THEWILL DOWNTOWN Special March 15, 2023

what is a

Woman?

DOS & DON'TS OF PREGNANCY SKINCARE

POISED TO SERVE LAGOS WITH HEART AND MIGHT Gbadebo

Rhodes-Vivour Gbadebo

When I received a message asking that I come to Epe to interview HE Gbadebo RhodesVivour, I knew it would mean hours on the road which also meant losing time transcribing the story, so I requested a dial-in interview and prayed for a miracle that he granted it.

I finally received the fingers-crossed emoji from my contact and heard nothing from his team. That was until a few hours of worship later, and asking my contact about the interview, I suddenly got a call from a different person saying they had reached out to him and would like an interview. I said I could do it over the phone immediately. It started to look like it wasn’t going to happen when we suddenly didn’t hear from the team, but when the call came in the following day, I knew The Creative of creatives had, once again, made a way.

What you will find in the interview is a confident young man who has put his heart and soul into making a better Lagos. And like Awolowo and similarly, Lateef Jankande, who had no prior experience running public office but did a good job such that we still hear their names in discussions of heroes of Nigerians, Gbadebo RhodesVivour is poised to do the same. Read his story on pages eight through ten.

Downtown Confidential is back after a short break. I have received several ‘confidential’ messages that tell how much they missed the page. Who would have thought?

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we have a beautiful article about the dos and don’ts of pregnancy. It’s worth a read whether or not you are expecting a little one. We also have an article: What is a woman?

Whatever you do, you must read both articles on pages fourteen and four through five.

Don’t miss the health and wellness page; our décor page shows you a thing or two about beautifying your walls. And, of course, our movie review page is always raving with new movies and series, plus music just for you.

Happy Mother’s day to everyone who plays the role of mum, whether man or woman.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

AUSTYN OGANNAH PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya

Writer: Kehindé Fagbule

Graphic Design: Oludemilade Aremu ‘Remus’

Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun

Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’

Dorcas

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.

Dotun is a Fashion and Lifestyle writer who has a passionate interest in storytelling. When not loudly typing on his laptop, you can find him pretending to be a psychic or watching TV series.

Shola-Adido Oladotun - Contributing Writer

ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY HIS TEAM

WHAT IS A WOMAN Is There Some Sense in The Claims of Trans

Women’s Appropriation of Womanhood

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

?

EveryInternational Women’s Day campaign reminds us of the setbacks women face in their fight for equality. We see it every day, from legislation that relegates women—women were not allowed to vote or drive cars, basic things that should never even be up for debate in the first place—to the implicit biases that society has allowed to fester since the creation of the first woman. Throughout history, women have come together to make their voices heard, either protesting on the streets for the right to their uterus or in forums brainstorming ways to solve some of the issues they inherit simply by owning female genitals. Lately, however, that fight has taken a new form, a new challenge in political correctness.

Chimamanda Adichie

Photographed by Pari Dukovic for The New Yorker

Inthe 13th hour of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing as the associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, asked the Supreme Court nominee: “Can you provide a definition for the word ‘woman’?” Jackson, appearing confused, responded, “I’m not a biologist.” Blackburn chided Jackson, claiming that “the fact that you can’t give me a straight answer about something as fundamental as what a woman is underscores the dangers of the kind of progressive education that we are hearing about.” This exchange came off the back of the news of a University of Pennsylvania undergraduate transgender athlete, Lia Thomas, competing on the women’s swim team in the 2021/22 season

at the Ivy League championships in dominant fashion. Of course, this became a national debate as most people felt it was unfair to the women who had to compete with a biological man.

Enraged, 16 of Thomas’ teammates anonymously sent a letter to the school and the Ivy League stating that Thomas should not be allowed to compete because she could break “Penn, Ivy, and NCAA Women’s Swimming records; feats she could never have done as a male athlete.”

“We fully support Lia Thomas in her decision to affirm her gender identity and to transition from a man to a woman. Lia has every right to live her life authentically,” read the letter, which was obtained by the media. “However, we also recognize that

when it comes to sports competition, the biology of sex is a separate issue from someone’s gender identity. Biologically, Lia holds an unfair advantage over competition in the women’s category, as evidenced by her rankings that have bounced from #462 as a male to #1 as a female.”

Still an ongoing hot topic, conversations around trans women’s integration into biological women’s spaces don’t seem like they are getting a definitive resolution anytime soon. At least not in today’s climate, where intellectual debates are met with a vicious cancel culture and name-calling. Recall that acclaimed author Chimamanda Adichie got into hot water for her trans-exclusionary views back in 2017. “Trans women are trans women,” Adichie had said in the interview, adding, “I think if you’ve lived in the world as a man, with the privileges that the world accords to men, and then sort of switch gender, it’s difficult for me to accept that then we can equate your experience with the experience of a woman who has lived from the beginning in the world as a woman, and who has not been accorded those privileges that men are.” Her views were echoed by fellow author and trans-exclusionary radical feminist, widely referred to as TERF, J.K. Rowling, obviously to the trans community’s dismay who would go on to cancel her multiple times. Amidst all of these, the fight for gender equality is still alive today. And no matter how much we try to create a gender-neutral world, our sex will forever play a major role in how we are perceived and treated as individuals. For critics on the right-wing, trans right is an appropriation of womanhood. For those on the left, acceptance into the fold is simply harmless. In their defence, the hate and violence against the transgender community are not only inhumane, but it is also absolutely unnecessary. However, after the checks and balances, it still boils down to the fact that while the disenfranchisement of womanhood is the subject of this sensitive debate, it is not reflected on the other end of the spectrum; biological men and trans men have yet to butt heads on any issue till date.

As the tension lingers, in addition to society becoming increasingly scared of having opinions, there have been a few changes in our everyday vocabulary, most notably the media’s efforts in systemically replacing the word women in publications, for instance, an opinion article about ‘creating equality for “people who menstruate” following the coronavirus pandemic’ from Devex. This website describes itself as a media platform for the global development community. This shows how women have been caught in the crossfire of the fight for inclusion, as some non-binary people (biological women) too menstruate. Although we can all downplay it as just language, what do we know is more powerful than words?

REDEFINING CARGO PANTS Style Tips for Ladies 4

BY SHOLA-ADIDO OLADOTUN

Nothing says effortlessly cool and casual like cargo pants, which is why you must own at least one pair. While cargo pants might seem like the easiest clothing item to style due to their versatility, gender neutrality, and various shapes and sizes, it takes a fashionista to unlock their true potential.

Here are four style tips to step up your cargo pants game to get you started on your journey to becoming a trendsetter.

THE TUCK

Many of us often take away the beauty of cargo pants by leaving our shirts hanging out. Unless it’s a cargo jogger, make it a habit to tuck in the shirts you wear on cargo pants. For example, tuck it into a black pair of high-waisted cargo

SPORTY CHIC

Whether it’s a workout or a Saturday hang out with friends, cargo pants are a great way to showcase your sporty side while looking elegant. You only need a sports bra or tank top, a windbreaker, cargo pants, and a pair of trainers to get started.

Sprine_chevy

FEMININE REALNESS

If you want to add a soft touch to cargo pants, pairing them with a crop top or loose blouse is a good direction to explore. You could also take things further by cinching your waist with a belt and wearing stiletto heels or mid-calf boots.

Toke Makinwa Ariana_a.d

EDGY KNOWS BEST

Stop playing it safe with how you style cargo pants; take a risk and push the envelope. Deviate from the norm and take your style on a more edgy route by pairing cargo pants and a t-shirt with a stud leather or denim jacket. Finish the look with combat boots.

WHAT WOMEN WANT

Women Reveal What They Love And What They Aren’t Into in Bed

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

When it comes to what brings them sexual gratification, every woman is a world apart. Although some essential elements make women enjoy the overall experience, in the long run, that’s what leads to everyone’s ultimate satisfaction.

Many men wish they could read their woman’s mind when they are in bed to know how to satisfy them to their pleasure, they try to figure it out, but many don’t get it. Well, there is no recipe; it’s pretty simple. Generally, women wish for genuine intimacy apart from strict desire; they always want something different.

Notwithstanding, you need to sit down and talk with your woman about what you both like in bed before hopping on the ride.

So we interviewed eight women and asked them to tell us what they would like from men in the bedroom.

Each woman was real, raw and honest. They each preferred to remain anonymous, but this should help the men know what to do with women between ages twenty to fifty when the doors are locked, and it’s just them both having adult pleasure time.

Women in Their 20s

“Don’t ask me for anal. I hate it when guys feel

Women in Their 30s

“I’m quite adventurous, so anything goes, really. I love it when my man spanks me and calls me a bi@#h. Spank me, say dirty things to me. That is such a turn-

“I like it when he shags me in front of a mirror. Sometimes I ask him to fantasize that he is not with me. I tell him to imagine he is with a wh*#e, and blast me like he is with one. It’s much more steamy that way.”

Women in Their 40s

He needs to take his time with me. Take me out, or even if it’s at his, wine and dine me. Kiss me gently, teasing me but very softly. I love it when he taps my c#&@ with his, you know what. But he must be clean because I enjoy licking every inch of a man. I would typically start in the shower, cleaning him up, and then it’s a full-

blown session of mixed sex, gentle yet wild at the same time. That’s how I enjoy it.”

“As long as he is giving it to me from behind, it’s fine. Just don’t pull my hair. Do that, and it’s over. IMMEDIATELY!”

Women in Their 50s

“He must be a gentleman; most importantly, he must be mentally stimulating and clean. Sex must be pleasurable for both of us, not a race he hopes to win.”

“He needs to let me know he’s into me. I want to feel him love me and want me, not the other way around.”

Although our culture doesn’t expect women to speak in the bedroom, more and more women are being emancipated from sexual slavery and are now more comfortable saying what they would like in the bedroom. And what’s more? The men are totally into it.

POISED TO SERVE LAGOS WITH HEART AND MIGHT

BY ONAH NWACHUKWU

The man Gbadebo Rhode-Vivour isn’t like any other we have seen in the political sphere in a while. Although he may be believed to be young and without experience, this impression could easily be overruled by looking at past governors and presidents who were also in office in their late thirties and early forties. Some had no experience running a public office, yet their work decades later can only be described as a legacy. It is the same for Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who intends to rule with a heart for everyone— this he has acquired from his nature and visiting the many classes of people. Among his many ingenious plans for a better Lagos are waste pickers being a part of the economic solution and market women having schools for their children nearby.

A place for ”the young men on the road that life has put in a vulnerable place and they found themselves on the street, we are going to improve their capacity and give them an alternative means of living. We will create training and skill acquisitions that will be domiciled at the local government.”

If this isn’t having a heart for the people, I wonder what is?

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has shown exceptional vulnerability (a fundamental attribute of being a leader) positively in reassuring everyone that he is the man for the job, and like his predecessors of old—Lateef Jakande and Awolowo, etc., who also had no experience in public ruling, yet did phenomenal jobs, he is convinced as many Nigerians (home and abroad) are, that he is no doubt the man for the job. The question is: will he be elected as Governor of Lagos state, Nigeria?

Gbadebo Gbadebo

Rhodes-Vivour

We know you ran for Local Government Chairman under the KOWA party and lost, and you ran for the Senate under the PDP. Why would people trust that you have the experience to rule the state when you have yet to get any experience in public ruling as opposed to the private life you run as an architect?

Theexperience that we are talking about right now is the experience that we need to get away from. It’s the experience of corruption, mediocrity, the experience of being surrounded by water without supplying any water to any homes. It’s the experience of being branded as the second worst livable city in the world, the experience of having a poor quality education where less than 15 percent of the people going to school go to public school, and less than 25 percent of secondary school-goers go to public school. So the public has passed a damning judgment on the state of public education and healthcare. And it is also the experience of state capture and maintenance that is criminally minded and only focused on the interests of one man, his family, and his cronies. So this is the experience that we need to get away from. And I also remind people that they must be cognizant of the fact that the best leaders that have come out of the southwest did not have any experience in public service. Obafemi Awolowo did not have experience in public service; he had a heart for the people, empathy, intelligence and the courage to do the right thing. It’s a similar story to Alhaji Lateef Jakande. This is a man that ruled to heights in the private sector in journalism, but what he achieved in four and half years, the APC has not been able to achieve in 20 years, and he had no public sector experience, but he had the heart of the people. And that is why till today, everybody is talking about him. Because his impact was heavily felt, and this was from a man without experience. In fact, anyone who has had experience in this system in the last two decades should not come anywhere close to the government because all their experience has been apophatic to the commonwealth of Lagos for this man’s interest.

How would you know what it is to have a heart for the people, especially the poor? That is why having run before gives you an advantage. And if you notice, I didn’t just come and run for governor; I started at the local government, so you move around and get to meet with people you wouldn’t have met in other circumstances. You go into different abules (Rural Areas), different ‘face me, I face you’, meeting people, talking to them and understanding the issues hurting them. And then, from there, I built capacity to the Senate, which was the largest entire district in Nigeria by population, and ten local governments of the roughest, toughest parts of Lagos. I’m talking about Ajeromi Ifelodun, Mushin, Agege, and Ifako-ijaiye, and going and having people there. See, the most important thing is to feel the pain, and understand the problem, that is why I can talk so confidently about Lagos because I have been in all these places, and I have people in each of these communities, so I understand. For instance, there are several riverine communities in Lagos state, I’ve not been to all of them, but when you go to a number of them, you understand that the problems are at least 85 to 90 percent similar. Light is not getting there; they don’t have primary schools or healthcare centres. There is no ejective system bringing people in, so it’s just spaces where communities are there, and there’s no presence of government except every four years. I remember I had a meeting with Fola Adeola when I ran for Local Government Chairman, and there was something he said that I’d never forget. He said, “the great thing about politics is that either way, you win. Whether you lose or you win, you win. Because of the politics, your experience of a state becomes so rich because you go and meet the people. You must go to places whether you are comfortable or not. You must engage; it gives you such a rich understanding of the state.” And that’s an advantage that having run for office previously, and building it up from level to level, has given me.

There is a thesis on traditional revolution by you talking about waste pickers being part of the solution to a society. You talked about having a heart for the poor and how you have built it up from there. Should you get into power, how will you be able to make the waste pickers part of the solution to a community?

That thesis was written in 2008/2009. Those were the days of LAWMA, and a lot of places till today are still very underserved. Once you start getting to that destination, they are not seeing any trucks. And there are communities that trucks can’t even get into because of how bad the inner roads are. So it must be a hybrid. For us, our design for waste management is localising it at the local government level so that waste

is separated from its source, so organic waste is going one way, and plastics and papers are going another way. And they have different routes that maximise comparative advantage and look for how we can generate waste to wealth and power from waste. Doing it at the local government level then allows for you to also further engage community waste management systems where the community themselves come together and have a system of how they are going to take this waste out of this community, and engaging people at that local level in those communities so that you’re also creating wealth. So that is what it is for us. I’m not saying that the whole of Lagos state waste management should be done by the waste picker, but having them be part of the upcycling process. So they can pick the waste, but they should be part of the process of upcycling and recycling because waste management is a very big industry and can generate quite a bit of wealth.

It is also very capital-intensive...

When you say capital intensive, it is that way in Nigeria because we are just picking and dumping. If we were generating energy from our organic waste, then we have a situation where we benefit from it. You are also generating organic fertilisers that you can export to countries that are very proorganic food as opposed to inorganic synthetic fertilisers. These are things you can export. It’s all part of the organic food industry. And then, your plastics, you find a situation where we are so disorganised in terms of our plastic recycling in Lagos state that they cannot achieve economies of scale. Once you can aggregate them and all plastics are being separated from home and going in one direction, you start achieving economies of scale. In one of your interviews, you mentioned that many elites are on your side.

I never said that because that’s a lie. When I use the word elite, I always define it. In Nigeria, the elite is not what people think it to be. It’s just like saying middle-class. How many middle-class households do we have in Nigeria or Lagos? We don’t have a lot. But middle-class in terms of exposure, education, in terms of waking up in the morning and going to work. The elite is very different from the working class.

I stand corrected—the working class, not the elite. You have their votes(working class). Considering the numbers can be found in the poor and uneducated communities, how sure are you that you have secured those votes considering the other parties also have a percentage of those votes? I’ve always said that it’s extremely important that our state’s politics is representative of the entire demographics of Lagos state. And I’ve always said that the issue is that the

“So I believe we will do very well in this election. Something we should not forget is: you see that market woman selling fish? She has a son and daughter in school. And they are also talking to their parents. The idea is to run good governance; everybody wants that, and that’s what matters.”

COVER

the exposed, people that wake up in the morning, whether they are selling yoghurt on an ice cream truck or they are selling newspapers, the fact that you understand you can envision a better Nigeria and don’t participate in politics is very detrimental to us as a people. Now we are reaching out to everybody. My message when I am talking to you on this phone or when I’m talking on Arise is very different from my message when I’m going to a marketplace or riverine communities. So we are reaching out to everybody, we are campaigning everywhere, and the idea for us is we want everyone to understand that there is something for them in our government. I won’t say we’ve got this or that because people who talk like that are generally liars, but we are working hard to serve our vision. Everywhere I am invited to come and speak, I take the opportunity because our hope is in the people waking up and being confident in trying something different. So I believe we will do very well in this election. Something we should not forget is: you see that market woman selling fish? She has a son and daughter in school. And they are also talking to their parents. The idea is to run good governance; everybody wants that, and that’s what matters.

What messages do you have for the different classes of Nigerians?

The messages are very different. For the civil servants, I’m assuring them that nothing will happen to their jobs; we are going to increase their salaries and ensure that they get the capacity-building tools to allow them to function at a high-performing civil service. To people in the market, I’m letting them know that the markets will be developed for their interest and not taken over in a way that they cannot afford. It will be developed in a way that the woman selling fish will not have to suffer in a bid to take care of her two children. Instead, there will be a kindergarten and crèche in that market for those children to be cared for because they pay billions to an Iya Oloja (market tax collector) every year. I’m telling small business owners that we will work with them as stakeholders to build their capacity because it is in our interest for their businesses to thrive. We are going to allow those businesses to flourish. Then I’m talking to the young people, the students; we will ensure that we start implementing programmes for them to get student loans. We will also expand the education system, the teachers, and doctors, and we will pay them

“ We have learnt that we cannot trust INEC as they have been compromised. We’ve also learnt that we cannot trust a system that believes in suppressing votes. So we must have our own plans to protect ourselves.”

a living wage, not minimum wage. We know we cannot compete with the United Kingdom regarding salaries they are getting paid, but we will give them things to show that we appreciate them and want them to be here. We will also hire many support staff so that our doctors are not overwhelmed. The same thing with teachers; we will improve their capacity to have a lot more teachers so we can reduce the ratio of teachers to students. Currently, UNESCO says the maximum should be between 1:20 and 1:30, maximum. Whereas many schools are 1:80 and 1:100, and that is just one arm of a class—these are some of the factors we are dealing with. And then to the young men on the road that life has put in a vulnerable place and they found themselves on the street, we are going to improve their capacity and give them an alternative means of living. We will create training and skill acquisitions that will be domiciled at the local government. We will provide them with food, get them skills and push them into working for the contractors that will be working in that local government, so we create a cyclical economy in those local governments. So these are messages for the different groups of people from the Iya Olojas Baba Olojas to the Real Estate Developers. We are going to have a Lagos where you don’t have to come to Alausa and bribe people to get your C of O(certificate of occupancy), you submit your plan digitally, and then we’ll have AI that is going to look at it to ensure that it meets the requirements to get planning approval, and you get your planning approval automatedly. So we are removing that human factor from the entire process and allowing us to increase our ease of doing business because we need to get higher on that ranking if we are going to be the commercial capital of Nigeria and Africa, the business must be able to thrive. So these are the things we are looking to do.

How do you intend to get the money for all that, seeing as the current government struggles to do that?

But the same governor is paying 10 percent of our taxes to Alphabeta. We will close all of that and take those funds to equip our human capacity development all across from the civil servant to fighting abject poverty. We are going to create soft loans that people can access and pay back over a period of three to four years. And these loans will be used to empower productivity, not loans that you will take and sit on. They are loans that must be applied to productive use.

“...to the young man on the road that life has put in a vulnerable place and they found themselves on the street, we are going to improve their capacity and give them an alternative means of living. We will create training and skill acquisitions that will be domiciled at the local government. ”

development we have seen across the state? Why did it take so long to have a train network? We have a situation where so many people have to wait 30 to 40 minutes to get on a bus because we don’t have enough buses. There is a monopoly on this, and we need to change that. We need to ensure that it is open and people can move about. We need to start dredging our waterways and surveying our sea vents so we can publish that data and attract the private sector so they can invest in our waterways. Our plans for it can be data-driven based on our plans for connecting Lagos via water. These are extremely important. We want to start reducing the number of cars on the road by partnering with ride-hailing technology companies such as Uber to normalise ride-sharing and create incentives for it. With transportation, moving Lagosians around in a much more efficient way is something that we will prioritise first and foremost. And also, the state of our account, payments and taxes that are being paid to organisations that are adding no value to the state of Lagos, we have to look into that and make sure that the commonwealth of Lagos benefits the people of Lagos.

In the reverse case scenario, you’ve lost. What’s next?

What have you learnt from the recently concluded presidential election?

We have learnt that we cannot trust INEC as they have been compromised. We’ve also learnt that we cannot trust a system that believes in suppressing votes. So we must have our own plans to protect ourselves.

Case scenario: you’ve won the election. What is your first call of duty?

I’ll first open up the account of Lagos state to the public so we can understand what our commonwealth has been used for. Why are we in so much debt, and it doesn’t commiserate with the amount of

I’m not losing this election, so let me just put that on record. In that event, well, we will have to look at it that if we had a free and fair election that’s not rigged and if we are confident of that, then we will gather the troops again and start preparing for the next four years, ensure that there’s enough engagement with people. People engage the government, keep them accountable, and do real opposition in situations where we keep them on their toes. Because as I said, you cannot mix politics with politicians and governance. It is a two-way street. The people must see and understand that these people are working for them. I will always engage in civic engagements, and you will always find me on the side of the people.

WHY ART IS ESSENTIAL IN EVERY HOME

BY SHOLA-ADIDO OLADOTUN

SELF-EXPRESSION

When decorating your home, always ensure that the design elements are an indicator of your personality. Hanging artwork is one of the best ways to do this. Artworks are indicators of your taste and level of creativity, and they allow guests to get an idea of who you are just by connoting the message of a painting or sculpture.

Thinking

of ways to make your home appear more attractive? Look no further, as an artwork is one gallery away. While flowers and ornaments might be a great way to decorate the walls of your home, artwork elevates it into a more sophisticated and refined environment that would leave visitors in awe.

Aside from its aesthetic benefits, home artwork also brings its owners emotional comfort. In light of this, here are some reasons your home requires artwork.

CALMING EFFECT

As mentioned earlier, artworks have an emotional impact. This is correct in the sense that simply looking at artwork calms the brain, reducing stress and anxiety. So, imagine how beneficial this would be to your mental health, especially after a stressful day at work.

BEAUTY AND AESTHETICS

There is an easy difference between a home with art and one without art. The former enhances the atmosphere, making the space more inviting and enjoyable. The latter gives a home a bland and uninteresting look and feel.

INVESTMENT

Think of the Mona Lisa, whose value keeps increasing. Owning artwork can help you make money in the long run.

7TYPESOFFOODSTHAT CAUSEBLOATING

What You Should Eat Instead

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

Many of the food and drink we consume cause digestive issues like bloating, especially for people with food intolerances or sensitivities. You can always ease the symptoms of bloating by changing your diet. It is very common among people —about 30% of people experience it regularly. Sometimes bloating can result from certain medical conditions caused by gas, digestive issues, or dietary factors.

1BEANS

They are a type of legume that is rich in protein and carbs. Apart from that, they are also rich in fibre and several vitamins and minerals. Most beans contain a sugar called alpha-galactosides, which belong to a group of carbs called FODMAPs. In case you don’t know, FODMAP is a short form for sugars that the small intestine absorbs poorly (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols). The common by-product of this process is Gas.

For some people, FODMAPs do not affect them. Still, for individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), excess gas is formed during fermentation, which may cause major discomfort like bloating, diarrhoea, and so on.

What to Eat Instead

Soaking beans and reducing your portion size is one of the ways to reduce bloating and gas.

CARBONATED DRINKS

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

3 C

arbonated drinks are another very common cause of bloating because they contain high amounts of carbon dioxide, a gas.

By drinking any of these beverages, you will end up swallowing large amounts of carbon dioxide, which can get trapped and increase pressure in the stomach which can cause uncomfortable bloating and belching.

What to Drink Instead

Plain water is always the best. Better still, you can use coffee, tea and fruit-flavoured water as an alternative. You can also reduce how you take carbonated beverages to around 8 ounces (237 millilitres) per day.

CABBAGE

Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, sprouts, and so on are highly nutritious, and they contain essential nutrients like fibre, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, iron, and potassium. However, cabbage contains FODMAPs, which can cause bloating in some people.

What to Eat Instead

There are many alternatives to go for, including spinach, cucumbers, lettuce, sweet potatoes, and zucchini. You can still reduce your portion size or opt for cooked cruciferous vegetables.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Dairy is highly nutritious, at the same time, an excellent source of protein and calcium.

We have different types of dairy products, including milk, cheese, yoghurt, and butter. However, there is a condition known as lactose intolerance, where it will be difficult for one's body system to break down lactose, the sugar found in milk.

If you are lactose intolerant, dairy products can cause major digestive problems, including bloating, diarrhoea, and cramping.

What to Eat Instead

People who are lactose intolerant can sometimes tolerate cream and butter or fermented dairy products like yoghurt. Lactose-free milk like coconut, and rice milk, etc can also be a good alternative.

Wheat is an ingredient used in most bread, pasta, pizza, and baked goods like cakes, biscuits, pancakes, and waffles, even though it contains a protein called gluten. Wheat causes severe digestive problems like bloating, diarrhoea, and stomach pain for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Apart from that, wheat also contains FODMAPs, which can cause digestive problems in some people.

What to Eat Instead

We have so many gluten-free alternatives to wheat, including glutenfree oats, quinoa, coconut flour, and almond flour.

5

WHEAT 2 4 6 7

ONIONS

Onions are underground bulb vegetables with a unique taste and aroma. Even though they are generally not eaten whole, they are very popular in cooked meals, side dishes, and salads. Although they are always eaten in small quantities, they are one of the main dietary sources of fructans, which are soluble fibres that can cause bloating.

What to Eat Instead

Opt for fresh herbs or spices as an alternative to onions.

APPLES

Apples are undeniably healthy but high in fructose, and too much fructose can cause bloating. Apart from that, apples are also considered a high-FODMAP food, which may lead to bloating in some people.

What to Eat Instead

Go for cooked apples, reduce your portion size, or choose other fruits like bananas, grapefruit, oranges, etc.

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF PREGNANCY SKINCARE

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

When pregnant, there are many things that you should or shouldn’t do; in terms of how you eat, how you sleep, and the supplements to take, among others. The list goes on and on. The do’s and don’t extend to skincare as well.

During pregnancy, many get confused about what to use or not use in their skincare routine. If you are on this table, you have nothing to worry about as we will show you how to navigate your skincare routine during pregnancy.

Dos

(1) Pay Attention to The Way Your Skin Changes

You need to sit and think about what happens to you hormonally. Doing this will go a long way in helping you understand what your skin needs as it changes during pregnancy. Some women may develop an acne flare-up during pregnancy, while some get very dry skin. Paying attention to those little details can help you be more careful about what you are applying or need to apply to your skin.

(2) Always Use Sunscreen

Antioxidants in your sunscreen help a lot in making your skin stay hydrated during your pregnancy period. Mind you, the SPF in your makeup is not enough... It needs to be medical grade, with zinc and high levels of titanium dioxide.

Don'ts

(1) Don’t Use Hard Chemical Peels

During pregnancy, many people get skin issues, especially melasma, and many will want to deal with it, no matter what, using any products they can lay their hands on. During this period, you need to exercise patience; you can easily eliminate any skin issue with more intensive therapies after you’ve delivered your little bundle. You can also use chemical peels after your

(3) Make Use of Organic Products

During pregnancy, try to use as many organic products as possible in the interest of your baby’s safety and feeling good. Go for natural ingredients that are safe and gentle for your baby. One good thing about organic products is that they are less likely to cause a reaction in your skin.

(2) Don't Bypass Your Dermatologist

If you notice your skin becoming oversensitive, see a dermatologist; it doesn’t matter whether you changed your skincare regimen. Always talk to your dermatologist to help guide you on how you can handle your allergies.

CELEBRITIES ATTEND CREED PREMIERE

BY BOLU ADESINA

Celebrities gathered at IMAX cinema for the premiere of Michael B. Jordan’s much-anticipated directorial debut of Creed III. The sneakersthemed event also had a boxing ring where guests could play-fight, and celebrities took turns having friendly fights. After the red carpet session, guests and celebrities like Idia Aisien, Uti Nwachukwu, and many more were ushered into the cinema halls to watch the movie. It was indeed a fun night.

Simi Drey

Bakare Mubarak

VJ Adams Praise Nelson

Allysyn Audu

Marvin Achi

Uti Nwachukwu

Lanre Aileru - Head of Marketing Filmone Entertainment Saga Adeolu

Wathoni Anyansi

Tobi Bakre

Eso Dike

Hermes Iyele

Iyabo Ojo

Idia Aisien

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA

MOVIE REVIEW:

Cocaine Bear

to him), who sends one of his henchmen, Daveed (O’Shea Jackson, Jr.), along with his own son, Eddie (Alden Ehrenreich), into the woods to recover the bags. They will be joined by a cop (Isaiah Whitlock, Jr.), who is still grousing about the fact that the pet store sent him the wrong dog—he ordered a Golden Retriever and got a Maltese. There are also a pair of medics, one played by tiktoker Scott Seisswho proves to be as funny in the film as he is in his memes.

WATCH OF THE WEEK

THE MANDALORIAN SEASON 3 EPISODE 2, “CHAPTER 18: THE MINES OF MANDALORE

The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 2, “Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore,” introduces us to the desolate world of Mandalore, throwing Din Djarin and Grogu into a high-stakes adventure. It’s a marked improvement from the season premiere.

Cocaine Bear—or, as I prefer to call it, EscoBear—delivers on its promise. That is, if you ever wanted to see a film about a bear who is high on cocaine and kills and dismembers a whole lot of people, this is the film for you. Indeed, this is the only film for you. But if you’ve never found yourself gleefully shouting as a person is being dismembered limb from limb, you should probably steer clear. The film is well made, efficient, clever, and some of its funny lines will have you, um, snorting. But in the end, it’s still about a bear on a coke binge.

The craziest thing? It’s loosely—very loosely— based on a true story. There really was a bear who ingested 34 kilos of cocaine (valued at $2 million) in the woods, after the bags had been dropped out of a plane by a drug dealer whose parachute never opened. In the film that hapless drug dealer is played by Matthew Rhys, in a funny cameo. Alas, the real bear—nicknamed Pablo Eskobear (heh)— overdosed and died. Movie bear goes full Scarface. Say hello to my giant claws.

The film, directed with gusto by the actress/ director Elizabeth Banks, introduces us to a ragtag group of characters, most of whom I don’t recommend getting too attached to, if you catch my drift. Notably, there’s Liz the forest ranger, played by Margo Martindale. She’s bitter that she’s stuck on the middling Blood Mountain Reserve, not Yellowstone, and has an illadvised crush on an eccentric forest inspector named Peter (Jesse Tyler Ferguson). There’s also drug dealer Syd (Ray Liotta in his last role—the film is dedicated

Along with the buddy film vibes between Daveed and Eddie, the heart and soul of the film is Keri Russell as a nurse who’s gone into the woods searching for her daughter (Brooklynn Prince) and her little friend, Henry (Christian Convery), who have played skipped schoo. At one point, Inspector Peter and Henry climb trees to escape the rampaging bear.

“We’re safe,” Henry says. “Bears can’t climb trees.”

“Of course they can!” sputters Peter. Oops.

There are lots of jump scares, moments of people landing face-first in a pile of cocaine, limbs falling from the sky, errant bullets, clawed buttocks, and so on. The film’s CGI is spot-on. That berserk bear looks real. There are also plenty of “Just Say No To Drugs” jokes (the film takes place in the 80s, after all). And if you think the soundtrack will steer away from playing drug-pun songs like “White Lines”, you haven’t been paying attention.

Cocaine Bear is hardly a masterpiece but it has cult film potential. My verdict: It doesn’t blow.

6.5/10

“Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore” wastes no time propelling the overarching plot. Instead of taking a few episodes for Mando and Grogu to arrive at the Mines of Mandalore, we’re introduced to them almost immediately. Kudos to the show for getting us there in a timely fashion to make room for other more substantial plot threads.

PELI MOTTO: You hear that? She’s purring like a nuzzle shrew. Amy Sedaris makes everything significantly better. Peli Motto injects much-needed lightheartedness in a heavy episode. Her charisma and easy-flowing comedic timing make her a scenestealer, even with Grogu in the picture.

Grogu, in particular, feels more fully formed in “Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore.” He’s more vocal and active in Season 3. Even his face appears more expressive. It’s difficult not to assume he’s a real, tangible being. The episode also allows Grogu to put his Jedi training with Luke Skywalker to good use.

The versatile Katee Sackhoff brings her complex and nuanced BoKatan Kryze to the table once again as we learn more about her

family’s role in the Mandalore hierarchy. It’s intriguing pairing Bo-Katan, Mandalore royalty who knew the planet before its destruction, with Din, who grew up on Concordia and was never exposed to his homeworld.

DIN DJARIN: A Mandalorian has to understand maps and know their way around. That way, you’ll never be lost. Yet, despite Din’s lack of exposure, he feels more aligned with the Mandalore creed than Bo-Katan, who takes more of an atheist approach to the Mandalorian ways. Their clashing perspectives

are breeding grounds for fascinating thematic exploration on the show’s part.

Additionally, the outing delves into the lore behind Mandalore and the intricate monsters dwelling therein. It makes this world feel even more immersive and allows for more creativity for the production team. Talk about escapism at its finest.

“Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore” brings more action to the fore and especially allows Sackhoff to showcase her fighting chops. There are few things more satisfying than watching Bo-Katan kick monster ass on International Women’s Day.

This episode is an exciting chapter that catapults the narrative forward and takes The Mandalorian in a thrilling direction. The season promises to dig deeper into Din and Bo-Katan’s dynamic, which will be fun to watch unfold onscreen. Bring it on.

J Hus; iceè tgm - Big Conspiracy (feat. iceè tgm)

Cruel Santino; Shane Eagle; Tomi Agape; Amaarae - Rapid Fire GoldLink; Tyler, The Creator; Jay Prince - U Say (feat. Tyler, The Creator & Jay Prince)

J Hus; Burna Boy - Play Play (feat. Burna Boy) BenjiFlow - Deep End Cordae; Anderson .Paak - Two Tens (feat. Anderson .Paak)

MIDNIGHT PHUNK; Jamilah Barry; AirBorn Gav - Shawty

Last Night In ParisSoirée

Sweet Female Attitude - FlowersSunship Edit Skepta; J Balvin - Nirvana