THISDAY STYLE MAGAZINE 30TH JANUARY 2022 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

...NOT IN THISDAY STYLE? THEN YOU’RE NOT IN STYLE

AGGI RY) BRODA SHA SHAUN PER A IM N L E (SAMU

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2022

RONI MR MACAD DAYO) (DEBO A E

KIEKIE I) EAGA ILOR D A I M N U K (BU TAAOMA APAOKAGI MARYAM) (GREENE

A ZIC SALOMR) IO N U AC J (ALOMA ISA

Y D E M CO

! L A I C O S S E O G

CONTENT Society AMARACHI AND IKECHUKWU TIE THE KNOT PG 6

Fashion CAPSULES COLOURS OF LIFE PG 7 TIPS ON HOW TO DRESS LIKE A BOSS PG 8-9 80’S FASHION FOR MEN PG 10 TIMELESS CORSET PG 18-19 AUSTRALIAN LACE LAUNCHES NEW PROJECT

PG 20-21

TIPS FOR HEALTHY SCAP

PG 22

With the advent of social media, a new crop of comedians have hit the scene. They are somewhat different from standup comedians because they create ‘skits’. These new genre of comedians are taking advantage of the wide reach of social media to create engaging and funny contents entertaining to the average social media user. They highlight trending topic s with life lessons while also using their platforms as branding spots. This week, FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI speaks to five wave-making skit comedians who have turned their job into a lucrative business opportunity.

THISDAY STYLE FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR RUTH OSIME

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EDITOR PRINT OLUFUNKE BABS-KUFEJI EDITOR DIGITAL KONYE NWABOGOR

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SENIOR ART DESIGNER MATHIAS ARCHIBONG 07054965500 CONTRIBUTORS ISIOMA USIADE GUEST CORRESPONDENTS AZUKA OGUJIUBA ZINA ANUMUDU JOANNA MACGREGOR SEYI ALAWODE PHOTOGRAPHER TY BELLO DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196

There was a time when Comedy was seen as a job layabouts embrace as if they had nothing better to do with their time. In fact, so far down the ladder, were Comedians expected to consider themselves lucky if they got some of the breadcrumbs from the table at any event as they were usually the last on the list when it came to payments. After all, what does it take to make people laugh talk less of paying them for it! But gone are those days because today, Comedy is serious business. While some of them are brilliant and rib-cracking with their flow of jokes, others are so boring that it’s actually better to watch paint dry than listen to them. I keep saying it, this particular job is not for everybody and it is not easy to make people laugh! Truth is, the ability to do so is actually a gift we all take for granted. Some people are just naturally funny. Their expressions and mode of delivery already puts them at an advantage because the act of comedy alone, even without spoken words, ignites guffaws of laughter! As with everything else in life; things evolve. With the advent of social media, we now have comedians who create content on their pages to humour their followers. These skits have made some of them household names and brands now use their skits to promote their products and message. What makes this most interesting is how humourous the various characters are especially when some of them portray characters from the average Nigerian home or family. It is a thing of pride when we see growth in any sector of the entertainment industry which is happening in leaps and bounds. We look forward to many more ventures like this because in an environment where daily existence is a hard toil, it is most welcoming when you can uplift your mood at the touch of a button! Instagram: @thisdaystyle | Twitter: @thisdaystyleon | Instagram: @thisdaystyle | Website: www.thisdaystyle.ng

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

NCHEDO OBI

IFEOMA ATOH, AWELE EZEOKE &CHIKA ACHOLONU

Alero Adollo aleroadollo@yahoo.com

STYLE & DESIGN

HELEN MBAKWE

CAPSULES BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

BOYE LAOYE CIROEGBU

HEIF JOHN KANUIREOGBU

AMAKA ORAKWUE

AMAKA AKUBUEZE

CHINYERE AMUCHINWA

SANTO IFEZUE

AMAKA OBIOHA FURCHNER OYOMI SABRINA

FURO HART

JOSEPHINE NDUBISI KANU MR & MRS AZUBUIKE ONYEABOR IHEJIRIKA

ADAOBI NWAKUCHE

Amarachi & Ikechukwu Tie The Knot Recently, all roads led to Divine Mercy Catholic Church Lekki, Lagos as family, friends and loved ones joined the families of Late (Mr) Emmanuel and Mrs Ngozi Onuegbu and Chief and Barr ( Mrs) Kanu-Iroegbu to celebrate the holy matrimony of their daughter, Rejoice Amarachi Emmanuel and their son, Ikechukwu Terry Kanu Ireogbu (Co-founder of PiggyVest, a fin-tech company). The reception followed immediately at The Five palm event center for a fairy tale like reception. The colour of the day was Ivory and beige. It was a beautiful crowd of socialites, celebrities, captains of industries as well as the politicians and business men who rocked the reception in the classic Lagos party manner as they wished the newly weds well in their journey into matrimony.

TERRY & AMARACHI KANU-IROEGBU

MR & MRS KANU-IROEGBU (GROOM’S PARENT)

GRACE EGBAGBE

And the children died and the mothers wailed….women disappear to later be found mutilated….. A weary soul strolled by….have you heard, she said, a strange disease just took Omotoni and her household and the man of God was not spared as many cars crashed on the highway…….the blood spill created a pool of life that sank into the tar, eerie I tell you….at that same hour Morohunkeji gave the last push and her baby came out dead on arrival and she followed closely joining her in eternity, more wailing, more pain, and life walked on unconcerned…… The spirit of death traveled through the land collecting souls like he was in a race against time, deep despair, tearing agony, torment and destruction were left on his trail. The world has turned on itself or how else can anyone explain the weirdness permeating the realm, it is beyond bizarre. The good book asked that if the foundation is destroyed, what can the righteous do, indeed how does one cope in a world that has lost its soul especially when your heart is not stone, when all around you become indifferent and blood flow is daily faced with nonchalance, who then will bell the cat? who will point us in the right direction as many have lost their way and those who should naturally mentor and help grow are deeply embroiled in the seduction of money and power and they cannot focus on anything else except their delusional lifestyles. Their ears are deaf to the cries of the oppressed because they are the oppressors, their eyes are blind to the plight of the widows and orphans, what do they care, they have no soul. This feels like something from a book of fiction but alas, truth they say is oftentimes stranger, when I hear of bodies mutilated either for “occultic” rituals or to be sold in the world market for illegal transplants, I cringe, how does one human being do this to another, who told anyone that one life was less important than the other, people forget about the law of retribution, karma, because honestly, you get away with nothing, trust me when I say this. It is critical that I reiterate that you cannot plant tomato and reap potato, you reap what you sow. We all need to do a 180 and get with the programme and not continue with our usual 360. God is not playing “ten ten” with us because it has gotten really weird, he has tried to pull us back from the brink with his love but we seem determined to fall over, despite his patience, we seem determined to push the envelope of the diabolical. It’s time to pause to really ponder and tactically withdraw from wrongdoing, revive the ability to feel, apathy is not cool and indifference is not posh. What indeed does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and “chills with the big boys” and loses his soul to hades as “he runs kiti kiti, and runs kata kata” living a life of torture because wealth created through the tears of others can never buy anyone peace. As we proceed in this new year we need to do a life evaluation and dump the things that we do in “the now” that can hurt our eternity, it is inimical to our spiritual well being if we continue to stew in our vomit, it’s like ingesting meconium at birth, it kills period.

with Koko Kalango

Are You An Original? Decades ago, when I lived in the USA, I loved following a daily programme on the ABC channel. It was a game in which about five people were arraigned before a panel whose task it was to identify the person whose name and description they heard. When the participants had taken their place on the stage, a voice would come over the microphone saying something like; “My name is John Jones. I am an artist, I paint portraits, I have taken part in several exhibitions around the country. I am married to a Yorkshire Lass, and we have two sons who are showing keen interest in painting too. The family recently completed a tour of Europe where we exhibited our works under the title “New Beginnings”. It was then the duty of the panel to determine which of the participants was the real John Jones. To facilitate their task, each member of the panel could question the participants. It was an interesting show. As an observer, you got caught up in the suspense and the tricky task of fishing out the real John Jones. At the end of the game the moderator would say: “Could the real John Jones please step out?” It was only then that one discovered who the original JJ was and who the impostors were. The programme on ABC was just a game but it can also be a metaphor for life. We have many clones and few originals. The temptation for us to be someone other than our authentic self can be strong. We are not spared this pressure thanks to our overzealous makeup artists, the limitless world of the internet and social media, where we are encouraged to fake it till you make it. Unfortunately, this allure does not spare anyone; young, old, man, woman. It sells us self-worth through how people pay us attention, which informs the way we appear, whom we associate with, our desire for riches and a host of other ephemeral things. The result is a society where we go to all lengths to belong. Are you ashamed of the real you? Do you wish you could re-write your family history so you can fabricate a past that would fit your desired image? Do you long to look like someone else or to be someone else? Do you draw your self esteem from the number of big names you can drop? This mindset affects every facet of our lives: our choice of vocation, the company we keep, the decision of who to marry, the way we bring up our children, everything. Everyone of us is special because we are made in the image of God. We are all uniquely created and each one of us brings something distinct to life; leadership traits,

physical beauty, a charming personality, an independent nature, one gift or another. And it is the totality of our background, our experiences, our education or lack thereof, that makes us who we are. By trying to be someone else, we are placing limitations on ourselves, we are doing disservice to humanity and most of all, to our Maker. Each one of us is a gift from God to the world. Think of how much richer our lives would be if we all allowed the real John Jones come out. That being said, our identity crises are not always our own doing. Many of us are the product of labels placed on us by people and circumstances. We have been tagged by our failed relationships, rejections, shortcomings and so on. These parameters by which life has labelled us are themselves subject to change, which is why we must not allow them undue influence over our lives. Having identified them, we must then move on to what really matters. When you buy a piece of equipment and you want to know how to use it, you consult the manufacturer. The manufacturer, having anticipated your need, usually includes a manual with the product. If we are the products then God is the Manufacturer and the Bible is the manual for living. There, our Manufacturer tells us whom we are, how and why we were made, how we can function according to His blueprint, and everything else we need to know. We only fully discover our identity and purpose in life in our relationship to God. And when our true identity is revealed, we must accept the person we are, love that person (warts and all), nurture our talents and use them to contribution to life. So, when next you are tempted to put on that mask or you are inclined to sacrifice your true self on the alter of the society’s expectations, go to you mirror, look yourself in the eye and say, “Let the real John Jones please step out.” For daily devotionals follow us @ coloursoflifeministry. We can be reached at contact@coloursoflife.org. COLOURS OF LIFE SHOW Our Colours of Life show airs on YouTube @coloursoflifetv. We have new episodes on Sundays at 5pm. Last week, Yewande Zacchaeus was our guest as we discussed ‘How to Wait on God’. Today we meet Damilola Oduwole, the 10-year old with an unusual love for scriptures. Next week, to discuss ‘Escaping Sexual Bondage’, we are joined by Dr Gary Maxey.

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

STYLE & DESIGN

HOW TO

DRESS

LIKE A

BOSS

SADE AKINOSHO

to 30,Style nTHISDAY entioJanuary y attSunday, Vol. 22, Pa No. 9761 2022 personal grooming

This tip is needed wh en you are ready to ta ke it a step further. A signature s tyle is an o p portunity to develop your image as a professional, whether th at means coloured e yeglasses and a flow headband ery or a tailore d pantsuit. Here is wh ere you ca n let your personality shine through, e ven as you cultiva te a look tailore d to you and your field. Think of it like building your ow n personal b rand of style.

Tips On

Dressing like a boss has to do with confidence. A confident woman is on a mission and her style, supports that. So,whether you are climbing the corporate ladder, building your own business, or wanting to feel more puttogether as you work from home, here are some tips you can keep in mind to really up your style.

Develop a signature style

It doesn’t matter the type of business you own; a sloppy appearance can’t help but detract from your overall look, and it can prove a distraction in your bid to appear confident and professional. Lint-roll your shirt and suits, keep your nails clean and even-looking, and style your hair. Don’t wear wrinkled or stained clothing.

IDIA AISIEN

VIOLET EZEDIMORA

DIANE RUSSET

FOLAKE KUYE HUNTOON

BY ISIOMA USIADE

Have a signature piece

Invest in a great blazer Th

is is one pie ce you must firs t consider on your must-have li st. A well-cut, we ll-fitting blazer is an absolute must wh en you are building a professional wa rdrobe. Try various b rands and shop aro und until you find your perfect fit.

This isn’t an absolute must , especially if yo u are new to th e working world as a driven leader or an entrepreneur, but it is a concept yo u may want to consi der. A signature p iece becomes the thing you are assoc iated with. It could be red lipstick, killer high heels, a pair o f highwaisted slack s, or a gorgeous sca rf. It’s a great opport unity to make a ma rk and leave an impre ssion.

entials Keep ess on hand those

are Essentials ks of a great c lo b g n buildin at you ca th e b ain, a wardro d time g n a e m ti utilize vest in y if you in als especiall nti few esse quality. A uttona white b , could be top g sleeve down lon users, dress, tro ps, slacks or lack pum u b , ls e e h nude tsuit. Yo ored pan and a tail these nd match can mix a ularly if you rtic items, pa l coin neutra m e th ieces have r e d oth p d a d n a , ssic lours eless, cla m ti te a re to c r again r and ove looks ove

STYLE & DESIGN

80’S FASHION FOR MEN

The ’80s were undoubtedly an interesting time for fashion. Filled with bold designs and bright colours, the decade saw gents fully embrace trends and proudly showcase their style. These trends are now making an incredible return. From bum bags and chunky sneakers to dad jeans and vintage shirts, the best of the 1980’s is back and better

BY USIADE ISIOMA

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

80’S ACCESSORIES

Consider adding iconic ’80s accessories, such as bum bags, chunky sneakers, and bold neck chains, to your closet.

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

80’S T-SHIRTS

80’S PREPPY WEARS

During the ’80s, T-shirts were worn with everything from jeans to suits. The most popular styles were crew-neck t-shirts, many of which featured slogans, logos or bold placement prints. Other popular designs

Preppy outfits boasted bright hues, including shades of pink, yellow, and blue. Key items for preppy fashion included sweaters, which gents would often wear around their shoulders, as well as slacks and polo shirts.

PRAISE NELSON TREVOR

DIAMOND PLATNUM

OZOEMENA JOSEPH

80’S SHIRTS

During the 1980s, there were two main types of shirts: casual and business. For business, banker shirts and striped shirts were popular. For casual wear, loose colourful shirt and abstract prints. Polo shirts were also a favourite item of the decade. EBUKA OBI-UCHENDU

80’S JACKETS

Many jackets that were popular in the ’80s are still fashionable for men today, the likes of denim jackets, leather, and bomber. However, if you’re after a bolder look from the decade, you can’t go past a classic sports windbreaker.

80’S JEANS

KING LEVI

While acid wash jeans are yet to make a comeback, ’80s dad jeans are back in fashion. To rock these classic jeans today, just pick up a faded mid-blue style in a relaxed fit. Also, select a cut with a tapered leg or consider pin rolling the bottoms for the same effect.

80’S SUITS

During the ’80s, suits were worn oversized with broad shoulders. For those in business, pinstripe suits were a favourite, and gents would often pair them with a shirt, tie, and suspenders. Outside the office, pastel-coloured suits were on high rotation and were regularly partnered with crew-neck t-shirt instead of button-ups.

GABRIEL AKINOSHO

80’S WORKOUT OUTFITS

Athleisure may be popular today, but workout wear has long been a favourite look for men. In the ’80s, workout fashion was massive and it saw a range of sportswear styles being adopted as everyday wear, including chunky sneakers, sweatpants, tracksuits, windbreakers, and athletic shorts.

PRINCE NELSON ENWEREM

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

! L A I C O S S E O G Y D E COM We have watched many stand up comedians that have made our stomach ache with laughter anytime they mount the stage to regale us with their various jokes. Some of these comedians make the best MCs till date because of these rib-cracking jokes. But with the advent of social media come the new crop of comedians that are somewhat different from standup comedians because they create skits. They have created various ‘characters’ that have now become household names. These new genre of comedians are taking advantage of the wide reach social media has to create creative, engaging and funny content entertaining to the average social media user. They also highlight trending topics and create skits with life lessons while also using their platforms as branding spots for brands who want to advertise their products based on their social media engagement and analytics. This week FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI speaks to five wave making skit comedians Debo Adebayo AKA Mr Macaroni, Aloma Isaac Junior AKA Zicsaloma, Samuel Animashaun Perry AKA BrodaShaggi, Greene Apaokagi Maryam AKA Taaooma and Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori AKA KieKie, who talk about using smartphones to generate laughs and grow their audiences. They have turned comedy skits into a lucrative business opportunity and have been able to sustain their social media momentum so far and everything else in between.

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

BRODA SHAGGI (Samuel Animashaun Perry) How did you discover your passion for comedy and start creating skit content for social media? I discovered my passion when my friends back then in Unilag, told me I was funny. My lecturers also mentioned so severally. But my creative juices transcends comedy, as people also commended my acting skills each time I got to perform before them, especially for academic purposes. Because willing is not enough; we must do, I developed more interest in my creative side. I started creating skits on social media in 2017. Prior to that, I was already creating comic contents in 2015 at Unilag, but 2017 was the year of social media for me, as I was keen on getting the desired recognition and visibility.

When you’re out someplace and you think of something humorous, do you stop and write it down or do you just catalog it in your head? Yes, whenever I am out and I think of something funny or a situation captures my attention, I write it down immediately. Notepad is one of the most used applications on my phone. If you see me on my phone and I am not on social media, it means I am noting creative points so not to forget. At a more relaxed time and space, I then sit down to develop all noted jotted into full script, which must have gone through series of drafts.

Who are some of your biggest influences in comedy and skit making? The beautiful thing about learning is, nobody can take it away from you. Nobody is an island of knowledge, knowledge doesn’t end with any person. Honestly, I learn from anyone in the entertainment industry; ranging from comedians, to skit makers, to actors, singers and more. As long as I share moments with a creative person, I would surely tap one or two of their creative juice. Knowledge, to me, has nothing to do with age, gender or social status. I didn’t set out to choose a role model in the industry specifically in skit making subsection of drama. I have always been myself, I have always believed so much in what I have within me. The force keeps me going even though I learn from the successes and mistakes of other creative personalities. This doesn’t mean I am a perfect content creator. There are times I fail at content creating, I pick myself up and strive to do better till I get the desired results. Do you write your scripts or what is the process of making a skit, what inspires you? Yes, I write all my scripts, because I feel my stories define me; my stories tell a lot about who I am creatively. When I write story drafts, I develop ideas for other thematic structure that I would later develop into another story. My primary inspiration on contents creation comes from God; while on the secondary, my life struggles and everything inspires me. issues of my environment are usually reflected in my art, you cannot separate my background from my craft.

People say Instagram comedy is a fast route to fame and success, is this statement in anyway true to you? I won’t say Instagram comedy is a fast route to fame and success. Rather, it is an opportunity given to talents who can make effective, purposeful and consistent use of it. Social media is a very big platfoem on its own league. Everyone comes to work on their respective brands with the aim of connecting with wider customers. And comedy on it’s own is of high social relevance. Looking at how tense the country’s economy is, comedy plays a huge role as a form of therapy for every individual and family. Most people who come on social media after a hard day’s work come online to get mind relieving content. That is where the place of comic skits comes in. I am always careful about content ideas of sensitive issues to make comedy out of. Many comedians have come and gone, so I make proper use of my social media presence to create relatable contents that are friendly enough, but not leaving out educational aspect too.

bothered about money, which is actually not out of line, perseverance will pay off someday. Basically, when money comes first for a comedy content creator, such personality will gradually lose touch with creativity and commitment. For me, there are so many contents I have shot and that are yet to be published, because at the post production level, the team and I stepped down the contents due to lack of purpose in quality and message delivery. This speaks so much about raising the bar in terms of standard. A creator should never be under pressure to deliver. If my comedy doesn’t make me laugh, there is no reason putting it out there. I have to ensure that my work triggers in me, what I want others to feel when they experience it. Think, Create, make it a part of you, and the results will be astonishing.

Will you say skit making is a lucrative career path and averagely how much do you earn a year making comedy skits? Affirmatively yes, I would say skit making is a lucrative career path, particularly for those who set out to be in the business for a long haul. I would always advice up and coming content developers to focus more on the originality and acceptability of their contents more than about revenue. Once your contents comes from your heart, the place of passion remains sustained. Though the creative may at some point be

KIEKIE (Bukunmi Adeaga Ilori) You started as a TV personality, actress and fashion influencer on Instagram. How and why did you go into skit making on social media? I create a fashion content called The Fashion Shock show. That show unveiled the funny part of me to peple and they started getting a glimpse of how funny I could be. As a result of that, I started getting invitation for collaboration for skits which landed me several skit features. Along the line, I realized that I actually love to do it and I enjoyed every moment doing it. I have always had interesting scenarios from experience to ideas which I will usually jot down and express via what I call the Kiekie Bants. So I reckoned, “How about translating the Kiekie bant into a skit?” And that was how I decided to give skit making a chance. At the moment it’s going on just fine and I am absolutely loving it. With you skit experiences and collaborations so far, is there anyone that still awes you or makes you nervous to work with? There are creatives that I admire their works such as Broda Shaggi, Mr Macaroni, OluwaD-

olarz to mention a few. However, being nervous is not necessarily my thing! When opportunities come, I simply make the best of it You constantly have to keep switching things up to keep your audiences entertained. What inspires you when you make skits and what is the process that goes into making it? Another thing that inspires me is scenarios or circumstances around me. The process of creating a skit however involves casting appropriately to ensure that the story is properly told, the right location to tell the story right, the right props, experience and creative production crew, good script and many other several other peculiar factors. You have the talent in taking real life moments that aren’t necessarily funny and turning them to humorous skit. How do you do that without coming across as being insensitive? The most important like I said before is relativity. Relativity forms a huge part of the connection. The moment a lot of people are able to connect it becomes relatable. So, it is important that people are able to connect to you story line. In as much as some topics can be sensitive and sometimes uncomfortable, it simply means the storytelling must be done in a way that

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

people are able to see the truth in the situation and the message is carefully and duly delivered, of which all of it, is embedded in comedy. People say standup comedians put in a lot more work than comedy skit makers on Instagram, in your own opinion can the two be compared? In my opinion, the two cannot be compared! It’s like talking about fizzy drinks and alcohol. The audience have preferences while the creatives have their own area of strength and specialization. These two areas require a lot of dedication, work and creativity. However, over the years we have had a lot of people who are used to standup comedy style while in recent times, we now have the skit comedy styles. These two styles are fantastic and specific skills are required to execute them. That way you will discover that not all stand up comedians can make skits and not all skit makers can do stand-up comedy. However, these are two different platforms that have been able to effectively entertain

society at large. What are the challenges you face as a woman making comedy skits in a male dominated space? Interestingly, I don’t see things from the man and woman perceptive. I see things from the angle of what needs to be done and how it is done. If I feel the need to collaborate with a female skit maker, I do so. If I feel the need to collaborate with a male skit maker, I do so. And when I think a male is what best suit the role, I’m not forcefully putting a female there and via versa. I will not say they are certain disadvantages or advantages in the space. What I see are creatives who are my colleagues. I believe the space is big enough to accommodate anybody who is able to provide or give some certain level of creativity for the amusement of others. What advice will you give to those who want to go into skit making as a profession? It has been an interesting experience and challenging

at the same time. interesting because as a skit maker and actor, I have seen and watch myself grow and evolved. And I’m like ”Kiekie wow! You actually just did that!” Seeing myself collaborate with several amazing talents, people that several years ago, l never thought l would work with but that is happening right now, is a beautiful experience! However, there are a few challenges. The biggest for me is the mind of the viewers. It’s constantly evolving, so you have to constantly charge yourself, come up with great ideas and concept. There is also what we call the creative block, which means the inability to be creative. This happens and there is absolutely nothing that can be done other than taking some time out to rest, because what that means atimes is that the brain is tired. So you have to wait! Tou then have fans asking about your next skit, but because your creative juices are not flowing at the time, it becomes a challenge for you. But my advise to anyone up coming is don’t force it, don’t stress, be hardworking, be consistent and enjoy the process.

ZIC SALOMA (Aloma Isaac Junior) As an English lecturer at the Kaduna state Polytechnic, why did quit lecturing for comedy? I took the decision to quit lecturing because I always dreamt of being a popular entertainer. Though I loved academics, entertainment was a natural gift and I liked the flexibility that comes with being an independent entertainer; and of course, I resigned when I saw prospects of becoming bigger. I usually dropped music covers, comedy skits and still worked as a lecturer - you can imagine how tedious that was. When I started going viral on tiktok and had many celebrities hitting me up for one stuff or the other whenever I was in Lagos, I knew it was time to face entertainment. You also sing and once featured on the Voice Nigeria. Why didn’t you chase music as a full-on career? I would have faced music as a full time career if it had started paying my bills. Music is my first love but acting/comedy which came later, announced me more to the world. I was really striving to be known as a musician. I spent all my savings going for music auditions, recording etc but here we are today. I easily went viral with my tiktok videos. If you were to choose between comedy skit and a musical career, which would it be or do you still plan on doing music? If I was to choose before becoming this popular as a comedian, I would choose music. Give me a mic and I can sing endlessly without even noticing. I have strong passion for music. I am presently recording some songs and they would start dropping this year.

Looking back at how far you have come, any regrets quitting your lecturing job for skit making? There are absolutely no regrets. Quitting my lecturing job was one of the best decisions I ever took. I had to sell my ‘small car’ to enable me book a flight to Lagos and rent a house. At this point, there were still little uncertainties and doubts from some of my colleagues but here we are today. I am living a better life and I impact a larger audience by putting smiles of their faces. For those looking to go into skit making, will you say it’s a lucrative enough business for one to quit a salary paying job for? Full-time skit making is a lucrative means of income if one excels in it. There are successful skit makers as well as struggling skit makers. On the other hand, there are struggling salary earners as well as salary earners with whooping monthly income. I believe if making comedy skit is your passion and your gift from God, you can actually face it squarely and earn from it. There are also people who are great team players in different fields of life. If working in an office brings out the best in you, with time, you can also get to the peak of your career. Who are your role models in the comedy industry and why? Some of the people I watched and liked before coming into the industry are the likes of Maraji, Josh2funny, Neduwazobiafm etc.

TAAOMA (Greene Apaokagi Maryam) Why the name Tao and how did it come about? I was looking for a name for myself back then and I thought of so many names. I later decided to pick the alphabets from my names, Apaokagi Maryam and the rest of my names and make TAAOOMA (Double A double O)!

rian mother, is spot on. Are your skits based on personal experiences? Some are personal experiences and some are just scenarios of what happened around me at a particular time.

You play Taaoo, Iya Taaoo (Ronke) and Kunle, Iya Taaoo’s husband in all your skits. How are you able to master all the personalities so well? I am so used to all my characters now. All it takes is for me to be in their costumes and I switch to their voices and personalities immediately.

What are the challenges you face as a woman doing comedy skit in a male dominated space on social media? I don’t think I’ve had any gender based challenges. People around me try to make me see them sometimes, but I don’t.

Your portrayal of the typical African most especially Nige-

COVER As a comedian it is important to keep coming out with unique and different skits to keep your audience entertained. What do you do to keep your skits funny? I focus on relatable contents, I will always churn out what everybody can relate to. Something that has happened to you or to someone around you.

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

Will you say, making skits is lucrative profession and what advice will you give to anyone planning on going into it? Quite lucrative, the only advice I will give to any one going into the business is to please let your contents be related and sprinkle Inshallah on,then you are good! (laughs)

MR MACARONI (Debo Adedayo) “Ooing, you are doing well!” is your popular phrase in your skits where you play a lecherous Sugar daddy pursing different women. How was that phrase coined and when did you realize it was a hit with your audience? It came naturally. There was this show online, the comedian was cracking a joke on how a big man in Abuja duped him. The man kept saying to him, “Oh, you’re doing well, I will send you money”, but at the end of the day, it was the comedian’s account that got debited instead of being credited. People always say you’re doing well for different reasons. For me when I see a beautiful lady, I say ‘Ooin, you’re doing well’. You can interpret the phrase in so many ways. Most of my catchphrases start with “Ooin”, elders in Yoruba land also use it at the beginning of their sentences. It is apt for so many things. So, I just started saying it when acting out my skit. I say many phrases as they come to mind but everyone keeps repeating this phrase to me. That’s when it’s popularity dawned on me. You play the part so well and one is almost convinced you really have all the money you dish out in your skits. Have you been able to earn a decent living doing this? I always shy away from the term skit maker, not because it is incorrect, but in Nigeria, some people intentionally use the title in a derogatory manner. Apart from being a content creator, I am a producer, I produce all my content myself and I also act and host events. Being a content creator is absolutely lucrative. Everything is digital. The internet has taken over. So, businesses, brands and everyone who has access to the internet is online and they want visibility. Income from Brand promotions, ambassadorship deals are multiple streams of income from streaming platforms. YouTube gives very good revenue so does Facebook. These streaming platforms pay well. If you have great and quality content, and people are enjoying it, you will have views, people will follow and like, which translates to income and revenue. Quite a number of people have limited their content creation to a particular social media platform, but they have forgotten that there are multiple social media platforms. There is Facebook, YouTube, Twitter etc. The popularity someone has on Instagram, you’ll be shocked that this person has hundreds of 1000s or even millions of subscribers on YouTube. It is very lucrative. You had featured in series of movies and soap operas before going into comedy skits, which really brought you into the limelight. Will you say this was a move to elevate your acting career or has that taken a back seat? I honesty started creating content for online media because I was depressed. I studied theatre arts, trained by one of the greatest Dramatists this country has ever seen; Professor Ahmed Yerima, a former Director General of the National Theatre. I came in with that mentality, the theatre spirit. I wanted to do big entertaining stage projects with moral lessons to better society, I wanted to do serious movies. All my years in school as a student, I was just thinking, oh, how do I get on the big screen? I want to do make cinema movies that will shake the country, movies series that are inspiring, I’ve always been a serious actor actually as in school you are trained to be able to take on different roles.

When I have to take on comic roles, I do them very well. But in school I played mostly serious characters. After school, getting roles was not as easy as I thought. I began to go for auditions, casting calls, series of them. At a point, I actually started questioning my ability to act thinking maybe I was deceived in school because I always won Best Actor Award. But l will go for auditions and they will look at me as if I don’t know what I’m doing. I just got tired of everything, but I was always online seeing these people, great men and women; the likes of Crazy Clown, Maraji, Twice, Broda Shaggy and more. So I just started content creation in 2019. I told myself I could do what they were doing but I was also worried whether my mentor, Prof Yerima will be proud of me. It took some time to convince myself and understand that even Yerima used to say the world rotates and spins, so therefore, we must spin along with the world. I took time to understand that we are in the internet age, the era of digital creation and these aforementioned guys have keyed into it and are maximizing the opportunity available. I told myself that in as much as I want to teach society, I can do that by entertaining people. The lesson will still be passed and learned. So that was how I started a brand. Of course, I initially started because I was depressed and tired as I wanted to express my talents so badly. I then noticed online; everyone was trying to be funny. You have to be funny, if you want people online to take you seriously. I gathered that there’s too much stress already in the country and people just want to relax and laugh. And if I want to teach the society, no one will listen if I just start talking, I had to find a way to make them enjoy what they are watching and still educate. This process really brought me into limelight and elevated my career. Mr. Macaroni became popular via online content. It is now that the jobs I have done years back are being recognized. I’m getting acting gigs now although they are not giving me roles based on what I am doing online but roles I am capable of playing. It has really helped my acting career. Now, I even select roles to play. The sugar daddy phenomenon is very real especially here in Nigeria. What inspires your scripts. Are they stories told to you personally or do you have a team of people write out the scripts for you? I’m inspired by society, my environment, the things I hear and the things I see. I can be gisting with you now and the next thing I have created content from the gist. It’s not just the sugar daddy character I play although

that’s the most popular of the characters, be-

cause that is the one that actually put me out there. There is also the professor of hard life character I play. Sometimes I play myself too especially when I want to talk about suicide. For instance, the last content I released was to address drug use and at the same time, still address how security agencies can carry out their work. It was a recent event that inspired that. I think for every artist, society feeds us our materials. The materials that you need to create content is always available because things always happen. I’m inspired by events. Of course, once or twice, some people send in scripts and we see if it is something we can work with. I’m inspired by what I see or what I hear. How do you make sure your skits stay entertaining? I’m very intentional. I’m always looking out for the things I do because I know that by God’s grace, there is a large following. Some people have mentioned that they watch my content because they pick one or two things from them. So, I’m very particular about how I pass across my message knowing the primary thing people want is to laugh or be entertained. I also try not to repeat the same content with the previous ones, so there is always a twist that people don’t see coming. Who and what inspires you, do you have any role models? One of my biggest inspirations is Professor Ahmed Yerima, who is a teacher and a father to me. He means so much to me. He took me as a son, trained me in school, taught me the art of writing, art of directing, art of acting in itself. I used to think that I was a good actor, but Prof taught me a lot more about acting. He taught me that the actor and the character, must be able to blend so that I’m not far removed from the character. I must enjoy what I’m doing. I look up to him so much. A lot of things defines the man I am and the man I am still trying to be. My father and mother taught me the art of love which largely defines me too.

T E S R O C

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

PAIR IT WITH A MIDI SKIRT

FE U -K

This in-between, throw-on-and-go bottom is already a big part of every woman wardrobe. When styled with a corset top it gives a romantic, feminine, easy and effortless look. CHIOMA IKOKWU

BS A EB

N FU

in y k c he a b s. T ow500 r th 1 e he u t r tr to de e n th ack s u he e b a t ar g ed pe pe ts tin us ha a t e s sh s s a y r a d o l s Co n, ial t t as bre e y io nit an rgl e iec he h e u th p t s i fa re s m ho g ne as t e n w ent an ti s o me Bu p i i . m to ul et d t ne r e n c s ga o i o s or de sc e s ls e c en n us r c o a to le Th ns shi eir to hi a. a a h r w re s tr e f d, t ea ss a a th se ew le h t eft as ap nt p a l p sh ou u th er e c e s v m m d m n i e n s t fro an co tio a ed r ve ia e a lv we ha var av o h ev ter ers nt st e u . ou ign fer m le s f a p de di it sta h e it ing ob w k r a d m ar w

STYLE & DESIGN

COORDINATE THE PIECES

The easiest way to style a corset top is to purchase it as a set. There are a many two piece outfits that are fabulous together or even separately. Even if you find the corset top as a single piece, look for a matching bottom to get that fabulous corset look. CIARA

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

WITH SLEEVES

If you always worry about revealing your arm, then the corset with sleeves is for you. We recommend going all black whether paired with skirt or pants to create a look that is perfect for day or night. TOKE MAKINWA

GET DRESSY

Corsets are now not just tops, but dresses as well. Instead of worrying about what to pair with your bottoms, just get it a corset so all you have to worry about is what shoes and accessories to pair it with. BONANG MATHEBA

WEAR WITH SOMETHING STRUCTURED

Be it a pair of trousers or shorts, or simply a blazer you layer over your corset, the contrast between something so sexy paired with something sharp will make for an eye-catching combination. ALICIA

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

@ariseplay

Austrian Lace Launches New Project

SUBSCRIBE TODAY WWW.ARISEPLAY.COM

To Celebrate Fashion And Creativity In Nigeria

CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Association of Austrian Lace Manufacturers in Vorarlberg, Austria, the umbrella organisation of Austrian Lace Manufacturers and first-time sponsor of the 2021 Lagos Fashion Week, has launched a digital marketing campaign to celebrate Nigeria’s fashion industry and the long-standing contribution by Austrian Lace to its success. The project kicked off with an experiential booth at the 2021 Lagos Fashion Week, where visitors had the opportunity to get a physical feeling of high-quality Austrian Lace and a catwalk, during which a fashion collection made from Austrian Lace debuted on the runway. During the catwalk, the group collection themed “Reflecting the Time” featured pieces made from Austrian Lace by six renowned Austrian Lace Producers: Getzner, HKG Embroideries, HOH Hoferhecht Embroideries, Oskar, Riedmann and Wilhelm Scheffknecht. Interpreting the theme, six leading contemporary Nigerian designers celebrated the existence of Nigeria’s vibrant fashion scene and its preference for Austrian Lace, bringing iconic fashion moments from different decades to life. According to the Campaign Director, Ozinna Anumudu, “The collection was designed for a contemporary audience and explores a range of time-capsule fashion essentials while paying homage to Nigerian fashion and some of Austria’s leading Lace brands. This new collection will connect the younger generation with Austrian Lace’s decades of legacy and inspire its understanding and interaction with fashion. Fashion has evolved to include many contemporary viewpoints, exposing consumers to fresh ideas on what is beautiful, culturally relevant and, in fact, timeless. “ Contributing designers for the collection include Onalaja, Mazelle, Sisiano, Tzar Studios, Weizdhurm Franklyn and Ugo Monye. “The Vorarlberg embroidery industry consists almost entirely of small, family-owned companies and specialises in producing the very best the industry has to offer. It exports around 98% of its production to over 100 countries worldwide. The creativity of its designers and its technical edge are world-renowned.” says Guido Stock, the Commercial Counsellor at the Austrian Embassy in Lagos. The campaign that involves new partnerships and innovative collaborations highlights why Austrian Lace has been and will continue to be the go-to fabric for all generations when it comes to exclusive, high-quality, and excitingly creative designs.

ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF MOVIEBOX

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ARISEPLAY'S CONTENT SUBMISSION PLATFORM Are you a film owner, producer or director looking to give your creation the exposure it deserves? Then checkout MOVIEBOX today.

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MOVIEBOX.ariseplay.com 20

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9761 Sunday, January 30, 2022

BEAUTY

Tips For Healthy

Your Scalp Needs Moisture

Your scalp contains oil glands that produce sebum, a natural oil that lubricates the hair strand as it grows. Sebum is essential for healthy, moisturized hair. If this oil is stripped from the scalp, your hair will be dry and less manageable.

HOW TO MOISTURIZE YOUR SCALP

Treat your scalp with beneficial oils, 3-4 times a week. The oil help keep your roots and scalp moisturized and promote growth. Don’t wash your hair too often (shampoo strips sebum out of your scalp.) Shampoo with a sulfate-free, allnatural shampoo that won’t strip or damage your hair. Enrich your diet with Omega-3s and fish oils to help keep your scalp moisturized and balanced.

Scalp BY USIADE ISIOMA

Healthy hair starts at the scalp. Think of your hair as a garden, with flowers that have roots in the soil. Your scalp is the soil for your hair! Without healthy soil full of nutrients and oxygen, while free of pollutants and harmful bacteria, a garden will never look its best. In the same way, the health of your hair is a reflection of the health of your scalp. Below are a few guides to follow to achieve a healthy scalp.

This irritates the scalp, prevents hair growth, and creates a haven for fungus and bacteria to grow. Fungus, bacteria, and other infections can cause dandruff, itchiness, irritation, and many other problems. So, keep your scalp clean! HOW TO KEEP YOUR SCALP CLEAN

Clean your scalp regularly with a clarifying shampoo. Use tea tree oil to combat bacterial growth. Apple cider vinegar is both clarifying and microbial, so do an occasional ACV rinse to keep your scalp clean. Exfoliate your scalp regularly with a scalp scrub. Avoid products with silicones or mineral oil, which coat the hair and build up on the scalp.

Maintain Blood Circulation to the Scalp

Blood circulation brings oxygen and nutrients to your scalp and hair follicles, which is essential for growth. Think of blood circulation to your scalp like fertilizer for plants in a garden.

W H AT T O D O :

Your Scalp Has a pH Balance

Healthy scalp pH ranges from 4 to 5. Scalp pH is essential for moisture retention in your hair. Acid causes the hair cuticle to flatten, helping it retain moisture. If the scalp is too basic/ alkali, the cuticle opens up and the hair dries out more quickly. This target acidity also makes hair less prone to tangles, and a pH balance is optimal to prevent bacterial and fungus growth. Many products that have an extremely high pH disrupts the scalp balance. However, products with a very low pH can also degrade your hair and skin.

H O W T O M A I N TA I N Y O U R S C A L P PH BALANCE

Use products that mimic the target pH of your scalp. Stay away from alkali products (especially harsh shampoos.) Do an ACV treatment to restore pH balance.

Keep Your Scalp Clean

Oil, hair products, dead skin cells, and dirt easily build up and clog the pores and follicles on your scalp.

Essential oils are extremely beneficial for blood circulation. Use products with essential oils to improve circulation. Give yourself regular scalp massages to stimulate blood flow to the scalp. Yoga and stretching help with circulation throughout your body.

Protect Your Scalp

If you damage the skin on your scalp, your hair will have more difficulty growing. A variety of factors can cause direct damage to the scalp, including UV radiation, intense temperatures, and harsh chemicals.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SCALP

Protect yourself. Wear a hat or scarf when you’re out in the sun for a while. Avoid hair products that irritate your scalp. Be very careful with chemical treatments, they can cause serious scalp and hair damage. Avoid washing your hair with extremely hot water or spending time outside in the extreme cold.