Allure vanguard october 7th edition

October 7, 2012

e c n e d n e p e d In Edition!

MARYAM ABACHA

LATE STELLA OBASANJO

FATI ABUBAKAR

The swinging

turai yar’adua

60’s

MARIAM BABANGIDA

DOWN MEMORY LANE;

PATIENCE JONATHAN

Office of the First Lady To be or not to be?

FASHIONISTAS THEN and NOW MIXED PRINTS

CHIC!

FASHION 3

October 7-13, 2012

FEATURES 12

• Mixed Prints Chic

ON THE COVER

• First date etiquette for women (part II)

4-5

THIS WEEK

Inside 13 - Why people in their fifties and above need love

• Evolving trends from the 60’s

BEAUTY 14

• The Swinging Sixities

• Best skin care products for women in their 50’s

PEOPLE 15 6

• Down memory lane; Fashionstas then and now...

• Elite Model Look Nigeria 2012

•Thrills and Frills at Arthur Guinness Celebration2012

My daughter thinks I’m nosy.

At least that’s what she says in her diary.

Charles Smith

Sally Joplin

PHOTOGRAPHY Moussa Moussa. DRESS Hollies. JEWELRY Cephas. MAKE-UP Azuka Mordi

When God created two sexes, He may have been overdoing it.

Woman’s first duty is to her dressmaker. What her second duty is no one has yet discovered.

Oscar Wilde

Remember when I told you I didn’t love you no more?

Well, I lied.

...From the days of the colonial masters when Lady Flora Lugard christened Nigeria till date, Nigeria’s presidents have never lacked for a woman to be First Lady. Even General Yakubu Gowon who was a Bachelor at some point, quit Bachelorhood during the Civil war by marrying the beautiful Victoria Gowon, a nurse.

Robert Cray

CNN, last week, showed latest pictures of our Universe. The awesomeness of the airspace, the similarities of the earth to other planets is remarkable. Indeed, and the earth is but a speck in the galaxy. The awesomeness of God is humbling in the face of so great a revelation.

All this new awareness brought to us by technology, made possible by the brilliance and vision of scientists and leaders of the western world. You know, nothing much has changed about us. Just as in the days of colonies, we are largely as irrelevant as we had been, as if the day never blinked. While the rest of the world moved on into space, we are still jostling in our greed for mirrors, fine wine, fabrics and such stupid, mundane things that satisfy self alone. When will we ever get it? That a country’s independence goes beyond hoisting a flag. Fifty two years after ours fluttered, our development has slipped way behind when Her Majesty the Queen bade us good luck. What is the matter with us? Both leaders and followers are culpable. We are all guilty.

The blame game must stop. The question is: how do we proceed from here. What, if any, is the vision of the present leader? Will he, like Soharto did in Indonesia, turn Nigeria into the giant of Africa we often mouth? His body language will hint but history will judge. I pray not harshly. In our special edition, we take a retrospective look at the innocuous office of first lady and ask: do we really need it? Jemi Ekunkunbor investigates.

On our fashion pages, we look at trends that were at Independence (in 1960) that still rock today. See ‘Evolving trends from the 60’s’, pp 4&5 Happy Independence Nigeria!

Have a great week, Nigerians!

7 - 10

Remmy

EDITOR REMMY DIAGBARE DEPUTY EDITOR JEMI EKUNKUNBOR ASST. EDITOR YEMISI SULEIMAN CONTRIBUTORS PRINCESS KATE EMIKO ANGELA OLU-AJETUNMOBI FOLAKE AKINOLA JEROME CODJO-YAOVI ONIPEDE

CONT. EDITOR LATASHA NGWUBE COPY EDITOR DD WILLIAMS-WEST CORRESPONDENTS FATIMA GARBA DAVINA AYODELE LAYOUT/DESIGNS REMI OGUNTEGBE ISAIAH AMUPITAN PHOTO OSCAR OCHIOGU

Printed and published by Vanguard Media Ltd Vanguard Avenue Kirikir Canal; P.M.B 1007 Apapa, Lagos.

For advertisement / enquiries, call JANET: 0803715691, OGE: 08039777910

Fashion now is all about being bold; neon shoes, bold colours and bright prints are all there to make this season’s style bright as ever.

However the new trend coming down the catwalks is mixing differing prints from head to toe, as seen on the model below. It seems like one of the scariest trends to attempt, but once you get a handle on print mixing, it can change your whole style for the better.

MIXED PRINTS

Chic

by - Yemisi Suleiman

Scale Scale is very important when mixing prints. The mixed prints should be of same scale or size in order to look good together. Start with simpler prints like stripes and polka dot to get more comfortable with mixing prints then go for bolder and more complex prints.

Floral and Soft Stripes Look for a floral print that’s a little more colorful and stripes in a neutral tone for maximum cohabit- ability.

Mixing Prints with Black Black is a neutral and classic color but it doesn’t always work with bright prints as it looks too heavy and out of the color scheme. But you can wear solid black if your printed item is in dark colors or includes black.

October 7, 2012

NIKE OSHINOWO

Stay In Same Colour Family As with colour blocking, to pull off mixed prints wear them in colors of same color family. This will help you coordinate them better and keep the look bold yet not over-the-top. Start with neutral colors and then when you are more confident with mixing prints try brighter colors.

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Afro

G N I V L EVO s

Shift Dress

renthed Tfrom

60’s

by - Fatima Garba

Fifty two years ago on October 1,1960, Nigeria gained independence as a nation, joining other African countries who had regained freedom from their colonial masters.

The 50s and 60s were great fashion decades in Nigeria fashion was aimed specifically at the elites, Designers targeted their inexpensive clothes to suit the urban lifestyle of these people.

This was the era as one of fashion revolution in the Nigerian nation. As Nigerian women began to identify with our traditional prints and other fabrics,high society women wore prints, they were able to influence the dressing pattern of other women. Nigerians were able to create many innovative styles using traditional African fabrics,with the ankara pleated skirts,shift dresses and a designed adaptation of the traditional up and down style(popularly known as pro and buba),the boubou and kaftan was also added to the creative ability.Nigerians can boast of an identity in the ankara and through the inexpensive colourful fabric, our culture has been preserved. We can confidently wear the ankara or adire or aso oke designed in any style all over the world.

Fashion has evolved with time and the Nigerian fashion industry has boomed.The trends of back in the days are still in existence and we find ourselves wearing them because they are back in season.The only difference is they have a more modern touch to them. Most fashionables we find around now are alluring in one way or the other to the 60s and 70s.Fashion works in a cyclic manner; it goes round into extinction only to resurface much later like a ghost from the past.

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Mini Dress October 7, 2012

FA S H I ON

Sunglasses

The

Swinging Sixities

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FA S H I O N

DOWN MEMORY LANE; FASHIONISTAS THEN, AND NOW….. by - Fatima Garba In the last 5 decades we have celebrities, Style Icons who have kept the large majority of us enraptured with their, clothing, make up and general appearance.

Women who have not failed to wow us each time they step out of their homes. Chief [Mrs.] Opral Benson, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, Princess Abah Folawiyo, Grace Egbagbe, have been constant in their style. And we love….

Our Celebs are innovators, pioneers, who have achieved great things while giving back to the community around them.They are women of Style who have shown grace and intelligence in all that their endeavor’s. We salute and celebrate them as they now mark 52. . doyin abiola

. . .

N A M O W H S THE STYLI Chief (Mrs) Opra Benson

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florence ita-giwa Grace Egbagbe

A woman h lis sty is not a fanatic followle er of fashion. In fact, sty inth wi is mostly associated reveal a dividuality; it helps to ood and person’s character, m womeven dreams. A stylish g that an is good at choosin ich kind of clothes wh ideally fits her.

abba folawiyo

REPORTAGE

OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY To be or not to be?

By - Jemi Ekunkunbor

Queen Elizabeth with Tafawa Balewa

Central Bank of-Nigeria, ten shillings

Colonial Nigeria (Military Uniform)

Colonial Hospital, Lagos

Nigeria Highcourt in colonial era

Lord Luggard

Colonial Troops of the first battalion, Nigeria

Herbert-SamuelHeelas-Macaulay

From the days of the colonial masters when Lady Flora Lugard christened Nigeria till date, Nigeria’s presidents have never lacked for a woman to be First Lady. Even General Yakubu Gowon who was a Bachelor at some point, quit Bachelorhood during the Civil war by marrying the beautiful Victoria Gowon, a nurse. Before her were Mrs Flora Azikiwe, Mrs Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi and the ever humble, Mrs Ajoke Mohammed. While the first two women were content to be wives of presidents, attending state functions where necessary, they never went beyond that. For Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi and Mrs. Ajoke Murtala-Muhammad, their time in the state house was short lived as both husbands were assassinated less than a year in office.

October 7, 2012

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REPORTAGE

But things took a different turn in 1985, when General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida took over power as military head of state. His wife, late Mariam Babangida, the elegant beauty from Asaba, took the supportive role. A fantastic dresser with her characteristic head gear which she perched gingerly like a turban on her head, Mrs Babangida brought style

S

ince the appointment of Dame Patience Jonathan as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education in Bayelsa State by the Bayelsa State government and her acceptance of same, the very active wife of the president Goodluck Jonathan, has come under serious criticism. Her incongruous acceptance of the appointment has drawn of the president, making people wonder what any woman who has attained such President, would still want to do with being a permanent secretary in her riverine home state.

While Dame Patience may not be the

social activities at state and private levels coupled with her unsmooth oratory skill, has made her perhaps the one and only First Lady that has become the butt of jokes often circulated around in the different social media especially he blackberry chat..

From the days of the colonial masters when Lady Flora Lugard christened never lacked for a woman to be First Lady.

Even General Yakubu Gowon who was a

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Bachelor at some point, quit Bachelorhood during the Civil war by marrying the beautiful Victoria Gowon, a nurse. Before her were Mrs Flora Azikiwe, Mrs Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi and the ever humble, Mrs Ajoke were content to be wives of presidents, attending state functions where necessary, they never went beyond that.

For Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi and Mrs. Ajoke Murtala-Muhammad, their time in the state house was short lived as both husbands were assassinated less than a

became a power broking one and a part of the polity. Having brought her personality establish the Better Life for Rural Women programme. like hers looked down to relate with the plight of the local women, endeared her to many in a great way. Unlike the other behind her project. With her personality, she attracted intelligent women who the committee that drove the project.

It was a period in which Nigeria witnessed very simple, cultured and admirable First Ladies who were content to support their husbands from the rear.

In spite of their poor visibility, their support

be conscious of themselves and the need to be empowered. To say that she left a mark will be stating the obvious. The

Mrs Victoria Gowon to have aided in bringing respect and honour to the nursing profession to which she belonged.

In this category also were wives of Sir Abubarkar Tafawa Balewa, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and General Muhammadu

same again neither were the women she laboured hard to emancipate.

Since then, wives of subsequent heads of state both military and civilian and even wives of governors, have taken a cue from the late Mariam and now to glamorize the position, making little or no impact at all on the lives of those they claim to

and were hardly or ever seen at state functions. A leader like General Buhari, had more than one wife but none made it to a TV screen or rallies organized for the empowerment of women! They never got drunk with their husbands public positions and so they were not known to Nigerians but they were there all the while

unrivaled role was largely attributed to her personality that towered higher above her good height.

By the time General Sani Abacha

October 7, 2012

REPORTAGE

Unfortunately, because of the reputation of her husband who was a despot, her project, the Family Support Programme (FSP) was like a shadow behind that of Mariam Babangida. At this time, it was obvious that what the nation needed most urgently was a quick return to civilian rule more than any support to the Nigerian family. Whatever good she intended to do with the Family Support Programme,

Justice Fati Abubakar wife of the General Abdussalami Abubakar, dared and one time Attorney General of Niger State, and a current judge with the High Court of Niger State, she pursued her career and was not carried away with the glamour and fanfare associated with the the Women Right Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) as a pet project; and used her legal background

women. Unlike other pet projects by First Ladies that are run like a parallel arm of government, WRAPA till date remains a Non Governmental Organization with

success stories trailing it. Amongst Nigerian First Ladies, she remains

and her legion of aids. State resources and personnel are deployed to service

respect from many Nigerians especially also because her husband was the only military head of state who voluntarily handed over power to a civilian presidentan action that is very well acknowledged.

After a long spell of military rule, Mrs Stella Obasanjo emerged as the wife of a democratically elected president.

Glamorous but not in the league of late Mariam Babangida, Mrs Obasanjo, also initiated a project, the Child Trust Foundation through which she touched some lives. It was a project she pursued passionately and one for which she would be fondly remembered. Unfortunately, she died shortly before her 60th birthday following complications from a cosmetic

for what the constitutions stipulates. So seriously has she taken her current state

lady to die while her husband still held sway as president.

Turai Ya Adua would have been a strong character but her conservative religious leaning kept her reserved. On

and roads closed because of them.

October 7, 2012

do with her pet project Women for Change from her project.

The question many Nigerians would like to ask is, do we really need such an

Dr Joe OkeiOdumakin president, Women Arise, says,

DR JOE OKEIODUMAKIN

lady in a country and the position was Unfortunately, she could not do much as she had her hands full with a husband who was terminally ill. Perhaps to

In other climes, wives of leaders of state and heads of governments, support charity causes that help in enhancing the causes their husbands are pursuing. They do not travel blaring sirens, causing

can enjoy certain perks when they leave

Lady, says a Lagos lawyer who would not want his name mentioned in print. In the American constitution from which Nigeria Lady is not a groundnorm and even in the successive constitution in Nigeria, there is

to be headed by her. This singular action became a minus for her as she sparked the fury of Nigerians. Whatever plans she had to pursue any project as part of her demise of her husband, an unassuming president who fought to establish the rule of law in Nigeria.

The current First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan is a force to reckon with in Nigeria today. Since her husband became president, she took off in full throttle, showing herself to all Nigerians as she moved around from one public and state function to another. When she enters a city, the city is literally shut down until that function is through. Air spaces are closed while security operatives take over streets to make for easy passage for her

added.

For Mr Fred Agbaje, a Lagos based constitutional lawyer and human have no qualms with the president MR FRED AGBAJE giving some roles to his wife to help him in the administration the whole essence of marriage. So you cannot assume that because you are the president, you now do away with

without glamorizing it on the pages of the

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REPORTAGE

her husband, he however frowns at the

to a legal and constitutional anathema and heretical. It violates the moral code whole phenomenon of First Lady, he started with Babangida and now, it has assumed an embarrassing dimension in which the wife of the president has become even more powerful than the president himself because she is no longer playing the role of a wife but a co president. And that is why many of them are landing in hospitals because they are over working themselves

not operate under any legal framework, where do they get all the resources to

understand her limits and her project should not compete with government projects like the Better Life for Rural Women programme that was alleged to be DIFFRI at that time.

Lady should help give a human face to whatever project the president is pursuing.

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being sustained by public funds. Again Dr Joe Okei –Odumakin says,

Mr Fred Agbaje also agrees. He says,

.

In other climes, wives of leaders of state and heads of governments, support charity causes that help in enhancing the causes their husbands are pursuing.

They do not travel blaring sirens,

understand her limits and her project should not compete with government projects like the Better Life for Rural Women programme that was alleged Food Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DIFFRI) at that time.

be blamed on the athletes but on the system that produced them. When a man like Clemens Westerhof brought his personality to bear on football in Nigeria, the Africa Cup of Nations and putting up a brilliant performance at the World Cup in 1994. The foundation laid by him

years after under the watchful eyes of Coach Bonfere Jo. If the constitution is properly put in perspective, it should be able to correct

give a human face to whatever project the president is pursuing.

In the current dispensation, it appears that in spite of the efforts of the current

husbands themselves have a role to play to step up their game in not only providing good leadership but also providing basic amenities that would

within herself. There is a need for the

situation is when a First Lady sends a serving minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to represent her at a function.

Only recently, questions were raised whether a situation like this is acceptable following a serving minister, Mrs Sarah Reng Achekpe who was sent by the current First Lady to represent her at the book launch on President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta. Instances like

particularly since it is not an elected the constitution.

As it is, having taken a look at the role of the Past First Ladies, one can argue not constitutionally recognized is not the problem. The problem perhaps, resides with the Nigerian system and the way we do things. There is always a Nigerian factor that gives a wrong correlation showing at the recently concluded London Olympic games, could not

to task over indiscriminate abuse of power. The question no one can yet answer is how far can Dame Patience Jonathan go as First Lady and also as

October 7, 2012

HEALTHY LIVING101 by - Teri Mendes

HEA L T H

e t o u Q of the week

The appearance of a disease is swift as an arrow; its disappearance slow, like a thread - Chinese Proverb

GOOD BYE UNDER-EYE BAGS! Part 1 What ages you most? Surprisingly, it’s not wrinkles or gray hair, but dark circles under your eyes. Dark circles under eyes usually aren’t a sign of exhaustion or serious illness, though they can make you feel old, unhealthy and tired. Dark circles under eyes affect both men and women, often starting in adulthood, although children can develop dark circles under eyes, too. Dark circles under eyes aka raccoon eyes or under eye bags can be an absolute annoyance, emanating from different ways, stress and tiredness being the number 1 culprits. Today I have put together ways you can minimize the appearance of dark circles under your eyes and in some cases remove them completely;

Remedies for Dark Circles under Eyes

1 2

Wear dark sunglasses wearing sunglasses will protect your skin and eye area from melanin changes.

Get Your Beauty Sleep Get plenty of sleep nightly.

It’s not entirely clear why inadequate sleep results in dark circles under the eyes, but lack of sleep tends to cause the skin to become paler (thus increasing the appearance of darkness under the eyes), and reduces circulation. It’s also believed that too little time lying down is a cause in itself. Before going to bed at night, I always remove all eye makeup. If you don’t do so, when you get older, your eyes can look much more tired on a daily basis. >> Determine how much sleep you need (it’s usually 7-9 hours per night, but varies for different people at different times throughout their lives). Try to get that amount regularly for a couple of weeks to see if that helps. >> Alcohol and drugs can adversely affect the quality of your sleep. Abstain from these products or use them only in moderation for best results. >> Get adequate vitamins that assist sleep. A lack of sleep, coupled with poor vitamin

absorption tends to reduce adrenal function. The less adrenal function you have, the less B6 you tend to absorb. The less B6 you absorb, the less your adrenal glands function and you end up in a vicious circle. Sleep, regular vitamins (where needed), good calcium/magnesium support in the form of eating a lot of greens (which are higher in calcium and magnesium than dairy products are) and a good mineral supplement restores adrenal function.

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Avoid rubbing your eyes Usually rubbing of the eyes is brought on by allergies, but not always. It can also be an anxious habit or a reflex action. Regardless of the reason, it’s best to stop doing it because the rubbing irritates the skin and can break the tiny capillaries underneath, causing both puffiness and discoloration.

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Taking your vitamins regularly A whole host of cosmetic problems can be attributed to vitamin deficiencies. Dark circles and puffiness are often attributed to lack of vitamin K or inadequate antioxidants. Also, a deficiency in B12 (usually anemia-related) can result in dark circles. Apply an eye cream containing vitamin K and retinol. Dark circles may be caused by a deficiency of vitamin K. Regardless of the cause; skin creams containing these two ingredients reduce puffiness and discoloration significantly in many people. Long-term daily use seems to have the greatest effect.

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Fix nasal congestion Believe it or not, but a blocked nose can result in dark circles under your eyes because the veins that drain from your eyes to your nose are darkened and dilated.

So to avoid those bags dear readers get that nasal congestion fixed ASAP!

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Cut out the Excess Salt Salt causes the body to retain water in unusual places, and this can result in puffiness under the eyes. Too

TERI Speaks Good Morning Teri, Please how do we prevent the dark armpits because I do shave mine.

Thank You NG

much salt can also impair your circulation and cause the blood vessels under the skin to appear blue/red.

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Drink water Drinking water always helps, but when it comes to blackness under the eye it really does work. It also helps you relax because it is a soothing drink. Having said this, it’s important not to drink too many fluids before bedtime. This can contribute / add to bags under your eyes.

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Relax Relaxing might help remove sources of stress and anxiety that are preventing you from sleeping, eating and resting properly. In turn, relaxing enough will help your eye skin to improve as you feel less stressed and more at ease. Skin tends to reflect a whole host of emotional and physical ailments so don’t dismiss the need to relax lightly.

TO BE CONTINUED next week...

HARD FACTS!

There are some causes to undereye circles you can’t do much to reverse, unfortunately, these include: • Pigmentation irregularities - These can cause darker circles under the eyes.

• Sun exposure - This can increase melanin production.

• Heredity- Establish whether or not this condition runs in your family, as under-eye dark circles are believed to frequently be hereditary. This doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything about the conditions, but you should be prepared for minimal success when trying to get rid of them.

For comments and questions please email terimendes@gmail. com, @terimendes. I would love to hear from you, till next week for part II - it’s ta ta for now! XOXO

Dear NG, Thanks for writing in. Hope you were able to find a solution to questions from Last week Sunday’s article which had preventative steps to dark pits.

I always say avoid too much use of hair removing creams and eventually you will notice that your under arms will start to lighten. These hair removing agents contain acids that can darken the skin.

Let me know how you get on. And keep writing in!

Best wishes, Teri M.

F E ATU R E

Miss Manners with - Ngozi Chantal Caulcrick

First Date Etiquette For Women - Part 2

Hello ladies, today, we will continue with last week’s talk on first date etiquette for women. If you did go on a date last week, I hope you were etiquette compliant.

First Impressions You only ever get the chance to make one first impression on a first date, so make it a good one. Have some safe but friendly conversational openers, make eye contact, and be prepared to be guided through the opening scenes but not led.

Date Conversation Unless your first date is at a music concert or a soccer game, conversation is paramount and is the start of getting to know each other. You need to find a correct balance of being interesting as well as being interested.

This means it’s not all about you. Good feminine conversation means that it should be a back and forth exchange of information with you both talking about yourselves and your lives – alternating with asking each other questions.

As a lady, be complimentary to your date without being effusive, and show genuine interest in what he has to say.

Remember, only by finding out more about the man you’re talking to will you find out if he has the potential to be Mr Right.

One definite no no for a first date conversation is ex boyfriends. A traipse through past disasters or a trip down bad date really isn’t suitable. And if your date happens to bring the subject up, keep your responses as light and non committal as possible.

Side step any comparison of previous dates or boyfriends even if you’re trying to back-handedly pay the current date partner a compliment.

It is also important that you maintain your honesty and feminine integrity during conversations. Don’t answer your date’s questions or remarks with the responses you think your date will want to hear, or make anything up.

If you have a second date, you’ll not have to worry about 12

anything you said on your first date, and carry on any deceit, half truths or white lies – because you wouldn’t have told any.

Eating and Drinking No matter how nervous you are, relaxing yourself with alcohol is so not the way to prepare for a first date! Neither is drinking during the actual date. Excessive drinking by a woman is not only a major turnoff for men, but also doesn’t show you in your best light. Drinking excessively on that first date is never classy. The confident feminine woman refuses to lower her guard like that, and in extreme cases, you could end up simply embarrassing yourself.

Dining out can be a bit of a first date etiquette minefield. No matter your personal views on whether a man should pay for dinner, you should not go out with this expectation.

Your date could have a completely different viewpoint. When it’s time to pay, offer to make a contribution.. if you’ve found the right man for you he’ll hopefully act according to how you want him to.

You may be an old fashioned girl with old fashioned values, but women’s lib has set the tone for men to believe that female equality means you split the bills.

The Golden Rule Above all, there is one simple overriding rule of first date etiquette to remember, and that is, be yourself. You go girl, and have great fun!

Ngozi Chantal Caulcrick is a business image coach, trained and certified by the Protocol School Of Washington. She offers seminars in Business Etiquette and Protocol Intelligence, as well as Fine Dining Skills. You can reach her on courtneyinglis1@gmail.com

October 7, 2012

F EA T U R E

Get Captivated by - Jerome Onipede WHY PEOPLE IN THEIR FIFTIES AND ABOVE NEED LOVE II will like to congratulate all Nigerians for the Independence Anniversary. Fifty-two years of independence is worth celebrating, just like an individual who is in his or her 50s is worth celebrating, because this is a period of looking back and counting achievements with gratitude to God. If at this stage a nation or an individual has nothing much to celebrate, it’s obvious it’ll not be a time to point accusing fingers, but a time to look within and reflect. I believe the reason most nations and people may not celebrate at this stage is because they didn’t plan to celebrate at this stage.

Celebrations don’t just happen, they are usually planned for. Celebrations don’t just happen, they happen as a result of an event thoroughly prepared for; like graduation from school, birth of a new child, a wedding, the launch of a new product, a landmark in technology etc. All these could be planned for because they all have expected life spans. If you get into school, depending on your level, you already know how long you will need to study before you graduate. All you then need to do is to put in everything at your disposal into school work and ensure that you graduate with something worth celebrating.

If you are expecting a child, you already have an idea how long you will be pregnant for before the baby is born and you celebrate. If you have just started a relationship with the intention of getting married, if nothing seems to be happening after a while, people are going to start asking you what is happening, because they know courtship is not forever.

If a nation gains independence, it is expected of her, at some point in time, to put certain things in place to show how independent she has really become. Then, she can move from one level of celebration to another; one of such things is the ability of her people to find freedom to grow and become all they can be. If we focus on developing human resource and not expending natural resource, we will as, a nation, always have something to celebrate at every Independence anniversary.

As a counsellor, coach and match maker, I have realized that most people who were born during the period Nigeria gained independence are struggling like Nigeria seems to be struggling in areas where she should have long recorded so much success.

So many of these people are ‘no longer at ease’ because of deprivation and are going against every value they once stood for.

Most of them have resorted to cutting corners, because they wonder why they should live with less in a land of plenty. For them, it has become ‘every man to himself and God for us all’ so, in the abundance of our self centeredness (which is the cause of sin), the love of many has gone cold.

Yet, I see where our problem as a nation lies: we keep seeing Nigeria as ‘a land of plenty’ rather than ‘a land of plenty people’, so we seem to be showing

October 7, 2012

much love for the natural resources than the human resource. We keep fighting to acquire more and more of some of the natural resources, hoping that it will develop us as a people and a nation, not realizing that it is when we put so much into loving and developing the human resource that the land itself can be developed.

There are so many nations who don’t have as much natural resource as we have, yet are more developed than we are because, for them, it’s about the people and nothing else. I advise that we try that.

We need to focus more on human resource because people have what it takes to live longer now due to breakthroughs in medicine, technology etc. If people are going to live longer, then we can as well start planning for them to live well while they are still alive.

My father, Anthony Kwaovi Onipede, died at 65 not because he couldn’t have lived much longer, but because Dora Akunyili had not come to NAFDAC then. So, while he was ill and was receiving treatment at a hospital, most of the drugs he was treated with were fake drugs imported into the country. As I write my mother is 80 years old (she was 61 when my father died). I did not know she would live this long after my father’s demise; but at what expense?

A report published in the British Medical Journal stated that people living without a partner have twice the risk of developing cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease later in life. The study also found that the risk was even higher if people did not have a partner at mid-life, suggesting that single life carries the greatest risk for deteriorating mental health.

A socially engaging lifestyle is known to protect against cognitive decline with age, and interventions that encourage social engagement and stimulating intellectual activity have been shown to enhance cognitive function.

There is no known cure for age-related cognitive dysfunction, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. With the prediction that these disorders will become some of the most significant causes of ill health in coming years, the content of this report offers hope.

It has been shown previously that a healthy lifestyle, diet, and regular physical activity protects against mental decline. This study adds to these findings, suggesting that a good relationship may protect against mental decline through social and intellectual stimulation.

If I had known this earlier, my mother would not just be alive but would be living a more robust life, 19 years after my father left. I would have found her a companion 2 years after my father died so that while she stays alive, she would also enjoy her new view of life with a significant other who might make this new phase of life more joyous and interesting for her. Unfortunately, she didn’t get that and the rest of her stay has not been as interesting as it could have been. Some ignoramus may ask: “What about her children and grand children? Couldn’t they have

made life a delight for her”? My response is: when you get there, you will realize that what people need at such times is going to be more than delight, but meaning; and that she won’t get from any of her children but from a companion, a significant other who also shares her points of view.

So, you see when senior citizens between 50 and 70 call me for hook-ups, I understand what they may be going through. I only wish their children can understand more.

The excerpt below might be proof useful some day: A new study in the American Journal of Epidemiology shows that married people can live up to 17 years longer than those without partners. A combination of emotional health, physical nurturing and companionship play into these results. In this case, a longer lifespan likely has to do with human touch and interaction. For example, babies can thrive without sight, without smell, even without hearing. But they cannot thrive without being touched.

The study shows that single men have a 32 percent higher chance of death across their lifetimes than their married counterparts. This means that they could die 8 to 17 years prior to the average married man. Statistics for women are better: they face a life expectancy shortened by about 7 to 15 years on average.

The lack of continued attention and affection over a lifetime can manifest in a bio-chemical craving for connection, due to dealing with things like stress, separation and loss. People who experience this craving are more likely to engage in risky behaviours as they seek out a “high” that will mitigate the pain they’ve experienced.

Conversely, people in relationships typically receive a positive type of “high” without even knowing it.

Oxytocin, the ‘cuddle hormone’, provides warmth and security. Love reduces stress and makes a person happy. Touch is important - we see that much from the start of our lives: infants deprived of affection will literally perish from a syndrome called “failure to thrive”. Babies can thrive without sight, without smell, even without hearing. But they cannot thrive without being touched.

This is something that doesn’t change much over our life times - as adults, we still thrive most in affectionate environments.

That’s the same way, I believe, our leaders can touch citizens’ lives in one vital way or the other.

These same citizens will move from cursing the land to blessing it and we will see the mighty giant God has made us to be indeed. Ours is not just a land of plenty but a land of plenty resourceful people.

Counseling inquiries on Marriage, Relationships, Career and Matchmaking >> @jeromeistalking on Twitter.

“Like” Jerome Yaovi Onipede on Facebook.

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BEAUTY

BESTSKIN care products for WOMEN in their

50’s

by - Davina Ayodele

As we age, our skin loses elasticity and the constant pull of gravity weigh against us, and this affects the decline in estrogen levels. We could opt for a face-lift with a nip and tuck or maybe a botox injection. These treatments are costly and often need maintenance several times a year. Using an anti-aging cream is more economical and gives the benefits to help you age gracefully. Lets face it no one wants wrinkles or to go through the aging process. If you are like most women, we have drawers full of anti-aging creams we purchased not knowing which one work well and after we use them a few times and do not see the result we move on to the next miracle cream we could find. Below, I have compiled the top five antiaging creams for women in their fifties no more searching and throwing your money away. Your money could buy these absolute best anti- aging products.

DATA OKORODUDU

oil of olay

Murad Resurgence LIFE CELL Life cell is the newest antiaging cream for women in their fifties on the market today. Long lists of celebrities are using this cream. It claims to remove wrinkles instantly even Paula Abdul is using this cream and she is aging gracefully. Created by a dermatologist this is necessary have cream to add to your daily regime.

Murad Resurgence guarantees younger looking skin in 30 days.

Amazing statement and true Murad has a wonderful anti-aging cream for women in their fifties.

Oil of Olay has been around for years and is highly respected in the anti-aging world of cosmetics. Olay has a wonderful anti-aging skin care product for women in their fifties called regenerist. This product is super concentrated so a little goes a long way.

simone france anti-aging formula Simone France has some of the best anti-aging products used by many celebrities such as Madonna. This anti- aging cream is wonderful and has wonderful customer reviews.

Strivectin SD Strivectin SD wonderful wrinkle cream and highly recommended for women in their fifties or approaching middle age. This cream was originally created for post pregnancy women for the reduction of stretch marks.

I am not in my fifties yet, I purchased this cream to aid in the prevention of wrinkles. This anti-aging cream works wonders on small fine wrinkles and aids in the prevention of new wrinkles.

PEOPL E

“ O N E PA RT Y AT A T I M E ! ”

DAMITE

AY and Marbel Maku

ENE LAWANI

EUNICE EFOLI

THRILLS AND FRILLS AT ARTHUR GUINNESS DAY 2012 CELEBRATIONS

AGBANI DAREGO ELOHOR

Elite Model Look Nigeria 2012

Arthur Guiness Day is celebrated globally to appreciate the innovation, vision and greatness of a man who discovered a great formula called Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. Guests at the event were treated to performances by Iyanya and Illbliss.

According to Seni Adetu, MD Guinness Nig Plc, “consumers should expect to enjoy quality product from Guinness which has been since 1759”.

By - Oscar Ochiogu The grand finale of the prestigious male and female model search, Elite Model Look Nigeria 2012 took place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos – the event created a splendid and stylish sensation.

17-year-old, Moyinoluwa Arowoshola won the coveted female category while 18-year-old Alvin Dayaffin won the male category. Performances by rap star, Lynxxx and his protégé, Nedu as well as upcoming music act, GLory added the right tonic to a splendid evening as syrupy as it could get.

Here are pictures from the event.

Seni Adetu

Funmbi Ogunbanwo

Austin Ufomba

MOMO K-SOUL

Sola DJ XCLUSIVE

JENNIFER FREEZE

JUMAI SHABA

October 7, 2012

NOBLE IGWE

The Guinness Leadership Team Cheers to Arthur Guinness

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