...NOT IN THISDAY STYLE? THEN YOU’RE NOT IN STYLE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2020
S FRANBCAI NJO ODU
FELIXSAN IGBA
T ROBERCIS FRAN
UDI CHUKOW IBOK
G N I V A S IN
RD BERNAO B ODI
UEL EMMAAN U ISTIF N
A HARUHNIM IBRA
Y SUNDBAU I SHA
S E V I L R U O
Y E H T . ..
LANRESI SANU
EM HAKEU ON J OLA W
D E I D O S AL
CONTENT Society PONTIFICATION RECEPTION FOR ADAORA UMEOJI PG 4-5
Fashion 10 THINGS ABOUT US VICE PRESIDENT PG 6 THE SURVIVORS PG 8 5 MINUTES WITH VERONICA EBIE PG 10 FAT SHAMING PG 11 PERSONALITY FEATURE SP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI PG 14-15
HISTORY OF NIGERIAN POLICE PG 18 SOME ACCLAIMED DILLIGENT OFFICERS PG 20
As we speak, the families who lost loved ones at the hands of police brutality, still hurt. Their pain and the void their loved ones left behind cannot be filled. But if we stop to think, the same applies to the families of the policemen who lost their lives in the call of duty. Their death is just as painful to their loved ones. No one seems to dwell on this because the bad eggs have given the police a bad name. But within them are heroes who did the profession proud. They fought valiantly against the ills of society and paid the price with their lives. They should be celebrated for their uncompromising loyalty to the uniform. ISIOMA USIADE reports...
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 RUKY SALAKO ISIOMA USIADE IYANU AYODELE GUEST CORRESPONDENTS AZUKA OGUJIUBA ZINA ANUMUDU JOANNA MACGREGOR SEYI ALAWODE PHOTOGRAPHER TY BELLO
TIPS AT POLICE CHECKPOINTS PG 21 - MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER - DOS AND DON’TS OF NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL SKIN PG 22
FASHION FACTS PG 23
A few weeks back, we did several editions reflecting the chaotic state of the nation. We featured the #endsars protests and it’s aftermath the week after. Needless to say, the police have suffered a terrible backlash from the atrocities of the bad eggs amongst them. They have lost the trust of the citizens they are meant serve. Admittedly, there are people who lost their lives to the hands of police brutality but there are also policemen who lost their lives in the call of duty while in service. Their deaths are just as painful to their families. Though not common, these men wore their badge with pride and honour and fought valiantly to bring criminals to justice. Odd as it might sound because of lack of total distrust with police, such principled men in uniform do exist, though believed to be in minority until proven otherwise. The police today, are working hard on damage control and aim to bring the culprits amongst them to justice. They plan to mete out deserving punishment to those who destroyed their reputation. They are working on other prevailing issues and finding solutions that will increase the performance of their officers at their duties. The police want a chance to right their wrongs and slowly begin to earn the trust of the people they vowed to serve. Rome was not built in a day but an inch is definitely better than a mile in the right direction. We can only hope and pray for the success of this change and the respect they crave for now. We will just have to wait and see!
DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196
FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR
STANLEY UZOCHUKWU
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NGOZI EKEOMA ADA AKIDI
CHIDI UMEOJI -OBEJOLU
REV. FR . EMMANUEL OJEIFO
OSITA CHIDOKA
ADOBI NWAPA
NKIRU OKOLO
OZO JOSEPH CHUKWU
KIDDWAYA
PONTIFICATION RECEPTION FOR ADAORA UMEOJI A Pontifical Investiture reception was held in honour of Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji, the DMD of Zenith Bank. She was given the prestigious award as a Papal Knight of Saint Sylester by His Holiness, Pope Francis. The investiture took place at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Cathedral Church and a colourful reception was held after at The Dome, Abuja. There was the cutting of the cake and some little children performed singing mainly Christian songs with a mixture of other popular songs. There were also group dances in different categories performed by both adults and children. A live band was on ground to entertain the guests as well. All the top members of Zenith bank, dignitaries, Legislators, past and present Ministers were in attendance to support the celebrant.
PHOTO CREDIT – GODWIN OMOIGUI
JIM OVIA
EBENEZER ONYEAGWU CHINEDU ZEPH
ADAORA UMEOJI
EMEKA UMEOJI
HIS EMINENCE JOHN CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN
REV. FERDINAND KINGSLEY
IFEANYI ORAJAKA
CHUKWUOMA UMEOJI
UMAR SHUIB AHMED
NWOKOYE JOHO
ADETOUN ALAWIYE
CARO OKOKO
UZO OKOYE
LOUIS ODOM
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
STYLE & DESIGN
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THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT
US VICE PRESIDENT ELECT
A S L I A R R M A A H K
Not only will Kamala Harris become the first woman in U.S. history to assume the role of Vice-President, she’ll also be the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to do so. Even before this, Kamala’s career has been defined by many firsts. She was the first woman and the first person of colour to serve as San Francisco’s District Attorney, the second Black woman elected to the Senate, and the first person of South Asian descent. What else do we know about this woman who has broken one of the highest glass ceilings in American history?
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Her mother chose Kamala’s name as a nod both to her Indian roots—Kamala means “lotus” and is another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi - and the empowerment of women.
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As a child, Harris went to both a Black Baptist church and a Hindu temple - embracing both her South Asian and Black identities.
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In Montreal, a 13-year-old Harris and her younger sister, Maya, led a successful demonstration in front of their apartment building in protest of a policy that banned children from playing on the lawn.
... WITH HER HUSBAND DOUG EMHOFF
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She married Doug Emhoff, a corporate lawyer in Los Angeles, in 2014 at a small and private ceremony officiated by her sister. Emhoff has two children from his previous marriage; they call Harris “Momala.”
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She’s an enthusiastic cook who bookmarks recipes from the New York Times’ cooking section and has tried almost all the recipes from Alice Waters’ The Art of Simple Food. Her go-to dinner entree is a simple roast chicken.
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She typically wakes up around 6 a.m. and works out for half an hour on the elliptical or SoulCycle. She then starts the day with a bowl of Raisin Bran with almond milk and tea with honey and lemon before leaving for work.
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Her friendship with Barack Obama dates back to his run for Senate in 2004. She was the first notable California office holder to endorse him during his 2008 presidential bid.
...WITH JOE BIDEN (PRESIDENT-ELECT)
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She’s not a fan of being called the “female Obama.” When a reporter asked her about carrying on Obama’s legacy during her run for president, she said, “I have my own legacy.”
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Her motto comes from her mom: “You may be the first, but make sure you’re not the last.”
One of her signature accomplishments as Attorney General was creating Open Justice, an online platform to make criminal justice data available to the public. The database helped improve police accountability by collecting information on the number of deaths and injuries of those in police custody.
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... WITH HER LATE MOTHER SHYAMALA GOPALAN
STYLE & DESIGN
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
THE
O
SURVIV By Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru
Dear Reader, Welcome to the WARIF Survivor Stories Series, a monthly feature, where stories of survivors of rape and sexual violence will be shared to motivate and encourage survivors to speak their truth without the fear of judgement or stigmatization and to educate the public on the sheer magnitude of this problem in our society. The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) is a nonprofit organization set up in response to the extremely high incidence of rape, sexual violence and human trafficking of young girls and women in our society. WARIF is tackling this issue through a holistic approach which covers initiatives in health, education and community service. WARIF offers assistance to survivors of rape and sexual violence through the WARIF Centre a safe haven where trained professionals are present full time, 6 days a week including public holidays to offer immediate medical care, forensic medical examinations, psychosocial counselling and welfare services which include shelter, legal aid and vocational skills training. These services are provided FREE of charge to any survivor who walks into the Centre. This is Mfon’s storyI have tried to kill myself 3 times and the last incident left me with a bad stomach ulcer that I might have to live with for the rest of my life. I shut myself out of social media because I saw how well my peers and even the perpetrators were progressing but here I am stuck with the pains of the past wishing it was all a dream. I was part of a happy family before a ghastly accident claimed my father’s life. My father’s family blamed my mother for his death and said she didn’t deserve any of his property because she killed him. They took everything we had and pushed us out with nothing. My mother had to work late most days and so she would leave us with our neighbors – Mr. and Mrs. Nelson. They were a kind couple with two grown sons; Mike and Kingsley. One afternoon, a week after I had turned 7 years old, we were at the Nelson’s as usual and Mike told me that my mother called and asked me to get some money from our house for his mother. I took our house key and went with Mike to our flat, when we got in, he locked the door and went straight into the room. I waited in the living room for him then he called for me to bring in a stool so he could get to a bag at the top of a wardrobe. I took the stool from the living room and as I entered the room I saw Mike with his trousers off. I was surprised by what I saw and I didn’t know how to react so I just stood there confused. He dragged me to the bed and warned me not to shout as he covered my mouth. Mike pushed
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He pinned me back down and said he would tell mummy if I didn’t obey him. He then dragged me to the sitting room and told me not to shout. In that instant, I remember what Mike did to me and I froze with fear. I became numb and waited for it all to be over immediately. The respect and honor I had for my uncle disappeared and I was totally disappointed by his actions. When he was done he brought out a red cloth with cowries tied around it and he said that I should swear over the cloth that I will never tell anyone else I will die
his finger in and out of me and the pain I felt was excruciating. He didn’t stop regardless of how much I cried and went ahead to rape me when he felt the opening was wide enough for penetration. I couldn’t understand why Mike was hurting me so much. I didn’t know what I did to deserve that kind of punishment. When he was done, he pleaded with me not to tell anyone. He told me it was the devils work and he didn’t mean for it to be painful because I am his best girl. He promised to buy some things for me but that moment I hated him more than I ever liked him. After that day, Mike continued to assault me and the longer it took, the more difficult it was for me to tell my mother. When I turned 10, my uncle came to live with us. It was a big relief for my mum as my uncle assumed some of her overwhelming duties. Mum usually dropped us in school every morning then we would walk back home ourselves. A few weeks after my uncle moved in, I observed he picked on me a lot and always reported me to my mum. She did not want him to leave so she always punished me and commanded that I obeyed my uncle. When my uncle realized he had won my mum’s heart, he started with me. One evening as I lay down to sleep, suddenly I saw my uncle by my side and he said he wanted to check my vagina that my mother had instructed him to check. I was surprised but also afraid he would report to my mummy so I allowed him. He looked and said “so as small as you are you are having sex?” I was surprised he would know that my vagina had been tampered with by Mike. I hurriedly said, “no” and I jumped up. He pinned me back down and said he would tell mummy
RS
if I didn’t obey him. He then dragged me to the sitting room and told me not to shout. In that instant, I remember what Mike did to me and I froze with fear. I became numb and waited for it all to be over immediately. The respect and honor I had for my uncle disappeared and I was totally disappointed by his actions. When he was done he brought out a red cloth with cowries tied around it and he said that I should swear over the cloth that I will never tell anyone else I will die. Several times I tried to tell my mum but I couldn’t get the words out because I felt so much shame, fear and guilt; coupled with the fact that my uncle always gave me the look that made me swallow my words totally. Little did I know that my silence was only going to make him continue assaulting me. After a year, my uncle was called back to help my grandparents and he left our house. I was so happy and relieved. However, by that time, my self esteem had been crushed. I saw myself as worthless and only good to satisfy a man’s pleasure. I sought to be in control so as I grew up I seduced boys/men and I was fascinated by how quickly and easily they fell. The part I enjoyed is how they all came back begging for more that made me feel like a goddess but I was never truly happy. I continued to live like that and my mother could not understand why I had become so loose with men. I took a lot of alcohol because I needed to drown my pains and a friend introduced me to psychoactive drugs. She said it will help me sleep. I knew I needed help but I didn’t know what type of help I needed, and I didn’t know where to get the help. I was at the bus stop when someone wearing a WARIF ambassador shirt gave me a flier and said I could access psychosocial counselling for free even though my experience dates back. I reached out to WARIF and their counsellors have been very helpful. I believe more in myself, I have learnt to accept and appreciate myself more. I believe I deserve better and I’m working on anger management. I’m progressing one day at a time and I’m excited about my progress. My goal is to be the best version of myself and help others who are suffering like I was. Dear survivor, please know that you are not alone and it is not your fault. Help is available. If you have been raped or you know someone who has, please visit us at The WARIF Centre - 6, Turton Street, off Thorburn Avenue, Sabo, Yaba or call our 24-hour confidential helpline on 08092100009. For questions or more information please contact: info@ warifng.org *Real name of survivor changed for confidentiality
TO REGISTER AS A DESIGNER VISIT: www.arisefashionweek.world
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
STYLE & DESIGN
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MINUTES WITH
With success, a natural flair for style and aesthetics, Veronica Ebie, sits at the intersection of the creative process and the business of fashion itself; two fields that are essential for the of any fashion brand. Her understanding of the industry is supplemented with years of experience and a diverse portfolio as a fashion stylist, luxury personal shopper, beauty retailer and now brand consultant. Speaking to KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR, she says, “There needs to be a focus on developmental attention towards areas such as funding, production and education.’’ A lot of people saw you come into the industry as a fashion reporter/ stylist; fast forward to becoming one of the most recognized names in the fashion industry. How did you get here? Being recognized for my contribution to our industry is appreciated more so because I am deeply passionate about my work and I am very involved in every aspect of what I do to ensure the process and results are perfect. Over the years, it has been my mission to give everything I have to ensure our industry continually gains promising growth in the right direction. In doing this, I have had numerous creative collaborations with so many amazing people which in turn, has caused me to be recognized. Let’s talk about Scale with Veronica. What services do you offer the brands who work with you? Scale with Veronica is the creative consulting development arm of Vanestyle. In 2012, while I was at the top of my stylist journey, I began consulting with two brands within the industry. I offered my knowledge and insight on how to position their brands for global success. I provided this service privately. However, upon completing my MBA in Global Luxury Branding, I realized it was imperative to open my services to accommodate more brands. I also knew that I couldn’t attend to every single one; therefore, Scale with Veronica was implemented during the COVID Crisis. There are levels to starting and establishing a successful retail business as an entrepreneur, and we offer creative brands and projects the business knowledge to pivot their brands forward. Scale with Veronica offers an advisory like service. This is structured slightly like a course whereby the client does a lot of the work but we provide the materials and cases for them to implement towards their brand success. We also offer one on one consultations and consulting services for many luxury projects and retail brands who need a frontier management style understanding of how to engage their consumers better. So, would you say you have bridged a gap in the fashion industry? I would say I am one of many bridging the gap and are working endlessly to facilitate continuous growth in our creative industry through education processes that bring forth positive results.
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Fashion is a business and a multimilliondollar one at that
What’s your take on the Nigerian fashion industry and the impact they are having on the global scene? First of all, you need to understand that the industry here is full of talent, and we are certainly not lacking in culturally expressing ourselves through our creative process. However, our industry is still young, and many don’t seem to realise that when it comes to fashion, it is a business and a multimillion-dollar one at that. Design is only one aspect. Within the value chain, there needs to be a focus on developmental attention towards areas such as funding, production and education. These all aid in creating jobs that support the foundation of the industry. As of now, a lot of us are not well-schooled in the business of fashion. On the other question, our industry’s impact is gaining global recognition, and we are doing it our way, which means we aren’t looking for approval. Instead, we are focusing on improving our techniques and resources within. It is about our rich identity which has come from re-visiting and re-purposing patterns and techniques. Many of our designers are globally recognized and highly sought after worldwide for collaborations, design ideas and their pure innovation from heritage aesthetics. So, who are your promising favourites? I live in a creative bubble. Whenever I interact with a brand or a designer who embodies something unique in their delivery, I become attentive. So, I won’t say they are “promising”, as many of them are already notable globally. However, I will say that these are designers I’m currently impressed with – Iamisigo, Maxivive, Kenneth Ize, Abiola Olushola. No one saw the pandemic coming. Every sector had a bad hit. What was it like for the fashion industry? The pandemic was an unprecedented event that undoubtedly changed everything,
STYLE & DESIGN Instinctively my immediate response was thinking about putting my structural processes in place, my luxury brand clients and what I could do to assist them through this. Particularly the way we conduct business. Some of the changes for many services and brands were alike from examining the external threat to scaling down on resources and buying within for fabrics as well as scraping any collection plans and re-designing pieces to satisfy the consumer’s current lifestyle. What permanent changes do you think came with it? As the year has progressed, I will say the biggest is a much greater dependency and use of technology in every area of fashion. Smaller capsule collections for many, for others easier direct to consumer sales strategies. More frequent drops throughout the year and of course less elaborate designs. Also, we have seen improvement on sustainable measures within designs, simpler processes with production times being quicker and a lot of more virtual meetings of course. The other permanent change is shifting the focus from the product to the person. People buy from people, 65% of sales come from consumers approvals of brands. The perception from the consumer matters because when they’re satisfied with their service or product, the value offered was successful. I have always been about consumer behaviour, and experiences towards retail and more than ever the way brands communicate and engage with their consumers will be more intentional for years to come. In the face of social distancing and increased social media consumption, do you think Fashion Week as we know it should return? Yes, of course! Fashion is necessary, and while we need to remain careful, it is imperative it returns only now, with a much greater emphasis on creating shows that offer an experiential experience to the audience. Tell us some of the most significant changes that have occurred in the fashion industry since you’ve started your career? Wow! There are a lot, but the most visible is the initiative to buy and wear Nigerian proudly. When I moved back in 2010, I can honestly say the majority of consumers I worked with and personally styled did 90% of their shopping from global brands throughout the year. In the last seven years, this has improved tremendously as many are beginning to champion wearing with pride, pieces from home own brands. Last year, 90% of purchases made on behalf of my HNI’s were within the stores in Lagos that stock Nigerian brands. Also, in many of the style consultations I offer, clients continually ask for Nigerian brands. Even on social media, most of the messages I get or acknowledgement on what I wear, are all about Nigerian brands. The truth is, the designers have improved vastly on techniques, sourcing of fabrics (even producing their prints). Even the production is a lot better, and also pricing which, in return, has benefitted the value to the consumer. Any Style tips for our readers? Be yourself always, trust your instincts, wear what pleases you, know that beauty is from within first, so be confident in your skin.
Fat SHAMING!
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
BATTLE OF THE BULGE I am 5 feet and 10 inches tall and 61 years old. I was an effortlessly super-slim 70kg till my late 40s, then the weight started to pile on. By my early 50s, I was 85kg. But I didn’t become obese till my mid-50s. I started this battle of the bulge on March 16th, when I weighed a whopping 120kg and measured 49-47-51 (chestwaist-hips) inches. And I’ve been struggling to shed the excess lard since then. I was at my happiest and most elegant at 70kg. But I think that a woman of my age will look haggard – ill even - in a totally fat-free body zone… and that a bit of padding does a sexuagenarian no harm. So, since I didn’t feel or look too bad when I was 85kg and a size 14, that’s the compromise I am aiming for. And it’s been a yo-yo ride. My weight has fluctuated since I started this journey. I started off by losing 5kg in the last 2 weeks of March, then reverted to gluttony for a while, then got back on the straightand-narrow for another while, then hit a winning streak in the summer and made it down to 106k. But instead of continuing with this exhilarating downward trajectory, I started to overeat again and had reached 115kg by last Sunday. I belong to an online Facebook group for people who are interested in short and/or long fasts that last for hours, days or weeks. The group was initiated by a Canadian doctor called Jason Fung. His book, titled “The Complete Guide To Fasting”, is worth reading because it is inspirational and has changed and saved many lives (obesityrelated ailments and deaths are commonplace nowadays). Fung doesn’t dwell on religious fasting in this book. But I’ve been researching all aspects of fasting, which boils down to deliberately abstaining from food to strengthen oneself spiritually or lose weight or improve one’s health in general. I have decided that I need to fast for all of the above reasons. I doggedly overeat on a regular basis, despite being extremely depressed about my fatness and its ramifications (I knew I had hit an all-time low when I got to someone’s office and was told the lift wasn’t working and almost burst into tears because I was required to climb a SMALL flight of stairs to the first floor and was in agony as I dragged myself up because my knees could barely carry my weight). When you regard fatness as immensely unattractive
BY DONU KOGBARA
PART 31 (Week 32)
(I really, really hate flab and clothes for fat folks) and allow fatness to damage your existence on multiple levels, yet can’t quit overeating, you are clearly trying to fill some deep dark psychological void within you. And a period of quiet fasting can help you find spiritual solace or focus. Other benefits of fasting include rapid weight loss and activating the process of autophagy (the body’s way of cleaning out damaged cells, in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells). There are so many ways of fasting and all are beneficial if you don’t have any medical incompatibility issues and follow guidelines provided by experts like Dr Fung; and I decided to commence with a 7-day total fast (zero-calorie liquids only), starting last Monday. But when Monday morning dawned, I completely panicked at the thought of doing without food altogether for one day, never mind 7! And being feeble me, instead of going for a less harsh but still abstemious compromise, I fell on a pile of fried chicken before Noon! Egusi, eba and 2 slices of chocolate cake then entered the picture. But while all this rampant self-indulgence was going on, I was filled with self-loathing and kept telling myself to “stop letting yourself down, for God’s sake!”; and I finally summoned up the courage and discipline and selflove to start the total fast on Tuesday. At the time of writing this column, I have only been total fasting for a couple of days. And I’m feeling very proud of myself and will tell you, next week, how much weight I lost at the end of the 7-day period. In the meantime, in case some of you think that fatness is OK and that I am making noise about a nonissue, please note that fatness is one of the major health problems of today’s world. I don’t have statistics for Nigeria, but I can tell you that nearly a third of the UK population is officially obese (with a body mass index, BMI, of over 30), double the number 25 years ago. Obesity is bad news because it raises the risk of life-shortening conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Obesity is also linked to cancer — around 23,000 cases a year in England alone. DONU KOGBARA IS A VANGUARD NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST. Please feel free to share your thoughts about her weight loss journey on 0805 404 6887 or donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk
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ART I DESIGN I MUSIC I FILM I FASHION
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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
COVER
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
It’s has been said that over 25 policemen died in the line of duty during this #endsars movement? In Lagos state, we had just five casualties, we lost five of our men during the movement. What compensations have the police given to the widows of these policemen? Officially, for police officers, there are entitlements the family gets for their death while in service. Lagos state also foot the burial expenses. They give their children scholarship up to graduation level, and for those that were injured, they will also foot their hospital bill. The Lagos state government is also considering a policy for insurance for police.
A W I Y U M U L O P S
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TE A T S S O R L AG E C I F F O IONS T A L E R LIC B U P E C I POL
D CO M M A N
Much has been said about the Nigeria Police Force and their reputation has suffered a very bad dent. The phrase ‘Police is your friend’ holds no water now because of the horrible reign of SARS which was the cause of #endsars movement. What happened after has been featured in our past editions. But with every situation, there are two sides to every coin. And though these bad eggs give the Police a bad name, STYLE speaks to to Police Public Relations Officer of Lagos State Command, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi for a deeper insight into the issues with the Police Force and their plans to improve the quality of their service because it is imperative to know what stringent steps they are taking to bridge the trust deficit between the Police and society. ISIOMA USIADE reports... 14
Strong charges have been brought to light of police brutalities and fatalities suffered in the hands of the police. What is being done to prevent this in future to gain the trust of citizens? Well, we have said it severally that when police men go out of their badge, when they engage in inappropriate behaviour contrary to the ethics and code of conduct of the police force, such police men must be held accountable. We don’t cover up for our policemen. We have certain persons on ground to caution their abnormality, to caution their excesses and of course give punishment to those who deserve it. Recently the command made a release of those that were dismissed from the force, those that were prohibited, those that were decreased in rank and those that got various categories of punishment according to provisions of the police act and regulations. So, we have people on ground to correct these unlawful acts and we always encourage members of the public to get across to us, lodge their complain to the CP, to IG offices or various area commanders when our men go out of their badge. We can’t rule out the fact that we have bad eggs amidst us who are bent on denting the image of the force but we don’t take it easy with them, we don’t condone the police brutality, extortion, instability, violating of human rights. We don’t cover them up. We punish them according to the police acts and regulations. The police barracks are also an eye sore, most do not look habitable talk less of living in it, why is this not being addressed? It’s being addressed. Everything is online particularly pertaining accommodation. Don’t forget
the President has established the Police Trust Fund and the Chairman is the former IGP Suleman Abba. The PTF will carter for things like welfare, logistics and provision facilities. The police mortgage bank is also a financial institution of NPF designed to give access to a national housing fund. The police also have housing estates our officers can purchase and spread the payment over a certain period of time. The President has also considered the increment of salaries and benefits of police personnel. We are hopeful that with all these things in place, better days await police officers where we will regain the trust of our citizens.
We have given out phone numbers for the public to call if they have any bad experience with the police. We have links and platforms to reach out to and every officer is fully aware of that now. If a police officer stops you on the road, there must be a commander in charge of the police vehicle who is nothing less than an Inspector of police or a Superintendent officer. He would be held responsible for any misconduct of his men at that point.
During the carnage that took place in Nigeria especially in Lagos, the police presence wasn’t felt during these acts of destruction, why so? Those destroyers had their target and their plans were to destabilize the city by attacking the police, burning their stations and killing the police. Secondly, barricades were put in most of the places attacked denying police officers and other security operatives’ access. They blocked the roads in thousands. We were grossly outnumbered. Anywhere we attempted to penetrate had heavy blockage. These people understood the geography of Lagos state and how it operates, so they knew where to block. The destroyed areas were attacked spontaneously and simultaneously. It was a chaotic situation but despite that, we still tried to manage the situation. It could have been worse if we had not stood our ground and performed our duties professionally to the best of our ability under the circumstances. There has been a spate of robberies going on which has further heightened fears of insecurity among civilians. What is the police doing to curb these fears and give us some assurance? It’s so unfortunate because traffic robbery did not come as the aftermath of the #endsars violence, it has always been there. It has not gotten worse. This is why Gov Sanwo-Olu decided to buy motor bikes for police operatives to enable them monitor traffic and control the abilities of these traffic robbers. However, the #endsars violence destabilized the traffic institution. These issues have now been rectified and modified so that we can have better security during this ember months particularly during the Christmas period. How can civilians best guard themselves at checkpoints to avoid any further kind of harassments or intimidation from men in uniform? Recently, the CP addressed all 110 DPOs and 14 area commanders. It’s high time we start doing our jobs diligently and professionally and of course, erase corruption. At any point if a driver commits an
offence, the right thing to do at that time is to charge him to court. No negotiation, no discussion because when you start discussing, the issue of resolution comes in. What if the driver did not do anything wrong and the police is just trying to extort money from him? The police cannot extort money from anybody again. What guarantee do we have of this? All policemen know extortion is one of the reasons that lead to the #endsars protest. We have given out phone numbers for the public to call if they have any bad experience with the police. We have links and platforms to reach out to and every officer is fully aware of that now. If a police officer stops you on the road, there must be a commander in charge of the police vehicle who is nothing less than an Inspector of police or a Superintendent officer. He would be held responsible for any misconduct of his men at that point. If at all you they are unruly and you can’t manage the situation, don’t argue with them, leave the place and report them. How do you leave the place if you have been asked to come out from the car? Nobody can ask you to come out of your car, they can only stop and search your vehicle and your papers after which, they will allow you go. In a situation where your documents are not complete, they will draw your attention to it and the next thing is to charge the person to court. If the papers are complete and for some reason there is an exchange of words, in the wake of the SARS antecedents, how can civilians ensure they remain safe from any form of attack? The situation will warrant what they will demand from you. If you have a registered vehicle license, driver’s license and of course insurance, whether original or soft copy as you must have an insurance, these policemen do not have the right to request for anything else. If these three and are valid, you don’t have any problem. But if you have purchased a vehicle from another user, the police may ask for proof of ownership or documents of ownership transfer. Should you sense danger of any sort, the best you can do is to sacrifice your time. No matter what, don’t negotiate with the police on the road. Do not offer him money if he is requesting for it. Just be patient and insist on seeing their superior. Follow them to their station and insist on seeing their DPO. They might insist he’s absent but stand your ground. At every checkpoint, insist on speaking with a senior officer as there must be a senior officer with them. As a parting shot, what do you have to say to civilians to build back their confidence and trust in the police? We are all Nigerians and as much as we have a community called Nigeria, there is no how we won’t have a police institution. Our police institution and our society are two institutes that are highly inseparable. We need to work together to make sure we have that oriented Nigeria police force. It’s a collective responsibility to have good policing and a corruption free society. I want to urge everyone to embrace the police, to assist us to see how we can have a good Nigeria police force. Please members of the public, whenever we ask to send names of those that will join the police, do not give us condemned individuals because they give us problems. Give us credible ones, disciplined and matured people.
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COVER
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
COVER
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
IN SAVING OUR LIVES ...THEY ALSO DIED Globally, policing remains one of the most dangerous occupations. Police officers, by the nature of their profession, routinely come into contact with violent criminals and are exposed to risky situations. In Nigeria, police homicide has become a serious problem as the recorded number of police deaths in the line of duty is increasing nationally.
SERGEANT SUAIBU SUNDAY
On March 21, 2019, when the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police embarked on antikidnapping operation in Plateau State, they came back with one man down. According to police authorities, 40-year-old Sgt Shaibu Sunday was killed by the villains during a fierce gun battle.
BY ISIOMA USIADE
CHUKWUDI IBOKO and SUNDAY AGBO
PAUL AKPU
They are described by many Nigerians as heroes after a viral video showed Iboko gunning down one of the four armed robbers who attacked a bank in Imo State in February 2017. Sadly Iboko got shot during the incident and died two months after. IGP Idris Ibrahim dedicated the mega office complex in honour of the officers as a result of their selfless service in the Nigeria Police Force to inspire other officers to put such valiant effort in the discharge of their various duties. According to IGP Idris, the officers were honoured because they are patriotic to the discharge of their duties. He said, “The officers have shown serious Commitment in delivering their gallant duty while they are on duty and the Nigeria Police force will never forget them.”
During the #endsars protest, some hoodlums under the guise of #EndSARS protesters in Ebonyi state, allegedly murdered a police inspector. On October 21, the first of the protest in the state, two policemen sustained bullet injuries and two days later one of the victims, Akpu died while on admission at Alex-Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki. In the Course of the Numerous Fights against Deadly and Notorious Criminals across the Country, the IRT Unit lost 10 Officers directly in the line of duty during gun battles with Armed Robbers/Kidnappers/Terrorists
SGT EMMANUEL ISTIFANU, INSPECTOR HARUNA IBRAHIM, INSP MAMMAN ABUBAKAR, INSPECTOR BERNARD ODIBO
Four policemen working with the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have died in the service of their nation. They were killed in the northern state of Kaduna by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers. Six of the kidnappers were also killed in the exchange of gunfire..
SERGEANT FELIC IGBASAN
The gallant officer attached to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT) died after sustaining multiple bullet wounds during a fierce gun duel with an eight-man notorious armed robbery gang in Abuja. Late Igbasan, who was described as the bravest and most reliable officer in the team was before his transfer to Abuja, a member of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos.
SERGEANT LANRE SANUSI
Sanusi was shot in a gun battle with the abductors of the four British citizens in Delta State and died after few days, following a surgery conducted to extract the bullet in his stomach to rectify the damage it had caused. He was one of the leading ‘field detectives’ who tracked and demystified billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuadike aka Evans.
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CORPORAL SUNDAY SAMUEL FAFOLUYI, INSPECTOR TOM MOHAMMED, INSPECTOR FRANCIS ODUBANJO and INSPECTOR ROBERT FRANCIS. Others are officers that have lost their lives in the line of duty are,
NIGERIAN POLICE MOTTO Police is Your Friend The Nigeria Police is the foremost law enforcement agency in Nigeria. The Nigerian Police force has a staff strength of more than 350,000 officers and they are currently planning to increase the force strength to 650,000. The motto of the Nigerian Police Force is “Police is your friend”. The Nigerian police have been empowered according to the law to carry out some specific functions.
THE POLICE CREST. The eagle on the crest represents strength. The crossed staves stand for office and authority. The elephant represents steadfastness and reliability.
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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
STYLE & DESIGN
1948 1948
y r o f o t s i H
1960
THEN AND NOW
NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE
BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI
The Nigeria Police Force is the principal law enforcement agency in Nigeria. It has staff deployment across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The command and control of the Nigeria Police Force is under the Inspector General of Police. For administrative ease, the Force is divided into seven (7) administrative departments, Finance and Administration; Operations; Logistics; Force Criminal Investigation Department; Training; Research and Planning; and Information and Communication Technology, each headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police. The Force is further divided into 12 operational Zonal Commands (usually comprising between two and four State Commands) and 37 State Commands including the FCT (usually comprising Area Commands which further comprises Divisions). While the zone is headed by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, the State Command is headed by a Commissioner of Police, the Area Command by an Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Division by a any officer in the Superintendent cadre. The current and 20th indigenous Inspector-General of Police is IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni. Nigeria Police was first established in 1820. In 1879, a 1200 member armed paramilitary Hausa Constabulary was formed. In 1896, the Lagos Police was established. A similar Force, the Niger Coast Constabulary was formed in Calabar in 1894 under the newly proclaimed Niger Coast Protectorate. In the north, the Royal Niger Company set up the Royal Niger Company Constabulary in 1888. When the protectorate of Northern and Southern Nigeria were proclaimed in the early 1900s, part of the Royal Niger Company Constabulary became the Northern Nigeria Police and part of the Niger Coast Constabulary became the Southern Nigeria Police. During the colonial period, most police were associated with local governments (native authorities). In the 1960s, under the First Republic, these forces were first regionalized and then nationalized. The British merged Lagos colony and the southern and northern protectorates in 1913 and named the new colony Nigeria. The northern and southern regional police forces were later merged in 1930, to form the colony’s first national police – the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). CULLED FROM THE NPF.GOV.NG
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DID YOU KNOW… The Police Force of Nigeria started in 1820. The police in Lagos was established in 1896. In the colonial era, the major part of the police was connected with the local authority. In the 1960s, during the First Republic, police forces were divided into regions and then nationalized. In the 60’s NPF officers were not armed, they carried weapons only for certain tasks or circumstances. Do you know that the colonial Nigerian police force were not allowed to use guns but only sticks to enforce the law? That is why they got the name “olópàá” from the Yoruba people which translates to “A person with a stick”
Foluke’s African Skies
STYLE & DESIGN
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9313 Sunday, November 8, 2020
STYLE & DESIGN
Some
D E M I A L C C A
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
Tips
STYLE & DESIGN
T N E G I L DIL OFFICERS BY ISIOMA USIADE
Security of life and property is the bedrock of social, economic and political stability of any nation. Over time, some of the Nigerian Police Force have shown responsibility over protection of people and properties. Even a serious dent to their reputation of later, there are still many police officers whose exemplary performance and conduct have inspired Nigerians and given them a reason to hope for a better country. Recently during the recent #endsars protest, a few officers were effectively active to ensure a peaceful protest was conducted all over the states in Nigeria. An example was an incident that happened in Abuja. During the protest, an officer deftly avoided a pandemonium taking place in an already tense, though peaceful, protest. A woman apparently took on some of the protestors by raining abuses at them for causing disruption of movement. Before the exchange escalated any further, the officer quickly whisked her away in a taxi to avoid further conflict or ignition of frayed nerves. The unnamed officer, in essence, exhibited a trait many of the protesters said is lacking in many Nigerian security operatives, after successfully coordinating the protesters on the road to continue their peaceful protest.
MUHAMMAD WAKILI
JOSEPHINE OKEME
A retired Police Officer and former Commissioner of Police in Kano State, is exemplary for his dedication to curbing crime and the abuse of hard drugs. This passion earned him the nickname Singham, a name derived from an Indian movie character. All through his time with the Police, he earned a reputation as a no-nonsense man of good character and indomitable will.
Lagos most celebrated traffic warden. A rare Police Inspector known for her exceptional performance as a traffic controller in the Yaba axis of Lagos State. She has been described by many Lagos residents as the ‘Traffic Control Queen’. Her commitment and dedication to controlling traffic at the Sabo Yaba, a duty she carries out with smiles, endeared her to motorists and commuters who hardly drive past without giving her a wave or thumbs up. She is extremely diligent and dedicated to her work. Her attitude is always pleasant, inspiring and she’s definitely a worthy ambassador of the Nigerian Police Force.
CSP TITILAYO ORIYOMIOLUWASANMI She is the Officer in charge of Lagos State Traffic charged with the duty of clearing Lagos roads of traffic, a Herculean task one must admit. The qualities she exhibits still hasn’t changed, little wonder CRAN found her worthy to take the crown. Call her the face of traffic policing in Lagos and you won’t be wrong. In her capacity as Motorpol, she has reformed the ideals of traffic policing. Since assumption of office, she has faced the task of decongesting Lagos squarely. From ensuring her officers understand that their primary assignment is to decongest traffic, to making sure they look smart in their uniforms and cordial in their dealings with motorists unlike the situation before. Oluwasanmi has also ensured that the officers are always on their duty posts to avoid giving false reports.
EZE PETER Stationed at Abakpa, Enugu State, Peter is very diligent to his work according those who nominated him for the GTBank Police Officer of The Year award. It has been said, even when I said it’s raining, he’s always there; he’s always on top of his game.
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FOR SAFE AND CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP AT
POLICE CHECKPOINT
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ESTHER AMADI A serving Police Sergeant, attached to Elimgbu Division of Rivers State Police Command, some people call her the smiling Queen, others call her cheerful, noble and dutiful Corp. She is a warden at Rumuokwrusi junction, of Port-Harcourt/Aba Expressway. She is always diligent in her work controlling traffic with pride and honour. Always smiling, very professional, very respectful. She conducts her job with dignity and respect.
DCP ABBA KYARI He has been described as Nigeria’s most accomplished detective and a gallant police officer with numerous national and international accolades. In all his Career successes, his warm heartedness, good-naturedness, amiable and charitable nature has remained his fore-bearing testament.
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
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BY ISIOMA USIADE Endeavor to slow down your vehicle. It shows that you are not reckless. It also douses suspicion that you are a criminal and may want to speed-off. Turn down the volume of your car stereo. Courtesy demands this. Besides, you are able to hear each other better. This simple act will also help you to win the confidence of the security operative.
Sequel to the complains and recent killings and brutality of citizen by police officers, the Nigerian Police have issued tips to Nigerians on how to avoid clashes with officers at a police checkpoint. The police gave the tips via their verified Twitter handle. They have urged Nigerians to avoid an unnecessary argument or challenging armed personnel on duty. They also advised Nigerians to avoid giving an unhappy impression when encountering an officer on their beat. This may go a long way in ensuring you’re on the right side of the equation in case you have an encounter with them. When approaching a security checkpoint or when flaggeddown by the Police or other security agencies these are things to do.
Keep your hands visible to avoid unnecessary suspicion or fear by the officers that you are attempting to bring out a gun or other harmful objects to attack them.
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At night, turn on the inner light of your vehicle while approaching the cops. It readily sends an unspoken message that you have nothing to hide. refuse to be cordial and give the documents asked from them by the police. As long as it is not against the law, tension can be lessened if their demands are met without fuss...as long as it is within the law. Acting belligerent might ignite unnecessary tension. It is very provocative and an unnecessary call for war. So, please play safe, stay polite as you do not know the state of mind of the officer concerned.
Be friendly and cheerful. Commend the officers especially when you see them working under very unfriendly weather conditions such as the rains, the harsh harmattan conditions, excessive heat, cold or sunshine. Endeavor to be polite even when answering questions put to you by the officers. Don’t dare or challenge an armed security man to a duel. Oftentimes, you hear of people who provoke them verbally trying to prove a point or
need the Police to come to your aid.
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Also, don’t go into a physical fight with an armed security officer. He may resort to the use of his weapon rightly or wrongly to defend himself.
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Avoid unnecessary argument with armed security personnel. There are other ways to seek redress where you feel your rights have been infringed upon. Never try to touch an officer in an unfriendly manner. He may suspect you of trying to disarm him. If you are a regular traveller or road user, make sure you have the police emergency phone numbers of the route you operate. You never can tell when an emergency situation could arise and you
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Make sure you have all your relevant car papers and desist from actions or inactions that constitute either a criminal or traffic offence. Such infractions of the law provide veritable grounds for possible charges and other forms of adversarial contact with the Police or other law enforcement agencies, including unnecessary arguments. Give the impression that you are unhappy to see an officer on his beat or that he is wasting your time. But if you do have an emergency, politely inform the officer. Don’t speed off while still being checked. Take note of the name tags, Force or Service numbers, personal description, description of weapons or patrol vehicle of the security officer especially where the officers begin to conduct themselves in unprofessional manner. 15. Seek audience with the most senior police officer at the check point if things are not working out smoothly. Politely insist to be taken to the police station if your complaint is not properly addressed.
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STYLE & DESIGN
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
M NT L H LTH DISORD R By Joanna Macgregor
Trauma, according to the American Psychological Association can be explained as an emotional response to a terrible event such as an accident, sexual violence or a natural disaster. In this case, it is watching peaceful protesters being shot at – live on social media. The #ENDSARS movement which started on the 8th of October 2020, to tackle police brutality has over time, become a maxim towards abolishing bad governance in Nigeria. The movement ignited feelings of hope for a New Nigeria which were quickly overshadowed with the Lekki Shootings on the 20th of October 2020. Many Nigerians, particularly those aged 18 - 31, witnessed the shootings in person at the Lekki/VI Toll Gate or virtually, live on social media. These shootings stirred deep emotions in young Nigerians. Many have been left shocked, overwhelmed and disillusioned as we process what might come to be the 12 most important days in postmodern Nigeria. The traumatic events of that evening cannot be undermined. With
approximately only 150 practicing psychologists, Nigeria is ill-equipped to support young people who witnessed this events and the long-term emotional and mental effects on their mind. (Concerns expressed over the meteoric rise of mental illnesses in Nigeria, 2020). Cultural attitudes have also affected the development and understanding of mental health conditions. Historically, people dealing with a mental health condition often sought help from traditional healers as it was commonly believed that they were caused by supernatural forces. While the supernatural and traditional healers do sometimes aid, scientific investigation cannot be dismissed in understanding the Nigerian mind. Because our socio-cultural landscape is indeed, different from that of western countries, scientific investigation here, requires a specific approach that accommodates our culture. Nigerian legislation is also not designed to accommodate those that need support. The 1958 Lunacy Act is the only legislation
that addresses mental health in Nigeria and it has not been revised in 62 years! This legislation is fundamentally flawed. It was enacted by British Colonizers who viewed the African man as mentally inferior, and defined mental health/ illness as lunacy. ‘Lunatics’ were often seen as criminal offenders who should be in jail, as opposed to individuals who need specialist care. This act also failed to consider cultural practices towards mental health. As a result, our legislation does not protect but in fact, violates the human rights of Nigerians. The foundations of the 1958 Lunacy Act have, over time, had long lasting effects on how we perceive mental health today. 69% of Nigerians claim that they will not associate themselves with someone who is suspected to have a mental health condition. It is also estimated that 2030% of the population are suffering from a mental health condition (Concerns expressed over the meteoric rise of mental illnesses in Nigeria, 2020). With a lack of proper policies, laws and the stigma
preventing millions of people dealing with mental health conditions from accessing help, it is fair to say that Nigeria is brewing a society of people who are disconnected from themselves. Whilst trauma in itself is not a mental health condition, it often is the source behind many of the conditions that are spoken about more widely. Those who have experienced trauma are at a higher risk of developing PTSD, depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. However, we must be proactive about building the necessary infrastructure to support those that are affected. In response to the shootings, private citizens have taken the responsibility of creating informal mental health systems: The Feminist Coalition (FemCo) posted on Instagram a mini directory of individuals willing to offer free counselling services; Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative
STYLE & DESIGN and Relate Africa have also repeated this action. Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) was set up by Victor Ugo in 2016. MANI has about 1500 volunteers who offer mental health support to individuals across the country. It is compelling to note that most of the volunteers have received support from the NGO (Adler, 2020). It shows that cultural attitudes towards mental health are changing with the younger demographic and there is a sense of community spirited action. They are upskilling themselves through continuous knowledge sharing which in turn, creates individuals who can cope with trauma. With 9/10 healthcare professionals seeking job opportunities outside the country and an estimated ratio of one physician to 4,000 - 5,000 patients, Nigeria is facing a mental health crisis (Mbamalu, 2020). NGOs like MANI have managed to build an effective informal mental health system but it still, unfortunately, does not come close to solving the entire problem. There is a gap in professional help which needs to be filled. In a country of over 200 million people, there is only so much NGOs and private citizens can do. Policies and laws need to be developed to see a solidified cultural change. In the pursuit of hope, one begins to wonder what active steps are necessary
BY USIADE ISIOMA to complete the rebirth of Nigeria. Our choices without the government’s help and support are limited. I am tired of seeing many of us cry about dysfunctional systems in Nigeria. But we must not lose hope. We must take on the responsibility of educating ourselves on mental health whether this is through reading, going to webinars, donating or simply having the conversations. We must not hoard our knowledge but share it with our community. It is these small steps that will slowly, but surely, create the New Nigeria we all dream of. References: healthnews.ng. 2020. Concerns Expressed Over The Meteoric Rise Of Mental Illnesses In Nigeria. [online] Available at: <http://www. healthnews.ng/concerns-expressed-over-themeteoric-rise-of-mental-illnesses-in-nigeria/> [Accessed 6 November 2020]. Mbamalu, S., 2020. Nigeria Has A Mental Health Problem. [online] Aljazeera.com. Available at: <https://www.aljazeera.com/ economy/2019/10/2/nigeria-has-a-mentalhealth-problem> [Accessed 6 November 2020]. Nigeriahealthwatch.com. 2020. [online] Available at: <https://nigeriahealthwatch.com/ wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/2020/01/ MENTAL-HEALTH-IN-NIGERIA-SURVEYConducted-by-Africa-Polling-Institute-andEpiAFRIC-January-2020-REPORT.pdf> [Accessed 6 November 2020]. Adler, N., 2020. People, Heal Thyselves: Nigeria’s New Mental Illness Approach. [online] the Guardian. Available at: <https://www. theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/25/peopleheal-thyselves-nigerias-new-mental-illnessapproach> [Accessed 6 November 2020].
The fashion world is a world that is full of interesting facts. We often hear that everything old is new again, especially when it comes to historical fashion trends. They come back in a bizarre manner, with ridiculous outfits, and out-of-this-world updates. Some of them don’t really take root in fashion, while others become a new era, metaphorizing some old-fashioned yet decent pieces of clothing in an absolutely different way. we’re going to have a look at some weird fashion trends from history.
FASHION
FACTS
1920’S: FLAPPER DRESS
The flapper dress rose to popularity during the 1920s. The drop waist shift style accompanied by the decorative beads, fringe, and other embellishments added playful elements to the dress that reflected the exuberance of the decade. The societal shift was a perfect timing for the flapper dress to make an unconventionally stylish statement, along with the short bob hairstyle that was often worn in conjunction with the dress.
1930’S: EVENING GOWNS
Do you long for a naturally gorgeous complexion, do you wish that you had absolutely beautiful, glowing skin? Follow the do’s and don’ts on how to nurture and protect your skin so that it looks amazing always. BY USIADE ISIOMA
THE GOLDEN RULE
Do: Make sure you always remove your makeup before
hitting the sheets. The skin needs to breathe overnight. And makeup prevents that, as leaving it on overnight clogs the pores which may cause blemishes and/or blackheads. If you don’t have a makeup remover, just put some olive oil on a cotton pad and gently massage the oil onto your face to get rid of the makeup and dirt.
Don’t: Forget that exfoliation is indispensable. At least once
D N A S DO S T ’ N O D
for
Y L L A R U NATUTIFUL SKIN
BEA
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or twice a week, exfoliate your skin to remove the layers of dead skin, sure to leave you with a healthier glow and brighter skin. You can also apply a paste of walnut in powder form with yogurt to exfoliate your skin, as the antioxidants present in walnuts help remove dirt and promote radiant skin.
SUN AND SKIN
Do: Apply sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 that blocks
both UVA and UVB rays. Since a lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems, you have to protect your skin from the sun. Make sure the label reads ‘noncomedogenic’ or ‘no acnegenic’ so that the product does not tend to block pores.
Don’t: Skip the sunscreen, whether it’s cloudy or cold
outside. If you’re heading to a beach or around reflective surfaces, lather your skin up with some more sunscreen with SPF of at least 30.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
Do: Keep a note of what you put on your plate. Eat fresh fruits, greens, sufficient protein and vitamins. A diet rich in vitamin C and low in fats and sugar promotes radiant skin. Consider a low-sugar diet, which can keep insulin levels down, allowing cells to maintain a healthy balance. Don’t: Eat spicy and fermented
foods, salt, citrus fruits, fried food. Instead favour blander foods such as rice, oatmeal and apple sauce.
SWEAT IT OUT!
Do: Exercise regularly. Running, jogging and yoga will give your body the necessary blood circulation, and also accelerate the cleansing process of your entire body. You will notice a glow on your face after working out. If you’re racing against time, just take a brisk walk around the block. Don’t: Skip skincare before and
after a workout. Apply a toner to help minimize oil production before heading out. Exfoliate after, and then apply shea butter or olive oil to moisturize the skin.
BEAUTY SLEEP
Do: Try to sleep at least eight hours
every night. If you don’t get enough shut eye, your skin gets tired just like you - it sags and you get bags. So, don’t risk it. You can also apply honey on your face twice or thrice a week to naturally soothe and heal your skin.
Don’t: Forget to wash and moisturize your face before going to bed. For dry skin, use milder cleansers that are free from alcohol. Apply lots of moisturizer, and avoid hot water as it dries out the skin excessively. H2O TO THE RESCUE
Do: Hydrate yourself. Drink lots of water daily, at least eight glasses if not more. Also, eat fruits and vegetables that have a high-water content such as watermelon, cucumber, orange, strawberry, grapefruit and cantaloupe. Don’t: Ignore rose water. It helps prevent and reduce eye puffiness in the morning, maintains pH balance and naturally hydrates your skin if you spritz it on during the day. H2O TO THE RESCUE
Do: Hydrate yourself. Drink lots of water daily, at least eight glasses if not more. Also, eat fruits and vegetables that have a high-water content such as watermelon, cucumber, orange, strawberry, grapefruit and cantaloupe. Don’t: Ignore rose water. It helps
prevent and reduce eye puffiness in the morning, maintains pH balance and naturally hydrates your skin if you spritz it on during the day.
THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9320 Sunday, November 15, 2020
Many consider the 1930s the “Golden Age of Glamour.” Given the socioeconomic context in the years following the Great Depression, this decade was all about accessible extravagance which caused the readyto-wear market to explode within the U.S. Old Hollywood stars would be pictured on the silver screen wearing long, backless evening gowns made of silk, velvet, or chiffon and would emulate a desirable fantasy that many American women wanted to imitate in their own lives.
1930’S: FUR STOLE
By the 1930s, fur in fashion had become more commonplace in everyday society. The price of fur began to climb, and it was seen as a luxury to own a piece of fur in your wardrobe. While fur coats were more popular towards the beginning of the 20th century, styles began to shrink and shorten as they became more acceptable to wear during the daytime.
1940’S: BOILER SUITS
In December 1941, the U.S. officially entered WWII. Thousands of men were drafted into the war, thus leaving a huge need for more women to enter the workforce. From office to factory jobs, women began taking over the positions previously occupied by men. These new positions required workwear clothing that was specifically designed for women’s bodies. They began wearing boiler suits, or coveralls in occupations that required more physically demanding work. These boiler suits were typically made of denim or heavyweight
cotton canvas, featured buttons down the front, and were generally loose-fitting throughout, making them easy to get in and out of. The industrial look of these suits changed the course of womenswear over the next several decades. Not only were women proving that they could do typically male dominated jobs, but that their wardrobe didn’t have to be so restricting either.
1940’S: CHRISTIAN DIOR’S NEW LOOK
Christian Dior’s New Look collection that debuted in 1947 introduced a new silhouette that would soon take over the fashion world. The structured shoulders, accentuated waistline, and voluminous layered skirt demonstrated a distinct visual contrast to pre-war styles. Many of the garments in this collection influenced the direction that fashion took, and soon Dior’s feminine New Look was imitated in boutiques all over the world.
1950’S: PETER PAN COLLAR
The swinging circle skirts of the 1950s were often paired with an elegant peter pan collar. The flat design paired with the rounded corners added depth to the garments. Originating in New York, it was designed specifically for costumes in the production of Peter and Wendy back in 1905. The name of the play-turned-classic Disney movie stuck with the style over time, and remained a customary addition to several types of garments during the following decades.
1960’S: PILLBOX HAT
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was the epitome of elegance in the early ‘60’s. Her head-to-toe looks were absolutely pristine, including her iconic pillbox hat. The piece of headwear designed for her by Halston became one of her signature look. As one of America’s most prominent style icons at the time, the trend soon followed suit in everyday womenswear collections throughout the country and beyond.
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