THISDAY STYLE MAGAZINE 10TH JULY 2022 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

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

SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2022

MOSUN BELO-OLUSOGA RAISING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TECH LEADERS

Sunday, July 10, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 9922

EDITOR’S LETTER

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SOCIETY

HIGH

COVER NOTE

CONTENT

Society

A 10TH-YEAR MEMORIAL LECTURE IN HONOUR OF HRM OBA OLADELE OLASHORE

Recently the family of Late Oba Oladele Olashore and the OISA Foundation hosted a memorial lecture to mark the 10th anniversary of his demise. Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of OISA Foundation,

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

We carry all the power we need inside ourselves

S yle EXECUTIVE EDITOR KONYE NWABOGOR 08111847087 DEPUTY EXECUTIVE EDITOR OLUFUNKE BABS-KUFEJI 08111847086

Lifestyle & Fashion Ten Things This Week 8 These Fashion Designers Are Their Own Muse

VISUAL/SENIOR DESIGNER MATHIAS ARCHIBONG 07054965500 STYLE CORRESPONDENT ISIOMA USIADE

Turn Down For What!!!

7 Nigerian Owned Beauty Brands

GUEST CORRESPONDENT ENIAFE MOMODU CONTRIBUTORS AZUKA OGUJIUBA DIDEE ETA AYO LAWAL PHOTOGRAPHER TY BELLO’ DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196

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hen I started this role, it was with the best mission an Editor could give herself: To satisfy my reader’s appetites. Like every discerning Editor, I embraced the idea that my readers were curious, erudite and wanted to engage on a higher level with diverse voices and perspectives on my pages. I have found that to be correct. In this journey to uphold what Style has stood for in its over 20 years of existence, I have come across some powerful and confident individuals. These people lead in creating a culture that honours all of us—and expands the idea of what being a Nigerian should look like. One of such persons is this week’s cover personality Mosun Belo Olusoga. A woman whose passion for learning and imparting knowledge has led her to start a tech-driven school with a focus on grooming the next generation of tech leaders. How impressive! I love delving into each of these worlds, connecting with these personalities and influencing how you all think and feel about them. To say these experiences have taught me a lot would be an understatement. It’s incredible how much I keep learning every day. Of course, it won’t be Style without its usual fabulous features, and today we have some exciting reads starting with Charles Didee Eta’s spotlights on designers who are their own muse. With all the buzz around Ayo Shonaiya’s Afrobeat documentary, we think it’s only proper we celebrate the OGs of the music industry. The DJs. It might sometimes feel like they are behind the scenes, but their input can make or break that party. Modupe Ozolua’s article will make you pause and think. I have often asked myself how important material things were in pursuing happiness. And over time, I have discovered that it lies in the simplest things. Like my conversation with my friend’s five-year-old daughter. Are you happy ?” I asked her. She smiled. “Yeah.” When I ask her why, she said, “I am happy because mummy is making pancakes today, and I love it.” Also: “I am pretty.” If that isn’t a reason to be happy, you tell me what is. On that note, I wish you all a wonderful, fruitful and, most importantly, a positive week ahead. Don’t forget to log on to www. thisdaystyle. ng

Konye

@thisdaystyleon | www.thisdaystyle.ng

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SUMMER Nostalgia

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&A 10th-year

memorial lecture in honour of HRM Oba Oladele Olashore

MR & MRS SOFOWORA, ABIMBOLA OLASHORE, KOLA JAMO

By Isioma Usiade

FEMI OLUBANWO & SOLA ADEPETUN

MR FOLAYIN & ADELOWO ADEDEJI

JOSEPH SANUSI

LADI BALOGUN

BAYO OLUGBEMI

LAMIN MANJANG

FOLA ADEOLA

DAPO AKINOSUN

PAT UTOMI

ITUAH IGHODALO

MR & MRS DEJI ABIOLA

DU & TAIWO OLASHORE

ecently the family of Late Oba Oladele hosted a Olashore and the OISA Foundation iversaann memorial lecture to mark the 10th nt, the ry of his demise. Speaking at the eve cess Prin , Chairperson of OISA Foundation to have the memorial Olapeju Sofowora, said its decision our future and showlecture was to collaborate to serve d for. case what Oba Oladele Olashore stoo

SUBOMI BALOGUN

SUPA SASAORE

OJO TAIWO OLASHORE, KEMI SARO, KEHINDE OLASHORE & TAIWO

SOCIETY

STYLE

SOCIETY

STYLE

LEYE KUPOLUYI

TOKI MABOGUNJE

REMI BABALOLA & BOLAJI AKINYEMI

MR AYENI

TINUKE OLASHORE & FUNKE AROKODARE

LOLA DARE

JULIUS ADELUYI- ADELUSI

OLUSEGUN OLUSANYA & MAIDEN IBRU

MR OMISORE, SEYI ROBERTS & OLALEKAN OLASHORE

AWOGBEMILA OLU & OVOTA EYAMU

LAMIN KOREDE ADEMOWO, ISIOMA OGODAZI, FOLUSO PHILIPS &

MANJANG

NIKE AKANDE

MR & MRS IKE NWACHUKWU

TOMI BORISHADE, SEYI ABE,WALE ADEWUNMI

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Sunday, July 10, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 9922

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Ten Things This Week

DESIGN

TONI BRAXTON GETS 60% ROYALTY FROM MY SONG’ LAST LAST’ — BURNA BOY.

G EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT AYO SHONAIYA’S “AFROBEATS: THE BACKSTORY.”

WILL YOU BE ATTENDING THE FASHION SOUK SUMMER SALE?

he Fashion Souk by Eventful is a bi-annual niche fair for fashion enthusiasts, bringing together a well-curated selection of quality fashion brands for a wholesome and satisfying shopping experience. The summer sale will hold on Saturday the 9th and Sunday, July 10th, from 11 am to 7 pm daily at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Fashion Souk 6th edition is powered by Polaris Bank, Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and Eventful Nigeria.

f you love African music, Afrobeats, pop culture and history, then you need to see the “Afrobeats: The Backstory” documentary on Netflix. Produced by filmmaker and culture custodian Ayo Shonaiya, the documentary explores the rise of Afrobeats, Nigeria’s most prominent entertainment export. The documentary, developed from footage recorded over the past 20 years, is a historical collection of moments that chronicles the origin and development of Afrobeats through the perspectives of key industry players.

OLU JACOBS IS 80

egendary Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs today turns 80. With about 50 years of acting experience, he is seen as one leading faces in the Nollywood Industry. Armed with professional Training at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, England, he started his career in Britain, where he worked with various repertoire and starred in some international movies. Many have hailed him as one of his generation’s greatest and most widely respected African actors. Several media consider him, film commentators, critics, and other actors to be one of the most influential African actors of all time and a cultural icon. Happy Birthday Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs.

BIG BROTHER IS BACK WITH A WINNING PRIZE WORTH 100M

he Art Hotel is a magnificent edifice characterized by contemporary art installations primarily from one of the most prominent Art Galleries in West Africa, Nike Art Gallery. The boutique hotel is also adorned with curated art pieces from notable Nigerian artists by Peju Alatishe, Ndidi Emefele, Tola Aliki, Sanusi Olatunji, Nike & Tola Wewe, and Bolaji Ogunwo, to name a few. Designed with keen attention to detail, the first-of-its-kind hotel will offer unmatched hospitality experiences in Nigeria’s commercial hub as the “art-tainment” atmosphere makes the hotel a travel enthusiast’s home away from home.

ccord Party has declared a member of the House of Representatives representing the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Honourable Shina Peller, as its candidate for the Oyo North Senatorial District. The declaration was made after the initial candidate, Prince Michael Ademola Ojo, publicly announced his resolve to withdraw from the race willingly and handed the ticket to Hon Peller. Shina Peller had earlier contested in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in the bid to represent Oyo north senatorial district. He, however, lost the elections to Abdulfatai Buhari. Days after his loss, he formally renounced his membership from the APC, accusing the party of lacking democratic tenets.

RIHANNA IS AMERICA’S YOUNGEST SELFMADE BILLIONAIRE

WIZKID RECORDS HIS 4TH BILLBOARD HOT 100 ENTRY

frobeats superstar Wizkid has recorded his fourth Hot signboard 100 entry with Chris Brown’s “Call me daily, “ debuting at number 74 on the chart. This becomes Wizkid’s fourth entry on the official America music Chart. The first was Drake’s 2016 hit single “A dance”, which peaked at number one, then Beyoncés “Girl with brown skin”, which reached number 76 in the graph, and ‘Substance’ With Pcs and Justin Bieber, which peaked at number 9.

WHEN ART MEETS HOSPITALITY; THE ART HOTEL

rammy award-winning singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna boy, has revealed that American R&B star Toni Braxton will get 60% of the royalties from his latest single, ‘Last Last. The singer had made the revelation on the Million Dollar Worth of Game podcast with American media personalities Gillie Da King and Wallo Peeples. He also revealed that he didn’t mind the split because he had always wanted to sample her 2000 R&B hit, ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough’, and he eventually got music producer Chopsticks to make that happen. “It was Chopsticks, but that has always been my idea, to be honest. I knew he could do something crazy, I just pointed that sh*t out, and he took it from there. That’s one of the most special creative processes …”

SHINA PELLER SECURES ACCORD PARTY TICKET FOR OYO NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

STYLE

DESIGN

STYLE

ihanna has been unveiled as America’s Youngest Self-Made Billionaire. This is according to a 2022 America’s Richest self-made list by Forbes. No. 21 on the list is 34-year-old Rihanna, the youngest on the entire tally to have a net worth of more than one billion dollars. Her $1.4 billion comes primarily from the success of her cosmetics line, Fenty Beauty. “She also has a 30% stake in the Savage x Fenty lingerie line, which raised money at a $1 billion valuation in February 2021.

BANDITS OPEN FIRE ON PRESIDENT BUHARI’S CONVOY IN KATSINA

uspected bandits this week attacked the advance convoy of President Muhammadu Buhari which included security guards as well as protocol and media officers to the President. Confirming the attack , the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said in a statement that president Buhari was not in the convoy at the time of the attack. He also stated that the attackers, who had taken ambush positions, opened fire on the convoy but were repelled by the combined firepower of operatives of the military, police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) accompanying the convoy.

frica’s Most Popular Reality Show, Big Brother Naija, will return for its seventh season this July with a double launch show on Saturday, July 23rd and Sunday, July 24th 2022. This season’s winner will take home a grand prize worth 100 million Naira, including 50 million Naira cash and other exciting prizes. For the seventh season, the show will witness a return of a few pre-COVID 19 elements, including the fan-favourite ‘Ninjas’ and a live studio audience. Fans can also expect a line-up of more engaging tasks, unpredictable twists and Big Brother’s wit.

THE INSTALLATION OF AARE ATULUNSE AND YEYE ATUNLUSE OF IKATE KINGDOM On Saturday, May 14 2022, friends and relatives of Chief Dr Chiedu and Chief Mrs Chinelo Nweke rolled out the drum to celebrate their own. The colorful event which held at The Monarch Lagos, paraded dignitaries who came out in large numbers to rejoice with the newly installed Aare and Yeye Atunlunse. Here are some of the guests at the ceremony. HRM IGWE AND LOLO CHARLES ANIKWEZE OF AWKUZU, HRM OBA SAHEED ADEMOLA ELEGUSHI, AARE AND YEYE ATUNLUSE OF IKATE KINGDOM, CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU AND CHIEF (MRS) CHINELO NWEKE, OONI OF IFE HRM OBA ENITAN ADEYEYE OGUNWI, OJAJA II

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE, AND FRIEND

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU AND CHIEF(MRS) CHINELO NWEKE, WITH CHISCO

CHIEF(MRS) CHINELO NWEKE AND GUESTS

CHIEF EMMANUEL OBIEJESI, CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE AND CHIEF EKWUEME

CHIEF(MRS) CHINELO NWEKE AND FRIEND

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE, HRM OBA SAHEED ADEMOLA ELEGUSHI AND FRIENDS

ONYEKACHI ONUBOJU

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE, CHIEF AND CHIEF(MRS) CHIKE ARINZE

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE, BIKU(RIGHT) AND FRIEND

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU AND CHIEF (MRS) CHINELO NWEKE AND FAMILY

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE AND TRUEVISION

OBINNA OBIORA, CEO PARKTONAIN HOTELS

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE AND COMMISSIONER AHMED KABIRU, LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER FOR WATERFRONT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

CHIDOZIE NWANKWO, CEO WICHTECH LTD, CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE AND FRIEND.

CHIEF (DR) CHIEDU AND CHIEF(MRS) CHINELO NWEKE WITH FRIENDS

BCJ NWANONEZE AND CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE AND FRIEND

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE WITH RED CAP CHIEFS

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU AND CHIEF(MRS) CHINELO NWEKE WITH FRIENDS

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE, WITH FRIENDS

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE AND FRIENDS

NNAMENYI III OF AWKUZU ANAMBRA STATE HRM IGWE AND LOLO CHARLES ANIKWEZE, CHIEF DR CHIEDU AND CHIEF MRS CHINELO NWEKE WITH RED CAP CHIEFS

CHIEF(DR) CHIEDU NWEKE, WITH FRIENDS

Sunday, July 10, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 9922

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PHOTO: Ty Bello

COVER

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STUDENTS OF CITY OF KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY

Fondly referred to as “Aunty Mo”, Mosun Belo Olusoga is a woman of many firsts. She was the first female Executive director at Guaranty Trust Bank, the first female Director at Access Bank, the first female director of First Premium Pensions Limited, the first female Chairman of Access Bank and the first Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Olabisi Onabanjo University. She is an educator who offers training in the financial sector and also a school purposely built to raise tech-savvy youths with bright young minds. Aunty Mo is also a keen advocate for women in the workplace. In this interview, she tells FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI and ISIOMA USIADE about her personal experiences and hurdles. She also offers advice on how women can make it to the top in the finance sector and any field in life they want to excel at. You have recorded many firsts in the finance industry as a woman with a career spanning three decades. Tell us about your experiences as a woman in a typically male-dominated industry. You know, I get asked this question a lot. But I’ve been very fortunate in the companies I’ve worked for. My first working experience was at Coopers and Lybrand. Coopers and Lybrand were very gender-blind. It didn’t matter whether you were a woman or a man; we were treated equally and given the same responsibilities. I left Coopers for the then Chase Merchant Bank, and again, at Chase, I didn’t face any gender bias. When we started Guaranty Trust Bank, of which I was a pioneer staff. Fola and Tayo were adamant that if men and women did the same work and got the same salaries, they had to treat them the same. As I said, they were gender blind, so it didn’t matter whether you were a man, woman, or hermaphrodite. We expected the same kind of effort put in by both men and women. I think, to a large extent, we were also rewarded the same way until we got to a certain position, and of course, then you will see the slight gender bias. I’m sure you know all this.

MOSUN BELO-OLUSOGA RAISING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TECH LEADERS

Tell us about your challenges with promotions and climbing the corporate ladder? When it came to promotions, I didn’t face any gender bias because in the good old days of Guaranty Trust Bank, at the beginning of the year, you stated your KPIs, and it was agreed between you and your boss that by the end of the year, you want to achieve such and such. There were some objective issues like making target profits, growing balance sheets etc., and then there were the soft tissues, the subjective criteria. For the hard issues, it was non-debatable because you either made it or you didn’t, and what percentage did you make? And for the soft issues, how are you encouraging your people? What are your leadership skills? And things like that. You had to prove some things straightforward to determine your promotion. So, for promotion, it was very easy for me to be promoted because it was black and white. However, when it comes to appointments, I tell people there is a distinction when you’re appointed to the board. It’s not a promotion to the board. For the first set of EDs that were made at Guaranty Trust Bank, I wasn’t there, even though I was a senior, like the current CEO or the CEO of the holding company worked under me. Herbert was my backup, so I was senior to all of them. But the bank was looking for something different. So, as I said, it was an appointment. It wasn’t a promotion. And a lot of people felt upset on my behalf. And, funny enough, people didn’t believe me when I said I wasn’t upset because I’m a firm believer in what will be. At times, no matter how you struggle, when it’s not meant to be, it won’t come to pass. So, in that instance, they promoted men and not me, but then I became an ED later. I believe it was just providence that I became an ED when I did. But there will be some instances where I noticed at that time, mostly at junior levels, that it was very, very easy to see these gender bias. Where there was only one vacancy and two people, male and female, were both suitably qualified for the position, more often than not, it will go to a man. And the idea behind it is that, oh, you know, he is a man; he has more responsibilities, and for the woman, it is simply, she’s a woman. It’s not yet her time. Yes, it does happen. I mean, it’ll be foolhardy of me to say no. It’s never happened. It does

happen from time to time. We are at a time in Nigeria where women are now at the head of leading financial institutions. Why do you think all this is happening now, and what should be done to ensure this gender inconclusion continues and is not just a trend? No, I don’t think it’s a trend. Because let’s give it to the former governor of CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi(SLS), “his Emir,” as we call him these days. He was the one that started this gender inclusion campaign. He said he discovered that women are as competent and, at times, even more, competent than men. That women were also more loyal than men and, on the average, they were less corruptible. Not that you didn’t have corrupt women, but they were less inclined and were more focused on the job. If you give a woman and a man a task, it is more likely that the woman will do her best, perhaps because she’s trying to prove a point. At that time, SLS encouraged it; it was a piece of advice; it wasn’t mandatory that banks made about a third of the senior management and especially the board women. So that was how it started. When I joined the board of Access bank, I was the first woman on the board. When I left, we were six, and each woman brought significant value to the board. I was the co-chair of Women’s Corporate Directors, the inaugural co-chair. Women Corporate Directors is a global organization. This is the Nigerian chapter that KPMG powered. So, one of the coaches will be a KPMG partner and another one, a chairman or a corporate director. These days when women are on the board, they’re not just the pretty face on the board; they don’t keep quiet; they’re adding value. They’re bringing significant addition to the board, which is why more and more companies have found them a necessity or that women matter. And wherever you find women, we bring different flavours to the workspace. We’re not only hardworking, but we put humaneness into everything. We see people not just as a means to an end. We see people for being human. Given our values and culture, do you believe gender bias can ever be overcome in Nigeria and the workplace? It will take a long time. I mean, I have to be realistic; it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s a gradual process. And unfortunately, we take one step forward and two To all intent and purpose, steps backwards, especially in some areas. I was a good credit officer I’m very passionate about women in Poliwith all sense of humility. I tics. I’m not a politician, but I think we need to start supporting our women. I was talking built on that, and that is the to my cousin about how another cousin of knowledge I am impacting mine is going into politics, and I was sayon young bankers and not ing to her, yeah, she might not win, but we need to support her and let more women only young ones because in.” In the last dispensation, we had about we have people as high 12% of women’s representation, but now up as the Deputy General it is under 10%. It’s rescinding. Remember Manager coming to my how the gender bill was turned down? Why is it that women threaten men? We need class we train at all levels.

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Sunday, July 10, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 9922

COVER

children, to grant them the best international education to make them stand shoulder to shoulder anywhere in the world. It’s been challenging. When we started, we had just seven students. I have been able to build up this, and I’ve been able to get support from some of my friends. Some of my friends give scholarships, and I also offer scholarships. Access Bank has been incredibly supportive. Some foundations also give us several students on scholarship. The more people see the kind of products we are churning out of our school, the more they send their children, which is very encouraging. Running a school is a big business. How have you been able to raise funds to ensure your school stays up to standard and the student reach the peak of their education and are well-rounded? All my life savings is in that school. I have had to sell properties to maintain the standard. The school hasn’t broken even, and we are ten years already, but I don’t mind because I believe I have enough. How many cars can I drive? I have a roof over my head and only my daughter. If this is where God wants me to spend my money, I’m okay with it. Sometimes I get cranky when I don’t have money, and my head of school knows this. When I don’t have money, I am quick to say no. But one thing I promised my teachers is I would never owe salaries. We might not increase your paycheck, but you will get paid as at when due and if your salary is one day overdue, know that it is from the bank. The money is there already. That is what I promised my teachers. I don’t bite more than I can chew. I pace myself. I get loans once we need to do an expansion. I got the first set of loans from Guaranty Trust Bank, which have been paid in full. I didn’t want to get the loan from Access because I was a Director there.

not give up now. It may take a while. But I see we have to be at the table to be able to make decisions that will help women. In banking, you know, a lot of women are in banks. So yes, you can sit at the table to decide what happens to the welfare of women. For manufacturing, for example, I’m encouraging more girls to go into engineering rather than soft subjects. Let them go into engineering, let them go into medicine. So that when they are there, they have an impact. I’m not saying there aren’t any female engineers; there are, but there aren’t enough. Some industries/sectors are better at promoting women. Let’s talk about your firm, The KRC Limited. What does KRC stand for, and why did you decide to go in the direction of human resource support? Was it the right progression after you left the banking? When I was leaving as Executive Director, Uncle T, my MD at that time, Mr Tayo Aderinokun, asked what I wanted to do, and I said, “I’m not sure,” but I knew what I wasn’t going to do. I knew I wasn’t going to be a trader, and I wasn’t going to buy and sell. It’s not in my DNA. I said I might train people in the financial industry, and he said that’s an excellent idea. As a Guaranty Trust Bank employee, I used to train others. Other banks would invite me to train their staff. I’ll take permission that XYZ bank has asked me to come and facilitate, and he will permit me because it was good exposure for the bank that a competitor was going out to train its competitors. It was also good for me because it gave me the knowledge and exposure I needed at that time. I didn’t even know I was building my competence in that field. i did credit analysis. One of the divisions I had in the group was credit school. Credit school was taken out of risk management, and I was given the unit to manage. That was how I started. I started running credit programs for GTBank, which was initially very, very good. We started with the three-week credit program; then we progressed to five. Then they will send me loan officers, account officers, and relationship managers to train them in credit. All about how to do the analysis, how to vet, how to look at the environment, The school hasn’t broken how to look at the industry, should we lend to even, and we are ten this industry, should you lend to this individual. years already, but I don’t What are those things that you look at? Apart from the financials, what are the risks, mitigamind because I believe I have enough. How many tions, and stuff like that? As I said, we started with a three-week program for the credit ofcars can I drive? I have ficers, then progressed to five weeks, and we a roof over my head and could do about five in a year. When you are occupied for that number of weeks, essentially, only my daughter. If this I was retired but not tired. Gradually, we started is where God wants me getting other clients from other banks. Now we to spend my money, I’m train a variety of banks. As you can see, my girls have been making okay with it.

photocopies because we’re running three programs; the fourth one is about to begin. We are in training with Coronation, Fidelity, and Access Bank concurrently. But we’re not just into credit; we also do relationship management, soft issues and things along those lines. Now about the name, when I wanted to launch The KRC Limited, I was joggling with many things, and I said, okay, what do I want to do? It’s all about knowledge. The registered name is KRC, but its full meaning is The Knowledge and Resource Centre. Anything about knowledge, you can come to us. If we can’t give you the knowledge, we will source the knowledge for you. That was the reasoning behind the name The KRC.

You recently recorded a milestone achievement with the academy. Two of your students emerged winners of the Microsoft Office Specialist competition and would be representing the country at the world championship stage. Is there a conscious approach to teaching these children to excel in technology? Right from day one, we decided we would be very technology-driven. Each of my children has a laptop right from day one. At the beginning of each term, they submit their laptop and the ICT manager and the data processing manager review them to ensure that they haven’t downloaded anything untoward. We also put things in place that if they try to access an undesirable site, it registers. You might not know, but the vice-principal will call you out on it. So my children know not to go to those prohibited sites, at least while in school. So right from day one, we were very, very technology-driven. And our pledge for each child is that by the time you graduate from CKA, you should have

had a minimum of two Microsoft certifications. Some have as many as four, some have three or two, and the few lazy ones have only one. That is a very purpose-driven thing that we have decided. We have purposely done that, the same thing with music. For music, we promise that by the end of your stay, you should be proficient in one musical instrument. Be it the sax, the drums, the guitar, or the flute; you have to be proficient. But the challenge we’re currently having is because we have so many scholarship students who cannot procure an instrument themselves, so they can only practice when they’re in school. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time when you are not busy running any of your businesses? Before I got ill, I used to swim a lot. I also enjoy reading. One of my favourites was the Clark Higgins and Brown and Jeffery Archer books. I’ve gone through those. I read more autobiographies now, and I like watching television. I like all the dance shows and action movies too. I have watched all the Fast and Furious series. Once I see Jason Statham and Vin Diesel, I am there. What legacy will you like to leave behind when you finally retire? For bankers, it’s happening because I see people say, ‘Aunty Mo, you trained me’. I want to see the people I have trained achieve excellence in their careers. And for them to say, “Oh, Aunty Mo was part of my success story”. I’ve started seeing that. Some people I don’t recognize come to me and say, “ I was in your class at a particular time. As for CKA, I love it. One of my children/students got accepted to Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh in September, and she said, “mommy Mo” I promise you, I’ll be the first fully educated CKA student to enter an Ivy League university. That is what I like. We are also proficient in robotics, and just pre-COVID, 126 countries participated in the Robotics competition, and CKA brought Nigeria to fifth position. I’m very proud of what they have been able to achieve. Lastly, what piece of advice do you have for women aiming for the top? Try your best. Work as if nobody is looking because you don’t know who is watching. You don’t know who you are inspiring or demotivating when you misbehave. Just do your very best and be ready. So, when opportunities arise, and you get put in the position, you can perform. Because if you’re not prepared, and opportunities arise, they might overlook you. And if they don’t overlook you and say, okay, just come in, we’ll try you, and you cannot perform, you’ve lost a lot.

So, you would say it was a natural progression from what you were doing? Yes, it was natural because it was leveraging my skills. I was a credit officer. To all intent and purpose, I was a good credit officer with all sense of humility. I built on that, and that is the knowledge I am impacting on young bankers and not only young ones because we have people as high up as the Deputy General Manager coming to my class we train at all levels. So far, what has The KRC achieved, and what are your long-term goal and sustainability plans for the firm? I’ll tell you. I was ill about three years ago and was in the hospital for about a year, so I was out of the country for a long time. Fortunately, one of my facilitators, Idowu, was a Divisional Head at GTBank. She left the bank when her husband was posted to France and moved with him. When she returned, she started working with a company but wasn’t enjoying the job, so she set up her own company, and I also invited her to work with me as a partner. She has been here for a long time and, over the years, has become a very strong team member. When we go for meetings, the MDs who know me won’t want to discuss figures and payments with me, so I leave all the talking, negotiation and plans to her. When I was away, she just completely took over, and since then, to date, she’s the one in charge of things. She does the planning; she does the program outline etc. She’s the director now. When I came back, obviously she couldn’t be doing all that for free, as one of the directors I gave her some shares. That’s the succession plan. I don’t see myself doing this forever. She, too, has to look now for somebody to assist. You also established a school, City of Knowledge Academy, for young boys and girls. What was the inspiration behind this? I’ve always been very passionate about impacting knowledge. My credit school has older students already set in their ways, so I thought I needed to start from a very young age. I wanted to do something in my hometown, Ijebu Ode. There are good schools in Ijebu Ode, but there are more international schools in the Abeokuta axis of Ogun State than in Ijebu Ode. I wanted to do something purpose-built for

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It starts with your design. Design and sustainability go hand in hand. Environmental impact can be reduced if your design is timeless. Pieces that are timeless last and can be reused and recycled, giving lasting product life.

HOW TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE FASHION BRAND So, you are a designer who loves fashion but also hates the effect it’s currently having on our planet? You are not alone. Most designers are beginning to walk the path of sustainability to help transform fashion’s negative environmental and social impacts. Not sure where to start? Follow the tips below. By Funke Babs Kufeji

Next is the Fabric. Shifting to natural fibres like silks from banana stems, organic cotton from milk protein, coconut husk, animalfree wool etc., to produce pieces is a good start. This way, you are environmentally friendly while still staying ontrend and giving your client the best designs.

Manufacturing ethics. If your manufacturing is outsourced, ensure the manufacturer is sustainable conscious. Look out for manufacturers that treat their staff right, operate energyefficiently, and use chemicals and water judiciously. Also, use the material waste from your fabrics to create other useful products. Packaging. Choose recyclable materials Like paper for packing, and if you must use ribbons, make sure they are made from sustainable, eco-friendly material, as spoken above in the manufacturing section.

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DESIGN

THESE FASHION DESIGNERS ARE THEIR OWN MUSE

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Fisayo Longe

Fisayo Longe is the founder and Creative director for Kai collections, known for the popular Gaia outfit built to celebrate every woman’s body type. Fisayo, whose career happened to begin with her as an influencer, definitely had no qualms projecting that side of herself and, in the long run, has ended up doing tremendously well for the Kai brand. She’s been able to create pieces that exude confidence, which is why she’s been so successful in such little time.

It’s really exciting to see designer’s on the Nigerian fashion scene evolve themselves in ways that serve as a form of representation for their clothing brands and slaying while at it. These designers who have decided to be their fashion muses have made visible changes by including themselves in all that’s relatable when it comes to selling their brand. They have not only embodied their work, broken the ice on the stiff approach to fashion designing but have also preached personal involvement. Of this lot, these are a few of our favourites. By Charles Didee Eta

Lisa Folawiyo

Lisa Folawiyo is an ace designer who creates outfits rich in colour and prints. She has sustained her presence and brand by sharing her carefully thought-out styles amongst other unique clothing concepts with everyone via her socials. In her own words, “ My favourite designer would be Lisa Folawiyo!” and that’s understandable because clearly, she’s fully aware of the impact of her style.

Sandra Tubobereni

Sandra Tubobereni is the founder and creative director of Tubo fashion house, a brand that focuses on vibrant colours and structure. Through her three main lines (Tubo Brides, TuboRTW and TuboWoman ), she has been able to dress a wide range of women with different body types, maintaining their gracefulness in every outfit. Representing her brand by being the face perfectly describes the designs, and that’s been her selling point.

Adebayo Oke-Lawal

Adebayo Oke-Lawal is the creative director for “Orange Culture”, a clothing brand that stands for class and difference. He has always been in charge of his style, but now he’s even more daring as he’s constantly spare heading androgyny in Africa and in the most interesting ways. He remains a stylist for big names, but the impact he makes styling himself is undeniably irresistible for us all.

STYLE

DESIGN

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Paolo Sisiano

Paolo Sisiano is the creative director for Sisiano, a sophisticated fashion brand that also stands for bold colours, chic silhouettes and fluid statements. Paolo, who was originally a contemporary dancer, delved into the business of designing and never looked back. He inculcates the ideal of movement into every piece, giving them an easily wearable appeal. As expected, not many people understand the functionality of the outfit, hence his decision to take charge of the brand’s perception by being the face.

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Even though DJing may seem way too laid back for some to consider full-time work, these musical geniuses are constantly needed to add life to our parties and as a much-needed backup to our favourite artist. They are music’s ordained prophets of sound and rhythm and a very important part of the entertainment industry. And they make it their priority to give us not just a great experience but a memorable one at every event. In this feature, we celebrate a carefully thought-out selection of DJs in Lagos who have changed our lives with their unique abilities to transform the energy in a room with the power of music. By Charles Didee Eta

3) Dj Spinall:

1) Dj Humility 2) Dj Jimmy Jatt:

Some would classify Rotimi Alakija as one of the most successful DJs in the country. Flashback to 2003, his DJing career has already taken off with him performing at most major clubs at the time. That helped him establish the DJ Exclusive brand quite quickly. He is still an official DJ for cool 96.9fm and is often spotted playing at some of the biggest events in Lagos. He’s been opportune to work with artists locally and internationally and bagged internationally recognized awards.

Imohiosen Patrick, who goes by Dj Neptune, is certainly no stranger to the DJing world. He began his career as a radio DJ for Raypower FM, where he made his mark before going freelance. Neptune has been one of those DJs who has stood the test of time by staying relevant in many circles. He has worked closely with a long list of seasoned artists and dropped albums that had done tremendously well on the Nigerian and global charts. He has also been nominated for several awards, winning the Best World DJ category in the 2009 NEA (Nigerian Entertainment Awards) held in the United States.

6) Dj Kaywise:

Dj Kaywise, whose real name is Ayorinde Kehinde Okiki went viral in 2010 when he released his first mixtape titled “Emergency”, catapulting him to pure stardom. One of the rave DJs of the moment, Kaywise is also one of the youngest to make it to mainstream status in record timing. Also, a record producer, he’s worked with big names in the Nigerian music industry and has also been responsible for multiple mixtapes that have been absolute hits. You can catch him at the top spots on the billboard charts from time to time, making history.

This is one Dj with a lot of style. Born Sodamola Oluseye Desmond, he goes by the name “Dj Spinall” (which represents how he plays). Spinall rose to fame quickly, but that wasn’t shocking considering what he brought to the table. He was said to have undergone intense DJ training from Dj Hortega, the legendary Dj Slim and the godfather Dj Jimmy Jatt. He is often referred to as the “Cap” due to his love for fashionable, quirky caps. He became a household name by appearing in music videos, performing alongside famous artists and even becoming the official DJ for industry night. He also owns a record label/management company called “TheCapRecords”.

The Dj Humility, real name is Whenpopular DJing didn’t seem likewhose a serious occupation, Jimmy Amu, popularly known as Dj Jimmy Jatt, was Benedict Afagwu, is undoubtedly one who’s phecarrying a torch for the profession, which is why he nomenal at what he does. Humility can easy beis one early of theset godfathers Disc jockeying placedconsidered amongst the of DJs of within the 90s in Nigeria today. His experience has him who popularized the trade and made it placed more acamongst the greats, and no one can talk about DJing ceptable in the mainstream. He is still the resident in Nigeria without mentioning him. He’s been able to Dj at Rhythm 93.7 FM Lagos and the pioneer of the work closely with A-list artists, helping to increase their annual Discdue Jockeying event,inClassic DJs.sounds. There credibility to his versatility manipulating doesn’t any Humility Thisseem has toto bebe why he slowing recorded down a bodyfor of work titled as he also created an independent label that “The Industry Volume One” to clarifyMusic how important he has signed artists who are doingNigerian well internationally. has been to the fast-growing music industry.

5) Dj Neptune:

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MUSIC

When DJing didn’t seem serious ocThe popular Dj Humility, whoselike real aname cupation, popularlyone known as Dj is BenedictJimmy Afagwu,Amu, is undoubtedly who’s phenomenal at what he does. Humility Jimmy Jatt, was carrying a torch for the procan easy which be placed amongst early set one of fession, is why he isthe considered of DJs within the 90s who popularized the godfathers of Disc jockeying inthe Nigeria totradeHis andexperience made it morehas acceptable theamongst day. placed in him mainstream. He is still the resident Dj at the greats, and no one can talk about DJing Rhythm 93.7 FM Lagos and the pioneer of in without mentioning him. He’s been theNigeria annual Disc Jockeying event, Classic able to work closely with A-list DJs. There doesn’t seem to be anyartists, slowing helping to increase theiras credibility due toanhis versatildown for Humility he also created ity in manipulating sounds. This has to be independent Music label that has signed why recorded a well body of work titled “The artistshe who are doing internationally. Industry Volume One” to clarify how important he has been to the fast-growing Nigerian music industry.

A QUICK QUICKLOOK LOOKAT ATSOME TEN OF OF OUR FAVORITE DJS FAVOURITE DJ’SININLAGOS LAJOS

4) Dj Xclusive:

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2) Jatt 1) Dj Jimmy Humility:

TURN DOWN FOR WHAT!!!

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7) Dj Caise

Derin Phillips, better known as Dj Caise, has been in the industry for some time. He moved back to Nigeria from the UK, where he had initially started pursuing his passion for DJing. He has often been referred to as one of the most exciting and innovative young Nigerian DJs. Caise is still very much a resident DJ at the beat 99.9fm. You can catch him hosting DJ Caise In The Mix, held on the station every Friday. He has been able to perform at the most prestigious nightclubs and entertained various audiences globally.

8) Dj Nana

Taking her spot as the only female disc jockey to make this cut due to her exceptional talent. Nanayat Abedoh, popularly known as DJ Nana, has been in our faces since 2009, when she got her big break as a protege of the legendary DJ Jimmy Jatt. She made her mark playing excellently on Naija FM and sister brand “the Beat 99.9Fm. Also, she is the official DJ on Alibaba’s “ Seriously “ show every Sunday on the NTA network. Due to her personality and hard work, she gets to collaborate with top Nigerian artists at events or on personal projects.

9) Dj Obi

There is no doubt that Obinna Levi Ajuonuma, aka DJ Obi, know his way around a turntable. Having one of the best resumes in the industry, Dj Obi is in the Guinness book of records for the longest marathon club DJ-ing. He relocated back to Nigeria after school, intending to disc jockey full-time, which he’s doing incredibly well at.

10) Dj Consequence

If you need a DJ with a taste for good music, you’re looking right at him. Born Akeredolu Precious Pelumi, but remembered mainly by the name DJ Consequence, and for some others, he is called the vibe machine. He has been playing professionally for quite a while, carving his niche in the DJing industry by gracing several Nigerian clubs and the most prestigious shows. Consequence is also a music artist who works with some of Nigeria’s hottest talents on their records and on stage. He is still signed to RG5 music, the same record label he released his much-anticipated DJ Mixtape titled The Vibes House Party – (Lockdown Mix).

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Sunday, July 10, 2022 Vol. 22, No. 9922

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STYLE

BEAUTY

Nuban Beauty

Nuban beauty was founded in 2017 by Stella Ndekile, a Medical Laboratory Scientist and part-time makeup artist Jane Ogu, who is known under her business name Flawless Face by Jane. The duo are no strangers to the beauty world, so it was quite easy to come up with a winning formula. The Nuban Beauty brand is made to suit our unique African skin.

7 NIGERIAN-OWNED

BEAUTY BRANDS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Aweni Organics.

As the name implies, Aweni organics is a 100% Organic range which consists of liquefied black soap scented with Cinnamon or lemon grass and, at times, a combination of both. The range includes coconut oil, shea butter cream, and almond soap. Over the years, Aweni Organics has become one of Nigeria’s leading organic beauty brands. And the brain behind it is Tomi Pearce.

For the longest time, most Nigerians have depended on foreign beauty supplies. And it isn’t because we haven’t always had our indigenous brands, but there were always complaints ranging from quality of packaging to inconsistency in beauty ingredients. But lately, things have changed for the better. A few beauty and skincare brands have done their assignment and churned out products that can compete on a global scale. Even more interesting is that some of these products are made from locally sourced ingredients. In the spirit of encouraging us all to buy Nigeria to grow the Naira, we throw our spotlight on seven of these brands. By Isioma Usiade

Zaron Cosmetics and Skincare

You cannot talk about Nigerian beauty and skincare brands without mentioning Zaron Cosmetics and Skincare. The brainchild of Oke Maduwesi, Zaron, has since its inception in 2011, grown to become one of Nigeria’s most prominent beauty brands. Conquering the makeup market, the brand has since delved into skincare and is well on its way to taking over that space.

Bath Kandy

Wait, is that cake? No, darling, it’s soap even though it looks and smells like cake. Blondie Okpuzor, the CEO of Bath Kandy, was definitely on to something when she decided to float a skincare line made up of foodinspired bath and body products. Her products are made to look and smell like desserts, with gourmet food and drink ingredients incorporated for a lusciously pleasurable bath-time experience. This one is a must-try.

Arami Essentials

When Ore Runsewe moved back to Nigeria, her main challenge was finding her preferred skincare products. This challenge is what would eventually birth Arami Essentials. The first thing you notice about this brand is its clean, minimalist packaging. Its formula relies solely on locally sourced ingredients that have been proven to enhance your skin.

ORÍKÍ

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A spa that comes with its range of beauty products, what could be better than that? Founded by Joyce Awosika, The Oriki group is a one-stop-shop for your organic beauty needs. The brand uses potent plants, organic ingredients and 100% natural essential oils to make its products. The ingredients are all-natural and sourced from around the world. None of the products has any unnecessary additives or parabens.

Yanga Beauty

Jennifer Lisa Uloko says she has always had a flair for beauty products, and that was the inspiration behind the birth of her brand Yanga Beauty. With a wide range of beauty offerings, this brand is slowly becoming an industry favourite. They are also very famous for their brow products.

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