THEWILL DOWNTOWN October 01, 2023

Celebrating Independence Heroes

Asthe nation turns 63, there isn’t much to celebrate, considering the sufferings of the masses. The cost of living continues to rise, just like Fela Anikulapo Kuti sang in one of his songs. Speaking of the Kuti family, we pay homage to what we call Independence Heroes, those who fought for our independence. Fela’s mother, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, was part of the earliest delegation that went to England to demand Nigeria’s independence. We also profile others, including Herbert Macaulay, Obafemi Awolowo and Anthony Enahoro .

Vintage décor always gives a home an elegant look, which we discuss in our page about home décor. From bathtubs to wooden tiles, we look at vintage items you can place in your home to give it that stylish and sophisticated finish.

When it comes to cocktails, I can’t get enough of them, whether it’s a strawberry daiquiri or an old fashioned. Bon Appetite shares some cocktail recipes this week. We hope you enjoy them.

For some people, Mondays aren’t their best days; they get low-spirited about going to work. We offer some tips for putting an end to this problem. Mondays are like every other day of the week, so if you go to bed early the night before and do not tire yourself out during the weekend, you will look up to Mondays. These tips should help you feel better about Mondays.

We reviewed the new Netflix movie The Black Book. The acting is stellar; they had the right music for different scenes, and the recording and audio were crisp. I won’t say much about the movie besides Richard Mofe Damijo outdid himself. You have to see it if you haven’t.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

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.

Executive Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

Editor-at-Large: Danielle Loth

Writer: Ijeoma Ezeanyika

Graphic Design: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’

Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun

Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘SunZA’

Banjola Adesina

- Contributing Writer

Banjola Adesina is an intelligent and interesting person. He likes music, movies and sports. He can write on various topics from travel to football; you would have a fun conversation with him.

@iamwil5on

Pre-Wedding Skincare Prep For A Radiant Glow Bridal Beauty Countdown

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

Your wedding day is a significant occasion, and looking and feeling your best is crucial. Pre-wedding skincare is essential in achieving that radiant glow beyond a lovely dress and flawless makeup. Using these seven simple techniques, you can obtain that picture-perfect glow on your special day.

1.START

Ideally, start your skincare routine 3-6 months before the wedding. The key is consistency. Stick to a gentle cleanser, hydrating toner, and moisturiser to build the basis for good skin.

2.EXFOLIATION

One or two times per week, include exfoliating in your routine. Exfoliating assists in removing dead skin cells to reveal a new layer of skin underneath. Pick a chemical exfoliator with glycolic or lactic acid for a soft yet effective result.

3.HYDRATION

Hydrated skin is beautiful skin. To keep your skin moisturised, use a serum containing hyaluronic acid. Also, remember to drink plenty of water. Teas made from herbs and water-rich fruits and vegetables can also help keep your skin hydrated.

4.TARGETED TREATMENTS FOR CONCERNS

Apply specialised treatments to specific skin issues, including acne, pigmentation, or fine wrinkles. Niacinamide can help reduce redness and oiliness, while vitamin C serums can help skin become more radiant.

5.PAMPER WITH FACE MASKS

Regularly treat yourself to face masks. Choose moisturising masks with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid as the primary ingredients. Clay or sheet masks can give you an instant glow and improve the texture of your skin.

6.DON’T

Your best ally in the pursuit of flawless skin is sunscreen. Your skin may become damaged by UV radiation and age more quickly. Apply sunscreen every morning, especially on cloudy days, using a broad-spectrum product with at least SPF 30.

7.BEAUTY SLEEP AND STRESS MANAGEMENT

In the weeks leading up to the wedding, make sure you get enough sleep. Your skin can heal itself with enough rest. Do some deep breathing exercises, yoga, or other stressreduction strategies. Your skin’s look might be harmed by stress.

CONCLUSION

Keep in mind that your prewedding skincare routine should be customised to your unique skin type and demands. To receive tailored guidance, consider speaking with a dermatologist or skincare specialist. Last but not least, to minimise any unanticipated reactions, avoid introducing new products too soon after the wedding.

Remember that self-care, perseverance, and consistency are vital as you begin this skincare journey. You’ll be well on your way to getting that coveted radiant wedding glow by following these steps, ensuring you walk down the aisle on your special day with confidence and grace.

EARLY WITH A CONSISTENT ROUTINE

IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

FOR RENEWAL

SKIP THE SUNSCREEN

Wood-look Flooring

A wooden floor gives off a rustic charm and is perfect for a vintage-styled home. This classic style has continued to survive trend changes, and aside from being stylish, it is affordable, simple to install, and easy to clean.

Vintage Wall Styles

The use of bold vintage wallpapers in décor is back in style, giving walls personality and character. Retro wall prints make a statement in areas of the home where they are judiciously used, giving off simplicity whilst still maintaining a sleek look.

Pastel Colour Palette

Pastel colour palettes are generally warm, soft, and pale. The paleness is a result of adding white to the colour. A classic example of a pastel colour palette reappearing in the present is millennial pink, which has become a recent trend. Pastel colours create elegant, romantic, and refreshing interiors. If you want to add more vintage style to your interior, you can complement a pastel colour scheme with a wallpapered accent wall.

VINTAGE TRENDS

BY IJEOMA EZEANYIKA

Trends and styles are constantly changing and evolving. The décor items once considered old and out of style are in recent times labelled as trendy. When splashed across your space, these vintage items work together to give it elegance and gracefulness and evoke an atmosphere of peace and nostalgia.

Vintage Furniture Faux Fur Rug

Vintage furniture has something unique about it that makes it stand out from the rest, and this aesthetic quality enables it to give that instant vintage vibe. We are in a time when people are swooned by handmade products, and since vintage furniture boasts of this quality, it is back in style because of the originality of its craftsmanship. Also known for its elegant and classy designs, vintage furniture can give timeless sophistication to any interior. It can be carved wood pieces or metalwork, whichever it may be; it comes with unique details that give character and charm to any room. Vintage furniture also boasts of a rarity since they are mostly made by hand, which is another attractive feature that makes it a highly sought-after vintage item.

Clawfoot Tub

Guess what is back in style?

It is the clawfoot tub, which was a symbol of glamour, luxury, and class back in the 1920’s. The clawfoot tub was sidelined by freestanding tubs for years, but now it has regained its spotlight and is considered a luxurious upgrade.

A faux fur rug is not only soft, but it is also stylish. Since its popularity in the 1970s, it never went out of style. However, it has recently become very high in demand, as people now consider it a must-have decor accessory. It is also cosy and warm. A faux fur rug has an amazing texture and unbeatable softness, making it the perfect partner for wood-look floors.

Couple’s Bucket List

Fun and Meaningful Activities to Strengthen Bonds

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

1.COOKINGADVENTURES FOR TWO

Why not create your gastronomic haven in your kitchen? Spend the evening cooking up a storm with a new recipe you both selected. Cooking something to eat together develops collaboration and provides a warm ambience that deepens your connection, whether you’re slicing veggies or sharing a laugh over culinary errors.

2.NATURE ESCAPES AND PICNICS

Take a relaxing nature trip to escape everyday life’s stress. Enter the great outdoors with a picnic basket filled with your preferred delicacies, and then take in the serenity of the surroundings. These moments away from the bustle of life, whether it’s a leisurely day by the lake or a trek through the woods, let you connect more deeply.

Making

a couple’s bucket list full of enjoyable and meaningful activities is a beautiful approach to strengthening your relationship. These six touching experiences are sure to strengthen your relationship and generate priceless memories that will last a lifetime, whether you’re setting off on a new journey or reigniting the flame.

5.VOLUNTEER AS A TEAM

Together, volunteer to improve the community and your relationship. Working together for the same cause strengthens the idea of cooperation and shared beliefs, whether assisting at a local food bank or participating in a charity race. Your hearts will be filled with a feeling of purpose and thankfulness due to the satisfaction of assisting others.

3.DIY PROJECTS AND CREATIVITY

You can unleash your inner artist by working together on a DIY project. Working together to realise a creative goal improves your communication and problemsolving abilities, whether painting a canvas or making furniture. Additionally, the joy of finishing a job with a partner is highly fulfilling.

4. DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

Increase the volume and groove like no one is looking! Dancing inspires a sense of fun and closeness, whether ballroom dancing or just swaying to your favourite music in the living room. It’s an opportunity to let go of inhibitions and connect through movement and laughter.

6. MEMORY LANE MOVIE NIGHT

By watching old home movies or your favourite films again, you can recapture the romance of your relationship. Take a journey down memory lane while enjoying some popcorn and cuddling up. A pleasant method to rekindle your relationship is to tell memories, laugh, and maybe even shed a few tears as you remember your journey together.

CONCLUSION

These activities are the threads that weave lovely memories and stronger bonds in the fabric of your relationship. From cooking a romantic meal to dancing beneath the stars, every event strengthens your bond, generates shared memories, and enriches your love story with laughter and delight. So go ahead and embrace these enjoyable and significant trips, and watch as your relationship develops into a lifelong journey filled with love, understanding, and many treasured moments.

WHO ROCKED THE PAST

Celebrating Independence Heroes

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

On this day, October 1, 1960, Nigeria, a West African nation known as the “Giant of Africa,” obtained its freedom. There was celebration in the streets and optimism for the future. Nigerian nationalists had to work together, stay courageous, and remain steadfast to free the country from the yoke of its British colonial overlords. The strong-willed efforts of some of these nationalists, namely Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Margret Ekpo, Chief Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, and Sir Ahmadu Bello are the focus of this article.

Herbert Macaulay, an early advocate of African independence, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on November 14, 1864.

He founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party in 1923, which became the country’s first political organization.

But in 1934, newly organised student groups like the Nigerian Youth Movement overcame the NNDP to take over as the dominating force. To create the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, NCNC, Macaulay’s NNDP teamed up with the Nigerian Youth Movement.

The NCNC, which Macaulay led, was a nationalist group that worked to promote an independent Nigeria; it wasn’t a political party. When Nigeria gained independence in 1960, Herbert Macaulay was not alive to witness it. On May 7, 1946, he died in Lagos, Nigeria, at 81.

DR NNAMDI BENJAMIN AZIKIWE

the way,” perfectly encapsulated his philosophy. Instead of resorting to violent confrontation, Dr. Azikiwe believed discussion was the greatest method for resolving conflicts. In a nation with a vast ethnic and cultural diversity and more than 400 languages, he could speak Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba, the three main languages of Nigeria. The National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC), the first successful political organization in Nigeria, was created by him in 1944 alongside an eminent nationalist named Herbert Macaulay, who served as party president and led the struggle for independence. After Herbert Macaulay, who was widely regarded as “the father of Nigerian nationalism,” passed away in 1946, Azikiwe, the party’s Secretary-General, was elected as president. He was notable for becoming Nigeria’s first president from 1963 to 1966. Since 2001, his picture has been on Nigeria’s 500 Naira banknote.

CHIEF OBAFEMI JEREMIAH OYENIYI AWOLOWO

Dr. Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe, also known as Zik, has a special position in Nigerian history as the leader of the nation’s struggle for independence. Born on November 16 1904, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first and only indigenous Governor General of Nigeria (1960–1963) and the first President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1963–1966), died on May 11 1996. He was buried on what would have been his 92nd birthday, November 16 1996. He was widely considered Nigeria’s greatest orator; he excelled in athletics, journalism, politics, and authorship and was a persuasive force in establishing Nigerian independence in 1960. He was endowed with an uncommon, if not mythological, mix of admirable traits.

Dr. Azikiwe, a fervent nationalist and pan-Africanist, spent three years in Ghana’s Gold Coast before returning to Nigeria in 1937. While there, he started his career as a writer by creating and publishing the influential weekly African Morning Post. This provided a platform for nationalist movements in the countries of Anglophone West Africa. His groundbreaking writings on colonialism, African independence, and education can be found in Liberia

In World Politics (1932) and Renascent Africa (1937). In 1937, he established several journals upon his return to Nigeria to bring about political freedom and sociocultural and economic change in Nigeria. His extremely diverse academic background served him a good foundation for his long-lasting employment in journalism and politics.

He edited the most significant of his newspapers, the West African Pilot, from 1937 to 1947. His other newspapers included the Eastern Nigerian Guardian, which was published in Port Harcourt; the Daily Comet and Nigerian Spokesman, which were both published in Onitsha, where he was born; the Southern Nigerian Defender, which was published in Warri and Ibadan; The Sentinel, which was published in Enugu; and the Nigerian Monitor, which was published in Uyo. His entry into the field in 1937 had a significant impact on the Nigerian media, which transformed as a result of the press’s newfound daring and overt commitment to assisting in the loosening of the shackles of oppression and the noose of the repressive colonial system. Zik’s style of journalism was distinctive because he practised what he taught. His political engagement in the nationalist struggles was the ideal match for his practically vituperative writings. The motto of his West African Pilot, “Show the light, and the people will follow

TheNigerian statesman Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Oyeniyi Awolowo, also known as Obafemi Awolowo or Awo, was a steadfast and well-known supporter of independence, nationalism, and federalism. He was born on March 6, 1909, in Ikenne, a colony and protectorate of Southern Nigeria, and passed away on May 9, 1987 in Ikenne. He was renowned for his liberal perspectives on social welfare. Awolowo was born in Ikenne, which at the time was a part of Southern Nigeria’s British Colony and Protectorate. He actively participated in the Lagos Youth Movement in the 1930s, which later evolved into the Nigerian Youth Movement, and eventually attained the position of Western Province secretary. He began to bemoan the ethnic divisions within the nationalist movement at that time and the escalating political disparities between some of Nigeria’s ethnic groups and areas.

In addition to being the first Leader of Government Business, Minister of Local Government and Finance, and Premier of the Western Region under Nigeria’s parliamentary system, Awolowo formed the Yoruba nationalist organization Egbe Omo Oduduwa (Egbe Omo Oduduwa). He held these positions from 1952 until 1959.

While a devoted Ifá worshiper, he was also a vocal opponent of the British colonial rulers.

In his capacity as the founder and leader of the political party Action Group, Awolowo successfully advocated for a federal constitution. This was to ensure the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954, which was based on the concept he suggested while serving as the delegate for the Western Region, could create a federal constitution.

In his first book, Path to Nigerian Freedom, Nigeria’s foremost federalist argued for the nation’s self-government while also criticizing the control of the British colonial overlords.

Since 1999, he has been shown on the 100 Naira banknote.

CHIEF ANTHONY EROMOSELE ENAHORO

COVER

One of the most prominent anti-colonial and pro-democracy activists in Nigeria was Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro. On July 22 1923, he was born, and on December 15 2010, he passed away. In the press, politics, the civil service, and the pro-democracy movement, Enahoro had a long and illustrious career.

In 1944, at 21, Enahoro was appointed editor of Nnamdi Azikiwe’s newspaper, the Southern Nigerian Defender in Ibadan, making him Nigeria’s youngest editor in history. Later, from 1945 to 1949, he served as editor of Zik’s Comet in Kano. From 1950 to 1953, he served as editor-in-chief of Morning Star. Enahoro was the first to introduce the motion for Nigeria’s independence, which was ultimately approved in 1960 after several political setbacks and parliamentary defeats. Enahoro is revered as the “Father of Nigeria State” by academics and many Nigerians. His original move for Nigeria’s independence was defeated in the legislature, and as a result, the northern members of the legislature staged a walkout.

Eventually, in August 1958, Remi Fani-Kayode reintroduced Enahoro’s motion, and the parliament once more passed the motion, but the British did not agree to its date. In his motion, Fani-Kayode demanded that Nigeria be granted independence on April 2, 1960. In 1959, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa submitted a new resolution to the parliament in support of Enahoro’s original one, which was approved. The colonial governor announced that the British government had decided to give independence in 1960 as a result of the ongoing pressure. On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained independence.

SIR ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA

methods used by colonial authorities in Aba were debated. She started the Market Women Association in her forties, a group that fought colonial tyranny, promoted female solidarity, and protected women’s issues and economic rights. They advocated for women’s rights to participate in politics, particularly those of market women and female business owners. She passed away at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Cross Rivers State on September 21, 2006, at 92.

CHIEF FUNMILAYO RANSOME-KUTI

The first and only prime minister of Nigeria following its independence was Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (born 1912 in Bauchi, Northern Nigeria; died January 1966, near Ifo, Nigeria). He supported keeping close links to the British as a conservative Anglophile. Nigeria was a constitutional monarchy throughout his early years as prime minister, with Elizabeth II serving as the monarch, until 1963, when Nigeria became a republic. He supported both Nigerian reform and unification while defending Northern special interests.

As a teacher by profession, Balewa was among the first residents of Northern Nigeria to be transferred to the London University Institute of Education (1945). After his return in 1946, he was chosen to serve in the Northern Region’s House of Assembly and was one of its five deputies to the Central Legislative Council in Lagos in 1947. In 1951, he was reelected to the parliament despite the opposition of certain traditionalist emirs from the region’s predominantly Muslim north.

Balewa worked for the federal government from 1952 until his death. In the mid-1950s, he served as minister of transportation and works before becoming Nigeria’s first prime minister in 1957 while serving as the NPC’s leader in the House of Representatives. In a coalition administration made up of the NPC and Nnamdi Azikiwe’s National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons following the pre-independence elections in 1959, he once more rose to the position of prime minister. He retained it after Nigeria gained actual independence in 1960. The federal system of the government, which reserved more power for the regions, limited his ability to act as prime minister of Nigeria. A partial boycott of the election in 1964, army unrest, and violent outbursts in the Western Region were some of the signs of the mounting tensions of 1964–1966 that Balewa was unable to control. In 1966, he was murdered in the first of two army coups in Nigeria.

CHIEF MARGRET EKPO

On July 27, 1914, Chief Margaret Ekpo was born in Creek Town, Cross Rivers State. She was a pioneering female politician in Nigeria’s First Republic and a prominent member of a class of traditional Nigerian women activists, many of whom rallied women beyond notions of ethnic solidarity. She was a Nigerian women’s rights activist and social mobilizer. In the era of a hierarchical and male-dominated struggle toward independence, she played significant roles as a grassroots nationalist politician in the city of Aba in Eastern Nigeria.

The stirring statements she heard from activists and politicians, such as Mazi Mbonu Ojike, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Herbert Macaulay, at rallies and gatherings in Aba inspired her determination to win political power for herself and other Women. Nigerians were urged and inspired by these politicians to fight for their country’s independence and freedom from colonial domination. She began going to gatherings where the harsh

Madam Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Fela Anikulapo’s mother, was born in 1900. She was a member of the first delegation that flew to England to plead for Nigeria’s independence. She was the first female owner of an automobile in West Africa. She was a great educator to many great Nigerians. Ransome-Kuti founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union in the 1940s, and she actively promoted women’s rights by calling for increased female representation in local government and an end to discriminatory levies on market women. She was dubbed the “Lioness of Lisabi” by the media. She led marches and demonstrations that involved up to 10,000 women, which resulted in the ruling Alake stepping down for a while in 1949. Ransome-Kuti joined delegations abroad and conferences to examine potential national constitutions as her political standing increased. She also participated in the Nigerian independence struggle.

She spearheaded the formation of the Nigerian Women’s Union and the Federation of Nigerian Women’s Societies. She advocated for Nigerian women’s voting rights and became prominent in the international peace and women’s rights movements.

She was hurt during a military raid on family property, and she passed away at the age of 77.

SIR AHMADU IBRAHIM BELLO

The Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Ibrahim Bello, is still regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading patriots. In 1954, he was elected as Northern Nigeria’s first Premier and served as the NPP’s founding president. He teamed with Azikiwe to create Nigeria’s first indigenous federal government, which led to the birth of the nation’s independence from the British Empire. His portrait adorns the 200 naira banknote.

A Catalyst for Women’s Progress and Transformation Her Summit 2023

Her Network’s highly anticipated second annual Her Summit was a resounding success. The event, meticulously crafted to inspire and empower progressive women, provided an immersive experience brimming with transformative insights and empowering messages.

In her welcome address, Nkem Onwudiwe, the founder of Her Network and convener of Her Summit, expressed her excitement for the event. She emphasised the significance of self-improvement and seizing opportunities whenever and wherever they arise. Each session during the summit was distinctive, covering a wide array of topics, including digital transformation, monetisation and investment, career development, leadership, artificial intelligence, sports, and politics. A recurring theme emphasised by the speakers was the paramount importance of bolstering self-confidence, expressing oneself assertively, nurturing self-awareness, approaching one’s aspirations with deliberate intention, and persisting resolutely even when faced with outcomes that may not align with the initial goals, but instead, to keep moving forward.

Chinonso Arubayi, Dr Tewa Onasanya, Adeola Kingsley-James, Queen Murielle &Yolanda Okereke

Joy Mabia (Marketing & Communications Manager, Endeavor Nigeria), Nkem Onwudiwe (Founder, Her Network & Convener, Her Summit), Ireayomide Oladunjoye (CEO/Managing Director, Endeavor Nigeria)

Sandra Tubobereni, Mercy Familusi Oluwatosin Olaseinde & Victoria Ajayi

Mojibade Sosanya, Alvena Ode, Omotunde Ibironke, Mercy Familusi & Mayokun Owolabi

Audience

Tinuade Sanda - CEO, Eko Electricity Distribution Company

Nkem Onwudiwe - The Founder, Her Network & Convener, Her Summit

Onyekachi Eke (Director for Global Markets, West Africa, IE University)

Queen Murielle (CEO/Founder, Raising the Standard International) Omotunde Ibironke (Head of Partnerships and Projects, Bella Naija)

Ibijoke Faborode (Founder/CEO, Elect Her), Mojibade Sosanya (Lead Compere, Mojibadeshow), Debbie Larry- Izamoje (Chief Operating Officer, Brila Media)

Ireayomide Oladunjoye (CEO, Endeavor Nigeria), Adesola Arogundade (Content Partnerships - Entertainment Sub Sahara Africa, TikTok), Dr Tinuade Sanda (Managing Dir/CEO Eko Electricity Distribution Company), Derin Adefulu(Head of Governance Old Mutual)

Adesola Arogundade (Content Partnerships - Entertainment Sub Sahara Africa, TikTok), Edna Francis, Titilope Kosoko

Betty Irabor.(The Publisher, Genevieve Magazine)

FASHION MEETS FUNCTION

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

Many people associate heels with glitzy evenings and fashionable occasions. Who, however, asserts that style and utility cannot coexist? In this article, we’ll examine the intriguing idea of modifying heels for active lifestyles, giving women the power to maintain their elegance and comfort as they go about their busy and active daily routines. These six creative ways to alter heels will change how you think about this famous footwear, making them your ideal partner for a vibrant and fashionable life, whether you’re a busy professional, a working parent, or a fitness lover.

1. 2.

THE BLOCK HEEL REVIVAL

For a balance of height and stability, embrace the trend of block heels. Wider bases on these adaptable heels offer better support and lessen pressure on the foot. Without losing flair, wear them for your morning commute and lunchtime strolls.

ATHLETIC HEEL INSERTS

Utilise athletic insoles created specifically for heels to enhance your level of comfort. Thanks to these ergonomic cushions and arch supports, your feet will receive the proper care, enabling you to handle hectic days without pain. Say goodbye to tired feet and hello to a revitalised step!

FASHION

5.

HEELS WITH ANKLE SUPPORT

Invest in heels with sturdy ankle straps or lace-up details to maintain stability during physical activities. These elements not only provide your athletic-inspired outfits with an added layer of support, but they also give them a trendy edge.

3.

THE SNEAKER-HEEL HYBRID

Discover the world of athleisure with sneaker-heels, a chic fusion of sneakers and heels that redefines sporty-chic. These ground-breaking styles provide fashion-conscious ladies with the best of both worlds by combining the ease of sneakers with the sophistication of heels.

4.

WEDGES FOR VERSATILITY

For active fashionistas, wedges are a game-changer. Use lightweight wedges with cushioned insoles to easily transition from a boardroom meeting to an afternoon of errands. These heels are a go-to option for active days since they offer stability and support.

6.

THE SENSIBLE KITTEN HEEL

Incredibly, kitten heels are making a comeback, and for a good cause! These little heels provide elegance without sacrificing comfort. They are ideal for hectic days since they give a touch of refinement and keep your feet comfortable during the day’s activity.

CONCLUSION

Who says heels should only be worn on active days and then stowed away in the closet? You can effortlessly combine fashion and utility by implementing these six adaptable methods for wearing heels, enabling your go-to shoes to go with you on every step of your lifestyle. Utilise the comfort of athletic inserts, the versatility of block heels, and the allure of kitten heels to take charge of your day with style and confidence. So join the revolution in fashion where heels are no longer simply a fashion statement but your biggest partner in achieving an active and fashionable lifestyle!

GREAT COCKTAIL RECIPES YOU SHOULD KNOW

BY IJEOMA EZEANYIKA

Aglass of cocktail tastes just as refreshing as it looks and is also a perfect way to unwind after a long day. This alcoholic beverage is prepared by hand and comes fresh as it is made on demand. Cocktail making allows for creativity with the way the ingredients are combined. A cocktail can be named after its ingredients or a city. Explore some cocktail recipes to know their ingredients and how they are mixed.

WHISKEY SOUR

The whiskey sour cocktail is commonly served before dinner, usually with an old-fashioned glass with whiskey as the base spirit - often bourbon whiskey. The standard garnishing for this cocktail is maraschino cherry and an orange slice. If you want to get the perfect whiskey sour, all you need to do is get the recipe right.

Ingredients (for one serving)

• 2 ounces whiskey, bourbon

• 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

• 3/4 ounce simple syrup

• 1/2 orange wheel (for garnishing)

• 1 maraschino cherry (for garnishing)

Directions

Step 1

In a cocktail shaker, combine bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Step 2

Fill the cocktail shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously until the shaker’s outside is very cold.

Step 3

Use a hawthorne strainer or a slotted spoon to strain the cocktail into the old-fashioned glass filled with ice.

Step 4

Garnish the cocktail with orange wheel and cherry to serve. Your cocktail is ready to enjoy.

TOM COLLINS

The Tom Collins cocktail is a highball cocktail enjoyed by many and is served in a Collins glass with gin as its base spirit - often dry London gin. Its standard garnishing is maraschino cherry and lemon slice. This highball cocktail has a signature fizz given to it by club soda and contains 191 calories per serving.

Ingredients (for one serving)

• 2 1/2 cups ice, divided

• 2 ounces gin

• 3/4 ounce lemon juice

• 1/2 ounce of simple syrup

• 2 ounces of club soda

• 1 lemon wedge (for garnishing)

• 1 maraschino cherry (for garnishing)

Directions

Step 1

In a Collins glass, add 1 1/2 cups ice and set aside in the freezer to chill.

Step 2

In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, then add 1 cup ice, cover, and shake until chilled.

Step 3

Strain the cocktail into the chilled Collins glass.

Step 4

Top with club soda and garnish with lemon wedge and maraschino cherry. Your cocktail is ready to enjoy.

MONDAY READY

How to start Monday the right way

BY IJEOMA EZEANYIKA

You probably hate Monday mornings. The thought of it approaching makes you gloomy and anxious even though you love your job, the people you work with, and the job environment in general; thinking about Monday mornings makes you feel tired. Crazy, isn’t it? You might want to ask, what is it about Mondays? A fun fact is that your energy isn’t any lower on Monday compared to other days. It’s not Monday you are reacting to, but change as you move into the workweek. To recuperate for a great Monday, you must ensure your weekends are rejuvenating. A little coordination and proper planning will help you say hi to Monday with a smile because no matter how much you hate it, Monday mornings will always come. These tips will help you kickstart Monday better and happier.

PREPARE FOR MONDAY BY FRIDAY

Write your Monday to-do list by Friday. Don’t think Monday is still far off. Clearly explain where you left off, what you need to do, and how to do it. Don’t make the note hectic since it’s for personal use. Write it in a way that when you read it on Monday, it will get you pumped up. You can even go the extra mile to pick your outfit for Monday.

SAVE UP YOUR WEEKEND ENERGY

Don’t tire yourself out during your weekends in a bid to catch up on all the fun you feel you missed out on during the workweek. Doing that will only make you slow and frustrated when Monday morning comes because all you will be craving is that extra five minutes of sleep when your alarm goes off. Do all you can to avoid using up your Monday energy during weekends.

CHUG A GLASS OF WATER

Water will not only help flush your system but also keep you hydrated as you go about your day, so be sure to always reach for that glass of H2O in the morning so you will be energised for the day’s activities.

AVOID MORNING MEETINGS

Monday morning seems like the best time to meet so everyone can run the week on the same page. While this is good, you should postpone that morning meeting for later in the afternoon because mornings are when you will be most productive. Having a sit-down meeting will drain you and make you feel slow for the rest of the day. Rather than starting your Monday morning with a meeting, start with something productive instead, like ticking off an item on your to-do list.

GO TO BED EARLY

Don’t stay up late trying to finish the movie you started watching. Hit the hay early, after all, early to bed, early to rise. Getting enough sleep just before Monday morning is important to get you geared up. Resist the urge to be a midnight watchman and call it a day.

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA

MOVIE REVIEW:

The Black Book

WATCH OF THE WEEK

SEX EDUCATION SEASON 4

For all the praise you can ascribe to Nollywood, be it the sheer output (3rd largest film industry in the world by volume), the stars it has given rise to or the iconic stories that we all know and love, one thing I have always wanted from it is more genre variety. Too often, the films can feel a little samey, with familial or cultural differences driving the plots of the vast majority of films. Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing; many of these Nollywood plotlines become favourites for a reason. I just think there is room for more genre exploration in Nollywood, and I will always have time for films that try something new.

Enter The Black Book, a Netflix Naija film that is essentially an action-revenge flick but wraps it in a very familiar setting: The dark, seedy underbelly of Lagos. The Black Book follows Paul Edima (a capable as always Richard-Mofe-Damijo), an unassuming church Deacon as he seeks to take justice into his own hands after the false accusation and subsequent murder of his son Damilola (Olumide Oworu). Because I saw no trailers and went into the movie blind, I got a huge smile on my face once I realised this film would be essentially a John Wick-style thriller. It hits a lot of the same beats as the 2014 action film (an unassuming man turns out to be an elite former assassin and goes back to his old ways to avenge a grievance), just with the dog swapped out for a son. There are gunfights and explosions. The film pulls no punches from the opening kidnapping (emphasis on the kid) scene all through to the end. There is a lot of social commentary here, some of it very timely (the film was shot in 2020, so of course, ‘SAKS’ and profiling play a huge role in the killing of Edima’s son.) The corruption shown in the film is eerily plausible and hits home hard as a result.

The film is brilliantly shot, with scenes having the perfect amount of lighting, even in night scenes, which has always been a big complaint of mine about Nollywood films. Debut Director Editi Effiong manages to get good visibility in all scenes. The audio is also sharp, with dialogue being easy to hear even if characters are offscreen. Music is also a plus for this film, with the emotional scenes being backed by moving, poignant music.

The performances on the whole are quite good. I especially enjoyed Sam Dede’s brutal portrayal of Angelo (who ends up being the devil incarnate), but I always like Sam Dede so maybe that’s obvious. His resemblance to Ving Rhames continues to break my brain. Shaffy Bello appears here as the film’s analogue to John Wick’s Bowery King, Big Daddy Her portrayal of an underground crime boss works for the film. Ireti Doyle and Bimbo Akintola round out the main cast of the film, and both do capable jobs here. I must say I liked RMD’s acting (his simmering intensity shines throughout the film), but his physical performance (stunts, fights) was a little hard to buy. A stunt double in those scenes would’ve been most welcome.

The film is by no means perfect, though. The film’s pacing starts out sharp, but by the end of the film, I was left preferring the first hour of the film to the second by quite a lot. There is an extended sequence in Kaduna that just felt a little overdone. There is about 30-45 minutes of fat that could be trimmed from the film, and it’d be an all-killer no-filler flick. I also didn’t really enjoy the plotline of Victoria (Ade Laoye), the reporter that was trying to assist RMD’s character. I saw the plot twist they did with her character from the very beginning and didn’t especially enjoy the actress’ performance. The titular Black Book is a typical MacGuffin and, in my opinion, appears too late into the film to actually be the main reason the plot advances.

Overall, I quite like The Black Book for what it is. It tells a story of revenge, of how the penance for a life of crime always comes due no matter how far you run from it. It tells a story of how corruption and greed have powered the political scene in Nigeria and one man’s vendetta against both the crimes of his past and the people who sent him to do them. It has its issues, but anytime I see something different in Nollywood, I root for it, and I hope to see more action films of this ilk soon.

The Netflix hit Sex Education has come to an end.

Ever since it first premiered in 2019, the raunchy teen comedy series has been a star-maker for its young cast: Ncuti Gatwa began as an unknown, but he’s since gone on to co-star in the billion-dollar hit movie of the summer, Barbie, and he snagged the coveted role as the Doctor Who’s latest Doctor.

Now streaming, the fourth and final season of Sex Education showcases why this series was such a careerlauncher.

Throughout its four seasons, the show has been alternately raunchy and full of heart, as it followed Otis (Asa Butterfield), a socially awkward high schooler who is frequently embarrassed by his sex therapist mom, Jean (Gillian Anderson), but uses his knowledge to set up a sex education clinic at his high school.

Rounding out the cast is his charismatic best friend Eric (Gatwa), troubled former bully Adam (Swindells), who was briefly Eric’s love interest, snarky Maeve (Emma Mackey), conflicted athlete Jackson (Kedar WilliamsStirling), flighty Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood), and former popular mean girl Ruby (Mimi Keene).

Dan Levy joining the cast as a professor whom she butts heads with. Her “Will they or won’t they?” dynamic with Otis is finally on a “They will,” albeit it’s long distance.

Otis, Eric, and Ruby are at the artsy Cavendish College, where they must navigate a new social hierarchy. Eric becomes popular, and Otis feels lost in the shuffle.

Otis also gets an enemy since the campus has a rival sex therapist, O (Thaddea Graham).

Adam and Jean get the short end of the stick this

season, with comparatively dull and isolated storylines, as Jean is a single mom yet again to a new baby. Adam, meanwhile, is finding an interest in horses for some reason. Poor Adam feels like the writers didn’t know what to do with him.

There are a few missing faces, such as Ola (Patricia Allison) and Lily (Tanya Reynolds), since those actresses didn’t return. But the main characters all get mostly satisfying conclusions to their stories.

It’s a shame to have the cast spread out for the final season, but it also gives this show a necessary atmosphere of growing up and moving on. We’re not leaving these teens stagnant, flailing through high school forever. We’re leaving them when they’ve matured and shifted to new phases in their lives.

Season 4 isn’t the show’s strongest, simply because this ensemble comedy is best when everyone can interact and isn’t so far-flung.

Rating: 6.5/10

Season 4 finds the gang in new and unfamiliar territory, scattered to the wind. Maeve is in America, attending Wallace University, with

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