VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY J ULY 25 2 5 – JULY JU LLYY 31, 3 1, 1 , 2021 2 00221 21
CHIOMA AJUNWA OPARAH
Worth Her Weight in Gold
VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
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VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
Photo: @HairByUgo
EDITOR’S NOTE
W
hen we (the team) get a good brainwave, I’m excited to follow it through, and nailing National sports hero, Chioma Ajunwa Oparah for our Olympics special issue was the challenge I didn’t know I needed. However, I was not at all prepared for the gamut of emotions I would face from anger to incredulity to disbelief, goose-pimpled at every turn, and finally elation as we completed the interview and photoshoot. What is it about this country that stops us from rewarding those who have served us well and giving them their flowers whilst still above the grave? For those who may not know. Chioma Ajunwa was the first female individual Olympic gold medalist in Africa and the only Nigerian to date for her spectacular efforts at women’s long jump during the 1996 games held in Atlanta, USA. One would think that she would be amongst the Nigerian coaches and non-competing delegates bound for the freshly commenced Tokyo Olympic games but her response to that was simply “I was asked to come to Abuja but when I got there, they said I didn’t have a line sheet and so it seems I’m not going anywhere after all”. This comes as no surprise as it was only barely a month ago that the houses promised the Nigerian Olympians of 1996 were finally handed over to those still alive- a good 25 years later! I’d like to say a big thank you to the guys at DAG apparel for Chioma’s athleisure wear and the good people at B-code for the Skechers sneakers all gifted to our cover star in appreciation of her efforts towards making Nigeria great. To the young and strong athletes teeming to make your marks, I say do it for the love of the sport and country. One day, one day this country go beta! Take care of yourself and you’ll see us next week!
LATASHA NGWUBE @latashalagos
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CONTENTS
COVER STORY:
CHIOMA AJUNWA OPARAH Worth Her Weight in Gold
04
LIVING
Eid-El-MubarakMore to It Than Meats The Eye!
05
O LYM P I C S S P E C I A L
Let’s Get Down To Medal Business
AUSTYN OGANNAH
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor: Latasha Ngwube Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Beauty Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Contributing Editor: Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity Senior Writer: Chisom Njoku @inchisomwetrust Contributing Writer: Boluwatife Adesina @bolugram Uzo Orimalade @uzosfoodlabs House Photographer: Rachel Seidu @rachelseidu Graphics/Layout: Olatunji Samson Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Interns: Kehinde Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown
06
T H E R E V I E W:
5 of The Best (Olympic) Sports Movies
07
D O W N TO W N ZO D I AC
Leo Season: Does Being A Celestial Lion Edge You Closer To An Olympic Medal?
12-13
B EAU TY
SPORT ON BEAUTY
14 H EA LTH
World Hepatitis Day What You Need To Know
15
W EB S IGH TS DOW NTOW N
Crazy Rich Igbos
16
TH E SC ENE DOW NTOW N
The Conferment Of Habeeb Okunola As The Akosin Of Yorubaland PAGE 3
VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
LIVING
Eid-El-MubarakMore to It Than Meats The Eye!
BY TILEWA KAZEEM
I
n all countries around the world, Muslims gather to celebrate Eid with friends and family every year. The first Eid of the year, called Eid al-Mubarak, is a feast marking the end of Ramadan. Eid-El Mubarak however, is the star of the Eid holidays. It commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail as a mark of obedience to God. It also is the time of the year when not having a Muslim on your contact list is detrimental to your taste buds. The festival of Eid-el Mubarak takes place each year on the tenth of the Islamic calendar month of Dhul Hijja, the twelfth month. As such, it has no set date and changes every year. Muslims around the world observe it at the same time, wherever they might be. Despite only being one day, the festivities can last up to a week, but usually for 2-4 days. There’s no doubt that Ileya is associated with food, celebrations, and new clothes but it’s more than that. A big part of it is bent on the Eid prayer. It is fard (obligatory) and most scholars agree, since Eid prayer is congregational, your hasanat (good deeds) will multiply even more. With all the specs of the holiday addressed, did you visit anyone this Eid season? If you didn’t, here are two things you missed out on.
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Festivities
Sallah Meat Known to many by different names Sallah meat or Eran Ileya is an annual delicacy. Even ribeye doesn’t compare in taste. Fried under intense heat till it’s golden brown courtesy of firewood or improvised outdoor cookers, this greasy delight is immensely sought after. Neighbours from far and wide orbit around for a taste, and when they do, they just can’t stop at one. I’m pretty certain Muslims at this point have a mental if not a physical list of people who have booked a piece of Sallah meat. This meat is highly appreciated by people no matter how little it is and people who didn’t make this year’s list wouldn’t mind waiting till next year for you to redeem yourself. For those who did, you’ll be one with your meat in due time.
Although a Muslim wouldn’t buy over two hundred cows, they throw one heck of a party. On that day, Muslims and people of other faiths get together to have a party with good music and a lot of food. As for the kids, it’s like Christmas to them. They get new clothes and shoes, and they also form a lot of memories that they will remember and cherish in the future. My earliest memory of celebrating Sallah was when it fell on a day close to Christmas. I enjoyed playing with my friends until I got a scar from trying to hold a firecracker. That was where I learnt my first life lesson. Festivities aside, Sallah is all about sharing. Giving to people regardless of their religion and building bridges of friendship. As a kid, my mum would serve plates of Jollof rice with pieces of meat and have me deliver them door to door. It sometimes attracted cash gifts but it was a lesson on sharing that paid.
VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
OLYMPICS SPECIAL
Let’s Get Down To
Medal Business The Finances Involved In Becoming An Olympic Medalist Across The World
BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE
V
ery few things come close to what athletes feel whenever they mount the Olympics podium to receive their medal as their national anthems play loudly. The world is watching, proverbial doors are opening and for a few of them, their lives change instantly. Olympians train for hours each day to perfect their athletic abilities and maintain their physical fitness; they often devote their lives to making the Olympics and once they do, they compete for the gold, silver, and bronze medals during the competition. If they earn any of these medals, they’re then called an Olympic medalist, whether they participate in a solo or team sport. So how much does adulation convert to in monetary terms? Most Olympians don’t receive any compensation for simply competing in the Olympics. Despite not having a national average salary, they can earn funding from a variety of sources including corporate sponsorships, endorsement deals and medal bonuses.
Corporate Sponsorships Through corporate sponsorships, a company pays to be associated with an Olympian or a team in a type of advertisement. Every member of the sponsored team wears the logo of their sponsor on their clothes and equipment. This sponsorship may or may not be enough to support an Olympian while they train and compete.
Endorsement Deals On the flip side, endorsement deals refer to business arrangements wherein a company establishes a direct relationship with an athlete. During this partnership, athletes advertise or promote a company’s products or services. Though the monetary gain you make from an endorsement deal can vary, high-end brands can earn Olympians enough money to live an affluent lifestyle. Medal Bonuses Medal bonuses are the most dependable form of compensation for relatively unknown athletes. Though
the International Olympic Committee doesn’t award medalists with prize money, several countries award their athletes for every medal they earn. These prices vary depending on the country. Still no confirmation on how much Nigerian Olympians are going to take home for each medal won at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, the Nigerian government claimed to have paid $3000 to gold medalists, $2000 for silver and athletes who won bronze medals $1000 at the 2019 African Games in Morocco. An improvement to the $2000 paid to gold medalists at the 2016 Rio Olympics. How does this compare to other countries? Singapore is reported to pay their athletes the most medal bonuses with gold medalists at the ongoing Olympics expecting to take home a whopping $1 million. Silver medals stand at $500,000 and bronze $250,000. Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan follow suit in impressive payouts with $746k, $250k and $248k respectively. Italy and Hungary round up the sixfigure club. World heavyweights, the USA, will have their gold medalists take home $37,500, $22,500 for silver medalists and $15,000 for bronze medalists. South Africa remains the only African country in this year’s payout top 10 list as each South African gold medalist will pocket $37,000 this summer. While the UK does not offer specific medal bonuses, it does devote $162 million of government and lottery funds to Olympic and Paralympic sports each year, some of which go to annual athlete stipends. UK Olympic medalists get a stipend of $36,000 per year to train and compete. Not every country rewards its athletes with cash. Housing is also a popular bonus as athletes get apartments from their respective governments based on the colour of their medals. Medal-winning South Korean athletes, meanwhile, have been given the gift of time. They will only have to complete four weeks of basic military training instead of the mandatory two years. In Russia, athletes gain influence. “In our country, Olympic success is a direct line... to power,” a Russian paper proclaims, citing as examples, boxer, Nikolay Valuev, wrestler, Alexander Karelin and gymnast, Svetlana Khorkina, who all became MPs (members of the Russia Military Police). Medal bonuses are sometimes sweet to the taste, literally. In 2008, a Belarusian sausage company offered free sausages for life to any Belarussian who earned a gold medal. In the same year, the Iranians handed out golden-coloured shoes.
What Does The Medal Itself Cost? As one would expect, the gold medal is likely to be worth a pretty penny. However, only a very small percentage of gold medals are actually crafted from real gold. To cut down on costs, Olympic gold medals are composed of only 1.2 percent of the precious metal since gold costs a fortune. Gold broker Dillon Gage wrote in a blog post, “The last time the Olympic Games handed out solid gold medals was a hundred years ago at the 1912 Summer Games in Stockholm, Sweden. Gold medals were in fact only gold for eight years. The 1904 Olympics in St. Louis introduced the gold medal as the prize for first place.” The 2016 first-place medals are made of 494 grams of silver and 6 grams of gold. According to CNN, the blended product is worth about $587 based on the market prices at the time. However, that’s just if you think of them as scrap metal. Once a medal is won, the value increases from a collector’s standpoint, especially if it once belonged to an athlete as famous as Michael Phelps. Also, of course, you can’t forget about sentimental value.
Life As A Nigerian Olympian Just recently, Downtown reported that the Nigerian basketball team was self-funded. A team almost completely on its own with the head coach working pro-bono, they had to create a GoFundMe campaign to help stay afloat. This doesn’t come as a shock to Nigerians, however,five years ago, on the road to the
last Olympics, some members of the national team resorted to crowdfunding to pay for their flights to Rio, the result of an email from the Secretary-General of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria which asked athletes to pay their own way and be reimbursed at a later date. According to an athlete who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity, she received a phone call from her Federation asking her to pay for her own flight. “It was a bit surprising because I was [previously] told the Federation would pay for my flight.” She said that with her repeated requests for a ticket ignored, she sourced funds independently. “I’ve been helped, people have really stepped in and helped. But without all that it wouldn’t have been possible,” she said. In another competition, a video of the youth team competing at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Poland surfaced. In an interview with Athletics Africa, Godwin Ashien, a member of the U20s men’s relay team lashed out at the lack of support from the administration. “Nobody cares about us,” he said. Right from Nigeria... down here... even coming from Nigeria to Dubai, we didn’t eat for three days, we didn’t eat.” These incidents have left many wondering where it all went wrong for Nigerian athletics, but former Olympic athletes Mary Onyali-Omagbemi and Downtown Cover Personality, Chioma Ajunwa, say this decline has been a long time coming. “Other nations have taken in their athletes for the past three years in order to make sure they can do a perfect job,” said Ajunwa. “But our own [athletes], they’re on their own, they train on their own, they pay their bills. It is inhuman, Nigerians should learn that.” Nigeria’s only individual Olympic gold medalist to date, Chioma Ajunwa, just received her medal bonus (in the form of an apartment) from the Lagos State government last month, 25 years after making her nation proud. We all at Downtown wish Team Nigeria the very best at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.
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VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
FASHION
BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music)
of The Best (Olympic) Sports Movies The Tokyo Olympics, which were initially scheduled to be held in 2020, are here. Despite COVID-19 pandemic induced uncertainties surrounding the biggest and only truly global sporting event in the world due, it was given a go-ahead. The theater of sports sometimes makes for thrilling drama that can be crafted into equally thrilling screenplays, which in turn results in great cinema. Whether you are looking forward to watching the games or not, you will doubtless enjoy these movies about sports that will feature in this year’s Olympics.
Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify)
Olympic Playlist
Richard Clayderman - Chariots OF Fire (From “Chariots Of Fire”)
Gloria Estefan - Reach
Chariots of Fire (Track / Running) Perhaps the definitive Olympics movie and one of the best sports films ever made, Chariots of Fire is a story of two British athletes who took part in the 1924 Olympics. The film is stirring and emotional, a story of victory over one’s travails. It also explores the appeal of the Olympics and the origins of its current, fiercely competitive form. The pace might slacken at times, but Chariots of Fire is still a great sports film. And the score remains the movie’s enduring legacy: We’ll be humming it to ourselves every time we cross any sort of finish line for eternity.
I, Tonya (Figure Skating) Directed by Craig Gillespie, this Margot Robbie-starrer recounts the life of Tonya Maxene Harding, an Olympic figure skater. Robbie played the character to perfection, with equal parts humour and poignancy, giving it a sort of complexity and sympathy without being cloying. The incident regarding Tonya Harding and her connection to the attack on Nancy Kerrigan is painted in a different light than what the sensationalist press reported at the time. The film received criticism for focusing only on Harding’s side of the story. While this may be true, perhaps this was deliberately done on part of the makers, as the press and media had focused only on Kerrigan’s side anyway. The film seeks to correct the failure of the media, and at the same time is quite entertaining.
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Whitney Houston - One Moment in Time
Miguel; Tame Impala - waves Tame Impala Remix
MIYAVI - No Sleep Till Tokyo
Post Malone; Swae Lee Sunflower - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Tame Impala - The Less I Know The Better
Moneyball (Baseball) Baseball’s an Olympic sport starting this year so this movie just sneaks in. Moneyball is a fascinating study of grown men who have devoted their lives to a game played by boys. Billy Beane isn’t Brad Pitt’s showiest role, but as time goes on, the more it feels like perhaps it’s his best. (Much like Robert Redford, Pitt has become a more interesting and soulful actor as he’s gotten older, his impossible good looks softening slightly as middle age brings with it wisdom and regret — which is exactly what you need for a character who secretly feels his glory days are behind him.) The baseball part of Moneyball isn’t particularly dynamic or insightful, but director Bennett Miller and screenwriters Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin have latched onto plenty of thematic through lines that give the story its power. Aging, fatherhood, the fear of not living up to your potential, failure, second chances, being willing to change: These ideas swirl through Moneyball, which is stacked with impressive performances. Beyond Pitt and Jonah Hill, who both received Oscar nominations, you’ve got a terrific Philip Seymour Hoffman and a pre-megafame Chris Pratt as one of the team’s unlikely heroes. For a movie about focusing on the science of baseball, Moneyball is awfully emotional — but it earns its goose-bump moments sincerely.
Survivor - Eye of the Tiger
MGMT - Electric Feel
Childish Gambino - Feels Like Summer
Foxcatcher (Wrestling)
Bend It Like Beckham (Football) An inspirational Football movie for a generation, it’s the story of two women who just want to play but keep being thwarted by their families and a culture that tries to stand in their way. This was probably the first time you saw Keira Knightley, and it’s possible that she was never more purely likable; in a fair world, co-star Parminder Nagra would be just as big a star. Beckham was made into a musical in England a few years ago, and it’s no wonder: The movie just has that kind of cheerful, big-hearted appeal.
Many sports movies are sad or touching, but few are as profoundly pathetic as Foxcatcher, which finds director Bennett Miller further exploring the role that sports has in people’s lives. But unlike Moneyball’s generally hopeful disposition, this dramatized true story of the Schultz brothers and their eccentric wrestling coach is almost unceasingly pessimistic. Steve Carell plays the wealthy, odd John E. du Pont, who recruits Mark (Channing Tatum) and Dave (Mark Ruffalo) Schultz for his team, convinced that they can win gold for the U.S. in the 1988 Olympics. A movie about patriotism, masculinity, and brotherhood, Foxcatcher is an emotional minefield in which these inarticulate, unfulfilled men struggle after something that they can’t ever hope to achieve: equilibrium. There’s no big match — no final showdown — in Foxcatcher because winning and losing end up meaning very little in this powerful, insular character drama.
VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
DOWNTOWN ZODIAC JULY 23 - AUGUST 22
LEO SEASON:
ELEMENT - FIRE
ANIMAL - LION
Does Being A Celestial Lion Edge You Closer To An Olympic Medal?
M
BY
oon-ruled cancer asked us to dig deep into our deepest emotional needs. However, with Leo, which is ruled by the sun we have that light at that end of the crab infested tunnel. It might take a while for Leo chakras to adjust to the onslaught of new seismic energies this season will bring but you can bet this zodiac sign will handle it. Represented by a Lion, Leos are the kings and queens of the celestial jungle. These spirited fire signs are BOLD, and as enthusiastic, theatrical, and passionate as they are, they take their royal status as a great honour. Always full of energy, they crave excitement and like having tons of friends. Dedicated to art and creativity, these lions cultivate friendships and romances that are inspiring for the minds and hearts. Although they aren’t selfish about it, they enjoy celebrating themselves as a favourite pastime. When we venture into the zodiac compatibility, signs like Aries and Gemini are good matches; both these signs are composed of the same element (fire). Two passionate, restless souls that respect and understand each other’s independence. Gemini and Leo, on the other hand, make great friends. It’s said that Leos are faithful, loyal, and devoted. They are loyal friends and lovers, dedicated to the bonds they share. Every relationship is filled with dedication and love from both of them but they can become impaired by their ego, pride, and jealousy when they start to fear their star power will be eclipsed. Celestial lions must not forget their light is never dimmed by others’ success, and their success cannot be dimmed by others’ success. The greatest threat to Leos’ happiness is their hubris. Leos of note include Godwin Emefiele, Oluchi Onweagba, Peter Rufai, Samson Siasia, Augustine Eguavoen, Funke Akindele and Mercy Johnson.
Kanu Nwankwo
“Papilo, one day I know say you go make us proud” b$QG PDNH XV SURXG KH GLG $ WUXH OHJHQG ERWK on and off the field. He’s a national treasure of Nigeria and was a thorn in the flesh of teams he squared up against. With a ball between his legs, this celestial lion was a magician on the ball, able to beat defenders with the drop of a shoulder. He was considered one of the deadliest strikers to come out of Africa even though he now doesn’t have the medals to prove it after they were all stolen. +LV 2O\PSLF JROG PHGDO DQG RXWVWDQGLQJ professional career deserve more roses than I’m giving it considering the eventuality of his career but it was an exemplary one nonetheless. Becoming a national star isn’t a minor feat. One must develop tough skin because people are looking to take a swipe at you and put a chink in your DUPRXU &URZQHGbpapilobE\ KLV IDQV WKLV GDLQW\ DQG lanky warrior’s brace on the final in Atlanta, carved Nigeria’s name in Olympic history as the killers of gods His marriage to a Gemini makes so much sense because they balance and match each other’s energy. Talk about a fortuitous turn of events.
Celestine Babayaro Jay Jay Okocha The tale of this warrior of a Leo is one almost as old as time. At this point, stories of his ability and prowess are folklore. Told under a full moon, with younglings surrounding an aged narrator. Okocha. The name that puts fear in the hearts and men. Their legs trembled at the sight of this attacking midfielder. Rapid, agile and powerful are qualities lions possess and this Leo doesn’t fall too far from the tree.
The Nigerian Team at Atlanta 96
His individual brilliance and the overall cohesion of the Nigerian football team had countries like Japan and Brazil eating out of the palm of their hands. Synonymous to a lion, KH DQG KLV SDFN RI /HRV FOLQFKHG WKH 2O\PSLF JROG medal home after a 7-goal thriller with Brazil in the final.
Once again, there is a Leo in the mix. At this point, I might have just struck a gold mine here. Apparently, the Nigerian team DWb$WODQWD ZDV GULSSLQJ /HRV and the gold medal was just proof of that. This powerhouse of a defender had a role to play in the gold-winning team charging from the backline to bag himself and his team 2 goals towards the tail end of the competition. His pairing with his brother, Emmanuel Babayaro made breaking down our defence a tough nut to crack. With his resilient efforts at the defensive end, we triumphed.
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VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
COVER
CHIOMA AJUNWA OPARAH
Worth Her Weight in Gold Photography by Tosin Akinyemiju Makeup by The Gerry Glam Nails by Junette Beauty Athleisure Wear: DAG Apparrel Sneakers: Skechers from The B-code Shoot Co-ordinators: Kehinde Fagbule & Chisom Njoku
%HLQJ D FKDPSLRQ UHTXLUHV \RX WR PDNH VRPH KDUG VDFULƓFHV 1R matter what will or has happened, your eyes must be set on the SUL]H ,Q &KLRPD $MXQZDōV FDVH LW ZDV D ERXTXHW RI VFDUV SDLQ EHtrayal, success and a little serendipity all wrapped with an Olympic ERZ From losing her father at such a young age, to literally being chased down and recruited by the Nigerian police force, this is the story of a woman and the struggles she overcame to be the best DQG WKH ƓUVW LQ WKH ZRUOG The DOWNTOWN team led by the Editor, Latasha Ngwube sat with Nigeria’s only individual Olympic gold medalist for an afternoon of old and new memories as well as an eye-opening conversation on the true fate of Nigerian athOHWHV 7UDQVFULEHG E\ Tilewa Kazeem
I
read that you were born into a not too affluent background. You are the last of nine children and your dad passed away when you were much younger. What was growing up like for teenage Chioma in terms of school sporting activities? Well, as you rightly said I was born into a family of nine. 6 boys and 3 girls. I was the last child and the baby of the family. During my time going to school, it wasn’t easy because my dad died when I was still very little. My mum found it hard to raise 9 children alone and we were living from hand to mouth. Being the last child, she didn’t want me to be the only one who didn’t go to school. She tried her best to make sure I got my education. Playing the role of a mama and a papa she tried her best and while I was at school God gave me a gift and I was performing very well. Unfortunately, my mother lacked the means to take our education to the highest level but at least all nine of us studied to the secondary school level. As for the inter-house sports, that was where my story began. I competed in primary and secondary school, although it wasn’t too competitive. You know as kids, we just wanted to participate and do something but I never knew it would take me as far as it did. You wanted to be a motor mechanic. Why? When I finished my secondary education, I wanted to go to University but for some strange reason, my mum burst into tears when she heard. This was because she lacked the necessary funds to take me past that hurdle. Considering her situation and that of my family I decided to do something instead of staying home while my mates were at school. So I settled on an apprenticeship as a mechanic but when my mum heard my plan she started crying again. Her major concern was that the line I had chosen was predominantly a masculine realm. Well, of course, I didn’t see it that way and I just wanted to help but she refused. As a plan B, I went to live with my elder sister’s daughter who was at the time a midwife. While I was there, I chose to look for a job in sports because I recalled several students receiving allowances from
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the state for representing them in competitions while they were still at school. So I went to inquire about that possibility but I was outrightly turned down. They claimed I was still a juvenile and had no business with money. Devastated, disappointed, and heartbroken, I started sobbing. On my way out of the stadium, I spotted two policemen and a woman charging towards me. It was a fight or flight moment for me and compounded with my phobia for the police, I bolted. They eventually caught up to me and informed me that their boss wanted to have a word with me. The whole thing sounded puzzling because I had no clue who he was. Long story short, I was taken to meet their said boss and that was how I got into the police. After secondary school, you went into the Police force? Yes. So tell us about the journey. From being recruited to representing Nigeria in football and sports in general. How did that happen? While I was in the village as a little girl amidst my brothers I usually played football with them. I played so much that at some point I played better than them. At that point, I never knew that God was leading me down my path and at the time I played for leisure. Right after I left school because I was looking for what to do to support my family I joined a football team. The Chairman of Youth from Imo state at the time was surprised by how well I played. He asked me questions about how I learnt how to play and I told him I played with my brothers. Impressed by my ability he told me to bring all my friends who were interested in playing football and thus a female team was built to represent Imo state and I played with them. We won every competition we participated in despite not having kits and boots, we beat
VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
COVER winning in the past. I never knew what having an Olympic gold medal meant or what it felt like. I just thought it was business as usual and I was oblivious to how prestigious it was. Inn truth, being an Olympic gold medalist is the climax of it all. Mounting the podium that day, I never knew the efficacy of winning an individual Olympic gold medal. You were the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event and the only individual athlete to win an individual gold medal for Nigeria. What does that feel like on some days when you wake up now? *she begins with laughter* Well...I feel so happy, great and blessed. For me, hearing that and being the only person in Nigeria and the only woman in Africa to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event I feel so honoured and I thank God for that each day.
our counterparts and that was how I started playing football. One day, we went to play in Rivers state. I met Larry (blessed memory) and I never knew he was from Imo State. Then, he studied abroad, and when he returned he lived in Port Harcourt so we never met until then. We spoke and he asked if we could play with his team, we did and bested them. That was exactly how I started playing football. Each state had teams and it was from that team I was picked to play for the Super Falcons from the Larry’s Angels (Now the Rivers Angels). I left the team I helped create in Imo state and joined Larry’s Angels. You were benched a lot when you played for the Super Falcons and the coach at the time refused to put you on the field. Why was that? That wasn’t exactly the case. Initially, I was the best player on that team. Given that I was partaking in both football and athletic events, I was very strong and the best of the lot. What happened was we had just returned from the Women’s World Cup and the All African Games Cairo 91 where I won 2 gold medals. We had just arrived at camp and my colleagues were not happy because the late Chief MKO Abiola gave me a cash token and a Rolex watch. I used the money to build a house for my mum and bought a generator as well. Sadly I never knew my colleagues were envious of me. After that, they told our trainer then that I was taking their spot on the team and I should stick to athletics since I was very good at it. Paul Hamilton who was relatively new at the time didn’t give what they had said a second thought and he yanked me from the team and said I’d never get a dog’s chance playing for the first team. That was how I was banished to the reserve team. Earlier, I said something about being gifted and I’d say it again. I am gifted. At the time I played for the Falcons, I was what you’d call a utility player. I could use both feet well and I could play on either part of the field in any position perfectly. During my time at Rivers Angels, I captained the team for 8 years and never conceded a single goal. Not even Ufouma Babes could break us down. Anyway, after the coach told me that, I started crying. I told my roommate then Francesca Williams and she consoled me. When we arrived at training that evening, Paul Hamilton had exempted me from the team and that was the first day in my life I sat on the
bench watching others play. I went the following day and the day after the same thing happened and each time. Usually, I trained with both the athletics and football teams. Once athletics training was over I’d join the football team and train with them as well. On this fateful day, we went for Woman W.A.A in Ghana. When we got there he put me on the bench and I was perplexed. Towards the end of the match when the opposition was piling on the pressure he decided to put me on and he instructed me to “attack the back five.” I came and tried my best but I couldn’t do anything. After the match was over I went to the coach (Paul) to ask why he subjected me to the bench. He barked at me never to ask such a question again. As weeks rolled by I remained a bench warmer and after I couldn’t take it anymore I packed my things and left. When the ministry heard of what had happened and I’d left the camp they sent the coach (Paul Hamilton) and Patrick Okpomo to my house and he begged and tried to persuade me to change my mind but I stood on my word and said “I’m done with the National team.” After that day, I focused squarely on athletics. How did you branch out into the athletics phase? While we were playing football, a coach called me. He told me that if I could run on the track the way I ran on the field, I could be a champion. I was a bit skeptical about it because of my height but I knew I had little experience running during my time in secondary school as well as primary school so it couldn’t be that hard. Lo and behold one day, an exam was organised and as a reward, the best three would be taken to Owerri to watch the athletics team. After the result was released I came in second place and was selected. When we got there and I saw other female athletes and I realised they weren’t all that tall but they were exemplary athletes, what was stopping me? I thought running was meant for only tall people and when I saw that wasn’t the case I made up my mind, and that was how that journey started. When you walked out on the football team and focused on track-related sports you won an Olympic gold medal for track and field. How did it feel to step up on the podium? I thought it was the same as the medals I’d been
So, you were banned for doping four years before Atlanta 96 and you were able to maintain your innocence to date. What was that time like for you and how did you weather that storm? Sigh, it’s the glory of God. Those years I was on a sticky wicket. I felt helpless and dejected but in the end, God came through for me. That’s why when people ask me about this situation I feel it would be wrong and offensive to God to dwell or talk about how I felt about a battle he won for me. At the tail end of it all, he gave me the biggest victory. Was there a second ban and what happened there? I think that one was between me and my manager at the time, Robert Wagner, who was from Austria. Right after I won the Olympic gold he called me in Atlanta while other managers were trying tooth and nail to sign me. He told me he wanted to sign me and some people also suggested him to me as well. During the time he approached me he seemed like a nice person. He got me a 24 Karat gold wristwatch. Unknown to me that it was just a ruse; I signed and by then it was already too late. I found out the wristwatch was bait to lure athletes to his camp once in his web, he’d syphon and deprive them of their hard work and sweat. He was my manager from 1996 to 97 and in 97 I had a problem with my lower back. One of my discs was displaced and it needed surgery to be fixed. My country refused to come to my aid and the UK was ready to do it for me for free but the catch was I’d start competing for them and not Nigeria. Being a patriotic citizen I turned it down but along the line, Wagner told me since no one is ready to come to my aid, I should try to work for the money for the surgery in Israel. Heeding his advice, I started managing myself to compete so I could raise the money for the surgery but all the events I participated in Wagner never paid me a shilling. For me, every time I stepped up to jump and fell short of my best my reputation diminished. I was performing as a one-legged athlete but he would not relieve
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VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
COVER The Chioma Ajunwa Oparah foundation is grooming the younger athletes because one of the problems in Nigeria is that no one is ready to stick their feet in the mud and sift through the rubble of this nation to find the rough diamonds. The ones hungry to compete are in their thousands in villages scattered across Nigeria but since sports scouting is extinct in Nigeria it has not been easy to fish the younger ones out. So I took it upon myself to go from one local government to another to find the diamonds in the rough, train them to an extent, and then Nigeria can take over.”
well that’s a different story and by the time I got back to Nigeria, they had already banned me from performing and no one bothered to ask questions. Let’s go back to 1996, you won the medal, the Super Eagles did well at the Olympics and everyone came back to Nigeria. Abacha gave you an award but I understand that the Super Eagles then were given a stupendous amount of money for their efforts yet nothing was given to you. The wage gap for gender disparity has been around for so long. What did you do when you found out the difference in the rewards? What can I do? I didn’t even know that they were given that amount of money and as a little girl then I didn’t have anyone so there was no representation. Even when Baba came in not a single reward came to me and no one put my name forward. That goes to show that this country… I don’t know. Do you think that there’ll be a time in sports when women will have as much value as men in the eyes of Nigerians? I believe that God is fighting for us because when you look at the statistics of those that have been making Nigeria proud, the women are right in there with the men but when it comes to rewards, I don’t know what usually happens. I believe that any year the right person is in that position they’ll be able to do things the right way
me from my contact and kept persuading me to compete. On the 7th of August 1997, I unbuckled myself from the shackle that was Wagner and he told me he’ll transfer my money to my account. I came to Nigeria, started looking for money to go for the surgery, and at the same time I called Wagner; he never picked my calls. Eventually, my state(Imo) helped me and I went for the surgery and it was a success. In 2009 I met Wagner in the UK and he told me he had paid my money into my account. I told him I hadn’t received any money because I had been to the bank to check and it showed I never received any money. I told him to pay me my entire $129,000 which he owed. In all the meetings I attended under his management I was never paid. I was paid $30,000 for a meeting in 1996 he never paid me. He kept on telling me they hadn’t paid whereas everyone had been paid. I didn’t know I was just digging my grave. In 1999, we were in Kuwait for a competition and I was privileged to be fitted in the same bus with the Treasurer of IAAF. As we were discussing and he told me his position, I confided in him and told him that Wagner had ripped me off. After I had spoken to him, he told me to send him the statement of account and account details Wagner said he paid the money immediately after I got home. Once I got home I sent all he asked for to him and he told me that when he gets to the IAAF meeting he’ll report it. Apparently, I wasn’t his only victim. Some Jamaican and Bahamas athletes also fell into his web of lies. He said if Wagner didn’t pay me my money he was going to get sanctioned and banned. Along the line, I was told he had been summoned and instructed to make my funds available to me. That fateful day, I was in Germany and I told him I wasn’t going to jump as by then a lady from Austria named Mary had now taken
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up with me. So as I was called to Hayen and I told them I wasn’t going to jump. They convinced me to go and I got there it was a high jump event after I had clearly stated I wasn’t going to jump so I wouldn’t hurt my hamstring and compete for my country for the Commonwealth Games. After the back and forth the lady told me to jump. Right as I was preparing to jump I saw Wagner with a short man pointing at me. With my attention divided, I placed the wrong foot first and missed the jump. After that, I couldn’t jump and I sustained an injury that stopped me from walking properly. I was taken out and awaiting a vehicle when a man came up to me and demanded my number. I asked the reason he needed my number and he said doping. I said they test those who come 1st, 2nd or 3rd. I didn’t qualify so why do you want to test me? Being a timid person instead of standing by my word and my right I gave him my number. Thereafter, I was told I failed the dope test. I could have contested it if I had money to fly to Geneva then but
Tell me a bit about the Chioma Ajunwa Oparah Foundation. You started it in 2017 to teach young athletes about the importance of discipline, saying no to drugs and the culture of it. But what have been some of your biggest successes so far? I started with a campaign against the use of illicit drugs because of all the years I was active in sports no one listened to me and I was victimised. My country never bothered to know or investigate what happened. I took to this campaign to let the young athletes know that they have to be careful. Whether it’s in a search for managers or coaches they should be careful because no oyinbo man wants what is best for you, they always put themselves first and make you the third hand. Every step you take regarding sports you have to be very careful even to what they put in your system because if you are found guilty no one will listen to you. People will flock to to you when you don’t have problems but once you have one, everyone will run and avoid you like the plague. That was the reason for the campaign and that is why I keep doing what I’m doing. The Chioma Ajunwa Oparah foundation is grooming the younger athletes because one of the problems in Nigeria is that no one is ready to stick their feet in the mud and sift through the rubble of this nation to find the rough diamonds. The ones hungry to compete are in their thousands in villages scattered across Nigeria but since sports scouting is extinct in Nigeria it has not been easy to fish the younger ones out. So I took it upon myself to go from one local government to another to find the diamonds in the rough, train them to an extent, and then Nigeria can take over. We are doing all this to educate and teach these young ones discipline. You are a better version of yourself when you are educated. If I was educated I would have stood up for myself and said No when that man asked me for my number. I was uneducated and timid and I fell victim. A lot is going on in sports. The roots of politics has grown with sports and people need to educate our younger ones, otherwise, they’ll keep falling into the same quicksand. Take a look at the number of Nigerian athletes who failed dope tests. This is because there’s no education on the dos and don’ts of athletics. For example, in Nigeria, certain vitamins contain substances that athletes aren’t supposed to consume and they are sold without a doctor’s prescription. Hawkers on the street mix and sell illicit drugs and one can buy them without knowing.
VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
COVER Are any of your athletes from your foundation competing in the Olympics? No, we operate at the grassroots level. We take from 10 to 17 so they aren’t competing on that level yet. I want to ask you about the love of your life Mr. Okpara. I know you met in Japan and you have been married now for 17 years with 3 children. What is life like being married to Chioma Ajunwa and having her as a mother? I’ll say he is the happiest man on planet Earth because I can’t toot my own horn but I think I am the best wife any man could marry considering the way and manner I do my things. I treat my husband like he’s my second God and I do everything humanly possible to make him happy because there was the kind of impression people gave him when we were about to marry because I was a celebrity. They claimed that celebrities don’t have happy homes etc, but we thank God he didn’t listen and today I believe he’s enjoying himself. I tried everything humanly to dispose of all his doubts now we are good. What is the one thing that has kept your marriage going all this while? Like you said, being married to a celebrity is not easy but what’s that one piece of advice you can give to other people? When one wants to marry you look at the compatibility. It is very important. Tolerance and love. When you love, real love is very important. When you love someone you’ll not be able to harm that person. 25 years later you got your rightful house from the Lagos state government. Before that, according to you, you were given the MON without the E-Y. How did it feel 25 years later and where’s the house? The house is somewhere around Iponrin.I feel so happy and fulfilled. Reason being that after 25 years some of us that were in that boat have gone and crossed over to the great beyond but I’m still alive. Being alive to see a gift that was promised after 25 years is worth giving God glory and I give kudos to the Governor of Lagos State because he deemed it fit to fulfill a promise he didn’t make and it is something for people to thank God. I thank him and the citizens of Lagos state for doing that. Your children must be so proud of having you as a mum and with the Lagos State’s promise now
fulfilled they must be happy. Tell us a bit about them. My first daughter is Chioma. She’s a graduate of Osun State University and she graduated with a second class upper degree (2.1GPA). She’s a very intelligent girl and articulate. Respectful and humble like her mother. My children are so proud of me. The first son Nzubechukwu Chidera Oparah is a boxer and with the way and manner he is going about things, I’m believing he’s going to be like Anthony Joshua and fortunately, his name is Joshua as well. Everybody here sees him training and I know God that took me to where I am today will equally do better for him. The last boy says he wants to play basketball. He’s a really playful boy and going into basketball really suits him and my last child I would like her to go into athletics and she’s doing well. By the time she gets to 9 or 10 years old I know, she’s gonna be a better girl in her 20s. What’s their relationship like with you and their dad? What is a normal day in the Oparah household like? You can imagine when you have young children like that and they are always with me because my husband is not in the country. He’s in Mozambique and every day they speak on video calls. Both girls are too attached to their dad and I believe that’s how it ought to be because the girls are always close to their dad whereas the boys are too close to me so I think it is balanced that way. Your husband is still a Pastor? Yes, he is. So that must mean you travel to Mozambique quite often? The funny thing is I’ve never been there because of my job but he comes here often. Speaking about your job, let’s talk about that. How did you get into the Police force? I got into the police force through sports. They wanted me to run for them. They saw me, picked me up, and dusted me. They took me to my first competition I got there and I won 4 gold medals and we became a family as they refused to let me go. Since then to God be the glory I’ve been doing so well for them
It’s been how many years in the force? About 29 to 30 years And you’ve risen to the position of… Assistant Commissioner. Do you think that you can become the Commissioner of Lagos State one day? Well if God permits why not? How many more years do you have on the force? I think I have about 3 years plus or so. After the curtains close on your time on the police force and you retire, what next? Well, let that time come first *laughs* As an athlete, I understand it’s common for people to have rituals they do before they either hit the field or the track. How do you prepare for a meet or competition? I usually make the sign of the cross because I know that it’s God that is going to do it and not by my might. All you have to do is just have your time and have a good rest, not that you wouldn’t talk to anybody because you aren’t going into a church. What served as a form of motivation every time you went out to represent Nigeria? My motivation comes from God because coming from a background that nobody did athletics or sports and I happened to be the one to do it and I did it well and at the highest level, I’m always grateful to God. He is my motivation. Other women have written their names in sprint, like Falilat Ogunkoya, Blessing Okagbare and co. Are you in touch with them? Are you guys on the same WhatsApp group and what do you guys talk about? We have a good relationship. I don’t know how to hold a grudge. Falilat was my first mother in sports and Okagbare is a junior one and we have a very good relationship How have those women served as an ally to you in your time? I can tell you Mary Onyeali was the one who inspired me. When I saw her running as young woman, I told myself if someone like this can run, I can run as well. It’s not about the height but the strength and the speed. If there was to be a movie about your life, which actress would you like to play you? Eucharist Anunobi and Genevieve Nnaji. b What’s your day like when you wake in the morning? Talk to me through your day. First off, we have our morning devotion by 5 am every day. After that, I start getting my children prepared for the day. I usually exercise because we wake up around 4:30 am. I did that consistently before but now not so much. On the days that I do, I exercise for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once I’m done it’s bath time for the kids then morning devotion. With all that done, I take my bath and prepare for work. What do your duties consist of as a police officer? It’s a lot. I’m in general duties and we do a lot of things; investigations and such. You played football, you ran, you jumped, you’re an investigator, you are a mother and a wife. Is there anything Chioma Ajunwa Oparah can’t do? So far God liveth, I can do many things. If you could go back in time and change anything again what would it be? Maybe not being a black woman. We are not appreciated. You think I’m happy? What else would you change aside from that? Perhaps not going to school at an old age. When did you get your degree? From 2004 and I graduated in 2010 because of a double degree in Human Kinetics and Health Education and then a Masters in Sports Administration both from Unilag. b:K\ GLG \RX KDYH WR JR EDFN WR JHW D GHJUHH" I had to get it because my mum as a widow couldn’t do that and with the way things are going in Nigeria, if you are not educated so many things will pass you by. So I had to make sure I had it.
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VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021 VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
BEAUTY FASHION
SPORT ON BEAUTY BY ONAH NWACHUKWU
O
lympians leave no stone unturned when it comes to training for the games; they work hard, maintain a certain diet and keep their mind focused on one thing… the gold medal. So it would seem that their beauty regimen isn’t exactly priority, but when the world is watching you, your beauty go-to is definitely one people would love to learn about. And it’s not just their beauty routine that catches our attention; it’s their entire look-hair, nails, makeup. While some athletes like to keep it simple, others like to go all out.
THE FRESH-FACED ONE FAVOUR OFILI NIGERIA, TOKYO 2020, 200 METERS & 4X400 METERS Favour Ofili might just be 18-years-old but she already knows a thing or two about keeping her skin glowing. Although she would rather keep it simple on the track with a fresh face, no makeup-look, this girl also
understands that even with no makeup, you must have a beauty routine. So how exactly does Ofili maintain the fresh-facelook? She follows a simple beauty regimen- face wash, toner and moisturizer. The athlete revealed to me that she uses the Fenty Skin line. For her face, she starts with the Total Cleans’R, which helps to remove oils, and dirt from her face. She then proceeds to use the Fat Water, to even out her skin (no wonder she goes without makeup), and then finishes off with the Hydra Vizor moisturizer with SPF 30(fter all
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this is the summer Olympics, she will need all the SPF she can get). For the rest of her body, she uses the Butta Drop whipped oil body cream also by Fenty Skin to keep her skin hydrated at all times. Known to carry her hair natural, I asked what she would use to style her hair to keep it in place for her races, and she disclosed that she would wearing a wig for the Olympics. According to her, although she will not be wearing any makeup, her nails will be done- she likes to paint them in nude colours, and her long hair will not distract her from her goal. “This is the Olympics. It’s a big deal, people will be watching. You have to look good; presentable, and run fast.” Said she.
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VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021 VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
THE GLAMAZONS
BEAUTY FASHION
GET HER BEAUTY LOOK
SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON U.S.A, TOKYO OLYMPICS TRIALS, 100 METERS I can say for a fact that the world and beauty industry was looking forward to seeing Sha’Carri Richardson’s look for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The athlete who is known for her flamboyant aesthetics on the track is unfortunately on a 30day suspension due to a failed drug test. Perhaps her most popular look till date is the one at the U.S Olympic 100-meters trial that she won. Richardson showed up in flaming orange hair, long colourgradient nails, voluminous lashes, and nude lips. She has been known to say that if Flo-Jo could wear long nails on the track, then there’s no excuse why she couldn’t. I was certainly excited for Tokyo 2020… Oh well, I guess we’ll wait for the next Olympics.
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A former hair-and –nail technician, it’s no wonder Florence Griffith a.k.a ‘Flo-Jo’ never went on the track looking anything short of glamourous. Holding the fastest woman in the world record till date, Flo-Jo always had her signature long nails. At the 1988 summer Olympics in Seoul South Korea, she had her nails painted in the colours of the American flag, and gold, for her makeup, she wore bronze eye shadow, red lipstick, blush and black eyeliner. Let’s not forget that this was way back in the 80s when athletes showed up on track and field barefaced-she certainly set the trend for glamour on the track.
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VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
HEALTH
World Hepatitis Day
What You Need To Know BY CHISOM NJOKU
W
orld Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28 July to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and hepatocellular cancer. This year’s theme is “Hepatitis can’t wait”, conveying the urgency of efforts needed to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. It is commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis. These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue. In 2020, a study in Nigeria found the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in the country to be 8.1% and 1.1% of the population respectively. This means that about 19 million Nigerians have hepatitis B or C.
The 5 types of viral hepatitis Viral infections of the liver classified as hepatitis include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. A different virus is responsible for each type of virally transmitted hepatitis. Hepatitis A is always an acute, short-term disease, while hepatitis B, C, and D are most likely to become ongoing and chronic. Hepatitis E is usually acute but can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women.
Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is caused by an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is most commonly transmitted by consuming food or water contaminated by feces from a person infected with hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B
by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminates the water supply.
Causes of noninfectious hepatitis Alcohol and other toxins Excessive alcohol consumption can cause liver damage and inflammation. This is sometimes referred to as alcoholic hepatitis. The alcohol directly injures the cells of your liver. Over time, it can cause permanent damage and lead to liver failure and cirrhosis, a thickening and scarring of the liver.
Tips to prevent hepatitis
Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen, containing the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Injection drug use, having sex with an infected partner, or sharing razors with an infected person increase your risk of getting hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, typically through injection drug use and sexual contact.
Hepatitis D Also called delta hepatitis, hepatitis D is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV is contracted through direct contact with infected blood. Hepatitis D is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection. The hepatitis D virus can’t multiply without the presence of hepatitis B.
Hepatitis E Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease caused
Hygiene Practicing good hygiene is one key way to avoid contracting hepatitis A and E. Try and avoid ingesting unclean substances like dirty water, raw or undercooked meat and fish. Also don’t order salads or fresh fruit from restaurants, if you don’t trust that they were washed with clean water. Wash your hands well after you go to the restroom, change diapers, or before you eat or serve food. Hepatitis B, C, and D contracted through contaminated blood can be prevented by: not sharing drug needles, not sharing razors, not using someone else’s toothbrush, and not touching spilled blood. Hepatitis B and C can also be contracted through sexual intercourse and intimate sexual contact. Practicing safe sex by using condoms and dental dams can help decrease the risk of infection.
Vaccines The use of vaccines is an important key to preventing hepatitis. Vaccinations are available to prevent the development of hepatitis A and B. Experts are currently developing vaccines against hepatitis C.
Visual representation of the Hepatitis virus
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VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
FASHION websights DOWNTOWN
Crazy Rich Igbos
Obi Cubana’s ‘Burial Of The Year’ Shut Down The Internet
Here are the reactions from Nigerians who followed proceedings on social media…
BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE
I
n recent days, Nigerian internet and household gossip have been dominated by rumors of wealth displayed at Obi Cubana’s mother’s funeral in the sleepy town of Oba, Anambra. Obi Cubana, born Obi Iyiegbu, is a renowned Nigerian businessman who has become an internet personality. After the launch of his first hotel, Ibiza Club in 2006, he took a huge step into establishing Cubana; a club which caters for all kinds of fun seekers, day and night. He has since set himself apart as Nigeria’s top hospitality entrepreneur with hotels and nightclubs in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Owerri. In December 2020, Lady Uche Iyiegbu, the showbiz and entertainment mogul’s mother, passed away aged 75. Seven months later, he pulled off the most lavish funeral seen in the Nigerian internet era. The first viral moment of the funeral came from Cubana Chiefpriest, a boisterous mentee and former business associate on Instagram; when he brought 46 cows in on a trailer. Another friend donated over 90 cows, and it was said that Obi Cubana received almost 400 cows from friends and well-wishers. The tone was set for what was to come in the eight-day burial; Obi Cubana called it a carnival. Over the next few days, he and his army of rich friends enthusiastically shared their opulence on social media, mainly Instagram, spreading the news about Oba. Obi Cubana who could be seen rocking a 50 million Naira necklace with his mother’s photo on its pendant was obviously having a swell time as evident on social media. Another talking point was how cash was being sprayed with reckless abandon. It was not just the usual spraying of notes, they were throwing blocks of recently minted currency with so much panache. Several banks had bullion vans and security available to move the cash to their branches. As people arrived in long convoys of the most luxurious cars after private plane trips, cases of Azul, a drink costing more than N3 million per bottle, were being shared freely. The businessman and his peers did everything possible to put on a spectacular display. Moneybags like Jowizaza, Ned Okonkwo, Henry Iyke, Justine Obiajunwa, Emeka Esomonu, Chima Desmond Anyaso, Nnamdi Chu Iyiegbu, Ugochukwu Harvey Igboanugo, Pretty Mike Of Lagos, Prophet Odumeje, Francis Nwaogwugwu, Quincy Okoh, Akin Alabi, Olakunle Churchill, Peter
Obi Cubana with wife Obi, Escoba Smith, Andrea Williams of Betro Furniture, Emma Bishop Okonkwo, Shina Peller and so many others, took turns to visit Obi at his Villa in Oba and joined in the eager outpouring of wealth. A few celebrities also attended; veteran actor Kanayo O. Kanayo joined in on his Instagram account, giving us some amusing moments. Davido, Phyno, Patoranking, D’Banj and KCEE all performed in a concert in Oba on Saturday the 17th of July.
Burial Of The Year? Nigerians have been talking about the funeral of the septuagenarian that had the appearance of a festival because of its brazen display of wealth. This beggars the question: is this the most lavish funeral the country has ever seen? Some have called it the ‘Burial of the Year’ while there have been debates about the most lavish funeral in Nigerian society settings. The other contender for this battle of funeral processions is that of Madam Oyindamola Juliana Adenuga, the mother of Nigerian telecom mogul Mike Adenuga Jnr, the Chairman of Globacom. “It started in Lagos and then moved to Ijebu Igbo in Ogun State. It was quite a show that had the Lagos social establishment, captains of industries and several eminent Nigerians in attendance,” a Twitter user, Arogundade reported. “The reason why Cubana’s event has been so loud is because of social media. If we had social media in 2005, we would still be talking about that event until this day.” “Just like you had a lot of musicians in Oba, it was like that in Ijebu Igbo too. The likes of King Sunny Ade and Wasiu Alabi Pasuma and so many others were performing every day.” In an interview with BBC Pidgin, Obi Cubana revealed that he had made a promise to his late mum to throw her an extravagant carnival-like birthday party when she turns 80. However, the cold hands of death took her away five years before that could materialise. This was his reason behind putting all his effort into throwing her this funeral after her death. Obi Cubana’s character has since been lauded by his peers and beneficiaries across the country. However, a section of Nigerians who believe his source of wealth isn’t as pure as he’s made it to look were pretty vocal with their theories. As baseless as that might sound, one cannot afford to belittle the inbuilt entrepreneurial spirit most Easterners are born with and that is evident with his establishments and affluence.
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VOL 1 NO.24 • JULY 25 – JULY 31, 2021
THE SCENE DOWNTOWN
Akosin and Yeye Akosin of Yorubaland, Habeeb and Arinola Ajose-Okunola
The Alaafin of Oyo and his wives
Hon. Shina Peller
Akosin of Yorubaland, Habeeb Okunola and his wife.
THE CONFERMENT OF
HABEEB OKUNOLA
Dujima of Adamawa, Musa Halilu-Ahmed
AS THE E AKO OSIN OF YOR RUB BALA AND D BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE
H
Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun the Oloja of Epe Kingdom
Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi
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is Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III installed Habeeb Okunola as the third Akosin of Yorubaland in an event that will go down in history as a memorable one to be cherished by the residents of the ancient town of Oyo. The celebrant would turn his conferment into a book launch as he launched his book: Little Bites of Inspiration. Notable dignitaries in attendance were the Alaafin and his wives, Oba of Elegushi, Dujima of Adamawa, Otunba Osifeso, Gani Adams, Abisayo Fagade, Sunday Dare, Hon. Shina Peller, Hon. Lamiju Alao-Akala, amongst others. Here are some faces from the event.
The Hosts, L- R. Latasha Ngwube, Woli Arole, K1 De Ultimate, Kenny Blaq, MC Bleach
Otunba Gani Adams
Olamiju Alao-Akala
Prince Gbolahan Animashaun & Comedian Ushbebe(Right)
Otunba Lekan Osifeso