets, and labelled boxes to group similar items together. Take advantage of vertical space by installing shelves or using over-the-door organisers. For small spaces, invest in multifunctional furniture like ottomans with hidden compartments. Maintaining a tidy home becomes much easier when everything has a designated place.
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
We are inching into the new year, and for most people, the new year symbolises a fresh start. Be it a fresh start in one’s professional life or health-wise, the new year brings a good opportunity to try new things. This new period also makes it the perfect time to transform your home into a serene and organised haven. Whether you want to maximise space, improve aesthetics, or create a clutter-free environment, the following simple steps will help you bring renewed energy to your living space as you enter 2025.
Refresh Your Home Decor
A minor update can go a long way in giving your home a new feel. Add houseplants to enhance the ambience and purify the air. Switch textiles like curtains, pillows, or rugs to introduce fresh colours or patterns. You can arrange furniture for better flow and functionality without spending a dime. Consider infusing soft lighting, candles, or modern light fixtures to create a cosy and welcoming environment.
Establish an Organisational Routine
Consistency is key to maintaining a clutter-free and tidy home. Spend 10 minutes each day tidying up spots like countertops or entryways.
Plan seasonal deep cleans to tackle areas like the pantry, fridge, or underbeds.
You can also create a family chore chart to keep everyone involved in maintaining the new space.
Regular upkeep will make your home as fresh and inviting as it feels after a major decluttering.
Bring in a Personal Touch
As you refresh your space, adding items that reflect your personality and goals for the year is worth trying. Create a vision board corner where you display inspirational quotes or goals. Frame family photos or artwork to make your home feel more personalised. Add new scents to your home, such as diffusers or scented candles, to evoke calmness and positivity. These small, meaningful additions can elevate your home into a true sanctuary where you feel inspired and comfortable. As you embrace the “New Year, New Home” mindset, these steps will help guide you toward a functional and refreshing space. A decluttered and well-organised home not only
4 Outdated Beauty Trends
That Are Making A Comeback in 2025
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
Over the years, there has been a lot of evolution and development in the beauty landscape. In just ten years, makeup styles have changed from the full glam of the 2010s (think defined brows, matte skin, and contoured cheekbones) to the current fad for glowing, fresh-faced, “clean girl” makeup looks. Also, in the same space of time, we’ve seen several trends reinvent themselves with a more modern perspective and masterful effect. This article will look at four outdated beauty trends that will make a comeback in 2025.
1.RED NAILS
Although they have long been associated with confidence and elegance, red nails have temporarily lost ground to contemporary pastel and neon hues. They are now making a big reappearance as the preferred manicure option. What’s causing the revival? Red fingernails are classic and multipurpose. Every event can benefit from this trend, whether a brilliant cherry red for the day or a deep crimson for the evening. Red nail polish is now practical and stylish thanks to modern formulations that make it glossy and resistant to chipping. Red nails create a professional image that is always in style when paired with basic accessories and neutral clothing.
2.POWDER BLUSH
Even though liquid makeup has radically changed the majority of our routines, and with good reason, for a more youthful, radiant appearance, powder blush has stood out. Using excessive amounts of blush has been popular in the 2020s, mostly as a means of highlighting even the most understated makeup. Blush is fundamentally meant to portray skin that is vibrant and healthy. Even while some liquid solutions are worth the investment, it’s time to start setting everything in place and contouring your higher cheekbones with powder blush sweeps, à la the decade’s blushheavy 1930s and 1980s.
3. VELCRO ROLLERS
Velcro rollers may bring up memories of your grandmother’s vanity or old Nollywood glitz, but they are an essential tool for easy, full-bodied hairstyles today. Due to its delicate nature and ability to achieve results without the harm that heat tools may cause, this vintage styling technique has become fashionable again. Velcro rollers are being used by contemporary beauty enthusiasts to achieve sleek volume at the roots, delicate waves, or bouncy curls. You can get a salon-quality blowout in just a few minutes by popping them in while you do your makeup, making them perfect for hectic mornings. In addition, rollers’ nostalgic appeal makes them attractive.
4. SEMI-MATTE LIPSTICKS
After a brief period of popularity, matte lipsticks gave way to ultra-glossy finishes. With the ideal balance between the two, semi-matte lipstick has returned. The velvety feel of semi-matte formulations is neither excessively shiny nor too flat. Because they are long-lasting, moisturising, and comfortable to wear, they are popular for daily use. Particularly adored for its adaptability, this resurrected trend looks great with natural makeup and bold eyes. Classic hues that give lips a polished yet carefree look, like rose, berry, and nude, are leading the semimatte renaissance.
CONCLUSION
The main focus of 2025 beauty trends is revisiting the classics with a contemporary twist. Some looks never go out of style; they only wait for the proper moment to shine again, as proven by red nails, powder blush, velcro rollers, and semi-matte lipstick. These styles embrace the cutting-edge beauty methods of today while bringing back the classic grace and simplicity that characterised earlier decades. Why not try one of these trends or all of them and see for yourself how magical they are?
We are close to the new year, a time for you to prepare yourself for new steps, new achievements, and a whole new body physique. The new year isn’t just a time for resolutions based on finances, and work-wise, no. It’s also the perfect opportunity to hit reset and prioritise your health. Think of this as your chance to redefine what fitness means for you. Whether it involves you running your first five thousand steps, building strength, or simply feeling more energised every day, you can also build up your dream physique with consistent effort. With the excitement of a fresh start, it’s important to map out a sustainable plan if you are serious about achieving your fitness dreams. You have to remember that the goal isn’t just to look good but to feel unstoppable, and if you want to achieve this, then starting isn’t enough; you also have to keep going. Here are steps to help you gain your desired fitness level.
Set Clear And Realistic Goals
It’s purely a dream if you are going to aim for immediate transformations all at once, that’s why you should be setting achievable goals to ensure steady progress and prevent burnout. Break your fitness goals into smaller, measurable milestones. For example, instead of saying, “I want to lose weight,” the best way to stay motivated is to outline “I’ll lose 5 pounds in two months.” Clarity keeps you focused and motivated.
NEW YEAR
New Fitness Goals
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
Fuel Your Body Wisely
Exercise alone won’t yield results without proper nutrition. A balanced diet with lean protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates supports your energy levels and recovery. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods and stay hydrated. Consider consulting a nutritionist for tailored advice based on your fitness goals.
Track Your Progress
Tracking your progress keeps you accountable and reveals how far you’ve come. Use a journal, app, or smartwatch to monitor workouts, diet, and physical changes. Celebrate your milestones, whether it’s lifting heavier weights or running longer distances, as they build your motivation to keep going.
Rest And Recover
Consistency is the backbone of fitness success. Dedicate specific days and times for your workouts to build a habit. Mix cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises to keep things engaging. Even if you can only spare 30 minutes a day, regular movement beats sporadic, intense sessions.
Rest days are as important as workout days. Too much of everything isn’t good, and overtraining your muscles can lead to fatigue, injury, and then demotivation. Fuse in activities like yoga or stretching on lighter days and ensure you’re getting enough sleep. Recovery allows your muscles to heal and grow stronger.
Achieving fitness goals isn’t just about physical transformation; it’s about building discipline, self-care, and a positive mindset. With these few steps, you’ll hit your fitness milestones and build habits that last a lifetime. Take control of your health one step at a time this new year—your future self will thank you.
LIVING
Your Ultimate New Year Guide Resolutions That Work
REFLECT ON THE PAST YEAR
Before deciding on new goals, take a moment to think about how your previous year went. Think about your wins, losses, struggles, and things you can improve on. Ask yourself questions like “What went well last year?” “What didn’t go as planned?” “What habits or actions had the greatest positive impact on my life?” By reflecting, you get ideas on what areas need attention and set a strong foundation for meaningful resolutions.
KEEP IT REALISTIC AND SPECIFIC
Outlining things like “be healthier” or “save more money” usually fails because they lack focus. Instead, create specific and achievable goals. Outlining “Exercise three times a week” is more specific than “get fit.” “Save N2,000 every month” gives you a particular target, not just “save money.” Realistic goals help you stay committed.
BREAK DOWN GOALS INTO SMALLER STEPS
Taking on so much at once can be overwhelming, leading to procrastination. To avoid this, break down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks. If your goal is to “learn a new language,” start with daily habits like using a language app for 10 minutes or enrolling in weekly classes. This approach makes progress easier and gives you small wins to celebrate along the way.
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
Anew year is a fresh opportunity for new beginnings. For many people, this is the perfect time to set goals or make resolutions to bring positive change and progress into their lives. However, the truth is that making resolutions is one thing, and sticking to them is another. A major part of achieving your goals depends on how well they are set. Instead of randomly outlining resolutions that are hard to maintain, why not create ones that inspire and challenge you and remain achievable?
Here’s a guide to help you set meaningful and sustainable resolutions for the new year.
ALIGN RESOLUTIONS WITH YOUR VALUES
Your resolutions should align with what truly matters to you. Are you setting a goal because you genuinely care about it or because it’s the latest trend? If family is important to you, have goals like “spend one evening a week with loved ones.” If it’s a professional goal, have something like “complete one certification course by mid-year.” You’ll be more motivated to pursue your goals when they align with your values.
TRACK PROGRESS AND STAY FLEXIBLE
Setting a resolution is just the beginning. You also need to track your progress to keep yourself accountable. Monitor how you’re doing, and be kind to yourself if life gets in the way. Adjust your goals if needed. Growth is more important than perfection.
Resolutions are powerful tools for selfimprovement, but their success depends on how well they’re planned. By following these steps, you’ll be better equipped to embrace the new year with purpose and determination. Make the new year count by setting resolutions that truly inspire you! Happy New Year.
Crossing The Line DOWNTOWN
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
Frombeing strict about maintaining my sexual purity to becoming someone who can’t go a week without getting intimate, my sex life has undergone a drastic transformation. I’m sure you’re curious about what changed. A lot did—my sex life, my perception of sex, and my understanding of myself. All of it shifted in a year. I would say one of the biggest decisions I made this year was giving in to sex. Growing up in a very religious family, I had this purity going on, so I was saving myself for marriage. Although apart from the Christian belief about sex and purity, my virginity was important to me. It was something I wanted to protect, a source of pride and uniqueness that I believed would shield me from inevitable embarrassment. But even as I upheld these ideals, I fed my curiosity by secretly indulging in erotic novels and movies. I told myself it was harmless because I believed watching and reading wouldn’t change my decision to wait until marriage.
Over time, my curiosity deepened. I found myself Googling questions about sex, climax, and even things like squirting. I convinced myself it was normal to want to understand these things, so at least I wouldn’t be naive when the time finally came.
Despite my decision to stay away from sex, I wanted a romantic relationship, but the desire for one stopped when I found out no one was ready to date me without involving sex. I eventually decided to stop pursuing relationships altogether and wait for marriage. When I was ready to give up, I met Sam, who seemed different. He agreed to date
me without sex, saying he wasn’t big on it either. I didn’t love him, but I was excited about possibly having a relationship that aligned with my boundaries. We allowed ourselves some intimacy—kissing, smooching, and cuddling— but nothing beyond that. Things were going well until our first make-out session, which led to our breakup.
Before that day, we discussed cuddling and planned to cuddle when we next met because we were both exhausted from our various weeks and hadn’t had a chance to see each other. The day finally came, and I was seated on his couch with him beside me, having random conversations. He touched my body randomly, too, as we spoke, and I did the same. Then he asked me to sit on his lap, and I did. Before I knew it, while still on his lap, he pushed me to the couch, with my back lying on it, and then he leaned in to kiss me. The kiss was unexpected, but I was okay with it. So I kissed him back. It was my first kiss. I was so nervous. A lot of thought was running through my head. I wasn’t sure if I was doing the correct thing, but I kept calm and went with the flow. I matched the motion of his tongue, and he did mine. I opened my eyes to look at him, and he seemed to be having a good time. I noticed he had a boner, too. Encouraged, I wrapped my hands around his head as we kissed. As things got more passionate, he began touching me—first my breasts, then moving his hand toward my pants. That was my limit. I ended the make-out session, and while he didn’t say anything, I could sense his frustration. We didn’t speak for days, and when I finally reached out, I decided to end the relationship. To my surprise, he agreed without
protest, which hurt more than I expected. I thought the breakup would be the end of it, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss. It awakened a part of me I hadn’t explored before. I found myself craving that intimacy again. Then, I met Zion during that phase, and he made everything worse. Zion was one of those guys who wouldn’t stop asking me for a relationship. He did and said everything to convince me. Despite my initial resistance, his dirty talk and seductive words broke down my walls. So, I gave in.
That night we met, I had the best sex of my life. He did everything he said he would do to me, and I did moan out his name in pleasure. He was so good. We had sex back to back, and I discovered that I had a high libido. Luckily, Zion could match my energy. He was ready to give it to me anytime and anywhere. When our relationship ended a few months later, I didn’t stop seeking that thrill. Instead, I became less interested in meaningful relationships and more focused on the physical aspects.
My body count increased significantly, and while I sometimes mourn the loss of the person I used to be, the girl who felt special and unique because of her sexual purity, I can’t say I’m unhappy. I’ve embraced who I am now, even though I wonder how different things might have been if I’d never let Sam kiss me that day.
Am I content with the way I’ve changed? Yes, in many ways. But I still miss the sense of pride and exclusivity that came with my earlier choices.
BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA
Favourite Movies And TV Shows of 2024
Theyear in movies and TV was a bit odd in 2024. Last year’s Hollywood strikes somewhat reduced the output of major movies and shows. Still, the studios, networks and streaming services released hundreds of titles — and I watched many of them. It may have been a down year, quantity-wise, but 2024 certainly recorded a number of highs, quality-wise. Without further ado, here’s my list of six best movies and four best TV shows, in no particular order.
Movies
• Hit Man Glen Powell is just so damn charming. He oozes magnetism in everything he’s in, whether he’s chasing superstorms in Twisters or going undercover as a fake assassin in the neo-noir romantic comedy Hit Man Powell even co-wrote the latter with director Richard Linklater, so he’s clearly a man of varied talents. Their collaboration yielded terrific results: an entertaining, sexy, fun and funny thrill-filled ride.
• The Substance As satire, The Substance’s subjects feel broad and dated – a daytime aerobics show, and the ratings thereof, are the scaffolding upon which hangs our tale – but the result is a gloriously grotesque gobbet of body-horror camp. Demi Moore plays a youth-obsessed TV aerobics instructor who takes a black market drug that grows a younger her (Margaret Qualley) straight from her body, in a yucky, squelchy fashion. It’s a funny, angry movie with absolutely no use for subtlety or nuance, and you just have to respect that.
• Dune: Part Two Denis Villeneuve already proved he was the right hand to adapt Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic with the first film; the second is the spice on top of the cake. Everything about the visuals of Part Two is bigger and bolder, from the stunning cinematography to the incredible special effects. It also exceeds its predecessor with deeper character development, both of already-introduced figures like Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and Zendaya’s Chani to new faces like Austin Butler’s savage Feyd-Rautha. This is an epic that will be held up as the bar for years to come.
• Challengers Erotic dramas have gone out of style in Hollywood, yet Luca Guadagnino keeps serving up ace after ace in the genre, including two in 2024, Challengers and Queer The former is a winner up the line thanks to the crackling chemistry between the three leads — Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist — and the nonlinear storytelling that slowly reveals how three tennis players ended up
in a love triangle/tangle. Challengers is outrageous, thrilling, funny, and sexy.
• Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
There is just no living up to Mad Max: Fury Road; it’s too good. But George Miller’s Furiosa still contains some of the action best sequences of the year and very possibly Chris Hemsworth’s finest hour. Maybe it’s a little overlong, and Anya TaylorJoy’s performance lacks the punch Charlize Theron brought to Fury Road, but filmmaking like this is about as hard to come by as water is in the Mad Max wasteland.
• A Real Pain
Just as a romantic comedy relies heavily on the chemistry between its leads, so does this familial dramedy, which pairs Jesse Eisenberg (also the writer/director) and Kieran Culkin as Jewish-American cousins who go on a trip to Poland to honour their late grandmother. Their journey is marked by emotional reckonings — with their shared pasts, with their current estrangement, and with the weight of history. Eisenberg and Culkin feel like they are actually cousins in real life; the relationship between the buttoned-up David and free-spirited Benji feels that natural and effortless. They make a story that might feel heavy and ponderous instead come across as healing and profound.
TV Shows
• The Penguin On the surface, it’s still yet another Batman-withoutBatman show. But spend even a few minutes with it, and it starts to reveal new, satisfying depths. The central performances of Colin Farrell (as mob underboss Oz Cobb) and Cristin Milioti (as the would-be head of a crime family) are given room to breathe, and complicate, and surprise. The world of Gotham is pulpy but psychologically complex in ways that have nothing to do with a weirdo who dresses up at night to punch crime in the face.
• Shōgun
This FX production — broadcast largely in Japanese with English subtitles, a rarity for mainstream TV — was ambitious on every metric one could use to evaluate television. Despite a vast narrative and visual scope, Shōgun never sacrificed the details: Its writers and directors depicted feudal Japanese culture with an eye toward ceremony and smaller gestures exchanged between sips of tea. Its excellent ensemble was equally meticulous and restrained in its performances, exemplified by Emmy winners Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, the latter whose quietly powerful performance as Lady Mariko served as the heart of the series. While progressing at its own deliberately measured pace, Shōgun, the second major TV adaptation of James Clavell’s literary saga following the successful 1980 miniseries, accomplished something reboots rarely do: It took a familiar story and told it with greater depth and a wider sense of perspective that felt entirely new.
True Detective: Night Country
Under the guidance of creator and showrunner Nic Pizzolatto, the first three seasons of True Detective, especially its first, focused mostly on men and told their stories with an explicitly male gaze that minimised or sexualised women. Then Issa López came along and created Night Country, the fourth iteration of True Detective and the most mystical, genuinely frightening instalment.
Recontextualising story beats and themes from the Matthew McConaughey–Woody Harrelson season, López crafted a moody crime thriller that centres two female cops — Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, delivering equally fierce, complex performances — while exploring grief, spirituality, and the marginalisation of Indigenous women. She also sets the murder investigation in frigid Ennis, Alaska, during the longest, darkest days of the dead of winter, when all the natural shadows can be mistaken (or not?) for portals to the supernatural.
Where the first season of True Detective put metaphysical words in McConaughey’s mouth, each episode of Night Country immerses you in a liminal space on the edge of reality where the world and the otherworldly meet.
• The Boys: Season 4
Brutal and bloodthirsty, season four of the hit superhero series
The Boys, burst onto screens this year and left us feeling a little queasy in the aftermath. The long-awaited fourth instalment of the Prime Video smash took viewers on a neo-political crusade, with the beleaguered team of anti-heroes tasked with taking down an impending regime.
With the evil Vought International gunning to get one of their own supes, Victoria Neuman, into the White House, it’s up to Hughie, Annie/ Starlight, and the awkwardly named Mother’s Milk to dismantle the campaign and reveal the intricate web of lies. Standing in their way, however, is Homelander and his legion of The Seven, who threaten to not only thwart their attack but destroy them in the process.
Admittedly, the political aspect of the latest season does feel like odd timing, and the overt violence stemmed into unnerving territory, but The Boys maintains its aura as an entirely unique concept. Antony Starr’s Homelander continues to be a brooding and captivating villain, while Jack Quaid established himself as a future Hollywood force to be reckoned with as Hughie.
GIOVANNA; Austin Marc - giving
BINA. - Bossy
insyt. - Truth Serum
Khruangbin - Hold Me Up (Thank You)
RUBII - Jammin
Rema - YAYO
Moon Soul - Love Again
Lupe Fiasco - Palaces
Amaarae - Angels in Tibet