Allure Vanguard May 13th Edition by Vanguard Media Limited

May 12, 2013

THE STYLISH WOMAN’S CLOSET ORANGE CRUSH

KEN OBINNA

- From Grass to Stupendous Wealth

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 4-5 The Stylish woman’s closet - The go-to reliables

6 Orange Crush

May 12 - May 18

THIS WEEK

Inside

ON THE COVER

HEALTH 13 • PIMPLES: More Home Remedies

FEATURE

• GET CAPTIVATED: When wrong beliefes determines behaviour

PEOPLE 14 -15

8 - 10

Nigerians V. Monologue Stages Comeback Bazaar De Marquee launches in Lagos

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”

“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.”

“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

Thomas Edison

Albert Einstein

Napoleon Hill

“The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” Vince Lombardi

...Ken Obinna is the Chief Executive of Chesney, a 50-room, 3-star lush luxury hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. At only 38, he is one of the young, enterprising and upwardly mobile people whose strides are helping to change the wrong perceptions about Nigerian youth. A native of Anambra State, Ken’s father retired as an accountant while his mother retired as a teacher.

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

The Chesney Hotel sits majestically in the central district of Victoria Island, Lagos; a stone throw to the business hub of the high brow area. The location is so strategic that it’s your immediate go-to place when looking for cosy luxury. I walked in a couple of weeks back and was impressed by the ambience that greeted me and the warmth of the smiling front desk personnel. This impressive 50-bedroom edifice is owned by a young, baby-faced, thirty eight years old entrepreneur, our cover this week, Kennenth Obinna. The story of Ken (for short) should inspire everyone, in particular, youths who come from indigent backgrounds. You are limited by what you see and how you see yourself. Ken told me that he rode out of poverty on the wings of passion and focus. So, for those who turn to crime on the lame excuse of ‘no money’, a lesson awaits from what I call the ‘grass to stupendous wealth’ story of Ken Obinna. See pp. 8,9,10. On our fashion pages, we took a peek at the stylish woman’s wardrobe to feature her go-to reliables. That adds instant ooomph! You should find interesting pieces. See pp. 4 - 5. Finally, last week, our Yemisi Suleiman had a plane row with some two-bit-actress who sniffed down at not only Yemisi, but all her editors. I don’t know how much dough she makes from acting but her saying that she can pay Yemisi’s salary and that of all her editors is so low and needless. The relationship between the mass media and those they promote should be that of mutual respect and appreciation. True stars won’t demean themselves so. Can you imagine Angelina Jolie or Kim Kardashan sniffing down at E-News’ Giuliana Rancic? They wouldn’t dare! Enjoy your week!

COVER PHOTO: BAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA

Remmy Diagbare

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

CONT. EDITOR LATASHA NGWUBE COPY EDITOR DD WILLIAM-WEST CORRESPONDENTS FATIMA GARBA DAVINA AYODELE LAYOUT / DESIGN Gregory Obi PHOTO OSCAR OCHIOGU

Printed and published by Vanguard Media Ltd Vanguard Avenue Kirikiri Canal; P.M.B 1007 Apapa, Lagos. For advertisement / enquiries, call Debbie: 08039675880, OGE: 08039777910 Office Auxiliary: EBERE OKOH

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 4-5 The Stylish woman’s closet - The go-to reliables

6 Orange Crush

May 12 - May 18

THIS WEEK

Inside

ON THE COVER

HEALTH 13 • PIMPLES: More Home Remedies

FEATURE

• GET CAPTIVATED: When wrong beliefes determines behaviour

PEOPLE 14 -15

8 - 10

Nigerians V. Monologue Stages Comeback Bazaar De Marquee launches in Lagos

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”

“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.”

“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

Thomas Edison

Albert Einstein

Napoleon Hill

“The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” Vince Lombardi

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

COVER PHOTO: BAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA

Remmy Diagbare

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

CONT. EDITOR LATASHA NGWUBE COPY EDITOR DD WILLIAM-WEST CORRESPONDENTS FATIMA GARBA DAVINA AYODELE LAYOUT / DESIGN Gregory Obi PHOTO OSCAR OCHIOGU

FA S H IO N

FASH IO N

The Stylish Woman’s Closet; the go-to reliables

BoDy mAgIc

by - Yemisi Suleiman Every woman desires to be chic and stylish, yet many do not know how to start putting their wardrobe together. A woman’s choice of clothes and accessories not only reflects her style but also speaks a lot about her personality. Many times, it happens that, you open your wardrobe and lament about nothing good to wear. Your wardrobe may be well stocked, but you might not be able to pick one thing, which you find just perfect. It’s true, buying tons of clothes doesn’t promise that you will find the appropriate outfit to wear every time. Therefore, it becomes all the more necessary to build your wardrobe with careful planning. The key to looking polished and appropriate in any situation is not spending a fortune on designer clothing or jewelry, but building your wardrobe around versatile timeless pieces that are always in style. A woman’s wardrobe should include those items, which are versatile, attractive, and stylish and mostly those, which are perpetual. So it’s good to have certain classic elements in your wardrobe, which will save you from trouble of thinking what to and what not to wear. Here are the go to reliables every woman should own.

The Body Magic is an innovative creation that will sensationalize your body by giving you the appearance of an overnight transformation. Innovative in design to help lift your bust and stomach as it flattens and controls your abdomen muscles. This body shaper lifts and reshapes the buttocks and helps thin your thighs and hips while pulling the shoulders back to correct posture. Every woman needs one.

PeArL neckLAce Like the little black dress, money is no obstacle to this timeless wardrobe essential; radiant strands of faux pearls are just as beautiful as cultured pearls. Good news is they are everywhere and you can wear for work, party or casually depending on the design.

cockTAIL Dress A cocktail dress should be fun and flirty, the perfect dress for a party or a night. Even if you don’t go out often, it’s a good idea to have a cocktail dress stowed away just in case the need for one arises. Remember, a cocktail dress isn’t an evening dress so it doesn’t need to be especially fancy.

jeAns No woman should be without a pair of well fitting jeans. I don’t care if they’re wide leg, boot cut, flare leg, or skinny. If they fit you properly, they’ll work. Jeans are the perfect combination of comfort and style. While trends in denim may come and go, if you stick with comfortable jeans, avoid bold embellishments and choose a pair that fits you in right, your jeans will never go out of style.

VINA

PencIL skIrT

cockTAIL rIng

For a long time, it seemed the pencil skirt was over but it’s really made a comeback in recent years. While I like to clean out my closet at least twice a year, I always try to keep at least one piece from an “out of style” collection just in case. The pencil skirt is a great example of why. It is a great look with a button down shirt even when it isn’t technically in fashion and with something as classy as a pencil skirt, it’s never long before it’s all the rage again.

The cocktail ring is an important eye-popping statement to make with your cocktail attire. Whether you’re wearing a colorful whimsical dress or a basic black number, adding a cocktail ring adds a splash of drama and glamour to your ensemble.

The LITTLe BLAck Dress JENNIFER ODUNZE

When Coco Chanel showed her LBD in Vogue in 1926, she created a true change in the way clothing was viewed and worn. A little black dress is the most essential item in a woman’s wardrobe. It can be worn on its own or accessorized to give you a chic look. Team it up with different colors and styles of shoes. Everything just gels in with a little black dress.

sungLAsses Simple but classy sunglasses come in handy at all times, especially with this very hot weather. It not only gives you a cute look but also prevents your eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. It should be your companion at all times.

Two PAIrs oF cLAssIc Dress PAnTs Stylish, classy and mature, dress pants should really be style staples in any woman’s wardrobe. You have a wealth of options to choose from in black and various shades of grey. Instead of buying a variety of different colors for this one, stick to basic black and grey until you decide whether or not this is a look you want to play around with on a regular basis.

greAT hAnDBAg A stylish bag is absolute requisite for your wardrobe. It’s must for a woman to have a clutch, a tote, and a medium size handbag in her wardrobe. Also, at least one timeless bag in a wardrobe is a must. Pick a bag, which is spacious enough and can accommodate everything, from your money to makeup essentials. It is a good option to choose from black or tan colored bag, as they would go with mostly any dress. May 12, 2013 /

FA S H IO N

FASH IO N

The Stylish Woman’s Closet; the go-to reliables

BoDy mAgIc

VINA

PencIL skIrT

cockTAIL rIng

The LITTLe BLAck Dress JENNIFER ODUNZE

FA S H I O N

Jim Iyke...

Even in a somber environment, you can find your groove in orange. This lovely chiffon kaftan can be rocked to an evening event or a spiritual get together. It spells elegance and grace.

oRANGE RuffLE BLouSE, CHLOE

TwenTy Four hrs

by - Jemi Ekunkunbor not about running up and down Awka, Nnewi, Enugu. Not anymore..

Controversial Nollywood star, Jim Iyke is quite style savvy. His recent appearance in a white double-breasted short suit, made quite a buzz. A sunglasses freak, Jim has over 125 pairs of sunglasses in his collection. His recent effort, a reality TV show, “Jim Iyke Unscripted” made its debut on DSTV Channel 151. He takes us into what his typical day is like. Would you believe the Nollywood bad boy goes on his knees every morning? Read on.

SKINNY PANTS oRANGE DRESS, AUDREY

O Orange

Crush C by - Jemi Ekunkunbor

Ashionye Carl Raka, defines sexiness with her plunging neckline and assymetry slit. Her pair of ankle strap sandals is a good way to accessorize her dress. Follow her lead if your desire is to bring chic to your style.

Named after the appearance of the ripe orange fruit, the colour orange, bright and cheerful, symbolizes vitality. It is believed to stimulate enthusiasm and creativity. In Europe and America, orange is commonly associated with amusement while in Asia, it is an important symbolic colour of Buddhism and Hinduism. A dynamic colour, orange is great for spicing things up. Having a dull fashion day, crush some orange colour into your outfit and spice things up a it.

CoCKTAIL RING, JOLIE

Like the LBD, the little orange dress can be styled in a variety of ways. Yeye’s minimalist look gives a trendy approach to things. Nothing is done overboard. Her pair of simple orange and black strap sandals, compliments her dress in a simple but tasteful way.

YEYE OLAGBAJU

ASHIONYE CARL RAKA

/ May 12, 2013

oRANGE SuEDE PLATfoRM, LUICHINY

LEAThER BAG, TOTE

Could you share with us what your typical day is like, from when you wake up? I am a night owl. I sleep very late at night. I sleep in the a.m., no matter the country and time zone or the weight of work of the day. I always sleep at about 3a.m. I wake up very early depending on the activities for the day. I have an in-built alarm system. I always wake up at about 6a.m. Then I pray. I was raised on prayers, belief and faith in God, His existence and to seek His will in my life. So, I open the day with God and commit everything to him. My dad always said that the best exercise of the day is the exercise done on your knees. As soon as I am done with that, I perform the catady. It is an exercise of the body, soul and mind; a movement of the body, soul and mind. All these three must be in sync. It is a fusion of yoga and martial arts. It is like exercising your mental, physical and spiritual being. I assume a position for hours and through breathing exercise my being. While there, I bring to bare the stretch of responsibilities for the day. I try to remove stress from my body and again recap the people that came and left my space a day before. I am very careful about who enters my space because they could dictate the pace of the day and my mood. I try to also take inventory of the people that are dear to me that I want to be with. I do all these while exercising. And, because of this exercise, I have not been to a hospital to ask for treatment in over 12 years. These exercises are like a detox. How long does this take? This takes about 30-45 minutes. Once I’m done, my day becomes fast paced. I like to work. I’ve trained my mind not to be bored.

Do you eat breakfast? I barely eat breakfast but I indulge once in a while, but not extensively. Do you snack? Yes. I constantly snack during the day. What meal do you eat then? I eat one meal a day. It could be lunch or dinner. It doesn’t really matter. What do you do afterwards? I go to the office. I don’t shoot as many films as I used to do. I’ve made that point. It’s not about quantity anymore. It’s about quality. I’m very careful what I do now. The last movie I made, “The Last Flight to Abuja”, is what is ushering in the movie I am doing now, which is the biggest thing this continent has seen. Our motto is, “You are as good as your last job.” It’s

When you are done for the day, do you club or you come back home? My social life has become redundant over the years. Maybe, it is as a result of age or that I am becoming more prudent with my time. The truth is, I should become more actively involved in human endeavours that improve the quality of life of other people. When you do, you find that you have less pleasure in things that are mundane and clubbing is mundane. You sit around and hear noise all night and spend your hard earned money. Then, you get home and wonder what you did, worse still if you end up with a stranger because you are wont to. In the morning, you want her out and the exercise of finding a taxi to take her or getting somebody to drive or even driving her home yourself is worse. At the end of the day, you come home feeling sorrier and wondering what drove you out in the first place. So, it’s best to sit down and do something comparatively more creative. These days, I get more fulfilment from watching a movie. My personal assistant knows the structure of my engagements. I can watch movies all weekend or read a great book or watch cartoons with my nieces and nephews. To cap your evening, do you like to drink or eat anything? Well, yes. I’m a sweet tooth and junk food junkie. That was why I had to train myself to eat food. I was gaining weight at some point so, I had to cut down. But like I said, I cap my day watching movies. I watch movies to sleep. I watch not just for pleasure but clinically. I learn new tricks, new acts. How do you pick your clothes for the day? I am not brand crazy. There are great designers that are not on a global scale but they make just as good clothes. So, for me, bespoke or not, the important thing is to look good in it and that is what matters and that is how I pick what I wear. May 12, 2013 /

FA S H I O N

Jim Iyke...

Even in a somber environment, you can find your groove in orange. This lovely chiffon kaftan can be rocked to an evening event or a spiritual get together. It spells elegance and grace.

oRANGE RuffLE BLouSE, CHLOE

4 2

TwenTy Four hrs

by - Jemi Ekunkunbor

not about running up and down Awka, Nnewi, Enugu. Not anymore..

SKINNY PANTS oRANGE DRESS, AUDREY

Orange

Crush by - Jemi Ekunkunbor

CoCKTAIL RING, JOLIE

YEYE OLAGBAJU

ASHIONYE CARL RAKA

/ May 12, 2013

oRANGE SuEDE PLATfoRM, LUICHINY

LEAThER BAG, TOTE

How do you pick your clothes for the day? I am not brand crazy. There are great designers that are not on a global scale but they make just as good clothes. So, for me, bespoke or not, the important thing is to look good in it and that is what matters and that is how I pick what I wear. May 12, 2013 /

rEPOrTAGE

Ken Obinna From Grass to Stupendous Wealth! By - Remi Diagbare

en Obinna is the Chief Executive of Chesney, a 50-room, 3-star lush luxury hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. At only 38, he is one of the young, enterprising and upwardly mobile people whose strides are helping to change the wrong perceptions about Nigerian youth. A native of Anambra State, Ken’s father retired as an accountant while his mother retired as a teacher. Growing up under a teacher mother and a strict father meant he had to be cultured. As he advanced in age, things became very tough for his family. Their finances depleted; there was no money. And that meant he had to “grow up under very tough conditions.” Yet as a young lad, he had aspirations to be great. “I always told myself I would be great.” After secondary education, he settled to study Economics at the University of Ibadan. But on completing his mandatory one-year national service in a bread-making factory in Taraba State, Obinna, like most Nigerian youth, suffered the indignation of walking the streets of 8

/ May 12, 2013

Lagos for a year, looking for a job. Eventually, he secured a job with Savannah Bank from where he moved to Platinum Bank. Meanwhile, long before he began to work, he craved to be an entrepreneur. And he told himself he would not exceed six years anywhere he works. So, on getting into the bank, he set a target: he would leave after six years. At Platinum Bank, Ken did well as a banker. His work ethic and commitment to duty was impressive. And fittingly, he rose fast, becoming a manager at a young age of 29. This notwithstanding, at the end of six years, at a time he was perceived to be having a blast and at the height of his career, he decided to leave for the United Kingdom, for an MBA at Middlesex University. Four years after his return, The Chesney Hotel stands like a colossus, in a bustling location on high-brow Victoria Island, Lagos. In this interview with Allure Editor, he explains the journey to Chesney. Enjoy!

rEPOrTAGE

can do that, who are you as a staff not to follow suit.

How did you go about becoming an entrepreneur? What steps did you take that got you to this point of life? From when I was in school, I made up my mind that I was going to be an entrepreneur. It’s difficult to keep me. It’s difficult to keep you? Are you a stubborn person? I am not stubborn. I always have my own way; I am passionate about everything I do. When you are passionate, you find that the sky is your limit. When I was in school, I told myself, I am not going to work for more than six years. True to my words, I spent six years in a bank after my service; I left and went to the u.K. for my MBA. How did you do it; you saved money? Yes. I did my MBA, came back and went into real estate. I started building and constructing; selling houses. To start doing all of that, you need money. How did you get the capital to start? There is something I will tell you. If I am to advise young people, money is the last hurdle. When people I mentor come to me, their first problem is money – capital. But I have a different idea to this. If you have a good blue print of what you want to do, capital will come. Spend that time you use in going to ask people for money, spend it to build a plan, know what you want to do. Ideas rule the world, not capital. And, ideas will take you to capital. So, how did idea take you to capital? You did your Masters in Business Administration. Let’s say you didn’t have much money to start the business. What were the choices and steps you took to start? I looked into property. I saw the opportunities there and they are quiet enormous. All you need to do is get a piece of land, use the very limited resources you have do something very big good and put it out there in the market. If it is good, people will definitely buy it. That was how I started. Prior to when I started building, I traded in stocks. That was how I got my initial capital. There was a time (the) stock (market) was booming. However, I wasn’t doing IPo. If I see that your stocks are coming down, I will sense you want to do IPo. I will buy the stocks and sell after the IPo so, I wasn’t keeping anything. I made so much money from stocks. I didn’t lose anything. I look into somewhere and see opportunity; this is Chesney Hotel, a local brand but I am pushing it to an international brand. This is an industry that is dominated by foreigners. You see our own people; they come – bringing the foreign brands to run it. We can do it. All we need is just the idea and the passion. I didn’t do anything hotel management but, here I am running this place. Two years after, we are doing very well. What is your motivating factor? I like seeing people succeed in whatever they are doing. So, whatever I put my hand in, I am already seeing success. I know there will be challenges.

How have you been able to survive that? The strategy still remains the same: keep searching for people with the right attitude; even if it’s coming in trickles, be patient you will get it. It’s a long journey that will be embarked on definitely. Let’s not even go into the challenges that I faced to get to where I am today. I see those challenges as experiences. Instead, I look at the achievement at the end of the road. And that drives me; it makes me work very hard – 24hours. What were you like as a child? I don’t know. My mother retired as a headmistress, my father as a civil servant. She used to tell me ‘I know you are going to be somebody’. I grew up like every normal child. Poor environment; I went to a public school. But the thing is, I did not emulate wrong habits. l always looked out for good things to copy. So, let’s come back to this hotel that you opened 2 years ago. You said you have never managed a hotel before. Why did you decide to go into one? I have had to answer this question many times (before). The point is I love serving people. When I was in the bank, I was a very humble person and I gave my best. I used to tell my people in the bank then, if somebody walks in here and tells you I want tomatoes, the person knows what you do here is give money and take. So, what will you tell that person? “Get out of here?” No. I will go the extra mile to help her. I love giving service. If I studied medicine, I will probably own a hospital and I will not practice ‘if you don’t pay money, I won’t treat you’. I just love serving people. So, what’s the service you offer in this business that has made you successful? What we preach here is customer service. When I was going into the hospitality industry, I discovered that service here is far from what is obtained. So, what we preach here is customer service. If you come in here and spend one day, spend the second, by the time you leave, if you are to say anything, it’s that ‘Your staff are customer service oriented.’ Because, that’s what we sell. It is not the facility. There are some hotels you enter, everywhere is gold. It is not the infrastructure that makes the difference, it is the people. And that’s what we are practicing; costumer service! I lead by example. Sometimes, when we are fully booked and everyone is busy, I take people with my car, put their luggage in the booth, they sit behind and I drive them to the airport or wherever they want to go to. Most of them don’t even know I own the place. When some of them find out, they are usually very surprised. So, if I

Since you opened 2 years ago, what has been the reception? You could have made more money in other easier ways. Till now, I don’t do anything because of money. Just like I told you, people that come to me, when we discuss, their problem is always capital. Capital is secondary. I don’t wait for capital. This business I am doing, I am not looking for profit. Do you know what I am looking for? I want you to be satisfied. If you are satisfied and you recommend (us), then money will come. I can’t go out looking for money and you are not satisfied. So, I focus on the guest. Are you 100% satisfied and, what can I do to get you satisfied? once you are satisfied, money is the by-product. So that’s the mentality. Whatever we can do to get all our guests satisfied, we do it. once they are okay, the books will balance. Everything will meet up and you will see profit. Okay, which international hotel did you design this hotel after? Are you planning to join a network, like the Legacy Hotels? We’ve not thought about that now. Right now, what we are concentrating on is to get international recognition. That’s what we are struggling to do and we cannot get that if we are not consistent with our services. I know they will surely come; for 2 years we’ve kept it. All our customers that started with us, they are still here so, if you can come and say: “oh, I have done business with these people for five years. What I know from the first day is what I know now”. That is a strong referral. once the people confirm that these people are consistent, the brand stands. Then, we can now look out for whom to join. Did you design after any particular international hotel? We didn’t. We didn’t seek for technical support. We just sat down with young people that have not done hotel and started designing, drawing; from the structures, learnt our mistakes and see where we are. i understand from what i read that you did not take a loan. No. Loan is a very good support for business but how do I go into loan and pay 20% or 22% interest rate? how will I survive? I am already doomed to fail. These are the poor economic infrastructure we are talking about. A young company like this that needs enough development; how can I walk into the May 12, 2013 /

rEPOrTAGE

Ken Obinna From Grass to Stupendous Wealth! By - Remi Diagbare

/ May 12, 2013

rEPOrTAGE

You didn’t have any money. You are not from a privileged background. So, how did you go from being an unemployed young man who graduated in 1999, did youth service and worked in a bank. How did you now become an entrepreneur with this giant place? It’s hard work. When people tell me: this is gigantic; I don’t see anything big because the dream is wide. It is big. It is long and I have not even started. How did you go about becoming an entrepreneur? What steps did you take that got you to this point of life? From when I was in school, I made up my mind that I was going to be an entrepreneur. It’s difficult to keep me. It’s difficult to keep you? Are you a stubborn person? I am not stubborn. I always have my own way; I am passionate about everything I do. When you are passionate, you find that the sky is your limit. When I was in school, I told myself, I am not going to work for more than six years. True to my words, I spent six years in a bank after my service; I left and went to the u.K. for my MBA. How did you do it; you saved money? Yes. I did my MBA, came back and went into real estate. I started building and constructing; selling houses. To start doing all of that, you need money. How did you get the capital to start? There is something I will tell you. If I am to advise young people, money is the last hurdle. When people I mentor come to me, their first problem is money – capital. But I have a different idea to this. If you have a good blue print of what you want to do, capital will come. Spend that time you use in going to ask people for money, spend it to build a plan, know what you want to do. Ideas rule the world, not capital. And, ideas will take you to capital. So, how did idea take you to capital? You did your Masters in Business Administration. Let’s say you didn’t have much money to start the business. What were the choices and steps you took to start? I looked into property. I saw the opportunities there and they are quiet enormous. All you need to do is get a piece of land, use the very limited resources you have do something very big good and put it out there in the market. If it is good, people will definitely buy it. That was how I started. Prior to when I started building, I traded in stocks. That was how I got my initial capital. There was a time (the) stock (market) was booming. However, I wasn’t doing IPo. If I see that your stocks are coming down, I will sense you want to do IPo. I will buy the stocks and sell after the IPo so, I wasn’t keeping anything. I made so much money from stocks. I didn’t lose anything. I look into somewhere and see opportunity; this is Chesney Hotel, a local brand but I am pushing it to an international brand. This is an industry that is dominated by foreigners. You see our own people; they come – bringing the foreign brands to run it. We can do it. All we need is just the idea and the passion. I didn’t do anything hotel management but, here I am running this place. Two years after, we are doing very well. What is your motivating factor? I like seeing people succeed in whatever they are doing. So, whatever I put my hand in, I am already seeing success. I know there will be challenges.

can do that, who are you as a staff not to follow suit.

I am passionate about everything I do. When you are passionate, you find that the sky is your limit. Let’s not even go into the challenges that I faced to get to where I am today. I see those challenges as experiences. Instead, I look at the achievement at the end of the road. And that drives me; it makes me work very hard – 24hours. What were you like as a child? I don’t know. My mother retired as a headmistress, my father as a civil servant. She used to tell me ‘I know you are going to be somebody’. I grew up like every normal child. Poor environment; I went to a public school. But the thing is, I did not emulate wrong habits. l always looked out for good things to copy. So, let’s come back to this hotel that you opened 2 years ago. You said you have never managed a hotel before. Why did you decide to go into one? I have had to answer this question many times (before). The point is I love serving people. When I was in the bank, I was a very humble person and I gave my best. I used to tell my people in the bank then, if somebody walks in here and tells you I want tomatoes, the person knows what you do here is give money and take. So, what will you tell that person? “Get out of here?” No. I will go the extra mile to help her. I love giving service. If I studied medicine, I will probably own a hospital and I will not practice ‘if you don’t pay money, I won’t treat you’. I just love serving people. So, what’s the service you offer in this business that has made you successful? What we preach here is customer service. When I was going into the hospitality industry, I discovered that service here is far from what is obtained. So, what we preach here is customer service. If you come in here and spend one day, spend the second, by the time you leave, if you are to say anything, it’s that ‘Your staff are customer service oriented.’ Because, that’s what we sell. It is not the facility. There are some hotels you enter, everywhere is gold. It is not the infrastructure that makes the difference, it is the people. And that’s what we are practicing; costumer service! I lead by example. Sometimes, when we are fully booked and everyone is busy, I take people with my car, put their luggage in the booth, they sit behind and I drive them to the airport or wherever they want to go to. Most of them don’t even know I own the place. When some of them find out, they are usually very surprised. So, if I

What are the challenges you face as an entrepreneur? There are many. I will tell you, if you are looking at the poor economic infrastructure in Nigeria; the power sector, security, and water... You have to provide all these things by yourself. If this happens to be Europe, my headache is reduced. Yet technical advice, support, we don’t get it back here, everybody faces that here. But by far the most challenging is getting personnel. It is a huge problem getting the right team. human resources, that’s the biggest challenge. What we do is go for attitude. Get the right people with the right attitude and train them, give them the skills they need to do the job. Getting the right attitude in this environment is the biggest challenge. Getting people who can think like me, knowing that with hard work, you can go from nobody to somebody. How have you been able to survive that? The strategy still remains the same: keep searching for people with the right attitude; even if it’s coming in trickles, be patient you will get it. It’s a long journey that will be embarked on definitely. Since you opened 2 years ago, what has been the reception? You could have made more money in other easier ways. Till now, I don’t do anything because of money. Just like I told you, people that come to me, when we discuss, their problem is always capital. Capital is secondary. I don’t wait for capital. This business I am doing, I am not looking for profit. Do you know what I am looking for? I want you to be satisfied. If you are satisfied and you recommend (us), then money will come. I can’t go out looking for money and you are not satisfied. So, I focus on the guest. Are you 100% satisfied and, what can I do to get you satisfied? once you are satisfied, money is the by-product. So that’s the mentality. Whatever we can do to get all our guests satisfied, we do it. once they are okay, the books will balance. Everything will meet up and you will see profit. Okay, which international hotel did you design this hotel after? Are you planning to join a network, like the Legacy Hotels? We’ve not thought about that now. Right now, what we are concentrating on is to get international recognition. That’s what we are struggling to do and we cannot get that if we are not consistent with our services. I know they will surely come; for 2 years we’ve kept it. All our customers that started with us, they are still here so, if you can come and say: “oh, I have done business with these people for five years. What I know from the first day is what I know now”. That is a strong referral. once the people confirm that these people are consistent, the brand stands. Then, we can now look out for whom to join. Did you design after any particular international hotel? We didn’t. We didn’t seek for technical support. We just sat down with young people that have not done hotel and started designing, drawing; from the structures, learnt our mistakes and see where we are. i understand from what i read that you did not take a loan. No. Loan is a very good support for business but how do I go into loan and pay 20% or 22% interest rate? how will I survive? I am already doomed to fail. These are the poor economic infrastructure we are talking about. A young company like this that needs enough development; how can I walk into the May 12, 2013 /

HEALTHY LIVING101

H EALT H

by - Teri Mendes

e t o u Q of the week

PIMPLES:

More Home Remedies

Health is a large word. It embraces not the body only, but the mind and spirit as well;… and not today’s pain or pleasure alone, but the whole being and outlook of a man.

Hello my dear readers, today’s topic is back due to popular demand. I got a lot of emails wanting more remedies so I have put these 11 tips together for you to adhere to and try out at home.

• Ken with his cars bank and you give me 22% interest rate. I can’t survive. What are the factors inhibiting hotel management, considering that Nigeria is not a destination or travel point? Yes, I know that but we know that if you are setting up a business, location is a very important key. So, I would rather you to ask me, why I chose Victoria Island. This is the economic hub. If you can penetrate V.I. and a good street, whether it is a tourist centre or not, people use hotels and that’s what brought me here. I had other options, but I wanted V.I. How did you locate this central location? I looked into property. I saw the opportunities there anI still say it. When you work hard, the books must balance. That’s what I have learnt in life. When you want something, stick to it and work hard, it must balance. What future plans do you have? It’s going to be difficult to expand right now. The dream is big. We want to first consolidate Lagos then, replicate in some state capitals and then, go outside the shores of this country. Four years ago, you didn’t have this. What preparations did you make? How did you establish yourself? Ten years before I started building the hotel, I was already running it in my head. I pictured myself giving instructions, like I am doing now –even though I didn’t have any money. I was still working then. I used to take my wife to Sheraton Hotel. We would check in, just so that I can observe the place, take pictures and see how it runs in preparation for my own thing. Money was the last thing. What are the strategies that one should adopt to become a successful entrepreneur? You must know what you want; you must set a goal for yourself. Focus on it. Be very flexible in your approach; don’t look sideways. I am going to this place, somebody is going to dangle something that looks like this, but don’t be distracted. Focus on what you want and stick to it. Your contemporaries who are 38 years old and are still looking for jobs, how do you relate with your friends? What did you tell them when you were planning all these strategies?

/ May 12, 2013

It still goes back to the dream you set for yourself. If you must dream, dream very big. Donald Trump is one of my role models; he says you must always dream big. Will you blame me if I start dreaming I want to be the president of this country and tomorrow I am? Then, somebody that’s my age is wondering how. If you don’t have dreams, who do you blame? You must tell yourself “This is what I want.” Right from university, I said I was going to work for six years for somebody and I am going to settle into my own business. Was I thinking of capital? No! My father was a poor man who retired in the village. Where was I going to get the money? That was not an issue; but that’s what I wanted. Why I decided to work for six years was to study structures, how organizations run. It’s helping me now. Make sure you are on top of your goal; nobody should take you out of it. Don’t let dream killers influence what you do. This is what I want you buy into it and you don’t leave it. Okay, there are a lot of people that say: “Oh, I can’t start a business when my father is not rich” or some excuse. As far as you are concerned, anybody can make it if you make up your mind? Of course! You get it if you set that goal. Who influenced you; that made you so focused to become an entrepreneur? I love the business sense of Donald Trump and the customer service approach of Richard Branson. These two people shape the way I do things. Then you bring in Steve Jobs for innovation. These are the things I look at; I don’t want failure to be attached to whatever I do. I can go down, but even if I start going down, I am already up; ready to go up again. Tell me about your family. Are you the first child? No. I am the fourth child but first son. It was tough growing up. My mother was a teacher. My father was an off and on jobber. Work today, lose it tomorrow. I don’t like talking about that because, I get emotional. It was tough. When I look at people today, who say, “I am doing this bad thing because there is no money”, I don’t buy it. I passed through it so, I don’t know what they are talking about. I made a pact with myself; that after me, those coming after me would not pass through the same suffering. I was going to work very hard to make sure that the quality of life for my family is going to come up. It

I love the good things of life. I go for the best. Make the money, spend it but focus. was weird and tough. If I remember those days, I shed tears. What I tell people is that there are secrets to success. Whatever you are passing through, somebody has passed through it before. Don’t think the world is against you. The world was already there before you came. You met the world; you will go and the world will still be here. So, be cheerful. I remember when I was living with my in-law, the treatment was tough, but do you know the way I see it? He trained me. He’s a role model to me. And, I love him so much for that. He actually made me stronger and more resolute. Everything about life depends on attitude. How you receive what comes to you determines the outcome. Receive it with open heart, cheerfully. Be happy about it and the outcome will be impressive. What’s your wife’s role in all this? Has she been supportive? My wife is a wonderful woman. She has been very supportive. What is your philosophy in life? I will say passion. Whatever I set my mind to do, I am very passionate about it and focus on it. What about your fashion preferences? I love the good things of life. Style is part of attitude, it tells who you are. During those days when I was struggling with setting up this place, you will probably think I don’t have any sense of style. After I finished the building, there was a BMW I bought in 2006. I drove it till this year. That was the only car I was driving. People felt I couldn’t own this place and be driving a car like that. It didn’t bother me. When the time came, I changed my car. There is always a right time to do things. I bought two cars recently: a Porsche and a Jaguar. I love the good things of life. I go for the best. Make the money, spend it but focus.

1. THE SANDALWOOD AND ROSEWATER PASTE This can be used as a facial mask and can be directly applied on the scarred area. Leave the paste on for more than an hour. Wear it overnight if you can. Wash off completely with water. This is an effective method of how to treat acne scar because of sandalwood’s soothing and cooling effect on the skin. Its one of my favorites as sandalwood also has a calming effect on me. This is a must try for everyone!

- JAMES .H. WEST minutes every day. This should lessen the inflammation on your skin, making it look smoother. This is one of the best most - natural acne treatments.

2. BASIL LEAVES Boil two or three Basil leaves in water for fifteen to twenty minutes. When this concoction cools, apply this natural home remedy on the pimpled area continuously, it will cure the pimples fast and naturally. This should be done on a regular basis for quick relief and cure . 3. MAKE UP PRODUCTS USED When shopping for your make up products, it is always best to select light, non-greasy, oil free make up products - there are a huge variety of foundations and powders available for sensitive skins, and many medicated varieties. These reduce the amount of oil you put on your face. Remember, it’s already so humid here in Nigeria, that we don’t need any extra oils! 4. THE POWER OF FENUGREEK Fenugreek is an effective solution to how to treat acne scars. You can make a paste out of fenugreek leaves and use it as a face mask. You can also boil Fenugreek seeds in water and use the solution on acne scars after it cools down. If you are having trouble finding the leaves most chemists sell Fenugreek in a tablet form, crush and make into a paste that way. 5. OLIVE OIL Olive oil is truly a miracle substance! It does not only make your food taste better, it also improves the condition of your skin and reduces your acne scars. Massage the oil on affected parts of your skin every day, but best to do this at night time. It has moisturizing properties that soften the texture of your skin and reduce the prominence of your acne scars! 6. COOL AS A CUCUMBER Cucumbers are great for helping to keep the skin smooth and supple. Many different cosmetic beauty products often

9. ALOE VERA Aloe Vera; the wonder remedy for a genre of disease is a good natural remedy. Apply the pulp of the leaves directly on the surface of the pimples. It is anti bacterial and prevents inflammation. Aloe Vera is a commonly used natural remedy that cures acne scars. The Aloe Vera plants are famous for their magical ability to help heal scars and wounds. The juice of the Aloe Vera is very useful for not only helping to heal acne scars but also to fight breakouts when they do occur. By applying the juice on a regular basis, you can erase the signs of bad acne over time.

• SMOOTH FACE

have cucumber as a key ingredient. Also Indian gooseberry lotions and creams are great for reducing acne scaring and outbreaks.

works like a charm!.

10. VITAMINS Don’t forget your vitamins! Certain vitamins like Vitamin A when taken in combination of Niacin works wonders in curing pimples. Leafy vegetable like the spinach, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms are excellent sources of such vitamin and niacin. So if you cannot get the tablets, start munching on your leafy greens!

7. HONEY & CINNAMON A combination of honey and cinnamon powder is a natural home remedy. When this paste is applied on the pimples and left over night it cures pimples. The process however should be continued for a couple of weeks. In addition you could try a mask prepared by combining grated apple pulp and honey yummy to smell and

8. ICE ICE BABY Lots of people use ice cubes to get rid of their acne scars at home. Wrap an ice cube in a piece of cloth and rub it on affected areas for 10 to 15

TERI Speaks Hi Teri, Hi Teri, hope u had a good day. I like reading ur columns in Sunday Vanguard newspapers. Please I want to know if Margarine is different from Butter. Secondly, could u please tell me where I can buy a bag of brown rice. I also want to know where I can get Ofada rice (bag) that is sand and chaff-free. God bless you real good. Chimmy

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

Good day Chimmy, Simply put, Butter is made from cream, margarine is hydrogenated vegetable oil. Brown rice and Ofada rice are readily available and now come in packs like Uncle Ben’s rice. In Lagos, Park and shop, Ebeano Supermarket as well as Sura shopping mall all sell Ofada Rice. If in Abuja, try Amigos Supermanrket or Grand Square. Hope this helps. Best wishes, Teri M.

May 12, 2013 /

HEALTHY LIVING101

H EALT H

by - Teri Mendes

e t o u Q of the week

PIMPLES:

More Home Remedies

Health is a large word. It embraces not the body only, but the mind and spirit as well;… and not today’s pain or pleasure alone, but the whole being and outlook of a man.

Hello my dear readers, today’s topic is back due to popular demand. I got a lot of emails wanting more remedies so I have put these 11 tips together for you to adhere to and try out at home. 1. THE SANDALWOOD AND ROSEWATER PASTE This can be used as a facial mask and can be directly applied on the scarred area. Leave the paste on for more than an hour. Wear it overnight if you can. Wash off completely with water. This is an effective method of how to treat acne scar because of sandalwood’s soothing and cooling effect on the skin. Its one of my favorites as sandalwood also has a calming effect on me. This is a must try for everyone!

/ May 12, 2013

- JAMES .H. WEST minutes every day. This should lessen the inflammation on your skin, making it look smoother. This is one of the best most - natural acne treatments.

was weird and tough. If I remember those days, I shed tears. What I tell people is that there are secrets to success. Whatever you are passing through, somebody has passed through it before. Don’t think the world is against you. The world was already there before you came. You met the world; you will go and the world will still be here. So, be cheerful. I remember when I was living with my in-law, the treatment was tough, but do you know the way I see it? He trained me. He’s a role model to me. And, I love him so much for that. He actually made me stronger and more resolute. Everything about life depends on attitude. How you receive what comes to you determines the outcome. Receive it with open heart, cheerfully. Be happy about it and the outcome will be impressive. What’s your wife’s role in all this? Has she been supportive? My wife is a wonderful woman. She has been very supportive. What is your philosophy in life? I will say passion. Whatever I set my mind to do, I am very passionate about it and focus on it. What about your fashion preferences? I love the good things of life. Style is part of attitude, it tells who you are. During those days when I was struggling with setting up this place, you will probably think I don’t have any sense of style. After I finished the building, there was a BMW I bought in 2006. I drove it till this year. That was the only car I was driving. People felt I couldn’t own this place and be driving a car like that. It didn’t bother me. When the time came, I changed my car. There is always a right time to do things. I bought two cars recently: a Porsche and a Jaguar. I love the good things of life. I go for the best. Make the money, spend it but focus.

3. MAKE UP PRODUCTS USED When shopping for your make up products, it is always best to select light, non-greasy, oil free make up products - there are a huge variety of foundations and powders available for sensitive skins, and many medicated varieties. These reduce the amount of oil you put on your face. Remember, it’s already so humid here in Nigeria, that we don’t need any extra oils! 4. THE POWER OF FENUGREEK Fenugreek is an effective solution to how to treat acne scars. You can make a paste out of fenugreek leaves and use it as a face mask. You can also boil Fenugreek seeds in water and use the solution on acne scars after it cools down. If you are having trouble finding the leaves most chemists sell Fenugreek in a tablet form, crush and make into a paste that way. OLIVE OIL Olive oil is truly a miracle 5. OL substance! It does not only make your food taste better, it also improves the condition of your skin and reduces your acne scars. Massage the oil on affected parts of your skin every day, but best to do this at night time. It has moisturizing properties that soften the texture of your skin and reduce the prominence of your acne scars! 6. COOL AS A CUCUMBER Cucumbers are great for helping to keep the skin smooth and supple. Many different cosmetic beauty products often

• SMOOTH FACE

have cucumber as a key ingredient. Also Indian gooseberry lotions and creams are great for reducing acne scaring and outbreaks.

works like a charm!.

8. ICE ICE BABY Lots of people use ice cubes to get rid of their acne scars at home. Wrap an ice cube in a piece of cloth and rub it on affected areas for 10 to 15

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

May 12, 2013 /

F EA T U R E

FEA TURE

Get Captivated by - Jerome Onipede

WHEN WRONG BELIEFS DETERMINES BEHAVIOR One of the ways you identify a Mad Man in Africa is the way he surrounds himself with junks, old and used goods that have no or little value which no one should want anymore. Its more amazing the way he takes delight and firmly holds unto the junks. We do not believe anyone in his/her right senses should live like that, and so when we see someone who does, we identify that person as a MAD MAN, and run away from him to protect ourselves. I have no problem with us protecting ourselves from such people, because with their state of mind, they can cause us harm since they are already causing so much harm to themselves and don’t even realize it. I DO NOT also advise you to marry one if

you don’t want to end up living in a Junkyard after your wedding day. Remember a Madman is always surrounded with used goods that have no or little value which no one should want anymore, so: • What is your Boy/Girlfriend doing, still keeping the Phone Numbers of his/her ex? • Why is your Boy/Girlfriend who is now with you always talking about his/her ex?

ESCAPADES of

Style

YOUR LETTERS... Dear Readers, Thank you for keeping up with my ‘Escapades’! I’ve reproduced just a few of your correspondence to me below, as I thought I shouldn’t keep your beautiful letters only to myself....lol! One thing....whatever you do, stay fabulous, okay??!! TRIP TO DUBAI: Muah muah muah....I must commend the way you put that ‘lil miss thang’ in her place. It’s so annoying and sad the way women especially the young ladies resort to any means no matter how degrading or demeaning just so they can have their basic needs met. Like Jerome said ‘everyone wants to be served’. Most people don’t even believe in hard work these days. And it’s worse with us gals. We practically parade nude in the name of fashion screaming ‘I desperately crave your attention, please notice me’. Unknowingly also saying ‘I don’t see myself any better than this’. I just want to really thank you for reminding everyone that there’s dignity in labour, and to think that came from a ‘fashionista’...hahaha! God bless you greatly dear. Me: Thanks. To underestimate a hard working woman is at owner’s risk, abi?!! THE STORE OPENING: So funny. She took the picture of the guy? You obviously have boldness and guts, ladies. Just my type! I must thank you for how you portray women...not just as empty heads, but as people who can hold their own and earn good income and pay their way! Kudos! Keep them coming. Me: I feel you. All too often, it’s the worse antics of women that are portrayed.

• Why has your Boy/Girlfriend kept the Pictures/Videos of his/her ex on his/her phone/ computer? • Why does he or she still entertain calls and texts messages from his/her ex, now that he/ she is with you? • Why is your Boy/Girlfriend still keeping SO MUCH JUNK? If you still want to be with your EX, no one is stopping you, just tell who you are with now how you feel, and leave. You will be surprised though that a lot of people ALWAYS WANT TO GO BACK, not because they are in love, but because they are in a SOUL TIE with their ex which may be caused by: • Sex they have had together, the pain the other person has caused them and want that person to heal them which can never happen, the bitterness they now feel for their ex, and won’t mind going back into a fake relationship with them and get a revenge, because they are not happy and don’t want to see their ex happy too etc, etc. If you really put all these into SERIOUS CONSIDERATION, you will realize YOU MAY HAVE BEEN RUNNING AWAY FROM THE WRONG MADMAN.

...TO BE CONTINUED

Counseling inquiries on Marriage, Relationships, Career and Matchmaking >> @jeromeistalking on Twitter. “Like” Jerome Yaovi Onipede on Facebook.

KATHY EMIKO

BodyPerfect not just slimming but fitness

CONVENIENCE FOODS Weight loss is simple Mathematics of calories in and calories out. If you are ready to lose weight the healthy way and keep it off for good, you need “Princess Kathy Weight Loss Pack”. (08132164772). Most health experts agree that the poor state of many people’s diet today is caused by dependence on “convenience foods”. Walking down the aisle of the average supermarket and taking an inventory of what is offered on the shelves is an easy demonstration of this fact. Along with nutrient-stripped refined products, packaged convenience foods can also contain a long list of additives. More than 3,000 additives and preservatives could be found in our food supply today. Many of these additives are synthetic and toxic. Ingredients not found in nature can be different for our bodies to process or may cause health complaints in the short-term and disease over time. The health effects are compounded when various additives interact with each other in the body. Some noted short-term ill effects of consuming additives are depression of the immune system, irritation of internal tissues. ADD (attention deflect disorder) and ADHD (attention deflect disorder with hyperactivity) cancer has been cited as one of the long-term consequences. Among the more troubling additives are MONO-SODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG) – used in 99% of commercial and fast foods. ASPARTAME: USED TO SWEETEN zero-calorie drinks and added to most sugar-free drinks.

centres. ARTIFICIAL COLOURS as red number 40 and yellow number 5 – used in most drinks. These are just a few commonly used additives that could gradually lead to long-term disease. A certain subcategory of additives has been identified and terminal “EXCITOTOXINS”. These ingredients are dangerous combinations of amino-acids and could cause an overstimulation of the nervous system. Particular excitotoxins include MSG, aspartame (sweeteners like Equal or NutraSweet), L–cysteine, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein. Though amino-acids are naturally occurring components of food, they are normally consumed in combination with other amino-acids and thus easily processed by the body. However, when amino-acids are taken in the form of excitotoxins, the proper mix is absent and our systems can become overwhelmed. Consumption of excitotoxins by children has been linked with hyperactivity and other behavioural problems. Some believe that eating excitotoxins over a life-time can contribute to brain disorders such as Alzheimers.

y h t a K s s e K c S A Prin BROMINATED and HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE oils – used by almost all commercial and fast foods

HEALTH

News101

Block breast cancer with olive oil. Compounds in olive oil ward off breast cancer in two ways. They protect DNA from damage that can lead to the disease and they deactivate key proteins that breast cancer cells need to survive reveals a recent report in the journal, Carcinogenesis.

Dear Kathy, My name is Ada. I just want to thank you for all the information you have been giving through your column in Allure Vanguard, the Sunday Vanguard pull-out.Sunday without it is incomplete for me. I have had serious weight issues since I had my second baby. I have tried lots of products without results, not knowing that weight loss had a lot to do with my diet. I got your pack (Princess Kathy Weight Loss Pack) and wow! Within 4 weeks, I was able to lose 9kg and about 3½ inches of my waistline without starving; just following my meal plan and taking my vitamins. - Ada, Benin Princess Kathy is a certified nutrition and fitness consultant. Email: bodyperfectng@aol.com | BB: 28356028

We are doing great things in all spheres of life so let’s keep encouraging women! THE CONCERT: Wow! What a story! Who is the person who owed? Or should I guess?! I have fallen in love with your column. Learning so much from you, plus I love the fact that you just don’t send! I now like my Sunday Sunday dose of Escapades. Thank you. Me: Glad you’re picking some positive things from the column. It’s great to know that! Dear Mrs. Escapades, you have just exposed how so many people live beyond their salary, all to put up a show. Too much of that is happening around us now. I like your writing and what you write about. Let us have more exposes like this one and keep up the good work. Many people will read this and we hope they see that you do not have to pretend more than you can afford. Imagine someone buying champagne he can’t pay for, all to look like a ‘big boy’. NA wa o! Me: Thanks for the encouragement! THE FASHION SHOW: Dear Aunty, I love your column, Escapades of style and want to tell you that I buy Vanguard every Sunday now because of your column inside. My sister and I fight to read escapades first when we get it and just to say well done. Please, can you be describing your outfits more? I like the things you wear and please keep working hard so that you can be showing good example of how women can work and be somebody too. Not only kitchen work. Me: Thanks for the compliments. Allure magazine is full of fun stuff, isn’t it? You know, kitchen work is pretty hard work, too, so kudos to the women who choose to do that as well! I have a friend like this and what I did was copy what you did. I like you. You are funny, fashionable, successful and no nonsense. I want to be like you. Can you mentor me? I am 23 years and want to be a successful and fashionable woman too. I want to be independent and not asking men for money. Me: Thanks for the compliments. Much appreciated. Keep a personal ethic of hard work and you’ll get there. THE BIRTHDAY PARTY Lol! Ms Vacuous and Ms Vapid! I think I was at that party! I think I know who you wrote about! Me: My lips are sealed!

olish Professional THE

avoid rancour/and segregation, which once they occur, take their toll on an individual and could lead to terrible damage which could affect everyone else as well as the environment that they are in.

by - Chioma Okoye

USING THE POLISH EDGE It is important to note that we need social skills more than ever because, in today’s multicultural workplace, you may be working alongside someone who has a different religion, culture or background. In a large working environment (say a multinational) for instance, you find diverse people with diverse backgrounds such as the Ibo, Yoruba, Hausa, Efik, Edo, Isang, Briton, American, Lebanese, Indian etc. who have all come together for a common goal. Also, a Hausa M.D. or G.M. could have an Urhobo lady as a P.A., or a bank’s branch head who is an Ibo man may have an Efik as a driver.

How can the difference stemming from their ethnicity be managed in order for them to be able to give value to themselves as well as their organisation? If we could sit back and look into the common issues we face in the society, we would deduce that the problem isn’t that we are diverse, but really that people don’t have enough tolerance for each other’s differences. Your attitude mustn’t be the right or the only way, so though you may not agree with other people, you have to respect them. There is need to ensure that diverse cultures amongst people are appreciated and well managed to

Chioma E. Okoye is a Corporate Etiquette expert; she is the Principal of the Diamond School of International protocol & Etiquette. She studied International Protocol & Etiquette at the Institut Villa Pierrefeu Switzerland and is Professional Etiquette Certified (PEC) by Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette Incorporated, United States of America. She worked as a Managing Partner at Lean Sigma Concept for several years (a Management/ Consulting Firm), and was a Managing Partner at Lyndon Cooper (an event consulting firm) before founding Diamond School of International Protocol & Etiquette. She is also a founding team member of John Maxwell group and a certified leadership Coach.

May 12, 2013 /

/ May 12, 2013

...CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

F EA T U R E

FEA TURE

Get Captivated by - Jerome Onipede

ESCAPADES of

Style

...TO BE CONTINUED

Counseling inquiries on Marriage, Relationships, Career and Matchmaking >> @jeromeistalking on Twitter. “Like” Jerome Yaovi Onipede on Facebook.

KATHY EMIKO

BodyPerfect not just slimming but fitness

y h t a K s s e K c S A Prin BROMINATED and HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE oils – used by almost all commercial and fast foods

HEALTH

News101

olish fessional Professional THE

avoid rancour/and segregation, which once they occur, take their toll on an individual and could lead to terrible damage which could affect everyone else as well as the environment that they are in.

by - Chioma Okoye

May 12, 2013 /

/ May 12, 2013

...CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

PEO PLE

VLISCO: INFLUENCING AFRICAN FASHION SINCE

1846

by - Fatima Garba

ince 1846, Vlisco has been creating unique textiles, in Holland, that have influenced the fashion landscape in West and Central Africa. These textiles reflect true Dutch craftsmanship and were originally known as ‘Hollandais’, from the French word for ‘Dutch’. Vlisco is still today the only brand creating authentic Dutch wax fabrics and is recognizable for its unique design, colours and wax craquelé, all of which combine to create this inspiring fashion statement. Four times a year Vlisco launches new, inspiring fabric collections and every collection presents brand new innovations and designs. For the second quarter the company released a collection it calls ‘ Hommage à l’Art ‘. The collection is a tribute to its past, so it was only natural that Vlisco’s designers and colour house went looking for colour

“ONE PARTY AT A TIME!”

BAzAAR DE MARqUEE LAUNCHES IN LAGOS By - Latasha Ngwube The ever popular business genius Anselm Tabansi recently added another feather to his savvy entrepreneurial cap as the doors of the Bazaar De Marquee opened up to the elite society of a Lagos. Located at Mega Plaza, Victoria Island, the restaurant boasts five star dishes sourced from all the world nd infused with a Nigeria blend giving them a unique yet delicious finish.

OrjI uzO KALu

THE HOMMAGE à L’ArT COLLECTION

GrEG MBADIWE

EMEKA OKWuOSA

NIGERIANS V. MONOLOGUE STAGES COMEBACk

ideas from Vlisco’s rich heritage. The collection‘s calm colour palette was inspired by a pile of fabrics found in Vlisco’s archives DESIGN ON A PEDESTAL To give their stories a podium, various heritage designs were reinterpreted for the collection. This idea inspired their designers to create a new fabric design, which has become the signature look of the collection – an amalgam of famous Vlisco figures literally placed on a pedestal. To capture the essence of Hommage à l’Art , Vlisco collaborated with Maarten Spruyt, a renowned art- and fashion stylist and photographer Koen Hauser, who is known for his timeless style.

Mr & MrS KHALIL

By - Oscar Ochiogu

HASSAN FAYYAD, NDuKA OBAIGBENA, ALHAjI DANTATA

LALA AKINDOju

MD BAzAAr DE MArquEE- ANSELM TABANSI & CHIKE COLLINS

IFEOMA FAFuNWA

The Nigerian version of the Vagina Monologues which first premiered on March 6, 2008 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Abuja, and ran for about two years staged a comeback this weekend in Lagos. The make-it-happen-productions in collaboration with the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), brought back the Nigerian classic V Monologues at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, on May 3rd with a performance on May 4th, 2013. V-Monologues returned with an A-list cast, with Ifeoma Fafunwa in the director’s chair. She helmed a stage production that boasts a lineup of notable actresses which included ageless screen goddess Taiwo Ajai Lycett, Bimbo Akintola, Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson- Akande, Omonor, Biola Segun Williams and Rita Edward. The cast also includes Lala Akindoju who wore two hats as producer and actor.

FrANCIS MBADIWE

OC uKEjE AND KATE HENSHAW

ruBY

SADE LADIPO AND COrDELIA OKPEI

ADErONKE ADEBANjO

GODWIN EBI

/ May 12, 2013

NIKKY OGBuEFI

EMEKA MGBuDEM

VENNIAT OMIGIE

DAKOrE AKANDE

MAYOWA AND IrETI DOYLE

BIMBO AKINTOLA

NNEKA OBIANO

May 12, 2013 /

PEO PLE

VLISCO: INFLUENCING AFRICAN FASHION SINCE

1846

by - Fatima Garba

“ONE PARTY AT A TIME!”

OrjI uzO KALu

THE HOMMAGE à L’ArT COLLECTION

GrEG MBADIWE

EMEKA OKWuOSA

NIGERIANS V. MONOLOGUE STAGES COMEBACk

Mr & MrS KHALIL

By - Oscar Ochiogu

HASSAN FAYYAD, NDuKA OBAIGBENA, ALHAjI DANTATA

LALA AKINDOju

MD BAzAAr DE MArquEE- ANSELM TABANSI & CHIKE COLLINS

IFEOMA FAFuNWA

FrANCIS MBADIWE

OC uKEjE AND KATE HENSHAW

ruBY

SADE LADIPO AND COrDELIA OKPEI

ADErONKE ADEBANjO

GODWIN EBI

/ May 12, 2013

NIKKY OGBuEFI

EMEKA MGBuDEM

VENNIAT OMIGIE

DAKOrE AKANDE

MAYOWA AND IrETI DOYLE

BIMBO AKINTOLA

NNEKA OBIANO

May 12, 2013 /