The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Happy hair…happy you

    Happy hair…happy you

    When you hear it’s time to shine, we often think of fashionable outfits, make-up to die for, glitz and glam jewelry, shoes and the likes. Let’s not forget that a woman’s hair is her pride – in short, happy hair…happy you.

     So, when was the last time you pampered or gave your hair a break? Wait. Don’t let your imagination run wild…and you don’t need to start wondering how much it would cost your pocket. You don’t need to visit your hairstylist and rush to the market for some fresh supplies. You have what you need at home.

    Your hair care routine can sometimes feel like a tiresome task. Let’s help you turn it into an invigorating routine as we walk you through this comprehensive hair pampering care that’ll  help relax you, while leaving your hair feeling happy and healthy.  

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    •Take down your hair with care and when detangling

    •Deep condition with any oil (olive or castor oils) of your choice

    •Massage your scalp

    • Cover your hair with a shower cap

    •Avoid heat

    •Kick out your shoes and relax with a book, a movie or a short nap for 15 or 30 minutes

    •When you are ready wash out, condition and do a protective style

    For some hair mask recipes and more, visit https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Hair-Spa-Treatments-at-Hom

  • ‘Every woman is a mentor’

    ‘Every woman is a mentor’

    Ifeoma Theodore Jnr E. is a writer, arts and culture enthusiast. She has made it her life’s mission to ensure young people live in a better society. She is the founder of a not- for- profit outfit ‑ Knowledge Education Empowerment for All (KEE) Foundation. The author of Trapped in Oblivion, and My Daughters and I, among other books for young people believes every woman is a mentor. EVELYN OSAGIE writes.

    Woman with a sunny smile

    You can call her the woman with a sunny smile. Ifeoma Theodore Jnr. E is one woman whose smile lights up the room. She faces life squarely with warmth and loads of positivity. Ifeoma, as she is fondly called in the literary world, is a writer and sex education awareness advocate, who sees life as a gift that should be valued, and most importantly, enjoyed to the fullest.

     Her thoughts on womanhood

     Ifeoma believes women and the girl-child are already empowered by their nature. She says: “The greatest challenge of the girl-child is not knowing and understanding that she is already empowered from the day she was born, as against what the belief is, that you have to fight to be empowered. You can’t fight for what you were born with. As soon as they know it’s in them, they begin from the very outset to understand that every other thing they achieve in life, is to complement and add to what they have always had.

    “She has to accept and understand who she is, not just by her gender, but by her name. As soon as she starts seeing people not as genders, or stereotypes attributed to genders, but their names as beings, she becomes limitless in the course of achieving her life’s purpose. That is the most important hurdle for any girl-child to cross; every other thing would simply fall in line.”

    For the writer who is also a mother, women are born counselors. Hear her: “Every woman is a mentor. Stay-at-home mothers, who sacrifice a lot to organise the running of their homes, working mothers who have to go out there to earn a living, food peddlers in the market who have to stay under the scorching sun to put food on the table, teachers who we have to entrust our children with, domestic helps who help us reduce our already occupied workload. The list is endless. For me, every one of these women makes a great impact on how I see the world.”

    Such thoughts have influenced her creative writings.

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     Her advocacy for the young

    Ifeoma takes pride in writing books that educate, as well as, entertain. “I am not just an author but also the voice of adolescents, teenagers and young adults. My mission is to ensure these young people live in a better society.”

    She is the founder of Knowledge Education Empowerment for All (KEE) Foundation, a not- for- profit, targeted at educating, especially adolescents and young adults on well-being and self-empowerment. She advocates that parents and leaders in positions of authority sahould address the plight of young ones on time.

    “I decided to take the bull by the horns and address issues, like sex education, teen pregnancy, molestation, cyber bullying, and STDS to enlighten everyone, especially the younger generation. It is unfortunate that the society as a whole has relegated the interest and well-being of adolescents, teens and young adults to the back burner, which is detrimental to the society and the lives of the young ones concerned.”

    Her literary works

    Ifeoma has created beautiful literary pieces that have defied age limitations, culture and traditions, and have gone as far as breaking down barriers put in place by the society. She has authored many works of fiction, English textbooks, poems and colouring and illustration for children.

    Commendably, her books, Trapped in Oblivion and My Daughters and I have garnered recognition and endorsements from notable organisations, including UNFPA, UNICEF, DFID, NACA, NERDC and the Federal Ministry of Education. They have also been approved for use in schools,

    Both works which are notable for addressing the well-being of adolescents and young adults have been recognised and endorsed both here at home and internationally. This speaks well of how impactful her works are.

    Trapped in Oblivion, which is her first novel, set in Africa, Nigeria to be precise, reflects the negative impact some societal norms and traditions cause the young generation. Some of the traditions of old, which are today detrimental to the choices people make, are still being upheld. The book focuses on teenage characters on a quest to know more about their wellbeing. She brought out the uniqueness of teenagers and the different relationships some teenagers have with their parents. While some parents have discarded the age-old mantra, to educate their children better, others like the protagonist’s mother still held on to the mantra which brought about a sad but avoidable end in the story.

     My Daughters and I, which is a self-help book, comes across as a need to know necessity. It introduces topics that every parent shies away from discussing with their daughters terming it “uncomfortable”.

    Ifeoma seeks to bridge that gap between parents and their daughters through her work. Topics range from puberty, hygiene, to STDs, boys and much more.

    Her writing comes from an understanding and non-judgemental point of view, of someone who can relate to what adolescents are going through when they experience puberty. She acknowledges that puberty comes with certain self-awareness and that young girls need guidance at this point in their lives.

    The piece uses warm tones with jokes as interjections to relax the reader.

     Ifeoma is not limited to a particular genre. She has also published Ginger and other stories, about the role of parents in the life of children. There is also a collection of poems, which come with illustrations.

     Her creativity can also be seen in her colouring works, like The Nigerian Tribes Colouring Book, which have no words, but speaks “unity in a diverse country” to any child that picks it up.

    Her colouring books are ideal for toddlers. She says: “Art is a language that breaks down barriers and unites the continent. The important thing is creating awareness in the society, in a way that can speak and bring comfort to everyone.”

  • ‘NEPA’ separation: Diobu women protest sequel

    ‘NEPA’ separation: Diobu women protest sequel

    ‘Oh-oh-oh! What is going on? No light again, tonight? This power outage killed a person o. Hello Evelyn… Tamara…  Are you ladies there,” Tinu the geologist called out to us as she strolled towards Tamara’s flat where we were seated last Saturday evening.

    Tamara’s flat has two balconies – one in front and another behind. The one at the back is the coolest spot in our estate. It is fast becoming a potential Women Corner’s place. The array of trees there gives it a very captivating feel that leaves one relaxed, just sitting and enjoying the cool breeze there. In recent times, we like converging there during the evenings, especially now that her hubby has gotten a job on a rig.

    Last week’s sun was so terrible that we found ourselves gathering there every evening. Everyone was complaining of heat rashes; and we’ve also been experiencing power outages like never before.

    That Saturday evening, I was there with Christabel, and the girls, when Tinu strolled in. As if knowing the topic of our discussion, she muted her displeasure on the lack of constant power supply.

    “Wo, Tinu, it was just what we have been discussing. Our husbands, I beg your pardon…let me be specific…,” began Lola, who lowered her voice and continued, “my husband is now citing the heat as an excuse not to hmmm…”

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    We all laughed at her statement. And while pretending not to understand what she meant, Ada asked, “what do you mean by hmmm?”

    “Are we children here… Say what you mean jare. What is hmmm,” Christabel added.

    “What I meant to say is, my husband has not touched me for some time now,” replied Lola.

    “Me too, o. My husband was constantly complaining before he travelled last weekend to Abuja,” Mummy Fawaz retorted.

    “Well, it looks like everyone has been experiencing the same thing. The problem is NEPA or PHCN or whatever they are now called. The question is, what are we going to do about it. How are we going to end this ‘NEPA’ separation’,” queried Lola.

    “I suggest we form a protest group and take the protest to their head office or their office close to us. Evelyn, you can help us organise the media and I’d get my lawyer friends to join us in the protest,” suggested Ada.

    I laughed and said, “so, you want to hold a sequel to the Diobu women protest of February, abi?”

    “Yes, na! Remember we were laughing when we saw the report. But look at it, it is now our turn. Should we begin to rape our husbands, now? Something has to be done, we cannot continue like this. Look at my body,” she pulled up her blouse to show her skin even though we couldn’t see how badly the rashes had spread, we nodded in understanding. For each of us has had our own share of heat rashes.

    “Even though I don’t support the incessant power outages we’ve experienced in recent times, I think what we are seeing is the effect of climate change and global warming. It is high time we all paid attention to our environment. Remember, Evelyn was complaining about them cutting those trees behind you people’s block. Haven’t you noticed the heat has increased ever since,” asked Tinu.

    “Yes, o,” we all agreed. “Then let’s make some drastic changes in our lifestyles among other aspects of our lives,” Tinu added. 

  • Kanwulia’s Lagos tour ends at Jazz Festival

    Kanwulia’s Lagos tour ends at Jazz Festival

    In a blend of soulful tunes and vibrant rhythms, Kanwulia’s Amerikana Who’s That Girl!? Lagos tour reached its climax at the prestigious Lagos International Jazz Festival 2024. Hosted at the Live Lounge Victoria Island, Lagos, the event stood as a beacon of musical excellence and cultural fusion.

    Spanning nearly a fortnight, Kanwulia’s tour swept through Lagos, captivating audiences with her dynamic performances and infectious energy. From the lively media rendezvous at The Rhodes BBQ in Alausa, Ikeja, where she received her PMAN Work License Card from PMAN Lagos Governor and legendary African Female Drummer, Aralola Olamuyiwa, to the mesmerizing jazz ambiance of Scotch Bonnet Jazz, and the scenic waterfront setting of The Bay Lounge Lekki, her presence resonated at every stop.

    Highlights of the tour included an engaging appearance at the Umutu Jazz Immersion Show and a poignant tribute appearance at Freedom Park in honour of the late arts and culture luminary, Jimi Solanke.

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    Official meet and greets with music industry icons like Pretty Okafor, the current PMAN National President, and Collins Enebeli, father to ace Nigerian producer Don Jazzy further enriched the tour experience.

    At the LIJF 2024 showcase, serving as the tour’s grand finale, Kanwulia commanded the stage as the headliner, delivering a captivating performance that enthralled the audience. Other acts in the event lineup included the talented 10Strings All Stars Band and an array of guest acts like Ire, Chiamaka, Akan, Alessandra from Panama, as well as Inioluwa, Champion and Prince Charles. Special appearances by renowned DJ Jimbo and the Jazzahead Bremen Germany-bound AFRO4 superband added to the night’s allure.

    Packaged by the innovative minds at Inspiro Productions with support from the dynamic Volkano Productions crew, the tour and its LIJF 2024 Showcase underscored the transformative power of music and the enduring impact of Kanwulia’s musical prowess.

     As the final chords echoed, it was clear that Kanwulia’s tour had forged a lasting connection between music, culture, and community.

  • Nigeria, Norway and UK re-write Ibsen’s play

    Nigeria, Norway and UK re-write Ibsen’s play

    After an opening performance and follow-up workshops in Abuja, by the Norwegian–British duo, Kate Pendry and Audun Aschim, who in collaboration with Jos Repertory Theatre is re-creating and re-writing the works of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. The workshop will attempt to come up with two scripts in the oeuvre of Ibsen – The Master Builder and Ghosts which will be translated into Pidgin English for a 2025 performance.

    The Norwegian performing duo of British actress, Pendry and Aschim hosted a landmark performance in Abuja of Henrik Ibsen’s Little Eyolf that was staged as Cripplewolf. With the sponsorship of SYV MIL and the support of the Norwegian and Brazilian Embassies, the performances were accompanied by drama and music workshops for one week leading up to a collaborative performance at the 16th Jos International Festival of Theatre 2025.

    The performing duo of Pendry and Aschim will be involved in the preliminary re-writing and re-reading of Henrik Ibsen’s The Master Builder and Ghosts, two works by the Norwegian writer and philosopher that have continued to resonate in the world decades after their Norwegian premiere. The plays will be re-read and re-written in Pidgin English by the workshop participants leading to full blown adaptations in the coming year before the Jos festival. Studio musical recordings are also being planned with the scripts in attempts to make the plays more accessible and readable to the Nigerian public.

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    The performance combines scripted and improvised music and text. Pendry’s voice acts like another instrument while Aschim provides a filmic soundtrack through his guitar. Together, they create a mythopoeic space through sonic shadows from just two performers on stage.

    Pendry and Aschim have distinguished themselves as a creative duet through trans-disciplinary stage works to comment on the disharmonies of contemporary society. Together they have produced several successful productions that blend “unperformable” subjects on stage with an accessible modern musical expression, taking the narratives into unpredictable spaces.

    The workshops will find an intersection between local music and genres that will apart from emphasizing Ibsen’s provocative theatre and progressive thought give rise to a resurgence of performance and dialogue on Ibsen’s plays in a country where such plays though available have not been regularly performed.  The performances of Cripplewolf are critical because of human challenges that seem to create a complex fusion and vision of life at the most elemental level. The play while exploring issues pertinent in the days of Ibsen will equally explore a diversity of issues pertinent to our lives including friendship, family, conflict and societal pressures. In the end it is envisaged that we will engage and dialogue with our audiences using the power of Ibsen’s drama. Workshops will be held to share experiences and chart a new revival in the production of Ibsen’s plays in Nigeria. In performing these plays we will be engrossed by the ways of the individual mind, by the clash of personal temperament, by the endless and tragic conflict between the calls of duty and the search for happiness within the individual psyche. It is also envisaged that Ibsen’s plays will help to rekindle the spirit of community and dialogue as the basis for his existentialist thoughts and his philosophy so well embedded in our society especially his exposure of establishment folly, the castigation of social abuse and a cursory look at people who control others while looking at the nature of power to influence and impose.

    In their first trip to Nigeria, the performing duo of Pendry and Aschim will be exploring themes of love, parenthood, sexuality and death based on Ibsen’s play Little Eyolf now re-staged as Cripplewolf. In Cripplewolf, Pendry and Aschim push the boundaries of their artistic expressions.

    They reinterpret Little Eyolf in a way that allows the female characters more nuance and complexity beyond traditional readings of Ibsen’s work. 

    The week-long interaction promises to be a memorable one with expectations of an album recording and laying the groundwork for Raise Am!  in an Ibsenique, Nigerian and Norwegian-British theatre traditions and cross-cultural exchange. It would be interesting to find out how Ibsen’s works will resonate and read in a Pidgin English setting. The workshop will set the tone for what to expect.

    The performances and workshops will take place during the week of 15th to 20th April in different venues in Abuja. The first public performance of Cripplewolf at the Brazilian Embassy was last Monday while the second performance will be a command performance for the diplomatic community at a different venue.

  • Jimi Solanke: Unsung hero of Nigerian arts

    Jimi Solanke: Unsung hero of Nigerian arts

    • His biography set for launch

    Multitalented folklore musician and dramatist Olujimi Adeboye Solanke may have passed on at 81, in February, but his contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s cultural landscape remain indelible. Until his death, he was an accomplished folk music artiste, dancer, playwright, actor, visual artist and poet.

    And as a legend that told legendary stories, he used his iconic baritone voice to narrate folk tales of icons to children on television. Little wonder UK-based Nigerian author Oluwatoyin Sutton dared the odds to write a biography on the talented unsung artiste. In spite of the many challenges, it was a decision inspired by the need to preserve and celebrate all Uncle Jimi meant to the Nigerian arts, music, poetry, theatre etc.

    In a chat in Lagos, at the weekend, Sutton disclosed that the new book on Jimi; Jimi Solanke: The Indestructible published by Bookraft meant much to her because Jimi’s story is a metaphor of an unsung hero of Nigerian arts scene. She stated that it also allowed her to celebrate the existence of theatre, historical development, highlife in Ibadan, and the growth of theatre at the University of Ibadan among others. The book is a 10-part biography of 354 pages.

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    “Having Jimi’s story gives us the opportunity of knowing him better. Also, it tells the stories of his peers, working with Prof Wole Soyinka, and his best friend Wale Ogunyemi. In fact, the book gives us a snippet of his close relationship with Soyinka, the Mbari Club and other major activities that shaped his life as a consummate artiste,” she said. Jimi’s trajectory will be incomplete without the inputs from his Ibadan years both as a budding act and a star.

    In fact, if Jimi was a creative seed, the city of Ibadan was a fertile land of bubbly cultural activities that shaped and nurtured his talent into stardom. The late Jimi literarily drank from the wealth of intellectuals at Ibadan who inspired him and honed his numerous talents at the iconic Mbari Club founded in Ibadan by Ulli Beier, the late German author.

    Recalling how she got interested in writing the biography of Jimi, Sutton said she got a phone call from a friend in 2016 who sold the idea of preserving the stories of Jimi to her. Interestingly, Jimi according to her was a father figure as he was part of her growing up at Ile-Ife. “Jimi used to play in my father’s Club on Ondo Road at Ife then on every Sunday, she recalled with nostalgic feeling. 

    She then undertook the task of taking notes about and on Jimi before approaching him on the biography project, which he was so excited about.

    “The book has to be done. Jimi was an amazing person. His responses to my enquiries were non-stop. In fact, I was just a vehicle to bring the story out. We need the world to read it,” Sutton said, adding that in spite of the many hurdles, the late Jimi got some copies of the book before he passed on.

    Why indestructible as part of the biography title? Sutton said that the word ‘indestructible’ wasn’t part of the working title at the onset but that it was appropriated along the line.

    “The word is from a foreword written by Prof Wole Soyinka to one of Jimi’s books. Unknown to many of his admirers and fans, Jimi had a lots of downs, but he was very resistant at all times. To me, there is something indestructible in Jimi. Indestructible, again, is a metaphor,” she noted. 

    Putting the biography together didn’t come easy for the author who shuttled London and Nigeria to interact with the late Jimi. Beyond reading up archival materials on Jimi and sending questions to the legendary dramatist, the author also interacted with some of Jimi’s close friends and colleagues in the arts in order to enrich her findings, especially the likes of Prof Soyinka. These, according to her, weren’t the big deal but funding, which was the major challenge. 

    “My major challenge was funding right from the onset.  Before the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down the world, I was visiting Nigeria twice a year to source information and meet with Jimi on the project. He was responding to all my questions but I still wanted to be around him. He was a strong man at that age. In fact, he fuelled my commitment and continuation of the biography. And again, I wanted to do him real justice, n       ot just write a book. Happily, some copies of the book were given to him before he passed on. But for COVID-19 delays and other setbacks, we had agreed to do the public presentation of the book by summer this year,” she said.

    However, the news of the sudden death of Bab Agba, as Jimi was fondly called, was greeted by Sutton with disbelief. “I felt disbelief that Jimi was no longer alive. I will miss his laughter and encouragement. It was sadness. Unfortunately, when our legends are alive we don’t do enough to appreciate them. We need to put something on ground to that effect so that when the legends are old, they can be taken care of through such scheme. In fact, we need to push for such a foundation,” she advised all stakeholders and governments.

    According to her, one big lesson she took away from her encounters with Jimi is that she harbours no fear on any issue in life as she will take on anything. “This is what I took away from Jimi.  I also learnt that passion is the greatest asset to achieving your goal,” she said, declaring that Jimi said he had no regrets as his paths in life were God ordained.

  • Guard your heart this April

    Guard your heart this April

    Life is good this April. You have a busy schedule. There’s work, family and social demands that keep you on your feet all weeklong. And these commitments leave no room for relaxation.

    Dear sister, as you set out to meet up with each appointment, meeting and all, remember your heart.  In this self-care April, one thing a sister must do is “Guard your heart”.

    Let’s share with you this write-up by familydoctor.org that educates on how to ensure a good heart health – it is entitled: “Keeping heart healthy”.

     “A healthy heart is central to overall good health. Embracing a healthy lifestyle at any age can prevent heart disease and lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke. You are never too old or too young to begin taking care of your heart. True, the younger you begin making healthy choices, the longer you can reap the benefits. But swapping good habits for bad to promote good health can make a difference, even if you’ve already suffered a heart attack.

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     “Choosing healthier foods and exercising are two of the best ways to contribute to good heart health. There are additional things you can do to lower your risk for heart disease.

     Things that put you at higher risk for heart disease include:

    • Smoking

    • High blood pressure

    • Obesity/being overweight

    • High cholesterol levels

    • Inactivity (no exercise)

    • Family history of heart disease (especially a parent or sibling)

    For further reading, visit https://familydoctor.org/keeping-heart-healthy/

  • When Thailand marries Nigeria

    When Thailand marries Nigeria

    “Dear sisters, sit and grab yourselves a drink or snack, I have hot gist for you…plenty gist!” That was an excited Sexy Lola, who would often arrive late, welcoming other members of the Women Corner gang who joined us at our usual spot under the Ebelebo Tree, last Sunday.

    I know the gist she wanted to tell but others, except Tamara, didn’t. I pretended as if I didn’t know myself so that the gist can be sweet, because no one tells it like Lola does.

    “Lola …Lola…Lola has come again,” taunted Tinu as she strolled in with a tray in hand that she covered with napkin – it contained her baked noodles pizza, or so she called it.

    “Relax. Grab a sit, Tinu. Let me gist you of the Thailand festival we attended yesterday. What is that in your hand,” asked Lola, nothing misses her attention.

    “Oh, it’s my treat for us this evening. I call it my baked noodles pizza. It has an Asian root. I found it on YouTube.”

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    “Oh-oh-oh YouTube again…not another of those you people specials wey dey purge belle. You should have told us to take purgative before coming, na,” cried Ada, who had already helped herself with a slice of the snack immediately Tinu dropped the tray.

    “Ada, be calming down, o. I’ve made it for my kids and they loved it. I assure you that you’d ask for it. Better grab yourself another slice before you regret it.”

    We watched as Ada took a bite, and held our breath as she stopped chewing, closed eyes and kept an expressionless face.

    “Ada what?” Mummy Fawaz asked.

    “Ada wetin dey happen na,” queried Tamara. Even Tinu had a worried look on face as Christabel added, “why not spit it out, instead of you to die.”

    And suddenly, Ada started chewing very fast, opened her eyes and said, “you must give me this recipe,” while laughing.

    “So why were you silent? You almost gave us a heart attack,” I said angrily.

    “I was trying to savour the moment, while wondering what it tasted like and what she put in it. It has a blend of pancake and jollof rice taste.” By this time, I and the others were struggling to grab a slice.

    “Don’t worry I still have more in the oven,” Tinu assured, and seeing that as her cue, Lola continued with her gist. “Ehen, like I was saying, you should have seen the Thailand festival we attended yesterday. Like Tinu’s pie, I mean, Tinu’s Noodles pizza,” which has Asian root but has a blend of the taste of pie and jollof, according to Ada, the festival was a marriage between Thailand and Nigeria.” She turned and looked at Tamara and I as if seeking for approval.

    And without thinking, we both said: “Yes”.

    And then, she continued, stealing the show from me and Tamara who was also in attendance. I had invited Lola and Tamara to the event which a friend had invited me to. But Lola and Tamara seemed to have enjoyed themselves thoroughly. “If you ask me, I’ll tell you, Nigeria and Thailand have a lot in common. I mean the cuisines at the festival were similar to ours. Aside a few twist here and there, they could pass for ours.” Tamara and I shook our heads as we took a slice each from Tinu’s second tray of pizza special.

    “Take for instance, they have soups that could pass for our own pepper soup. The fun part was that we met Dame Danjuma there, and she was so warm and homely. And she expressed the same observation too when Evelyn chat her up. What about the music. Let me Evelyn to explain,” she said, turning to me.

    “Don’t worry, they can read about it once my report is out,” I replied her as she moved to the table to grab a slice but was greeted with an empty tray.”Wey my pizza?”

    Silence.

  • Meet the goddess of IDERA

    Meet the goddess of IDERA

    Passionate, audacious and focused aptly describe award-winning actress and philanthropist Temitope Omobolanle Atitebi, known popularly as Bola Stephen-Atitebi. Bola, who is the brain behind IDERA Foundation, is one thespian that take her character beyond the stage to creating opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances. She has come to be known as the ‘goddess of IDERA’ (hope). In this chat with EVELYN OSAGIE, she speaks on her recently concluded tour of the United States on Broadway in New York with a One-woman show Esther’s Revenge.

    Being Omobolanle Atitebi

    I am the ‘first of the firsts’! I’m first of my mother’s five children and the first female grandchild. I am passionate about my family and my craft. I derive great pleasure in impacting knowledge and transforming lives by sharing my life experiences. I am a lover of God.

    Born Temitope Omobolanle Atitebi, I am popularly known on stage as Bola Stephen-Atitebi or Bola Stephen. Stephen is my late father’s name and I decided to take it in honour of him. I have a beautiful daughter and grand-daughter. For me, being a woman is about embracing the fullness of who you are, celebrating my strengths and my vulnerabilities, and using my voice to uplift others and effect positive change in the world. It is also about celebrating the different identities, experiences and forming connections and solidarity with other women, building supportive networks, and amplifying each other’s voices.

    My favorite things

    Good food and good scents are my favorite things. I love Amala with gbegiri and Ewedu. Give me any time any day! I love to cook and clean, I am obsessed with upcycling and interior decoration. For fun, I love to go out and listen to live music and dance. If I can’t go out then I stay at home and watch movies or write or turn the house upside down cleaning and redecorating.

    I am also very fashion conscious. I love to look good at all times, smell good and most importantly wear very unique things. I can be quirky too. But like my name, my comfort is paramount! My style is Afro-infusion-always a blend of my Africanness and I dare say my Nigerianess. I love to look natural but unique. One fashion item I cannot do without is earrings! Beauty is two things to me – kindness and creativity.

    My passion for girls and women

    I am also very passionate about supporting teenage mothers and vulnerable women. And that passion is deeply rooted in a belief in the transformative power of compassion, advocacy, and collective action. From my personal experiences to witnessing the struggles of others, my journey towards advocacy has been fueled by a profound sense of empathy and the creating the opportunity for individuals to reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances. And so IDERA was born. I.D.E.R.A, which stands for “Inspiration, Development, Empowerment, and Resourceful Advocacy,” is a distinguished Non-Governmental Organisation passionately committed to advocating for and supporting the well-being of young girls and vulnerable women, with a particular emphasis on the unique challenges faced by teenage mothers, which earned us an award.

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    Inspiration behind the establishment IDERA 

    I drew inspiration from my root. I had Muslim grandparents and they named me NIMOTA, which means COMFORT in arabaic and comfort is translated as IDERA in the Yoruba language. So many factors led to its establishment; but thinking deeply, I would say the need that propelled it took place in 2015.

    One day in 2015, I was walking home and I saw this man who obviously had a kidney problem, his stomach was swollen, his skin yellowish and even though he wasn’t blind but one could see that his vision was not that great. I had been seeing him before that day but something in me broke that particular day and as I got home I wrote a poem titled ‘COMFORT AT THE HEM’.  And I decided to start the foundation because all I wanted to do is provide comfort and support as much as I am able to.

    My passion for theatre

    My love for singing, dancing, acting and telling African Folktales led me into studying Theatre, TV, Radio and stage Production at the Lagos State University and Communication at the London Southbank University. Theatre is a gift to me; when everything else seems to fail; one thing remained constant in my life-THEATRE. I was already singing and dancing and leading the cultural group since primary school, curating poetry recitation by compiling rhymes from my collection of Nursery Rhymes book in primary 3. Writing short stories and performing them without much direction. So when I left secondary school and stumbled on a board asking for actors in 1995, the wheels turned, and have continued to turn till this day.

    Today, I am Associate Producer at the Lagos Fringe festival as well as the curator of the Art/Pop Up Market.I have appeared in over 200 stage productions both locally and internationally with the recent one being the award-winning one-woman show, “Esther’s Revenge” as Directed by Kenneth Uphopho. The play that treats themes on Sexual abuse, social injustice, race etc.

    I am one thespian that has taken my character beyond the stage to creating the opportunity for individuals to reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances. As a woman passionate about advocacy, I use my theatre to speak about change and to change narrative. I often play roles that inspire women to dare to be different. I have played so many roles on historic and prominent African women, like Funmlayo Ransome Kuti. I’ve played Madam Efunroye in Madam Tinubu; I’ve played Moremi and recently Esther is a woman.

    My thoughts on Nigeria Theatre

    Theatre in Nigeria has run on the blood and sweat of the practitioners for their passion and love for it; it has simply been a case of using the little or practically non existing resources to create the magic that we have right now. There must be government support for the art much more than what we have now for Nigerian theatre to grow into its full potential and much more. I would love to see more recognition for the arts as a profession that is equally as viable and valuable to the economical and developmental growth of the country by the government.

     My belief in the empowerment of thespians

    I believe that theatre has the power to empower individuals with opportunities for self-expression, personal growth, and connection with others. With these skills acquired, thespians can thrive both on and off the stage, enriching their lives and the lives of others in the process. There are several arms and sectors in the theater that can generate income for the artstiste and the economy that we have not even explored at all. The focus has been more on acting, music and dance and maybe directing but there is arts management, lighting and design, costuming, stage management, front of house, script writing, makeup, sound and much more.

    In 2013, I initiated a project named “Theaterpreneurship” aimed at raising awareness among artists about alternative income streams within the arts. Aspiring thespians, particularly young women, need to bear this in mind before going into theatre – learn the craft and learn other survival skills as well. The journey can be very tough and competitive; hold your ground, be resilient but have a truck load of patience.

    My most memorable moment as a theatre practitioner

    The most memorable moment for me was and still is the first time I performed the One-Woman show as “Esther Johnson” in a theatre in Bloemfontein South Africa in 2018 with live audiences on stage with me and several audiences in the main auditorium.

    It was freezing cold; I had just a loose dress on and was totally barefooted. From the moment I stepped or rather was dragged on stage till the moment I was pulled off it, I felt I existed outside my body, I stayed in that space for several hours after the show, it was surreal…I cannot ever forget that particular experience even though I have staged the same play over 40 times now, and although it’s the same play that took me to Broadway, the first time was truly memorable because of the emotion the play exudes, none will ever come close to that very first experience for me.

     My recent tour

    My recent tour in the United States was off-Broadway! That was a great feat; I daresay it’s the first of its kind for a Nigerian performer or even a Nigerian Theatre company. The opportunity to showcase my talent and especially share my culture and a part of history on such prestigious stage is an accomplishment. It is a true validation and recognition of my skill and talent and years of hard work and dedication for my craft.

     It is yet another great boost and has had a profound positive impact on my career and personal development, providing valuable experiences, exposure, and opportunities for more growth.

    It has given me exposure to new audiences, a lot of the audience members has never experience Nigerian theatre or stories from Nigeria and in their words “it’s a breath of fresh air’ and they want more.  While on tour I had the privilege to network and connect with industry professionals, directors, and fellow performers and these connections are already fostering future opportunities and collaborations.

  • Ache of Waters

    Ache of Waters

    By Joshua Omeke

    In the distant wilderness, one could see

    the disappearance of light as sunsets,

    The mind once prepared for the journey now squeaking in fear,

    Since abandoned by her friend, prowess,

    it yearns in the company of chirping birds,

    And the oesophagus pumps for fresh air,

    Can this mind still feel the ache of waters,

    On a canoe of hope paddling to greatness,

    As her paddle scoops of the waters,

    The ear hears the plopping of each eave,

    Soon to be discombobulated by a sudden swoosh,

    Underneath is the midpoint drifting into balance,

    Curated to enable this mind to move ahead,

    What sort of turbulence could rumble this journey like a waterbed?

    Since the canoe yoke withholds the legs,

    Suddenly, her mind has become relieved of fear,

    Once a mind consumed by loneliness and bradycardia,

    Now equipped with symphonic birds and chutzpah,

    If the harbingers wait for the night to voraciously consume this mind,

    Tell them, this ache of water has done the worst.

    • Omeke is an awardwinning poet and founder of Alkebulan Art Organisation UK