Hyacinth Chinweuba

The General Overseer of Resurrection Praise Ministries International for Africa, Archbishop Samson Mustapha Benjamin in Lagos on Tuesday distributed food items, hand sanitizers and face masks to the poor members of the local security agencies as well as the Muslim community in the state.

Archbishop Benjamin who distributed the palliatives in the state, noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a challenging time when charity has to be done practically more than ever before.

The Clergyman added that even though everyone is hit hard by the pandemic, some sections of the society are worst hit and even though it is not possible to reach out to all the people, it is very important to reach as many as possible even if with just a meal.

“It is a sad reality that we have come to stay with this pandemic that has turned life upside down especially for the less privileged sections of our society. Human life and value is put to the test it now shows how fleeting and transient life is. This is a time, more than ever before, to show charity in a practical ways, no matter how little.

“My Church is reaching out to the poorest and most vulnerable in our parishes and everyone because we are practicing being our brothers keeper. We are also reaching out to our Muslim brothers and sisters through the Muslim Council, as well as those in the frontline such as security agencies and nurses. It is a sign that we live in solidarity. It is during such difficult times that we are called to put our faith to practical use”

He urged the people to “obey constituted authorities and imbibe good hygiene while practicing social distancing” while expressing confidence that the lessons to be drawn from the COVID-19 pandemic experience would help to make the nation stronger and better, if only the leaders would genuinely chose to chart a new and better course thereafter.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to our correspondent expressed gratitude for the gesture of the Church at the trying moment.

Our Correspondent also reports that the foodstuff was shared to about five Muslim communities, while hand sanitizers and face masks were given to security agencies and other sections of the society.

She is the CEO, La Mode Magazine, Green October Event, FashMode Reality T.V Show and La Mode Magazine Disability Foundation. Sandra Odige, a publisher and Media Personality in this interview with Omolara Akintoye reveals how her brand in the past nine years has been showcasing and promoting emerging fashion designers across the globe, how her foundation is empowering persons with disabilities and how she is coping with the pandemic, among others.  

 

How are you coping with COVID-19 pandemic?

These are indeed extraordinary times.Covid-19 came as a surprise, we did not see it coming when we were all planning our goals and strategies for 2020.But in all of the pandemic issues around the world I have been able to cope well apart from following the healthy tips and lifestyle to prevent me and my household from contacting the virus. The pandemic is an eye opener to the happenings around me and the world in general. During the whole lockdown regulation by the government, I have been able to discover different things I can do without physical interactions whatsoever as regards my personal and work lifestyle. My business have always been an offline and online oriented brand but I and my team have been able to leverage 80% of the business plans to be online oriented as against prior to the pandemic. The pandemic has given us a bigger picture and perspective to our business. I have also learnt different business skills online during this period and used the period to map out more strategies to be a better leader and individual. This period has been more of self development, rediscovering and rebirth for me.

 What changes would you like to see in the industry with the New Normal?

I will like to see good industry changes like full effective online apps, online strategies and media strategies for a better industry. Online strategies that will improve the already existing online strategy prior to the pandemic, I want every leader in the industry to leverage on the online platform maximally without limits in a bigger and better way to change and improve the Entertainment, Fashion, Beauty, Creative Arts, Publishing, Events, Media and Lifestyle. I am hopeful that with a robust and highly effective online strategy in these segments of the industry the industry will be able to value, make profit, strive in any issue and also match international standard.

What inspired you to go into Public relations?

As a publisher and media personality, my job is all encompassing and as such solving brands and individuals publicity issues is something I’m passionate about. I got inspired from the zeal to add significant value to business owners and individuals who need good PR strategies to become a better personality/public figure or have a better brand. I also got inspired from the desire to see brands improve from level zero to an unmatched level and to see personalities with good professional and good business ethics. I want my clients to be household names and for the world to know about them with the first mention of their names or through google search.

What was the turning point for you?

For me my turning point started when I took the plunge to resign from my Banking job to face what I have always wanted; to be an entrepreneur. It was not an easy decision for me to resign as at that time but I was too confident that I will do better as an entrepreneur than a banker. It is the determination, zeal, and courage to succeed that got me to the level I am as an entrepreneur. As one who is focused and giving up for me is never a solution no matter the challenges, I am facing. I will also not take consistency away from this discussion. I have been consistent from day one i.e from the really rough and tough times of building my brand to this moment. I can proudly say the turning point for me was when I left my banking job to face entrepreneurship.

 Did you encounter some challenges along the line? How were you able to overcome them?

Yes I encountered lots of challenges because building a brand from scratch is not a piece of cake. The truth is that the life of an entrepreneur isn’t necessarily easy. As the pop-culture phrase has it: “The struggle is real. “I see challenges as driving force to succeed, I try not to get deterred as a result of any challenge i encounter. I was able to overcome my challenges by looking for options that are in line with my objectives. For example when I started my Magazine which is capital intensive, that was a huge challenge for me as I needed capital.  Getting advertisers for the first edition was a big challenge, but I did not give up, instead I decided to look inwards by writing down my marketing strategies and good benefits for my advertisers. After writing them down, I told myself I will be able to overcome my challenges if I work effectively. I was able to get some advertisers and was able to pay for the full production of the first edition. I never drop any project as a result of my struggles instead I work effectively to overcome them. Till date, I still encounter challenges but it makes me work harder and smarter and it’s a driving force for me to succeed.

How was your growing up like, your educational background, and how has it contributed to what you do now?

My growing up was good as I was under the nurture and care of my parents. From a boarding secondary school to a Christian university. I have always been guided with good principles and knowledge.

I wasn’t born knowing that I wanted to work in an entrepreneurial environment or that I wanted to be a publisher or a PR expert. I studied International Studies and Diplomacy AT Benson Idahosa University, graduated with second class upper as I was one of the best in my class. All I wanted was to end up a Diplomat or work in an embassy and ensure any job I get is in line with what I studied at the university.  After graduation and the completion of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), I worked with a media communication company, Oil and Gas Company and the banking sector. In all of my work experiences in these sectors I didn’t find fulfillment. As a banker in 2011, I was in my room lying on my bed and I went into deep thought , in that thought I asked myself what can I start that can appreciate and project Fashion, Lifestyle, Beauty, Models and colours, then the idea to own a magazine came that moment. From that moment I started thinking of the appropriate name to give the magazine. After a good research I came up with LA MODE which means Fashion in French. Afterwards I started working towards publishing my first magazine edition in 2011.Then La Mode Magazine was a quarterly print and online publication because of my banking job. Immediately I resigned till date La Mode is a monthly publication as it is now full time.

Tell us your vision for La Mode Magazine, & FashMode Reality TV Show. Have you been able to achieve them?

La Mode Magazine is a fashion and lifestyle magazine; A digital and print publication known for its creative style of publishing. We have published over 50 editions with top notable personalities and celebrities of all works of life. La Mode Magazine is committed to cover the fashion, lifestyle and entertainment in Nigeria objectively and responsibly. La Mode Magazine as a top fashion magazine in Africa my vision in the next couple of years is to see La Mode beyond the shores of Africa, more of a global brand and copies of La Mode Magazine around the world.

FashMode’ is a fashion and modeling reality TV show that looks to showcase and promote emerging fashion designers and aspiring models, as well as promote the idea of building a solid relationship between the designer and the model who will showcase their designs. “The show also looks to build confidence amongst fashion designers, and give them an opportunity to pitch their ideas to willing investors. My vision for the FashMode Reality Show is to see Fashmode bigger than expected and to be an household brand also to see  Fashmode contestants and winners do excellently well in their various fields either as a model or a designer and become global.

Tell us some of your success stories

I am not where I want to be in life but so far I am grateful. My courage and determination to succeed makes me a successful person against all odds. My success stories I will say is achieving all my project plans. I still have a lot to achieve in life as the journey continues.

I will say am grateful to those who saw the  success in my projects before executing and those who believed in me. Without these persons, my success story is incomplete. We all need some level of encouragement, support system and motivation to keep striving to attain success.

From starting up the La Mode brand to birthing other projects under the brand like; Green October Event, FashMode Reality TV Show and La Mode online contestants. The success of these project on a yearly basis is food to my soul as I consider the successful actualization of these projects a huge success in my career path.

What is Green October Event all about?  Tell us your plans for this year with the COVID-19 pandemic?

“Green October Event’’ is an initiative of La Mode Magazine and La Mode Disability foundation. It is an annual Fashion and Award Shows. The event has a unique touch which is the fact that it helps create awareness, celebrate, appreciate and support persons living with disabilities. The initiative is an advocacy awareness platform where persons with disability are given a voice.

Green October event is an avenue where philanthropic and humanitarian gestures are given an annual prestigious award to people who have contributed significantly to humanity in their various fields of endeavours without prejudice on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, religion or ethnicity.

It is a platform that celebrates Entrepreneurs, where deserving entrepreneurs in Fashion, Beauty and lifestyle are given an annual prestigious award to appreciate and encourage their works.

Green October Event provides a platform for Fashion Designers to showcase their creative designs on the runway. The event helps to promote made in Nigeria fashion and Africa to the world.

Green October Event always take place on Nigeria’s Independence Day. Every year there is a unique theme for Green October Event.

This year’s edition which is slated for 6th October and is centred around the Covid-19 pandemic. We will officially talk more about this year’s edition during the press conference around July ending.

You are into so many things and also a wife and mother, how do you cope?

As an entrepreneur, a mother and wife, it’s not been easy, but in all of these, I get inspired as it helps me to be better and handle great responsibilities adequately.

I take each day at a time, but most importantly, I prioritize all I do. For me family comes first.

I constantly aim at achieving greater heights and to be a better version of myself. My kids are my major motivation for me to be better and to achieve all I want to, hence, I can cope very well in pursuing my career path as I do not see my marital status or having kids as a setback or an hindrance instead I see it as a great achievement.

 You also have a foundation for the disabled, tell us what it is all about and how have you been able to impact their live positively?

‘La Mode Magazine Disability Foundation’ empowers persons with disabilities by providing job opportunities, skills acquisition training and support. The foundation also advocates and creates awareness for persons living with disabilities. It is an advocacy awareness foundation, where persons with disability are given a voice. The signed Nigeria Disability bill emphasizes the right to life, equality, and non-discrimination for persons with disabilities. Hence, the foundation is creating more awareness on the need for people to show love and support for persons with disabilities.

Apart from providing adequate training skills to improve the lives of persons living with disabilities also the problem of low confidence among persons with disabilities not being able to show their disability, is a problem the foundation is resolving. To solve this problem of ‘’Low Confidence’’ the foundation constantly celebrate persons with disabilities through the foundation and the magazine platforms which will help in achieving an inclusive society.  There are about 25million Nigerian living with disability

The Foundation had impacted many lives and still impacting as the Foundation has given free training on Graphics,  Web designs,  Digital Marketing, photography,  Skincare, Decor, Makeup, Fashion designing, Dry cleaning and lots more…

What is your advice to Nigerians with this pandemic?

The pandemic is a global issue and my advise to Nigerians is that they should be calm and remove fear as nothing good ever comes out from fear. Instead, this pandemic should be a re-birth whereby we look inwards and appreciate everything we have as a country. The need to learn a skill and develop yourself cannot be over emphasised during this pandemic. For those in authority, this period is the time to grow the Naira and buy Made in Nigeria goods. They also need to make the right decision to improve the country.

Final Word

Be intentional, stay focused, see challenges as building blocks to attain success. Always remember to stay safe as this too will pass.

By Olusola Victor

There is a common notion that actresses like flashy lifestyle and they cannot settle for the less. But for Nollywood actress, Nneka Adams, dating a poor man is not an issue for her provided he is not lazy.

In a recent encounter with the producer, she said: “A man’s wealth does not interest me but how he treats and values me go a long way.
I can help the man achieve his dreams and aspirations in life.”

Admitting that she is aware that men could dump women who believed and supported them when they were nobody, she stated that it would not stop her from extending a helping hand to her man.

“I don’t believe all men dump women who helped them in times of needs. But such happens to me, then the man is accountable to God. Things don’t just happen to humans; there are always reasons and God knows about them even before they happened. So, if a man disappoints me after my support in his life, I will not take it personally,” she added.

The actress, who played a major role in ‘Last flight to Abuja,’ has produced movies such as ‘His Queen’ and ‘The Gentleman.’ Both are currently being aired on Iroko TV.