THEWILL DOWNTOWN May 28, 2023

ASIWAJU

Bola Ahmed

Tinubu Tinubu

THE ROAD TO ASO ROCK

Lastweek, the news of the United Kingdom’s stricter immigration plans that will ban Nigerians from bringing in dependants using the school route hit Nigerians like a bag of bricks. For most young people, the relocation appeal grows stronger daily, with no indications that remaining in Nigeria could have been the better decision.

As the country swears in a new President in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one cannot but wonder about the ‘what ifs’ clouding the event and its significance. With a petition against his new administration still in court, what happens if the verdict comes out later in the year and rules in favour of the opposition? Or worse, orders a new election? This time without the already ruling administration. The possibilities abound, but as you read this edition, there is only one reality— we have a new president. So we bring you up to speed on the trials of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the way to Aso Rock.

To celebrate Children’s Day, we have a handful of family-centric titles. In fashion, we discuss the rise of gender-neutral clothing common with the younger generation. On DOWNTOWN Mini, we highlighted some of the country’s biggest whiz kids; Esther Okade, Emmanuella Samuel, Marylove Edwards, Amarachi Uyanne and the Ikorodu Bois—all superstars today with a bright future ahead of them. We also have a feature about protecting your kids in today’s digital age. It’s worth the read.

In this week’s beauty, we talk about the power of aromatherapy and taking advantage of essential oils to benefit the skin and mind.

Tina Turner’s tribute has page 7 in this week’s issue as we chronicle her life and times, an ode to survivors of domestic violence who had to fight for their happiness.

Don’t miss the movie review page; you’ll love the music selection.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

AUSTYN OGANNAH PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya

Senior Writer: Kehindé Fagbule

Graphic Design: Oludemilade Aremu

Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun

Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’

Dorcas Akintoye

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.

- Contributing Writer

Onwumere Churchill Ikenna is a writer, poet, digital and social media content strategist. An Afro gen z clan member of kenga media. He is a movie critic who was amongst those who birthed the first movie brand; Feeem house brand. A full fledged member of the writers space Africa, Nigeria district and was part of the editing team of the second anthology issue by the writers space Nigeria.

He has written so many articles, stories and e books. An avid reader and a freelancer. You can check out his literary editing page @coidencreatives on Instagram and twitter.

His personal socials for both Instagram and twitter are : @ikennachurchill

Onwumere Churchill Ikenna

THE RISE OF Gender-Neutral Clothing

BREAKING BARRIERS in FASHION

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

Fashion has been known for being a reflection of societal norms and values. For many years, clothing was used to differentiate and distinguish gender roles. With the growing awareness and acceptance of gender fluidity, It’s good to see the fashion industry embracing genderneutral fashion.

Gender-neutral

clothing, also known as unisex clothing, is a growing fashion industry trend breaking traditional gender barriers. It is clothing designed to be worn by anyone regardless of gender identity or expression, and they often feature more neutral or androgynous styles and colours. Gender-neutral clothing includes oversized T-shirts, unisex footwear, loose-fitting pants, unstructured blazers, and boxy jackets among others. The designs of these outfits are simple yet versatile, giving the wearer a chance to mix and match with other pieces in their wardrobe. One of the major factors that pushed the rise of gender-neutral fashion is the LGBTQ+ movement. As more people kept identifying as non-binary, genderqueer, or transgender, the fashion industry had to recognise the need for clothing that reflects their identity. By establishing gender-neutral clothing lines, fashion designers can cater to a larger audience while promoting inclusivity. The growing awareness of sustainable fashion is another factor contributing to the rise of gender-neutral clothing. Since fast fashion is one of the major and biggest contributors to environmental pollution, many people are turning to gender-neutral fashion as a way to reduce waste and promote ethical fashion. One unique thing about gender-neutral clothing is that it can be worn by anyone, regardless of gender, size, or age, and can be passed down from generation to generation, making it a sustainable option.

Despite the impact of genderneutral clothing in breaking barriers in the fashion world, the rise of gender-neutral clothing has faced many challenges. So many people still cling to traditional gender roles and are uncomfortable with the idea of gender-neutral clothing. Many people believe that gender-neutral clothing will blur the lines between masculine and feminine or that it will be too difficult to create clothing that fits all body types.

Despite all these challenges, the fashion industry is moving towards gender neutrality, and it is here to stay, as more fashion brands are embracing the trend and creating gender-neutral collections. Undoubtedly, the growing popularity of gender-neutral fashion confirms

that people are fully ready for a more inclusive and accepting world. Gender-neutral fashion is not just about creating unisex clothing; it is about changing the beliefs associated with gender and promoting a more fluid understanding of gender expression. It allows individuals to express themselves authentically without feeling restricted by gender norms. Gender-neutral clothing is versatile, timeless, and can be worn by anyone, making it an excellent investment for any wardrobe.

In conclusion, the rise of gender-neutral fashion is breaking down barriers in the

How To Protect Your Kids IN TODAY’S DIGITAL AGE

Likeit or not, raising a child today differs greatly from back in the day. Remember how you couldn’t speak to your crush freely over the phone growing up because the entire house shared a landline telephone? Or how all you knew was what people around you told you as opposed to getting fed information on Google?

Yes, times have changed, so how do you parent a child in today’s digital age, having been brought up in an analogue era? The challenges are much tougher, and the questions are unending; however, the most difficult question is, ‘when do you give your child a phone, and how do you control their activities on it?’

Due to the trajectory of the world economy today, the perks of having a technology-savvy child are enormous. Not only is the financial benefit of being a tech bro today ridiculously lush but its impetus as a career that helps humanity solve everyday problems is also laced with unequivocal dignity. So if you want to raise a tech bro (a gender-neutral term for people who have found success in tech) today, it is advised to hand them the tools from a tender age so they can develop an interest in the field. It is never so straightforward with parenting, though. Because of their overly curious minds, which makes sense given they are basically learning everything from

scratch as we all did growing up, the potentials of wonder kids are limitless when allowed to be deeply marinated in whatever field they pick their interest in.

Globally, Parenting conversations have taken centre stage in recent years as most parents, even in Western countries, are increasingly genuinely concerned about the volume of political undertones in today’s entertainment, most significantly LGBTQ screen representations that most conservative parents interpret as sexual indoctrination of their offspring. Unlike back in the day when parents and guardians grew up not to question everything, this generation of kids leave their caregivers no other options but to be proactive about the kind of information their children are privy to courtesy of the content they consume.

In Nigeria, parenting hot takes have not been found wanting either, especially on social media. Every quarter, there have been news updates featuring different schools in Lagos with several forms of misbehaviour that find their way on vicious blogs online. “Where do these kids learn these things?” self-acclaimed parenting critics online have often asked, completely dumbfounded by the audacity of ‘children of

nowadays’ to be involved in misdemeanours. To conclude that there is not a world of difference between Generation Alpha (siblings to Gen Z’ers) and Millennials (and older) might sound like a hot take. Whether raised in the 1980s or mid2010s, there have always been “bad eggs” (for lack of better descriptive words) among children. The only difference one might spot, however, is technology and social media’s immense ability to amplify everything we either already know or have the propensity to know. So what? Your parents did not have the sex talk with you growing up in the 80s, and you turned out fine? Today, if you don’t have it with your kids, they are going to learn all about it on a Netflix original, Sex Education. Yes, you can restrict them to the kids’ variation of the streaming platforms—and you should—but parental guidance today doesn’t end there. You can control the passwords to their social media accounts, but can you do the same with their friend’s? As cliché as it sounds, parenting will always fall short if it is not intentional. Whatever style of parenting you have chosen to go with, whichever way you have chosen to raise your kids, the consistent, conscious effort to instil values through verbal communication must never be in short supply because that is the true and most effective parental guidance.

Tina

Celebrating the

LIFE AND TIMES OF TINA TURNER, THE QUEEN OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

Musicicon Tina Turner passed away at 83 in her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland. Her representative confirmed that she died peacefully after a long illness. Throughout her life, Turner experienced remarkable success, selling over 100 million records worldwide and receiving accolades such as a Kennedy Center Honor and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. However, she also faced profound challenges, including an abusive relationship with her ex-husband Ike Turner, attempting suicide, the deaths of two of her sons, and a near-fatal experience with kidney failure. Despite these hardships, Tina Turner remained a household name, and her timeless songs like What’s Love Got to Do With It and Proud Mary continue to resonate with audiences. She released nine studio albums, won multiple Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

Rolling Stone History

Tina became the first woman to appear on the cover of the famed music magazine. She graced the cover for the Nov. 23, 1967 issue.

Ike and Tina - the Abusive Marriage

Ike and Tina first met in 1956 when he was 25 years old, and she was just 17 before she graduated from Sumner High School in St. Louis as Anna Mae Bullock in 1958. According to Tina, it didn’t take long before their relationship turned romantic—or abusive. In a previous interview with Spin magazine, Ike said, “Yeah, I hit her, but I didn’t hit her more than the average guy beats his wife... if she says I abused her, maybe I did.”

Tina wrote her first autobiography, I, Tina, in 1986, but she shared even more dramatic details in her memoir, My Love Story, released in October 2018. In the book, she revealed she once tried to kill herself in an attempt to escape their tumultuous relationship.

“First, he was verbally abusive. Then, he picked up a wooden shoe stretcher. Ike knew what he was doing. If you play guitar, you never use your fists in a fight. He used the shoe stretcher to strike me in the head—always the head,” Tina claimed in her memoir. “I was so shocked I started to cry. Ike ordered me to get on the bed. I hated him at that moment. The very last thing I wanted to do was make love, if you could call it that. When he finished, I laid there with a swollen head, thinking, ‘You’re pregnant, and you have no place to go. You really have gotten yourself into something now.’”

Tina couldn’t take it anymore. She finally split from Ike in 1976 and they divorced in 1978. Their tumultuous relationship was at the centre of the 1993 film, What’s Love Got to Do With

It, and the biographical musical, Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, which opened on London’s West End earlier this year.

The Do-over Tina, 46, met German music executive

Erwin Bach, 30, at Düsseldorf Airport in 1986. They went on to date for 23 years before tying the knot in July 2013, when Tina was 73. Tina shared her first reaction to seeing Erwin in the 2021 HBO documentary, Tina. She also shared why their relationship thrived: they granted each other freedom and space to be individuals while they are a couple. Erwin showed Tina that true love doesn’t require the dimming of her light.

Retirement at 69

Tina Turner was tired of singing and making everyone happy, so she decided to go to the U.S. for the Broadway premiere of Tina - The Tina Turner Musical. “I was just tired of singing and making everybody happy,” she told an outlet. “That’s all I’d ever done in my life.” She had already written her memoirs, and her story was told in the 1993 biopic, What’s Love Got to Do With It, with her character portrayed by veteran Hollywood actor, Angela Bassett.

Erwin Donated His Kidney Amidst Her Health

Struggles

Tina suffered a stroke in 2013, just weeks after she married Erwin. She was determined to find out what was causing the pain in her chest and was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2016. When doctors told her her kidneys were failing, Tina resigned to the idea that her time had come. Erwin swooped in just in time to save her life. Tina wrote in My Love Story that she

was “shocked” Erwin would give up one of his kidneys.

Tina is survived by her adopted sons, Michael and Ike Jr.

One of Erwin’s love letters to Tina

Tina Turner and Lionel Richie pose with a total of five awards between them, at the Grammy Awards in 1985

ASIWAJU Bola Ahmed TINUBUTHE ROAD TO ASO ROCK

months after the highly controversial presidential election, uncertainty still looms over the country’s democratic future. The rather forgetful elections, chaperoned by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, presented a result announcing renowned political godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the President-elect—a decision that is still being contested in the court till date.

Three

PHOTO CREDIT: SUNNY AGHAEZE, PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHER

COVER SKETCH: VICTOR ASOWATA

The Election…

Perhapsthe most anticipated elections since becoming a democratic republic, Nigerians had mighty expectations going into the elections. With the outgoing administration playing a major role in shaping the political outlook of the country’s democracy, prompting the formation of a third youthinvested force, outrightly winning the past election and keeping the ruling party in power proved a difficult task. But an election happened. One that was four years in the making, wielding the singular objective of installing the next president, whether the people agree to its methods or not. This method, and its resulting conclusion, are what is being debated at the Court of Appeal.

The announcement made by INEC on the 1st of March, 2023, revealed that the presidential poll had declared Tinubu, representing the APC, as the winner among 17 other candidates who participated in the election. According to the official declaration, Tinubu secured a total of 8,794,726 votes, surpassing Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, who garnered 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who came in third with 6,101,533 votes. Both Atiku and Obi expressed their disagreement with the outcome of the presidential election and decided to challenge it.

The petitioners raised various allegations against the validity of Tinubu’s election victory. They claimed he was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast during the election and accused him of engaging in corrupt practices. Additionally, they criticized INEC for its failure to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, during the conduct and collation of election results across all 36 states of the federation.

The petitioners argued that Tinubu was ineligible to contest the election since the Vice-Presiden-elect, Kashim Shettima, had previously been nominated for a senatorial election. They also pointed out that the President-elect had faced allegations in a drugrelated case in the past. In response to the petitions, Tinubu has submitted legal documents seeking their dismissal.

Apart from the candidates representing the PDP and LP, the Action Alliance (AA) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) also challenged the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the presidential election.

The Petitions…

The lawsuits brought by Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to contest Bola Tinubu’s election as president-elect of Nigeria were ordered to be merged by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja last Tuesday, the 23rd of May, 2023. According to the panel’s chair, Mr. Tsammani, using paragraph 50 of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2022, merging the petitions would serve the interests of justice. Mr. Tsammani stated, “The justice of these petitions requires that this petition be consolidated.”

In this legal context, consolidation, governed by Rule 42 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, refers to the joining of two or more legal proceedings or disputes involving a single issue of law or fact into a single comparative class action.

Cases that have been consolidated may be tried as a single matter and result in a single verdict, or they may maintain their individual identities. Depending on the court’s discretion, it may also try one typical case and issue a ruling that applies to all other cases. As a result, it is constitutional and not a political choice like the live broadcast of the proceedings that Atiku and Obi’s legal team proposed—a motion rejected by the PEPC last Monday.

With the merging of the three pending petitions, the court is required to wrap up the case and issue a ruling on all pending lawsuits by the 16th of September instead of delaying action until the 180-day hearing period has passed. So, before the specified day, the petitioners must gather all their witnesses to testify in court.

Obi’s prayers

1. (i) That it be determined that at the time of the Presidential Election held on the 25th of February 2023, the 2nd and 3rd Respondents (Tinubu and Shettima) were not qualified to contest the election.

(ii) That it be determined that all the votes recorded for the 2nd Respondent in the election are wasted votes, owing to the non-qualification/ disqualification of the 2nd and 3rd respondents.

(iii) That it be determined that on the basis of the remaining votes (after discountenancing the votes credited to the 2nd Respondent), the 1st petitioner (Mr. Obi) scored a majority of the lawful votes cast at the election and had not less than 25 per cent of the votes cast in each of at least 2/3 (two-third) of the states of the federation, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and satisfied the constitutional requirements to be declared the winner of the 25th of February 2023 presidential election.

2. That it be determined that the 2nd Respondent having failed to score one-quarter of the votes cast at the presidential election in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was not entitled to be declared and returned as the winner of the presidential election held on the 25th of February 2023.

IN THE ALTERNATIVE TO 2 ABOVE:

3. An order cancelling the election and compelling the 1st Respondent to conduct a fresh election in which the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Respondents shall not participate.

IN THE ALTERNATIVE TO 1, 2 AND 3 ABOVE:

4. (i) That it may be determined that the 2nd Respondent was not duly elected by a majority of the lawful votes cast in the election for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria held on the 25th of February 2023; and therefore, the declaration and return of the 2nd Respondent as the winner of the Presidential election are unlawful, unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever.

(ii) That it be determined that based on the valid votes cast at the Presidential election of the 25th of February 2023, the 1st Petitioner scored the highest number of votes cast at the election and not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and ought to be declared and returned as the winner of the Presidential election.

(iii) An Order directing the 1st Respondent to issue the Certificate of Return to the 1st Petitioner as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

(iv) That it be determined that the Certificate of Return wrongly issued to the 2nd Respondent by the 1st Respondent is null and void and be set aside.

FURTHER ALTERNATIVES TO 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ABOVE

5 (i) That the Presidential election conducted on the 25th of February 2023 is void on the ground that the election was not conducted substantially in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended,

(ii) An order cancelling the Presidential Election conducted on the 25th of February 2023 and mandating the 1st Respondent to conduct a fresh election for the office of President, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Atiku’s prayers

In seeking to upturn Mr Tinubu’s victory, Atiku set out seven prayers.

He urged the court to determine that Mr Tinubu was “not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast, and therefore the president-elect’s victory “is unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional… null and void.”

Atiku prayed the court to determine that Mr Tinubu, at the time of the election, was not qualified to contest the said election.

“That it may be determined that the return of the 2nd Respondent (Mr Tinubu) by the 1st respondent (INEC) was wrongful, unlawful, undue, null and void having not satisfied the requirements of the Electoral Act and constitution…” which mandatorily requires Mr Tinubu “to score bot less than one quarter (25%) of the lawful votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the federal and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

He urged the court to declare him the presidential election winner, as he “scored the majority of lawful votes cast at the presidential election”.

In the alternative, Atiku asked the court to make an “order directing” INEC “to conduct a second election (run-off) between” him and Mr Tinubu.

“That the election to the office of the President of Nigeria held on the 25th of February 2023, be nullified and a fresh election be ordered,” the petitioners prayed.

APM’s prayers

On its part, the APM filed a petition against the outcome of the February 25th presidential election on the 20th of March, asking the tribunal to declare Atiku as the president-elect.

In its petition, the APM, whose presidential candidate, Chichi Ojei, polled 25,961 votes, argued that Tinubu was not properly sponsored by the APC by fielding Shettima as vice presidential candidate for the election.

Tinubu, while submitting his presidential nomination form to INEC in June 2022, chose Ibrahim Masari, a politician from President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state Katsina, as a “placeholder” for the substantive vice presidential candidate who would later be Mr Shettima.

Masari served as a placeholder and later announced his withdrawal from the position, which paved the way for Tinubu to name Mr Shettima as his running mate on the 10th of July 2022.

The APM referenced this as one of its major grounds for complaint over the outcome of the presidential election.

The Allegations…

Plaintiffs made allegations against Tinubu, asserting that he holds dual citizenship in Guinea Republic despite his affidavit submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) affirming his Nigerian citizenship. The plaintiffs argue that his failure to fully disclose his multiple citizenships amounts to perjury.

According to the plaintiffs’ legal filings, perjury is a serious offence under Nigerian law. It involves intentionally deceiving the court or judges by providing false information under oath, contrary to the deponent’s knowledge of the truth. Citing Section 117 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, the plaintiffs highlight that perjury carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.

Furthermore, the plaintiffs contend that if Mr. Tinubu were to be sworn in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he would be granted immunity from prosecution. They argue that allowing him to assume this position without addressing the alleged perjury would result in irreparable damage to both the plaintiffs and the Nigerian population.

The plaintiffs also refer to a document obtained from Chicago State University, obtained under subpoena, which they claim reveals inconsistencies in Mr. Tinubu’s personal information. They allege that the document, titled ‘Academic Record,’ indicates that the person known as Tinubu was born in 1954, contradicting the official claim of a 1952 birthdate.

Furthermore, the plaintiffs assert that the true and original Bola Tinubu, who enrolled in Chicago State University, was female, not male.

Based on these allegations, the plaintiffs are seeking the following orders from the court:

1. Nullification of Mr. Tinubu’s candidacy as fielded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the presidential election held on the 25th of February, 2023.

COVER

2. Direction for the detention of Mr. Tinubu by the appropriate authorities to prevent his swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pending the resolution of the presidential election petition before the Court of Appeal, which will determine the rightful winner of the 25th of February, 2023 election conducted by the relevant electoral body.

The court will ultimately determine the merits of these allegations and the appropriate course of action. However, on the 29th of May, the Presidency is bound to proceed with the swearing-in ceremony that will see Tinubu’s status upgraded from President-elect to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under oath. The country’s democracy has never been this uncertain since the turn of the millennium.

The Democracy…

Until four years ago, Democracy Day in Nigeria was celebrated on the 29th of May each year, marking the day when the country transitioned from military rule to civilian government in 1999.

The date was ultimately moved to the 12th of June by President Buhari, a change effected to commemorate the events of the June 12th 1993 elections that saw Nigerians come out en-masse to vote, bearing the hope of a free election after which the presumed winner, the late MKO Abiola, along with Nigerians, were denied their rights and their choice. It is a significant event in our history, symbolizing the restoration of democratic governance and the commitment to uphold democratic principles.

Regarding the swearing-in of a new president in Nigeria, it typically occurs after a presidential election. The Nigerian constitution stipulates that presidential elections should be held every four years, usually in February. If the incumbent president is reelected or a new president is elected, the swearing-in ceremony takes place on the 29th of May, which is the day the new presidential term begins.

During the swearingin ceremony, the president-elect takes an oath of office, affirming their commitment to uphold the constitution and serve the Nigerian people. The event is usually attended by dignitaries, government officials, foreign diplomats, and the general public. It is an occasion to celebrate the democratic process and the peaceful transfer of power, founded on the pulpit of concession of defeat by every other opposing party and candidate.

This year however, the ceremony is bound to leave a sour taste in the mouth of most Nigerians who are running out of faith in not just the electoral body but also the judicial system, with a feeling that will not dissipate until the eventual ruling of the Supreme Court. The feeling that their mandate was stolen from them.

Places To Take The Kids in Lagos

FAMILY TIME 5 1

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

Nothing creates memories for children like a good family trip. The excitement that our little ones feel to go to places other than school, church or mosque, or grandma’s is unmatched. Wait till you see how much your teenagers enjoy playing arcade games with other kids or interacting with nature in ways you have never seen before. These outings are not only fun for the kids, but they are also essential for family bonding, and if we haven’t made it clear all along, every household should dedicate time in the year to embark on them. Whether it’s back home in Nigeria or a trip abroad, birthdays or public holidays, especially on Children’s Day, family fun times outside of the walls of our homes should never be compromised. But where to go? Well, we search for them so you don’t have to. Here are five places we are sure you and your kids will love.

2

UPBEAT RECREATION CENTRE

Where: Lekki Phase 1

What to do: arcade gaming, trampolining and restaurant

Dubbed West Africa’s first trampoline park, Upbeat offers a wide range of fun and fitness activities such as Trampolining, Wall Climbing, Foam Pit, Slam Dunk, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, a Gym and a lovely waterside restaurant.

LEKKI CONSERVATION CENTRE OMU RESORT

Where: Lekki

What to do: Wildlife

This conservation centre is home to abundant plants and wildlife and plays a vital role in preserving the region’s ecosystem. Stroll through the swamp boardwalk and spot rare birds, monkeys, snakes, and crocodiles. The park is also home to the longest canopy walkway in Africa, offering 360-degree views from above the treetops. If your kids are afraid of heights, fret not—crossing this suspended walkway is optional.

3

Where: Ibeju Lekki

What to do: amusement park, wildlife and go-kart

The Omu Resort, one of the most elaborate family recreational and educational centres, is home to a zoo, freshwater seaworld, wax museum, amusement rides, go-karting, quad biking and more. The resort is set in a rainforest environment, allowing guests to experience and be inspired by the wonders of nature.

4

Where: Victoria Island

LANDMARK BEACH LA CAMPAGNE TROPICANA BEACH RESORT

What to do: picnic, horse ride, go-kart and water sports

Landmark leisure beach is a private beach close to the Oniru Royal family beach. A family-themed park with facilities for everyone, both young, old and the young at heart, Landmark Beach is the perfect escape getaway from the hustle and bustle of Lagos. Unlike other beaches that require several hours of driving to enjoy the beauty of nature, Landmark Beach is located within Victoria Island.

5

Where: Lekki

What to do: canoe-kayaking and horse ride

This resort is blessed with calm and iconic views from the Atlantic Ocean, which is absolutely awe-inspiring. La Campagne Tropicana has many attractions ranging from the beach, lagoon, mangrove forest, canoe-kayaking and lots more. The resort also boasts magnificent flora and fauna, including snake species, Seahawks, ducks, epiphytes, monkeys, egrets, bats, snake trees, squirrels and lots more. La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort is regarded as one of the fun places to take kids on vacation because of its environmental uniqueness. The place is great for family bonding at any point in time.

THE POWER OF AROMATHERAPY

How

Essential Oils Can

Benefit Your SKIN AND MIND

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

has been in existence for years, and it is still gaining popularity today. It involves the use of essential oils for therapeutic benefits. The scent in the essential oils moves from the olfactory nerves to the brain when inhaled. The smell helps impact the amygdala, the brain’s emotional centre. The skin can also absorb essential oils. Adding a drop or two of Wintergreen to oil can help relax tight muscles during a rundown. You can also create a soothing soak by adding lavender to bath salts.

Aromatherapy

Essential oils play a significant role in skin care, from providing hydration and nourishment to reducing inflammation and even improving the appearance of acne, scars, and wrinkles. If you safely use them, essential oils can positively impact your mental and skin health. Incorporating essential oils into your skincare routine will help achieve healthy and radiant skin without relying on harsh chemicals or artificial ingredients.

HOW CAN YOU USE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFELY?

Thereare different quality essential oils in the market today. We have the pure and undiluted ones, and there are ones that are diluted with less expensive ingredients. And since there is nonregulation, the product’s label may not list everything used to produce the oil you buy. That’s why it’s unsafe to ingest essential oils. It’s also advisable not to use essential oil diffusers or small household appliances that create scented vapour. Diffusion in a public area or household with different people can affect them differently. Below, we list some of the safest ways to use essential oils.

You can apply essential oils to your necklaces, bracelets, and keychains made with absorbent materials so that you can sniff them throughout the day.

Essential oils are highly concentrated, and they can cause irritation. When applying them directly to your skin, diluting them in carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad reaction. Mix your essential oils with carrier oils such as olive, jojoba, or coconut oil. Having done that, you can then massage them into your skin.

Aroma sticks can also be referred to as essential oil inhalers. They have an absorbent wick to soak up the essential oil. Aroma sticks come with a cover to keep the scent intact until ready.

(1) AROMATHERAPY ACCESSORIES

(2) BODY OIL

(3) AROMA STICK

WHICH ESSENTIAL OILS ARE BEST?

Thereare different essential oils, each with unique fragrances and chemical makeups. The best essential oils depend on what symptoms you want to ease or what fragrances you prefer. Some of the most popular essential oils include:

BEAUTY

HOW TO FIND QUALITY ESSENTIAL OILS

Themost important thing to consider when shopping for essential oils is the product quality. Many companies market their essential oils as “therapeutic grade”, whereas they are not. Many use the word as a marketing term. However, figuring out which oils are the best is challenging since there is no grading system or certification for essential oils. Below are some tips to help you shop for pure essential oils.

Many people can testify to the relaxing facial effect of lavender scent. Lavender oils are often used to relieve stress and anxiety. They also help to promote good sleep.

(1) LOOK AT THE LABEL

The label lets you know if an essential oil is pure. A good essential oil must include the Latin name of the plant used to produce the oil, and the label must include information on purity or other ingredients added to the oil production and, most importantly, the country in which the plant was grown.

Australia’s aboriginal people used tea tree oil, also called Melaleuca, for wound healing. Tea tree oils are used for acne, athlete’s foot, and insect bites today.

(2) EVALUATE THE COMPANY

Purchase products from a reputable and popular aromatherapy company that has been in existence for long.

Scientific reports have shown that peppermint oils help to relieve Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms when taken in an enteric-coated capsule (from a trusted health supplement provider). They also help relieve tension headaches when applied topically.

Pure essential oils are highly concentrated. If they are kept in a plastic bottle for too long, they can dissolve them, tainting the oil in them. Most companies package essential oils in small brown or blue glass bottles to protect the quality.

Many people find the citrusy scent of lemon oil a mood booster. Lemon oils are also used in homemade cleaning products.

(5) COMPARE PRICES

Essential oils range in price, depending on how deep their harvesting and production are. The prices of essential oils should be different to some extent. If you find a rock-bottom price for an expensive oil, there is a probability that the oil isn’t pure. Rose absolute or sandalwood oils will be more costly than sweet orange oil.

Fragrance or perfume oils are made from chemicals entirely or essential oils mixed with chemicals. These kinds of products are not suitable for aromatherapy. Instead, go for products made up of essential oil in its purest form (100% essential oil with no other fillers).

(1) LAVENDER OIL

(3) CHOOSE DARKCOLOURED GLASS CONTAINERS

(4) AVOID “FRAGRANCE OILS”

(3) PEPPERMINT OIL

(2) TEA TREE OIL

(4) LEMON OIL

TODAY’S Whiz Kids Highlighting Five Nigerian Child Stars

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

Talent doesn’t just grow on people overnight; it is spotted and developed. Some people only pay attention to it during adulthood, while others pick it up as kids, thanks to parental supervision. Of course, the most populous black nation in the world has a large and growing ensemble of child superstars who have gone on to attain global stardom. Teni Apata, Regina Daniels, Williams Uchemba and Peace “P-Prime” Emmanuel Oredope are some of the names to have built on a craft they started as children and are now big names in the entertainment industry. But intelligent kids are not only found within the creative space. Here we spotlight five whiz kids in academics, sports, and entertainment, that have taken the country—and for some, the world—by storm.

ESTHER OKADE, 17 (Active Since 6)

For most six-year-olds, leisure time would mean quality screen time with their favourite cartoon characters. Or it could mean playing games. What you won’t hear is that they’re studying for their GCSE, an exam usually for 14-16-year-olds. But the above scenario is the reality of Esther Okade, a British-Nigerian whiz kid and math genius.

Born to Nigerian parents, Esther lives with her family in Walsall, in the West Midlands. She has always been interested in Maths. She wrote her first Math GSCE exam, a British high school qualification, at just six. She came out with a C grade. A year later, she outdid herself and got the A-grade she wanted. Then in 2014, she scored a B-grade when she wrote the Math A-level exam.

In 2015, at age 10, Okade enrolled at Open University (a UK-based distance learning college). She went in to study a university math course. Esther began getting straight A’s as one of the youngest undergraduate students in the country. Three weeks after enrolment, she was already top of the class, receiving a perfect score on her first test, which she said was “easy.”

She is one of the youngest college students in history and is said to have obtained a PhD before she turned 14. Esther is also writing a series of math workbooks for kids called Yummy Yummy Algebra. Esther told CNN about her dream of opening a bank. “I want to (finish the course) in two years. Then I’m going to do my Ph.D. in financial maths when I’m 13. I want to have my own bank by the time I’m 15 because I like numbers, and I like people, and banking is a great way to help people.”

EMMANUELLA SAMUEL, 12 (Active Since 5)

Emmanuella Samuel, widely known as Emmanuella, is a YouTube child comedian. Born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the kid sensation made her foray into comedy at the age of five. She became well-known after her comedy skit This is not my real face oh. This short skit was featured on CNN’s Facebook page, and she would eventually be hosted by CNN in November 2016.

Two years later, Emanuella was invited to the National Assembly by Senate President Bukola Saraki on account of her landing a role in a Disney film.

Having many awards both internationally and locally to her name, one which stands out was her award as Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice award for favourite African social star. She indeed possesses an undeniable talent and is a force to reckon with in the comedy industry if her talents are well-tapped.

3 5

MARYLOVE EDWARDS, 18 (Active Since 4)

Marylove Edwards is Nigeria’s young tennis champion focused on emulating the great Serena Williams, her role model. Although many people started referring to her as the “Nigerian Serena,” the then-13-year-old US-based wonderkid said: “I love Serena, I love her style, and I love the way she plays. But I’d love to be myself, just Marylove Edwards.’

Although tennis in Nigeria is not half as big or popular as football, Edwards fell in love with the sport. She was trained by her dad, a similar path Serena and Venus Williams took with their father. Marylove’s father constantly motivates her, highlighting the benefits of playing and excelling in tennis. Both father and daughter have been working towards that goal; she started playing tennis at 4.

Talking about her style, Marylove said: “The best part of my game is my ability of never giving up. Even when I’m down in a match, I still keep fighting. Even when my opponents are older than me, and they try to intimidate me, I keep fighting. I never give up.

“I want to see myself playing in the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) in the next two years. That will be a big achievement for me. I could be Nigeria’s first Grand Slam winner in history and, who knows, maybe become champion of the world,” she concludes with a bright smile on her face

4

AMARACHI UYANNE, 18 (Active Since 5)

Amarachi Uyanne, popularly known by her stage name ‘Amarachi’, is a Nigerian teenage singer, dancer and violinist. Amarachi, a native of Delta State, grew up in Edo State, where she started dancing at the age of five. In 2012, she won a cash prize of 10 million Naira after she was announced as the winner of the maiden edition of Nigeria’s Got Talent at just eight years old.

After emerging as the winner of the reality TV show, Amarachi released her debut single titled Amarachi Dance. She proceeded to feature Phyno in a song titled Ova Sabi; her first two singles received massive airplay and positive reviews from music critics. She currently runs the Amarachi Talent Academy, a talent school conceived to nurture and train young children with musical and dance talents. The 16-year old multi-talented artist is currently a Student of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

IKORODU BOIS – Abdulganiu Ishola (18), Muiz Sanni (18), Maleek Sanni (13), Fawas Aina (15) and Farida Sanni (7)

Our one-time children’s day cover personalities, the Ikorodu Bois, is an online comedy group that recreates and mimics multi-million dollar music videos, Hollywood movie trailers and epic pictures. The group uses common household items to depict top gear used in movies. Ikorodu Bois comprises five brothers and a sister: Babatunde Sanni, Abdulganiu Ishola (18), Muiz Sanni (18), Maleek Sanni (13), Farida Sanni (7) and their cousin, Fawas Aina (15). The four young boys and their sister are usually involved in the acting of the videos while their eldest brother, Babatunde Sanni, does the editing of the videos. He also doubles as the group’s manager.

In April 2021, they featured in a Netflix Oscar Weekend Film Brand Campaign, which was on display at Time Square in New York City. Two years ago, they were gifted filming equipment by Netflix. Around the same time, they drew the attention of the Russo Brothers, following the remake of the movie trailer for Extraction, who would later invite the boys to attend the premiere of the movie’s sequel. Since then, other celebrities have recognised them, like popular American Talk Show host, Steve Harvey, Hollywood director, Zack Snyder, legendary American actor, Will Smith, and even Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. They were also recently nominated for the Favourite African Social Media Star category at the 2021 Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards. This year, Maleek made his big screen debut as he starred in Amazon Prime Original thriller, Gangs of Lagos.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Sisu

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA

in which things are explained with words are when Helander’s film is at its least intriguing or instinctive.

(Mimosa Willamo, playing one of a group of female hostages being transported by the Nazi convoy, will later explain the film’s title, an impossibleto-translate Finnish term meaning whiteknuckled grit and unbreakable determination.)

WATCH OF THE WEEK

SEVERANCE

Thebest kind of science fiction sometimes feels set about 10 minutes in the future, and so it is with Severance, an extremely creepy, slow-moving, but instantly engrossing series. Produced by Ben Stiller, the project features a stellar cast in a show about memory that proves appropriately hard to forget.

The title refers to a procedure practised by corporate giant Lumon Industries in which employees sever their memories of what transpires at work from what happens outside, and vice versa, theoretically bringing new meaning to the phrase “worklife balance.”

between work and the pain he was experiencing after the loss of his wife.

quirkier aspects of the series, such as Arquette’s monotone-voiced boss informing Mark that “A handshake is available upon request,” the walks down impossibly long hallways or the odd obsession with melon balls at the awkward company celebrations.

“Severance” won’t be for everyone, but those drawn into its antiseptic, maze-like workspace won’t be able to get enough of its provocative implications about messing around with the brain and memories, a la the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Ostensibly

a middling entry meant to satiate our cinematic bloodlust during the lull between John Wick 4 and The Equalizer 3, this period neck-snapper from Finnish filmmaker Jalmari Helander may not only surpass both those films, it could end up taking the gore-splattered crown as the most satisfying, over-the-top violent action movie of the summer.

Something akin to pure cinema run through a Nordic meat grinder, Sisu tells an elemental story and features a lead character who doesn’t bother uttering anything above a grunt until the movie’s final frames. Both he and the sliced-to-the-bone spareness of his story serve as necessary and timely antidotes to the quipand-blast continuity noodles that action films have morphed into in the age of Marvel and always-extending IP.

In the waning days of World War II, a retired soldier (Jorma Tommila) hits it big while mining for gold in deserted Finland. (The isolated northern region of Finland is painted in an intoxicatingly war-blasted autumnal light by cinematographer Kjell Lagerroos.) The man comes upon a Nazi tank battalion executing a scorched earth campaign on his homeland, and instead of being murdered, kills them all in manners that vary from thrillingly efficient (knife through the brain) to wonderfully inventive (landmine tossed like a shot put).

As his increasingly terrified adversaries learn about him, so do we: his name is Korpi and before he went the prospector route, he was a legendary Finnish commando with some 300 Russian kills to his name. But the few segments

Visual cues—dog tags, a wedding ring he wears despite his only companions being an amber-hued horse and a poodle-like dog, the deep scars visible along his torso when he bathes—provide us with more than enough information, as does Tommila’s masterful performance. With barren eyes that signal both profound trauma and a chess master’s command of strategy, he combines raw physicality and emotional restraint in a performance that recalls both Clint Eastwood and the late Max von Sydow.

At 64, Tommila is as delicious to watch exacting revenge on-screen as the preeminent silver-screen killing machine, Keanu Reeves. He projects authenticity even when surviving the most impossible of situations (at one point he catches a ride on the belly of an airplane with the help of his mining pick). In the process, he single-handedly refreshes and redefines the concept of “geriaction.”

Much in the manner of Sylvester Stallone’s 1982 First Blood (an essential film to which Sisu serves as a poetic tribute), Sisu is effective as both a straight story and as a cathartic treatise on the power of individuality against the unjust machinations of those who claim to be in charge. Where First Blood—the only Rambo movie worth returning to—bristled with fury about the indifference with which America treats its war veterans, Helander’s film is cool, calm, and collected in its bloodthirsty repudiation of fascism and the authoritarian inhumanity at its heart.

As a result, this Finnish stunner is not just a rare example of excessive movie violence done right, it is also just may be the most essential action movie of the year.

Rating: 9/10

Yet when a member of the team suddenly leaves and a newcomer arrives, it upsets the chemistry within the office, triggering thoughts about what really might be motivating the practice – and what the company might actually be doing that its robotic, happy-talking top brass appear eager to avoid.

Answers don’t come quickly, but the scenario becomes utterly fascinating, with Adam Scott as Mark Scout, the low-key new leader of the team, and Britt Lower as Helly, the new arrival who asks way too many questions.

All told, it’s enough to make even those pining for the office appreciate Zoom calls. As for the cast, as mentioned earlier, Lumon’s personnel roster includes John Turturro, Christopher Walken and Patricia Arquette. For Mark, the severed memories have served a particular purpose, allowing him to create distance

Scott turns out to be the perfect Everyman, but the cast is uniformly good. Why the others would agree to this Faustian bargain is only one of the breadcrumbs that Severance takes its time sprinkling in a series that leaves plenty of runway for more at the end of its nine episodes.

Created by Dan Erickson, there’s a certain quality to some of the

Light escapism it isn’t. But until the show’s fictional technology becomes a reality, a series like Severance is just the sort of cerebral concept to help take one’s mind off the daily grind of working 9 to 5.

Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music)

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Drake - Search & Rescue

Zlatan; ODUMODUBLVCK; JeriqOganigwe Davido; Musa Keys - UNAVAILABLE (feat. Musa Keys)

Rema - Charm

Lil Durk; J. Cole - All My Life (feat. J. Cole)

Mackgee - Window

Asake - 2:30

CKay; BlaqbonezHALLELUJAH (feat. Blaqbonez) Popcaan; Black Sherif - Celebrate (feat. Black Sherif) Victony; Don Toliver; Rema; Tempoe - Soweto (with Don Toliver, Rema and Tempoe)