Allure 03 January 2016

January 3, 2016

ALLURE WOMEN OF THE YEAR 2015

03/01 Contents

6

14

e m a i l : a l l u r e fo r t h e wo rl d @ v a n g u a r d n g r. c o m

FASHION 4 6

Fashion Moments in 2015 International Fashion Moments in 2015

PEOPLE 14

• Iro Lagos Launches with serene Garden Party • Night of Classics at Light Up Concert

Editor’s Note Happy New Year to you all!

It’s nice to know that we are still on this side of existence. As you reflect on the privilege of life and health, you should also set aside time to prioritize. Lay aside unnecessary shenanigans and focus on what is most important to you.

We begin the year, as usual, with the recognition award that this magazine bestows on women who have proven themselves and made remarkable strides within the previous year. This year, 2016, is the year of the woman.

All over the world, women have made giant strides in self development and fulfilment. They have become politically relevant. From Brazil to Venezuela, The Philippines and South Korea, women are ruling their world. So far have we come from the bra-burning days that the United States of America may produce her first-ever female president!

Imagine Hillary Clinton at the Oval Office. What victory can be more than that for female emancipation – the most powerful officer in the world is a woman? It’s tickling!

It tickles too that the first elected female governor in Nigeria is from Taraba State... in the North (that is, if PDP’s appeal in the court fails).

Aisha Al-Hassan is our ‘Woman of the Year’. For her doggedness, determination and gumption, we celebrate Her Excellency for holding the torch and touching home.

Our 14 other recipients have been recognized in important categories we feel contribute to country and women development. See pp. 8-13 for more.

On fashion, we feature “Memorable Fashion Moments” in 2015 – locally and internationally. Please turn to pp. 4-7 for more.

Thank you, dear esteemed readers, for making us a part of your first Sunday in 2016. We appreciate you all the way.

Have a great week!

CHIBOK GIRLS: 500 days and counting.

R.

Remmy Diagbare @ Vanguardallure1

8

COVER STORY

Allure Women of theYear 2015

Quotes...

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today”.

- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”.

- Barack Obama

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work”.

- Colin Powell

TEAM

JEMI EKUNKUNBOR

PAMELA ECHEMUNOR

YEMISI SULEIMAN

FATIMA GARBA

EDITOR REMMY DIAGBARE DEPUTY EDITOR JEMI EKUNKUNBOR ASST. EDITOR YEMISI SULEIMAN STYLE REPORTER PAMELA ECHEMUNOR CONTRIBUTORS PRINCESS KATE EMIKO BAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA JEROME CODJO-YAOVI ONIPEDE

CONT. EDITOR LATASHA NGWUBE COPY EDITOR DODOIYI WILLIAM-WEST CORRESPONDENTS FATIMA GARBA DAVINA AYODELE LAYOUT / DESIGN GREGORY OBI OLAYIWOLA AJAGBE PHOTO OSCAR OCHIOGU (08034746487)

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

For advertisement / enquiries, call DEBBIE: 08039675880, Office Auxiliary: EBERE OKOH

FA S H I ON

ALLURE’S

WEEKLY FAB LIST !

By - Fatima Garba

Looking for the latest trends to transition into? Hopefully our weekly fab list will help you decide the major trends to keep you looking fab all day and all week.

Rebecca Minkoff flared dress

Chanel big belt

BIG BELTS Ladies, yes, it is that time once again, to accentuate the waist with big bold belts. Although designers did not go up to “boxing championship belt” dimensions this season, they did draw the eye to the midriff to build hourglass shapes and create a colour contrast.

Rochas embellished pumps

Claire’s big belt

EMBELLISHED PUMPS Embellished pumps continue to be a holiday staple among luxury designers like Christian Louboutin and affordable brands like ASOS. If you embrace the look, give the shoes the spotlight. You will want to streamline the rest of your look so it does not compete.

Rebecca Minkoff flared dress

Dolce & Gabbana flared dress

FLARED DRESS

Consider a flared dress for holiday parties. The retro silhouette is both elegant and flattering. And since the voluminous skirt is so eye-catching, there is no need to over accessorize this classic look.

Jimmy choo embellished pumps

H&M disco ball clutch

DISCO BALL CLUTCH

Kerry Washington in flared dress

By choosing the right accessories, you can easily take an office outfit from day to night. This disco ball-inspired clutch gives basic black staples an instant touch of glamour.

H&M disco ball clutch

January 3, 2016 /

3

FA S H I O N

FASH IO N

FASHION MOMENTS in 2015 By - Yemisi Suleiman

TOYIN LAWANI UNVEILED AS THE NEW FACE OF NIGERIAS NEXT TOP DESIGNER

DERENLE MAKES HIS DEBUT ON THE RUNWAY

It has been a long, eventful year for the fashion world, filled with surprises both good and bad, with more than a few moments that would always be reference point in future.

Here are some of the most memorable moments that wowed us in 2015.

APRIL BY KUNBI’S DRAMATIC PRESENTATION AT THE HEINEKEN LFDW

It was a pleasant surprise for many of the guests at the Lagos Fashion and Design Week when Denrele Edun, showed up confidently rocking high heels as he modelled for Kiki Kamanu.

He was spurred on by cheers and claps as he strutted in his heels and green painted toe nails. He showcased two outfits by the designer, in her Spring/Summer 2016 collection.

Ace designer, Kunbi Oyelese, presented her April

by Kunbi collection accompanied musically by theme song of the James Bond Movies. It was a dramatic twist to the presentation on Day 4 of Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week.

Models strutted the runway in day and occasion wear in red, black and white. The outing came to a dramatic climax when a male model took off a removable skirt from a female model and swept her off her feet.

It was a very short but memorable showing that got a lot of people talking weeks after the show.

DENRELE EDUN TOYIN LAWANI

It was a career-defining year for designer and owner of Tiannahs Place, Toyin Lawani as the organizers of the designers’ competition, Nigeria’s Next Top Designer, named her the new face of the show and head judge for season two.

Nigeria’s Next Top Designer (NNTD) is a designers’ competition aimed at promoting African inspired designs from Nigeria and fostering the promotion and development of aspiring Nigerian designers on the world stage.

The Fashion Icon was picked because of her designing and styling portfolio and the craftsmanship that goes into her job. She was also recognized for her zeal in impacting knowledge in the younger generation through her Tiannah styling Fashion Academy where her team of professionals, teach the Art of Styling and Advanced Designing, thereby creating employment for the younger generation and physically challenged students through her scholarship programme.

FASHIONS DAY OUT AT THE FIFTY PREMIER The Lagos premier of the movie, Fifty which took place recently at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, had its fair share of memorable style moments. From Mo Abudu’s breathtaking Lanre Da Silva custom-made dress, to Dakore Akande’s flirty bare shoulder dress

by Funke Adepoju and Toke Makinwa’s glittery dress April by Kunbi, it was a celebrity fashion and style moment that got everyone talking on the red carpet.

APRIL by Kunbi dramatic presentation

KZN for Africa Fashion Week London.

KZN ATTENTION GRABBING STATEMENT AT THE AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON The 5th edition of the Africa Fashion Week London 2015 will remain indelible in the minds of the attendees. Most memorable however, was the Kwa Zulu Natal of the South African Fashion Council attention-grabbing statement during the Fashion Week. With the support of the South African Government, about 20 designers from South Africa sent models down the runway in outstanding collections, depicting the beauty of the Zulu Kingdom.

At the end, it was a proud set of South Africans who came on stage waving their country’s flag to an impressive audience

NOBLE IGWE IS PAYPORTE FASHION AMBASSADOR The year 2015 was no doubt an amazing year for stylish blogger, Noble Igwe of 360nobs.com and stylevitae.com. The blogger recently, signed a major contract as the fashion ambassador for e-commerce site Payporte.

Vimbai Mutinhiri

TONI TONES

YOUTHS CELEBRATED IN STYLE AT FUTURE AWARDS In celebration of amazing Africans who are making a difference in their various walks of life, celebrities hit the red carpet of the Eko Hotel & Suites in some of the most glamorous outfits, for the 2015 Future Awards Africa. As always, it was another opportunity for celebrities and fashionistas to outwit each other with their looks.

TOKE MAKINWA

noble igwe

DAKORE AKANDE

MO ABUDU

4

/ January 3, 2016

January 3, 2016 /

5

FA S H I O N

FASH IO N

FASHION MOMENTS in 2015 By - Yemisi Suleiman

TOYIN LAWANI UNVEILED AS THE NEW FACE OF NIGERIAS NEXT TOP DESIGNER

DERENLE MAKES HIS DEBUT ON THE RUNWAY

It has been a long, eventful year for the fashion world, filled with surprises both good and bad, with more than a few moments that would always be reference point in future.

Here are some of the most memorable moments that wowed us in 2015.

APRIL BY KUNBI’S DRAMATIC PRESENTATION AT THE HEINEKEN LFDW

It was a pleasant surprise for many of the guests at the Lagos Fashion and Design Week when Denrele Edun, showed up confidently rocking high heels as he modelled for Kiki Kamanu.

He was spurred on by cheers and claps as he strutted in his heels and green painted toe nails. He showcased two outfits by the designer, in her Spring/Summer 2016 collection.

Ace designer, Kunbi Oyelese, presented her April

by Kunbi collection accompanied musically by theme song of the James Bond Movies. It was a dramatic twist to the presentation on Day 4 of Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week.

Models strutted the runway in day and occasion wear in red, black and white. The outing came to a dramatic climax when a male model took off a removable skirt from a female model and swept her off her feet.

It was a very short but memorable showing that got a lot of people talking weeks after the show.

DENRELE EDUN TOYIN LAWANI

It was a career-defining year for designer and owner of Tiannahs Place, Toyin Lawani as the organizers of the designers’ competition, Nigeria’s Next Top Designer, named her the new face of the show and head judge for season two.

Nigeria’s Next Top Designer (NNTD) is a designers’ competition aimed at promoting African inspired designs from Nigeria and fostering the promotion and development of aspiring Nigerian designers on the world stage.

The Fashion Icon was picked because of her designing and styling portfolio and the craftsmanship that goes into her job. She was also recognized for her zeal in impacting knowledge in the younger generation through her Tiannah styling Fashion Academy where her team of professionals, teach the Art of Styling and Advanced Designing, thereby creating employment for the younger generation and physically challenged students through her scholarship programme.

FASHIONS DAY OUT AT THE FIFTY PREMIER The Lagos premier of the movie, Fifty which took place recently at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, had its fair share of memorable style moments. From Mo Abudu’s breathtaking Lanre Da Silva custom-made dress, to Dakore Akande’s flirty bare shoulder dress

by Funke Adepoju and Toke Makinwa’s glittery dress April by Kunbi, it was a celebrity fashion and style moment that got everyone talking on the red carpet.

APRIL by Kunbi dramatic presentation

KZN for Africa Fashion Week London.

KZN ATTENTION GRABBING STATEMENT AT THE AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON The 5th edition of the Africa Fashion Week London 2015 will remain indelible in the minds of the attendees. Most memorable however, was the Kwa Zulu Natal of the South African Fashion Council attention-grabbing statement during the Fashion Week. With the support of the South African Government, about 20 designers from South Africa sent models down the runway in outstanding collections, depicting the beauty of the Zulu Kingdom.

At the end, it was a proud set of South Africans who came on stage waving their country’s flag to an impressive audience

NOBLE IGWE IS PAYPORTE FASHION AMBASSADOR The year 2015 was no doubt an amazing year for stylish blogger, Noble Igwe of 360nobs.com and stylevitae.com. The blogger recently, signed a major contract as the fashion ambassador for e-commerce site Payporte.

Vimbai Mutinhiri

TONI TONES

YOUTHS CELEBRATED IN STYLE AT FUTURE AWARDS In celebration of amazing Africans who are making a difference in their various walks of life, celebrities hit the red carpet of the Eko Hotel & Suites in some of the most glamorous outfits, for the 2015 Future Awards Africa. As always, it was another opportunity for celebrities and fashionistas to outwit each other with their looks.

TOKE MAKINWA

noble igwe

DAKORE AKANDE

MO ABUDU

4

/ January 3, 2016

January 3, 2016 /

5

FASH IO N

INTERNATIONAL

Donna Karan leaving DKNY Former founder and CEO of acclaimed fashion Brand, DKNY, shocked the world when she announced her departure from the company she started 31 years ago. In a statement to the press, she stated, “I have arrived at a point in my life where I need to spend more time to pursue my Urban Zen commitment to its fullest potential and follow my vision of philanthropy and commerce with a focus on health care, education and preservation of cultures .” The company will suspend future production to allow for restructuring and rebranding.

Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair Cover The news of Bruce Jenner’s sex change, broke the internet and although the former athlete is still adapting to his new lifestyle, his transformation continues to shock the world. Earlier in the year, the former Keeping up with the Kardashians reality TV, star raised brows when he showed himself officially as a woman on the cover of Vanity Fair Magazine. He was also given an award for woman of the year proving that nothing is impossible.

Alexander Wang leaving Balenciaga After weeks of rumours earlier in the year, Alexander Wang, who was the creative director at Balenciaga, finally bowed out. The designer during his tenor redesigned the brand’s retail stores and introduced a hit handbag (Le Dix) as well as released memorable campaigns for the brand. He is reportedly seeking investment for his eponymous label.

Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson

2015 FASHION MOMENTS Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson Crash Valentino show as Zoolander characters

Just like their crazy characters, Hansel and Derek Zoolander, Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, were at the Paris Fashion Week and they ruled the runway while doing a walk off. Owen Wilson (Hansel) wore a pair of Silken Pajamas and a grey coat, while Ben went Dark and Dangerous in a black and midnight blue brocade suit.

By - Pamela Echemunor

The year 2015 went by in a flash, but we would take memories of the glam filled year with us as we hope for an even more outstanding one in 2016. Here is a look back at some of the fabulous moments of the year we would always cherish.

alexander wang

Rihanna’s Yellow Dress at the Met Gala Topping our list is Rihanna’s Met Gala dress. The theme of the 2015 Met Gala, was based on Chinese culture and Rihanna stole the show in an amazing custom designed head piece and long flowing yellow train that later was made into the most hilarious memes of 2015.

Lupita’s stolen pearl Dress

Lady Gaga

Star of 12 years a slave, Lupita Nyongo’o was shocked to find out that her $150,000 pearl Calvin Klein dress, vanished from her hotel room shortly after attending the Oscars on February 25th, 2015. After a loud media frenzy, an anonymous call was made to the Los Angeles County Department saying the dress would be found in a trash bag on the bathroom floor of the hotel a few days later.

The dress was on loan from the fashion house and this hindered the star from filing an official police report about the incident.

6

Lady Gaga’s glamorous black Emmy dress For the first time on the red carpet, Lady Gaga showed up in a glamourous Brandon Maxwell black dress at the 2015 Emmy Awards. The pop artist, toned it down this year, looking quite “Normal” as opposed to her usual artistic and dramatic approach.

kim

beyonce

Amal Clooney most sought after woman for designers

jlo

Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and JLO go Sheer in naked dresses

lupita nyongo

/ January 3, 2016

Donna Karan

Three dresses, three super amazing bodies, three super stars. The 2015 Met Gala red carpet, saw its best year in Fashion in 2015 as Kim, Beyonce and JLO showed off their amazing figures in sheer naked dresses as they arrived on the stairs of the Met Gala. The three mamas arrived at different times but killed it as they strut the red carpet confidently.

One woman who became a muse and a designer’s dream in 2015 was Amal Clooney, wife to award-winning Hollywood actor, George Clooney. The dark haired beauty, was never seen rocking the same look twice during the course of the year. From Sonia Rykiel to Stella McCartney and Dolce and Gabbana, this belle is one who will always be a designer’s dream.

Rihanna in yellow dress Amal Clooney

January 3, 2016 /

7

FASH IO N

INTERNATIONAL

Donna Karan leaving DKNY Former founder and CEO of acclaimed fashion Brand, DKNY, shocked the world when she announced her departure from the company she started 31 years ago. In a statement to the press, she stated, “I have arrived at a point in my life where I need to spend more time to pursue my Urban Zen commitment to its fullest potential and follow my vision of philanthropy and commerce with a focus on health care, education and preservation of cultures .” The company will suspend future production to allow for restructuring and rebranding.

Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair Cover The news of Bruce Jenner’s sex change, broke the internet and although the former athlete is still adapting to his new lifestyle, his transformation continues to shock the world. Earlier in the year, the former Keeping up with the Kardashians reality TV, star raised brows when he showed himself officially as a woman on the cover of Vanity Fair Magazine. He was also given an award for woman of the year proving that nothing is impossible.

Alexander Wang leaving Balenciaga After weeks of rumours earlier in the year, Alexander Wang, who was the creative director at Balenciaga, finally bowed out. The designer during his tenor redesigned the brand’s retail stores and introduced a hit handbag (Le Dix) as well as released memorable campaigns for the brand. He is reportedly seeking investment for his eponymous label.

Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson

2015 FASHION MOMENTS Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson Crash Valentino show as Zoolander characters

Just like their crazy characters, Hansel and Derek Zoolander, Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, were at the Paris Fashion Week and they ruled the runway while doing a walk off. Owen Wilson (Hansel) wore a pair of Silken Pajamas and a grey coat, while Ben went Dark and Dangerous in a black and midnight blue brocade suit.

By - Pamela Echemunor

The year 2015 went by in a flash, but we would take memories of the glam filled year with us as we hope for an even more outstanding one in 2016. Here is a look back at some of the fabulous moments of the year we would always cherish.

alexander wang

Rihanna’s Yellow Dress at the Met Gala Topping our list is Rihanna’s Met Gala dress. The theme of the 2015 Met Gala, was based on Chinese culture and Rihanna stole the show in an amazing custom designed head piece and long flowing yellow train that later was made into the most hilarious memes of 2015.

Lupita’s stolen pearl Dress

Lady Gaga

Star of 12 years a slave, Lupita Nyongo’o was shocked to find out that her $150,000 pearl Calvin Klein dress, vanished from her hotel room shortly after attending the Oscars on February 25th, 2015. After a loud media frenzy, an anonymous call was made to the Los Angeles County Department saying the dress would be found in a trash bag on the bathroom floor of the hotel a few days later.

The dress was on loan from the fashion house and this hindered the star from filing an official police report about the incident.

6

Lady Gaga’s glamorous black Emmy dress For the first time on the red carpet, Lady Gaga showed up in a glamourous Brandon Maxwell black dress at the 2015 Emmy Awards. The pop artist, toned it down this year, looking quite “Normal” as opposed to her usual artistic and dramatic approach.

kim

beyonce

Amal Clooney most sought after woman for designers

jlo

Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and JLO go Sheer in naked dresses

lupita nyongo

/ January 3, 2016

Donna Karan

Three dresses, three super amazing bodies, three super stars. The 2015 Met Gala red carpet, saw its best year in Fashion in 2015 as Kim, Beyonce and JLO showed off their amazing figures in sheer naked dresses as they arrived on the stairs of the Met Gala. The three mamas arrived at different times but killed it as they strut the red carpet confidently.

One woman who became a muse and a designer’s dream in 2015 was Amal Clooney, wife to award-winning Hollywood actor, George Clooney. The dark haired beauty, was never seen rocking the same look twice during the course of the year. From Sonia Rykiel to Stella McCartney and Dolce and Gabbana, this belle is one who will always be a designer’s dream.

Rihanna in yellow dress Amal Clooney

January 3, 2016 /

7

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

ALLURE of WOMEN the YEAR

2015

nnually, Allure Vanguard recognizes some women for the role they played, during the year, in their respective endeavours. Allure Awards is our way of saying ‘Thank you’ to leading women who have really made us proud.

A

The leap year, 2016, is indeed the year of the woman! In Nigeria, we are on the verge of producing the first elected female governor. All over the world, more women are leading countries; becoming chief executives of multinationals is now ‘one of the jobs’. Women are raising the flag side-by-side men. Now, we can comfortably say that ‘gender discrimination’ is a thing of the past – almost.

Packaged by the Team: Jemi Ekunkunmbor, Yemisi Suleiman and Pamela Echemunor, we present ‘Allure Women of the Year 2015’.

8

/ January 3, 2016

Senator Oluremi Tinubu (OON)

Legislator of the Year

Aisha Jummai Alhassan Woman of the Year

Since this democratic process began in 1999, Nigerian women have made efforts to emancipate themselves politically. The efforts have seen women in some state houses of assembly, the National Assembly and a few ended as deputy governors. Following the impeachment of Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State in 2006, his deputy, Dame Virgy Etiaba, was sworn-in as governor. That was the zenith of women’s efforts in politics.

Now, for the first time since 1999, change has come for women through Hajia Aisha Jummai Alhassan, APC’s gubernatorial candidate for Taraba State during the 2015 general elections.

She was defeated in the election re-run held on 25th April, 2015 but on 7th November, 2015, she was announced winner by the election tribunal. Her victory, not only broke the glass ceiling over women but also made her the first elected female governor Nigeria has produced; that is if the PDP’s appeal in court fails. Her victory is even more appreciated as a woman from the conservative North.

Aisha Jummai started her political career at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where she joined student union activism at an early age of 18. Between 1978 and 1979, she held her own as Vice President and the only female in the SUG Exco.

The Law graduate of ABU was called to the Bar in 1986 and started work as a Magistrate Grade II in April 1988 at the Kaduna State Judiciary.

She was also at the FCT Judiciary, where she rose through the ranks and became the first female Chief Magistrate in the FCT in 1996.

She was also the first female Deputy Chief Registrar and Director Litigation, High Court of the FCT Abuja in 1997.

At the height of her legal career, she was appointed the first female Attorney General of her state (Taraba) in 1997. She returned to FCT Judiciary from where she retired as Chief Registrar in 2009.

She joined the PDP in 2005 and contested the Taraba North senatorial seat and won in 2010.

However, in her quest to make history, Senator Alhassan contested for the gubernatorial seat with the ticket of the APC. The world still waits to see what the outcome of the appeal by the opposing PDP would be.

Until she was elected senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District under the aegis of the All Progressive Congress (APC), she was the quintessential First Lady of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. The educationist, administrator and philanthropist, as First Lady, founded the New Era Foundation; a non-profit organisation dedicated to youth development, girl-child education and women empowerment.

Known for supporting charitable causes such as the Sickle Cell Foundation, the amiable senator, when she turned fifty not too long ago, donated all her birthday cash gifts to one of such causes.

Her commitment to education is unrivalled with endowment funds in four universities; a science block at Adeyemi College of Education in Ondo State and a school building constructed at the Oluremi Tinubu Elementary and Junior High School, Johnsonville, Mount Serrador County, Liberia.

As senator, she hosts a quarterly town hall meeting with her constituents to render accounts of her stewardship and obtain feed-back on their developmental needs.

Although she is not given to many words, she has sponsored three bills: to provide social security for elderly citizens; to seek the amendment of the labour act to enhance employment opportunities for women; and, to provide special economic assistance to Lagos State in view of its status as a former capital city and the commercial capital of Nigeria.

Only recently, Senator Oluremi Tinubu moved a motion to address the incessant traffic gridlock on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway that has caused untold hardship to Lagosians and crippled commercial activities in that part of the state.

For the first time in the history of the Senate, that strategic move was unanimously supported by 107 Senators – cutting across all the political parties represented in the Senate.

For a senate dotted with a handful of women, the recipient of the Ghana Noble International Award for Leadership (2004) and the Gambian Diamond Award for Immense Contribution to the Emancipation of People from Poverty (2005), Oluremi Tinubu remains a ray of hope for women that will follow her political footprints.

January 3, 2016 /

9

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

ALLURE of WOMEN the YEAR

2015

nnually, Allure Vanguard recognizes some women for the role they played, during the year, in their respective endeavours. Allure Awards is our way of saying ‘Thank you’ to leading women who have really made us proud.

A

The leap year, 2016, is indeed the year of the woman! In Nigeria, we are on the verge of producing the first elected female governor. All over the world, more women are leading countries; becoming chief executives of multinationals is now ‘one of the jobs’. Women are raising the flag side-by-side men. Now, we can comfortably say that ‘gender discrimination’ is a thing of the past – almost.

Packaged by the Team: Jemi Ekunkunmbor, Yemisi Suleiman and Pamela Echemunor, we present ‘Allure Women of the Year 2015’.

8

/ January 3, 2016

Senator Oluremi Tinubu (OON)

Legislator of the Year

Aisha Jummai Alhassan Woman of the Year

Since this democratic process began in 1999, Nigerian women have made efforts to emancipate themselves politically. The efforts have seen women in some state houses of assembly, the National Assembly and a few ended as deputy governors. Following the impeachment of Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State in 2006, his deputy, Dame Virgy Etiaba, was sworn-in as governor. That was the zenith of women’s efforts in politics.

Now, for the first time since 1999, change has come for women through Hajia Aisha Jummai Alhassan, APC’s gubernatorial candidate for Taraba State during the 2015 general elections.

She was defeated in the election re-run held on 25th April, 2015 but on 7th November, 2015, she was announced winner by the election tribunal. Her victory, not only broke the glass ceiling over women but also made her the first elected female governor Nigeria has produced; that is if the PDP’s appeal in court fails. Her victory is even more appreciated as a woman from the conservative North.

Aisha Jummai started her political career at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where she joined student union activism at an early age of 18. Between 1978 and 1979, she held her own as Vice President and the only female in the SUG Exco.

The Law graduate of ABU was called to the Bar in 1986 and started work as a Magistrate Grade II in April 1988 at the Kaduna State Judiciary.

She was also at the FCT Judiciary, where she rose through the ranks and became the first female Chief Magistrate in the FCT in 1996.

She was also the first female Deputy Chief Registrar and Director Litigation, High Court of the FCT Abuja in 1997.

At the height of her legal career, she was appointed the first female Attorney General of her state (Taraba) in 1997. She returned to FCT Judiciary from where she retired as Chief Registrar in 2009.

She joined the PDP in 2005 and contested the Taraba North senatorial seat and won in 2010.

However, in her quest to make history, Senator Alhassan contested for the gubernatorial seat with the ticket of the APC. The world still waits to see what the outcome of the appeal by the opposing PDP would be.

Until she was elected senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District under the aegis of the All Progressive Congress (APC), she was the quintessential First Lady of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. The educationist, administrator and philanthropist, as First Lady, founded the New Era Foundation; a non-profit organisation dedicated to youth development, girl-child education and women empowerment.

Known for supporting charitable causes such as the Sickle Cell Foundation, the amiable senator, when she turned fifty not too long ago, donated all her birthday cash gifts to one of such causes.

Her commitment to education is unrivalled with endowment funds in four universities; a science block at Adeyemi College of Education in Ondo State and a school building constructed at the Oluremi Tinubu Elementary and Junior High School, Johnsonville, Mount Serrador County, Liberia.

As senator, she hosts a quarterly town hall meeting with her constituents to render accounts of her stewardship and obtain feed-back on their developmental needs.

Although she is not given to many words, she has sponsored three bills: to provide social security for elderly citizens; to seek the amendment of the labour act to enhance employment opportunities for women; and, to provide special economic assistance to Lagos State in view of its status as a former capital city and the commercial capital of Nigeria.

Only recently, Senator Oluremi Tinubu moved a motion to address the incessant traffic gridlock on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway that has caused untold hardship to Lagosians and crippled commercial activities in that part of the state.

For the first time in the history of the Senate, that strategic move was unanimously supported by 107 Senators – cutting across all the political parties represented in the Senate.

For a senate dotted with a handful of women, the recipient of the Ghana Noble International Award for Leadership (2004) and the Gambian Diamond Award for Immense Contribution to the Emancipation of People from Poverty (2005), Oluremi Tinubu remains a ray of hope for women that will follow her political footprints.

January 3, 2016 /

9

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

Kemi Adeosun

WOMEN OF THE YEAR 2015

Minister of the Year

her career as an accounting assistant at the British Telecom Company, London, from 1989 till 1990. Her career also took her to Goodman Jones, London, and several top companies such as London Underground Limited, London, Prism Consulting and Price Waterhouse Coopers, London as Senior Manager from 2000 till 2002.

In 2002, she became financial controller at Chapel Hill Denham Management and, subsequently, Managing Director in 2010. After working with Quo Vadis Partnership as Managing Director in 2010 and 2011, she was appointed Commissioner of Finance in Ogun State, from 2011 till 2015.

In November 2015, she was appointed Minister of Finance by President Muhammadu Buhari. Mrs. Kemi Adeosun is well admired for her brilliance and her achievements so early in life.

Born in London to Nigerian parents, the native of Ogun State holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of East London and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Financial Management from the University of London.

She qualified as a chartered accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales, in 1994. She commenced

Mrs. Itoro Eze-Anaba Woman Advocacy

Itoro Eze-Anaba is the founder of the Mirabel Centre, a sexual assault and referral centre that was set up to provide rehabilitation for rape victims. She was drawn out of compassion and determination after her personal encounter in 2003 with a younger girl, who had been sexually abused by her father, to set up the foundation. With much diligence and sincere hard work, the centre has helped hundreds of victims to get over the trauma and receive special care.

Through her hard work and dedication, the Mirabel Centre became part of the pressure group, the Child Protector Agencies, which advocated for a sexual offenders’ register which was endorsed and given executive backing by former Lagos State governor, Raji Fashola.

The Foundation has been able to create awareness about rape and sexual assault. The centre has seen 865 clients so far, including 20 males, which is a major achievement. Over 80 per cent of the victims are minors, below the age of 18.

Amongst the milestone achievements of the centre is that they have also been able to help young girls who became pregnant as a result of rape to have their babies and be reunited with their families.

They also visit schools to talk about rape and sexual assault. Working with the Lagos

10

/ January 3, 2016

State Government, there is now more coordination of institutions that deal with child sexual abuse. Mrs. Itoro is, indeed, a trend setter and with her hard work and persistence, she set up the first rehabilitation centre for rape victims in Nigeria. This developmental work has saved many lives that would have gone astray.

Omoyemi Akerele Fashion & Model Promoter

Otunba (Mrs.) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori Deputy Governor of the Year Otunba (Mrs.) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (MPA, PGDE, BA) is the Deputy Governor of the State of Osun and Honourable Commissioner for Education in that state. A native of Osogbo, she began her educational career at St. Catherine Girls Grammar School, Owo and Victory College, Ikare. For tertiary education, she attended University of Lagos and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Hons. in History in 1973; two post-graduate diplomas as well as a Masters in Public Administration (1984) later followed.

She joined the Federal Ministry of Education as an Education Officer in 1974 where she spent the next six years. In 1980, she joined the University of Lagos as an administrator and rose to the position of Principal Assistant Registrar by the time she left the university in 1989.

In recognition of her wealth of experience in the public and private sectors, she was unanimously considered as the deputy governorship candidate to Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola in 2007; which they won.

Otunba Laoye-Tomori has positively impacted the state in her capacity, not just as the deputy governor but also as the Honourable Commissioner for Education. As a result, she has received accolades such as ‘The Most Innovative Education Commissioner Award for the South West Zone’ organized by President’s School Debates Nigeria, an agency of the Federal Ministry of Education.

She is also the recipient of the West African Gender Dialogue in Conjunction with West African Institute for Leadership and Governance, Most Outstanding Female Deputy Governor of the Year 2012.

Omoyemi Akerele is the CEO of Style House Files and the brain behind Lagos Fashion and Design Week. Style House Files is a creative development agency for Nigerian and African designers.

Omoyemi Akerele is widely regarded as a driving force behind the burgeoning Nigerian fashion industry. A pioneering agency in image consultancy and creative direction in West Africa countries, Style House Files works with Nigerian brands on brand positioning and retail strategies. Akerele also helps brands gain essential international exposure through presenting showcases at Pitti Immagine in Italy, and through Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW).

Founded by Akerele in 2011, LFDW runs a four-day schedule, featuring a select list of talented up and coming designers and fashion entrepreneurs. In partnership with the British Fashion Council, the show has been instrumental in raising the profile of the Nigerian fashion industry and has drawn international attention and commen-

dation from journalists such as Suzy Menkes and Cristina Manfredi, as well as attracting a host of international buyers. She is either striking deals or introducing her designers to several international platforms like the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience, the LVMH Young Designer Prize, the BFC, AltaRoma and Pitti Immagine, not to mention countless global retailers.

Prior to Style House Files, Akerele worked as senior style editor at popular fashion magazine, ‘True Love’ and set up an image consulting agency with a local Nigerian celebrity stylist, Bola Balogun. Trained as a lawyer from the University of Lagos, Akerele also holds a Masters degree in International Economic Law from the University of Warwick and worked at prestigious Nigerian law firm, Olaniwun Ajayi & Co. from 2000 to 2003.

Omoyemi Akerele was named one of six Global Gatekeepers of Fashion and Style recently and was featured on the cover of ‘Style Mania’ magazine as one of Nigeria’s foremost fashion pioneers.

Omoni Oboli

Most Valued Actress Omoni Oboli is a Nigerian actress and movie producer with a long line of movies and awards under her belt. A native of Mosogar in Delta State, Nigeria, she majored in French at the University of Benin in Edo State. While at the university, she began her acting career but took a 10-year break to get married and start a family.

She returned to the big screen in 2009 and has since proven herself noteworthy in the Nollywood industry. Oboli starred in the recently premiered film, “Fifty”. She also premiered her movie, “The First Lady”, here in Nigeria and in the UK last month. She is also a facilitator for the 2016 Broadway Movie Academy which will kick-off sometime during the year.

Chimamanda Adichie Literary Icon Novelist, non-fiction writer and short story teller was born on September 15, 1977. After spending a year and a-half studying Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, she left for the USA to study Communications and Political Science at Drexel University, Philadelphia.

She later transferred to Eastern Connecticut State University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree with distinction of Summa cum laude in 2001. In 2003, she completed a Master’s degree in Creative Writing at John Hopkins University. She also added another Masters in African Studies from Yale University in 2008.

Chimamanda Adichie’s writing career began in 1997 with the publishing of a collection of Poems, ‘Decisions’. The award-winning author published her first novel, ‘Purple Hibiscus’ in 2003 to wide acclaim. The following year, the book won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book.

Her second novel, whose title, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ pays tribute to Biafra, received the Orange Prize for fiction in 2007. Her third book, ‘Americanah’ caught the attention of New York Times as it was selected as one of the 10 Best Books of 2013.

The prolific writer who was inspired by the likes of Chinua Achebe, was in 2013 listed among the New African’s “100 Most Influential Africans 2013”. In 2015, she was listed among Time Magazine’s “The 100 Most Influential People”.

‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been named ‘Best of the Best’ of the winners of the second decade of the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction. The ‘Best of the Best’ was chosen from the ten novels that have won the prize in the past decade.

January 3, 2016 /

11

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

Kemi Adeosun

WOMEN OF THE YEAR 2015

Minister of the Year

her career as an accounting assistant at the British Telecom Company, London, from 1989 till 1990. Her career also took her to Goodman Jones, London, and several top companies such as London Underground Limited, London, Prism Consulting and Price Waterhouse Coopers, London as Senior Manager from 2000 till 2002.

In 2002, she became financial controller at Chapel Hill Denham Management and, subsequently, Managing Director in 2010. After working with Quo Vadis Partnership as Managing Director in 2010 and 2011, she was appointed Commissioner of Finance in Ogun State, from 2011 till 2015.

In November 2015, she was appointed Minister of Finance by President Muhammadu Buhari. Mrs. Kemi Adeosun is well admired for her brilliance and her achievements so early in life.

Born in London to Nigerian parents, the native of Ogun State holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of East London and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Financial Management from the University of London.

She qualified as a chartered accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales, in 1994. She commenced

Mrs. Itoro Eze-Anaba Woman Advocacy

Itoro Eze-Anaba is the founder of the Mirabel Centre, a sexual assault and referral centre that was set up to provide rehabilitation for rape victims. She was drawn out of compassion and determination after her personal encounter in 2003 with a younger girl, who had been sexually abused by her father, to set up the foundation. With much diligence and sincere hard work, the centre has helped hundreds of victims to get over the trauma and receive special care.

Through her hard work and dedication, the Mirabel Centre became part of the pressure group, the Child Protector Agencies, which advocated for a sexual offenders’ register which was endorsed and given executive backing by former Lagos State governor, Raji Fashola.

The Foundation has been able to create awareness about rape and sexual assault. The centre has seen 865 clients so far, including 20 males, which is a major achievement. Over 80 per cent of the victims are minors, below the age of 18.

Amongst the milestone achievements of the centre is that they have also been able to help young girls who became pregnant as a result of rape to have their babies and be reunited with their families.

They also visit schools to talk about rape and sexual assault. Working with the Lagos

10

/ January 3, 2016

State Government, there is now more coordination of institutions that deal with child sexual abuse. Mrs. Itoro is, indeed, a trend setter and with her hard work and persistence, she set up the first rehabilitation centre for rape victims in Nigeria. This developmental work has saved many lives that would have gone astray.

Omoyemi Akerele Fashion & Model Promoter

Otunba (Mrs.) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori Deputy Governor of the Year Otunba (Mrs.) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (MPA, PGDE, BA) is the Deputy Governor of the State of Osun and Honourable Commissioner for Education in that state. A native of Osogbo, she began her educational career at St. Catherine Girls Grammar School, Owo and Victory College, Ikare. For tertiary education, she attended University of Lagos and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Hons. in History in 1973; two post-graduate diplomas as well as a Masters in Public Administration (1984) later followed.

She joined the Federal Ministry of Education as an Education Officer in 1974 where she spent the next six years. In 1980, she joined the University of Lagos as an administrator and rose to the position of Principal Assistant Registrar by the time she left the university in 1989.

In recognition of her wealth of experience in the public and private sectors, she was unanimously considered as the deputy governorship candidate to Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola in 2007; which they won.

Otunba Laoye-Tomori has positively impacted the state in her capacity, not just as the deputy governor but also as the Honourable Commissioner for Education. As a result, she has received accolades such as ‘The Most Innovative Education Commissioner Award for the South West Zone’ organized by President’s School Debates Nigeria, an agency of the Federal Ministry of Education.

She is also the recipient of the West African Gender Dialogue in Conjunction with West African Institute for Leadership and Governance, Most Outstanding Female Deputy Governor of the Year 2012.

Omoyemi Akerele is the CEO of Style House Files and the brain behind Lagos Fashion and Design Week. Style House Files is a creative development agency for Nigerian and African designers.

Omoyemi Akerele is widely regarded as a driving force behind the burgeoning Nigerian fashion industry. A pioneering agency in image consultancy and creative direction in West Africa countries, Style House Files works with Nigerian brands on brand positioning and retail strategies. Akerele also helps brands gain essential international exposure through presenting showcases at Pitti Immagine in Italy, and through Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW).

Founded by Akerele in 2011, LFDW runs a four-day schedule, featuring a select list of talented up and coming designers and fashion entrepreneurs. In partnership with the British Fashion Council, the show has been instrumental in raising the profile of the Nigerian fashion industry and has drawn international attention and commen-

dation from journalists such as Suzy Menkes and Cristina Manfredi, as well as attracting a host of international buyers. She is either striking deals or introducing her designers to several international platforms like the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience, the LVMH Young Designer Prize, the BFC, AltaRoma and Pitti Immagine, not to mention countless global retailers.

Prior to Style House Files, Akerele worked as senior style editor at popular fashion magazine, ‘True Love’ and set up an image consulting agency with a local Nigerian celebrity stylist, Bola Balogun. Trained as a lawyer from the University of Lagos, Akerele also holds a Masters degree in International Economic Law from the University of Warwick and worked at prestigious Nigerian law firm, Olaniwun Ajayi & Co. from 2000 to 2003.

Omoyemi Akerele was named one of six Global Gatekeepers of Fashion and Style recently and was featured on the cover of ‘Style Mania’ magazine as one of Nigeria’s foremost fashion pioneers.

Omoni Oboli

Most Valued Actress Omoni Oboli is a Nigerian actress and movie producer with a long line of movies and awards under her belt. A native of Mosogar in Delta State, Nigeria, she majored in French at the University of Benin in Edo State. While at the university, she began her acting career but took a 10-year break to get married and start a family.

She returned to the big screen in 2009 and has since proven herself noteworthy in the Nollywood industry. Oboli starred in the recently premiered film, “Fifty”. She also premiered her movie, “The First Lady”, here in Nigeria and in the UK last month. She is also a facilitator for the 2016 Broadway Movie Academy which will kick-off sometime during the year.

Chimamanda Adichie Literary Icon Novelist, non-fiction writer and short story teller was born on September 15, 1977. After spending a year and a-half studying Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, she left for the USA to study Communications and Political Science at Drexel University, Philadelphia.

She later transferred to Eastern Connecticut State University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree with distinction of Summa cum laude in 2001. In 2003, she completed a Master’s degree in Creative Writing at John Hopkins University. She also added another Masters in African Studies from Yale University in 2008.

Chimamanda Adichie’s writing career began in 1997 with the publishing of a collection of Poems, ‘Decisions’. The award-winning author published her first novel, ‘Purple Hibiscus’ in 2003 to wide acclaim. The following year, the book won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book.

Her second novel, whose title, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ pays tribute to Biafra, received the Orange Prize for fiction in 2007. Her third book, ‘Americanah’ caught the attention of New York Times as it was selected as one of the 10 Best Books of 2013.

The prolific writer who was inspired by the likes of Chinua Achebe, was in 2013 listed among the New African’s “100 Most Influential Africans 2013”. In 2015, she was listed among Time Magazine’s “The 100 Most Influential People”.

‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been named ‘Best of the Best’ of the winners of the second decade of the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction. The ‘Best of the Best’ was chosen from the ten novels that have won the prize in the past decade.

January 3, 2016 /

11

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

WOMEN OF THE YEAR 2015

DJ CUPPY

Female DJ of the Year

EJIRO AMOS TAFIRI Designer of the Year

MRS. IBUKUN ABIODUN AWOSIKA

Entrepreneur of the Year Ibukun Awosika is the founder and CEO of The Chair Centre Group. The companies in the group include The Chair Centre Limited, Sokoa Chair Centre Limited, Furniture Manufacturers Mart Limited, and TCC Systems and Services Limited; they are involved in furniture manufacturing, retail and bankway security systems services.

Awosika also serves on a number of corporate and not-for-profit boards amongst which are: First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Convention on Business Integrity (CBI), and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority. She chairs the boards of FBN Capital Limited and Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC) - a facility which she promoted to help address youth employability and enterprise issues in Nigeria. She was past Chairman, FBN Life Assurance Limited.

She is a graduate of Chemistry from University of Ife, Nigeria; an alumnus of the Chief Executive Programme of Lagos Business School; the Global Executive MBA of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain; and Global CEO Programme of Wharton, IESE and C.E.I.B.S, Business Schools. With high interest in social issues including women, Ibukun Awosika is a co-founder and past chairperson of Women in Business and Management, and Public Service (WIMBIZ).

An ordained Pastor and founder of the Christian Missionary Fund, she has, through this faith-based organization worked with hundreds of missionaries spread across Nigeria to change lives through provision of medical, educational and other supplies.

As a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative and Aspen Global Leadership network, member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) who has also served on the National Job Creation Committee (NCJC), she also sits on the International Advisory Board of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain. Amongst her enviable achievements, she was recently named Executive Director of First Bank Nigeria.

12

/ January 3, 2016

Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, also known as DJ Cuppy, is an entrepreneur, music producer, disc jockey and daughter of billionaire business mogul, Femi Otedola.

She is a graduate of King’s College, London, with a degree in Business and Economics and currently working on her Masters degree in Music Business.

Cuppy began her career as a DJ at age 16 and has since been making waves locally and internationally. She is currently recruiting artistes under her music label, Red Velvet Music Group, a music management and content production business.

FUNKE EGBEMODE Media Personality

Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director, New Telegraph, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, was born in Ijabe, State of Osun. A product of Baptist Practising Primary School, Iwo and Baptist Girls High School, Osogbo, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. She also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Lagos.

Egbemode cut her teeth in journalism in the defunct ‘Prime People’ magazine as a staff writer.

In 1993, she moved to ‘The Punch’ where she rose to become Deputy Features Editor. In 2000, she was appointed Editor of ‘The Post Express on Saturday’. She was also the pioneer editor of the ‘Saturday Independent’ – a feat not very common with women in journalism in this clime.

She moved to the stable of ‘The Sun’ where she held the position of Editor, ‘Sunday Sun’. She was also General Editor of The Sun Newspapers, a position she held until her appointment as Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the New Telegraph Newspapers.

The mother of four also served in the public sector as Assistant Press Secretary at the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and later Special Adviser (Media) to a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Ejiro Amos Tafiri is a fast growing brand on the Nigerian fashion scene, the eponymous label by a Yaba College of Technology graduate.

Through dedication and hard work, coupled with her exclusive designing skills, Ejiro Amos Tafiri worked her way to the top, beginning as an undergraduate at YabaTech, where she interned at Zizi Ethnic Clothing.

After graduating, she joined Out of Africa (Nouveau Collections) as a Production Assistant and a Junior Designer while waiting to be called up for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). During this time, she rose through the ranks to become Chief Designer. In pursuit of greater challenges, she moved to Tiffany Amber as the Creative Assistant to the Head Designer of the Tiffany Amber design team before starting self named

Label: Ejiro Amos-Tafiri.

Ejiro Amos Tafiri is an exciting emerging brand in the Nigerian fashion scene. The brand focuses on producing wearable clothing and accessories inspired by the vibrant, fun-loving, joie de vivre culture of the Lagos people and the cultural diversity of its populace which spans the globe.

With a vision to become a global brand associated with the creation of beautiful, functional and affordable clothes, their debut collection featured casual, formal and evening dresses, tops, skirts, pants, kaftans, boubous and accessories. Their services include a ready-to-wear line consisting of items of clothing and accessories that cater for women and men. They also offer dressmaking and haute couture services to our esteemed clients. As a result of Ejiro Amos Tafiri’s tremendous contributions to the ideology of the modern woman’s taste in fashion and her sense of style, as well as an ever increasing list of younger fashion lovers, the label introduces a diffusion line (DEAT) to satisfy the style needs of younger fashion enthusiasts who are looking to fill their wardrobes with fresh and urban cuts for the next fashion season.

The label captures the essence of Africa in her flowing styles. Ejiro Amos Tafiri has fast become a known brand amongst fashion insiders and customers looking for glamorous but yet inspired pieces. She has consistently, within such a short period of time, shown us that the Ejiro Amos Tafiri brand is ahead of its time with exquisite pieces on the runway and in her look books. She manages to cover all areas of ready-to-wear, consistently delivering in creativity and excellent craftsmanship.

Amongst awards Ejiro Amos Tafiri has received are ‘Outstanding Emerging Designer of the Year 2015’ at the Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week for her outstanding performance and meteoric rise over the years.

Funke Bucknor-Obruthe Most Creaative Event Organizer

Mrs. Funke Bucknor-Obruthe is the Founder and Creative director of acclaimed events company, Zapphire Events. Zapphire Events is an event consultancy, marketing, planning and management company founded in 2003 by Mrs. BucknorObruthe. The company has staff strength of over 10 event co-ordinators and over 200 liaison personnel.

Her company has organized big society events including the wedding of Bez and Bolatito Idakula.

ZARON

Make-up Company

Zaron is one of Nigeria’s leading make-up brands, which was formed with the aim of improving lives through the development, marketing, distribution and sale of quality lifestyle products. The company, which originated in Leeds, United Kingdom in 2010, made base here in Nigeria in 2011 and prides itself on delivering quality products of international standards with various cosmetics fit for people of every colour.

January 3, 2016 /

13

REPORTAGE

REPORTAGE

WOMEN OF THE YEAR 2015

DJ CUPPY

Female DJ of the Year

EJIRO AMOS TAFIRI Designer of the Year

MRS. IBUKUN ABIODUN AWOSIKA

Entrepreneur of the Year Ibukun Awosika is the founder and CEO of The Chair Centre Group. The companies in the group include The Chair Centre Limited, Sokoa Chair Centre Limited, Furniture Manufacturers Mart Limited, and TCC Systems and Services Limited; they are involved in furniture manufacturing, retail and bankway security systems services.

Awosika also serves on a number of corporate and not-for-profit boards amongst which are: First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Convention on Business Integrity (CBI), and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority. She chairs the boards of FBN Capital Limited and Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC) - a facility which she promoted to help address youth employability and enterprise issues in Nigeria. She was past Chairman, FBN Life Assurance Limited.

She is a graduate of Chemistry from University of Ife, Nigeria; an alumnus of the Chief Executive Programme of Lagos Business School; the Global Executive MBA of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain; and Global CEO Programme of Wharton, IESE and C.E.I.B.S, Business Schools. With high interest in social issues including women, Ibukun Awosika is a co-founder and past chairperson of Women in Business and Management, and Public Service (WIMBIZ).

An ordained Pastor and founder of the Christian Missionary Fund, she has, through this faith-based organization worked with hundreds of missionaries spread across Nigeria to change lives through provision of medical, educational and other supplies.

As a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative and Aspen Global Leadership network, member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) who has also served on the National Job Creation Committee (NCJC), she also sits on the International Advisory Board of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain. Amongst her enviable achievements, she was recently named Executive Director of First Bank Nigeria.

12

/ January 3, 2016

Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, also known as DJ Cuppy, is an entrepreneur, music producer, disc jockey and daughter of billionaire business mogul, Femi Otedola.

She is a graduate of King’s College, London, with a degree in Business and Economics and currently working on her Masters degree in Music Business.

Cuppy began her career as a DJ at age 16 and has since been making waves locally and internationally. She is currently recruiting artistes under her music label, Red Velvet Music Group, a music management and content production business.

FUNKE EGBEMODE Media Personality

Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director, New Telegraph, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, was born in Ijabe, State of Osun. A product of Baptist Practising Primary School, Iwo and Baptist Girls High School, Osogbo, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. She also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Lagos.

Egbemode cut her teeth in journalism in the defunct ‘Prime People’ magazine as a staff writer.

In 1993, she moved to ‘The Punch’ where she rose to become Deputy Features Editor. In 2000, she was appointed Editor of ‘The Post Express on Saturday’. She was also the pioneer editor of the ‘Saturday Independent’ – a feat not very common with women in journalism in this clime.

She moved to the stable of ‘The Sun’ where she held the position of Editor, ‘Sunday Sun’. She was also General Editor of The Sun Newspapers, a position she held until her appointment as Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the New Telegraph Newspapers.

The mother of four also served in the public sector as Assistant Press Secretary at the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and later Special Adviser (Media) to a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Ejiro Amos Tafiri is a fast growing brand on the Nigerian fashion scene, the eponymous label by a Yaba College of Technology graduate.

Through dedication and hard work, coupled with her exclusive designing skills, Ejiro Amos Tafiri worked her way to the top, beginning as an undergraduate at YabaTech, where she interned at Zizi Ethnic Clothing.

After graduating, she joined Out of Africa (Nouveau Collections) as a Production Assistant and a Junior Designer while waiting to be called up for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). During this time, she rose through the ranks to become Chief Designer. In pursuit of greater challenges, she moved to Tiffany Amber as the Creative Assistant to the Head Designer of the Tiffany Amber design team before starting self named

Label: Ejiro Amos-Tafiri.

Ejiro Amos Tafiri is an exciting emerging brand in the Nigerian fashion scene. The brand focuses on producing wearable clothing and accessories inspired by the vibrant, fun-loving, joie de vivre culture of the Lagos people and the cultural diversity of its populace which spans the globe.

With a vision to become a global brand associated with the creation of beautiful, functional and affordable clothes, their debut collection featured casual, formal and evening dresses, tops, skirts, pants, kaftans, boubous and accessories. Their services include a ready-to-wear line consisting of items of clothing and accessories that cater for women and men. They also offer dressmaking and haute couture services to our esteemed clients. As a result of Ejiro Amos Tafiri’s tremendous contributions to the ideology of the modern woman’s taste in fashion and her sense of style, as well as an ever increasing list of younger fashion lovers, the label introduces a diffusion line (DEAT) to satisfy the style needs of younger fashion enthusiasts who are looking to fill their wardrobes with fresh and urban cuts for the next fashion season.

The label captures the essence of Africa in her flowing styles. Ejiro Amos Tafiri has fast become a known brand amongst fashion insiders and customers looking for glamorous but yet inspired pieces. She has consistently, within such a short period of time, shown us that the Ejiro Amos Tafiri brand is ahead of its time with exquisite pieces on the runway and in her look books. She manages to cover all areas of ready-to-wear, consistently delivering in creativity and excellent craftsmanship.

Amongst awards Ejiro Amos Tafiri has received are ‘Outstanding Emerging Designer of the Year 2015’ at the Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week for her outstanding performance and meteoric rise over the years.

Funke Bucknor-Obruthe Most Creaative Event Organizer

Mrs. Funke Bucknor-Obruthe is the Founder and Creative director of acclaimed events company, Zapphire Events. Zapphire Events is an event consultancy, marketing, planning and management company founded in 2003 by Mrs. BucknorObruthe. The company has staff strength of over 10 event co-ordinators and over 200 liaison personnel.

Her company has organized big society events including the wedding of Bez and Bolatito Idakula.

ZARON

Make-up Company

Zaron is one of Nigeria’s leading make-up brands, which was formed with the aim of improving lives through the development, marketing, distribution and sale of quality lifestyle products. The company, which originated in Leeds, United Kingdom in 2010, made base here in Nigeria in 2011 and prides itself on delivering quality products of international standards with various cosmetics fit for people of every colour.

January 3, 2016 /

13

PEO PLE

“O N E PARTY AT A TIME!”

:08039675880

PEOPLE

“ONE PARTY AT A TIME!”

:08039675880

Vlisco and Style Vitae holds poolside xmas party By - Oscar Ochiogu

linda

lara lawa

Middle - Lara Adedoyin Afun (ceo iro lagos) with guests at the event

Iro Lagos Launches with serene Garden Party

NDIDI OBIOHA Adaeze Alilonu Veronica Odeka

By - Pamela Echemunor

Women’s wear brand, Iro Lagos recently, launched its newest line of affordable pieces designed for women of all sizes. The event which took place at Blue Mahogany in Lekki, featured a collection of tasteful Iro and Buba pieces made with rich jersey fabrics. Boss of Iro Lagos Lara Adedoyin- Afun, said the Iro Lagos Brand was birthed through an idea meant to create a blend of traditional and contemporary, yet comfortable pieces that every woman can wear.

Veronica, Zina and Mimi

VANE Launches Premium Luxury Store a guest

By - Yemisi Suleiman

Leading international fabric brand, Vlisco, recently hosted fashion bloggers, designers, customers and style connoisseurs, to its Vlisco Style Sunday, at the poolside, Blowfish Hotel, Victoria Island.

The Vlisco Style Sunday, was a day set aside to appreciate, inspire and have fun in the spirit of Christmas. The event also served as an avenue to bring to a close, its viral online campaign – “A Christmas to Remember” which was held in partnership with fashion and lifestyle brand, Style Vitae.

Guests in attendance walked away with fantastic outfits from the Vlisco Style vitae campaign and some with fabric from their new collection.

The models for Style Vitae included Noble Igwe, Samantha Dimka, Bolanle Olukanni and Adaku Ufere.

Christian and Roberta

omon

The city of Lagos witnessed the launch of The VANE flagship store recently. Located in Lekki, the store which is owned by celebrity stylist; Veronica Odekan displays an array of pretty art decor bottles of premium luxury nail polish.

The event also saw the launch of the new Brown Girl collection and the Holiday collection. The Brown Girl collection consists of four shades of Nude named after four Nigerian women (Tara, Ozi, Halima and Chi).

Speaking on the collections, Veronica said, “The Brown Girl collection is my interpretation of ethnicity. With the Christmas collection, I decided to create a different representation of Christmas by replacing the traditional colours; Green and Red with Black, White, Gold and Silver” The pretty, glossy nail polish come in beautiful gift packs of two, four and customized sets making the perfect gifts for the festive season. The launch was attended by Celebrities, Socialites, Fashion enthusiasts and lovers of the VANE Polish brand.

Ejiro Amos Tafiri

Samantha Dimka

CEO Red Ribbon and Organizer Light Up, Mr Tunde Shofowora

night of Classics AT Light Up Concert By - Pamela Echemunor

The 29th of November, 2015 was a day to reckon with, as the elite of the Nigerian society flocked out in their numbers to usher in the Christmas season at the Light Up musical Concert. The event started on a leisurely note with guests being treated to blues and classical sounds of a string quartet. The event kicked off with a performance by Gospel rap artist TB1 followed by Akororo and others.

International act, Chante Moore and The Elegant stallion; Lady Onyeka Onwenu also thrilled the audience with their melodious tunes.

Patricia & Olabunmi

Kate Henshaw

guests at the event

14

/ January 3, 2016

Obiageli Ibennah and daughter

Lara Agboola

Kayla Oniwo

Dumebi and Somkele

Noble Igwe

Adaku Ufere

Teni & Pearce

Onyeka Onwenu

Gospel Singer Chante Moore and Friend

desmond elliot

Charles Granville

guests at the event

January 3, 2016 /

15

PEO PLE

“O N E PARTY AT A TIME!”

:08039675880

PEOPLE

“ONE PARTY AT A TIME!”

:08039675880

Vlisco and Style Vitae holds poolside xmas party By - Oscar Ochiogu

linda

lara lawa

Middle - Lara Adedoyin Afun (ceo iro lagos) with guests at the event

Iro Lagos Launches with serene Garden Party

NDIDI OBIOHA Adaeze Alilonu Veronica Odeka

By - Pamela Echemunor

Women’s wear brand, Iro Lagos recently, launched its newest line of affordable pieces designed for women of all sizes. The event which took place at Blue Mahogany in Lekki, featured a collection of tasteful Iro and Buba pieces made with rich jersey fabrics. Boss of Iro Lagos Lara Adedoyin- Afun, said the Iro Lagos Brand was birthed through an idea meant to create a blend of traditional and contemporary, yet comfortable pieces that every woman can wear.

Veronica, Zina and Mimi

VANE Launches Premium Luxury Store a guest

By - Yemisi Suleiman

Leading international fabric brand, Vlisco, recently hosted fashion bloggers, designers, customers and style connoisseurs, to its Vlisco Style Sunday, at the poolside, Blowfish Hotel, Victoria Island.

The Vlisco Style Sunday, was a day set aside to appreciate, inspire and have fun in the spirit of Christmas. The event also served as an avenue to bring to a close, its viral online campaign – “A Christmas to Remember” which was held in partnership with fashion and lifestyle brand, Style Vitae.

Guests in attendance walked away with fantastic outfits from the Vlisco Style vitae campaign and some with fabric from their new collection.

The models for Style Vitae included Noble Igwe, Samantha Dimka, Bolanle Olukanni and Adaku Ufere.

Christian and Roberta

omon

The city of Lagos witnessed the launch of The VANE flagship store recently. Located in Lekki, the store which is owned by celebrity stylist; Veronica Odekan displays an array of pretty art decor bottles of premium luxury nail polish.

The event also saw the launch of the new Brown Girl collection and the Holiday collection. The Brown Girl collection consists of four shades of Nude named after four Nigerian women (Tara, Ozi, Halima and Chi).

Speaking on the collections, Veronica said, “The Brown Girl collection is my interpretation of ethnicity. With the Christmas collection, I decided to create a different representation of Christmas by replacing the traditional colours; Green and Red with Black, White, Gold and Silver” The pretty, glossy nail polish come in beautiful gift packs of two, four and customized sets making the perfect gifts for the festive season. The launch was attended by Celebrities, Socialites, Fashion enthusiasts and lovers of the VANE Polish brand.

Ejiro Amos Tafiri

Samantha Dimka

CEO Red Ribbon and Organizer Light Up, Mr Tunde Shofowora

night of Classics AT Light Up Concert By - Pamela Echemunor

The 29th of November, 2015 was a day to reckon with, as the elite of the Nigerian society flocked out in their numbers to usher in the Christmas season at the Light Up musical Concert. The event started on a leisurely note with guests being treated to blues and classical sounds of a string quartet. The event kicked off with a performance by Gospel rap artist TB1 followed by Akororo and others.

International act, Chante Moore and The Elegant stallion; Lady Onyeka Onwenu also thrilled the audience with their melodious tunes.

Patricia & Olabunmi

Kate Henshaw

guests at the event

14

/ January 3, 2016

Obiageli Ibennah and daughter

Lara Agboola

Kayla Oniwo

Dumebi and Somkele

Noble Igwe

Adaku Ufere

Teni & Pearce

Onyeka Onwenu

Gospel Singer Chante Moore and Friend

desmond elliot

Charles Granville

guests at the event

January 3, 2016 /

15