Hip-hop sensation, Praise Adejo, aka Praiz, tells Adetutu Audu his favourite things
Favourite food
Any type of rice
Favourite sport
Football
Favourite Football club
FC Barcelona
Fashion designer
Mai Atafo
Favourite shoe
Any good shoe
Favourite book
Bible
Favourite car
Mercedez Benz
Favourite perfume
Gucci
Favourite holiday spot
Las Vegas
Favourite wristwatch
Diesel
MATRIACH of Nigerian fashion will be returning to runway at the African Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) scheduled for May. Folawiyo, who had closed down her fashion outlet, Labanella, will be closing the event with a gala fashion show.
The event came to Nigeria after the massive success of the prestigious African Fashion Week, which was created in London in 2011 by Ronke Ademiluyi and has witnessed impressive turnouts over the years.
Hajia Folawiyo, in her 70s, has clothed women for almost 60 years and, amazingly, she still sews but not as much as she did when she was younger.
Toyin Abraham’s name definitely rings a bell in Lagos social circles. She is a Lagos socialite, who is popularly called Toyin Igbira, and has been arrested many times for drug trafficking offences. Well, the news making the rounds is that all may not be well with the health of the mother of three and she is said to be hibernating abroad where she is receiving medical treatment.
In her hey days, popular musicians sang her praise to high heavens. Igbira owns comfortable houses in Abuja, Lagos and the United States. She cherishes the company of highly-placed people and mingles with them. Her love for expensive jewellery, customised diamond ensembles and exotic cars is legendary.
FOR many who have been asking about the whereabouts of Sloveig, the widow of the late Gbegi Ojora, the popular son of Otunba and Erelu Ojora, we can tell you for free that the soft-spoken lady who is of Norwegian and Nigerian descent has relocated abroad.
Sources say she could not get over the death of the man she had loved all her life, coupled with the gruesome murder of her father, Ahmed Onipede, who was a former special adviser to the former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at his Badagry residence a year prior to Gbegi’s demise.
Solveig, sources say, now lives abroad with her only son. Gbegi, who died three years ago, meant different things to different people, but one thing is clear: he was loved by all he came across because of his large-heartedness. He was loving, caring and accommodating. He was not haughty because he came from a rich home. Rather, he was humble.
HAVE you ever given a thought to why some people seem to have such gorgeous and inviting nails? How your fingernails look can tell or reveal a lot about you; if your whole being is healthy it will radiate on your face and fingernails.
The entire skin, especially your fingernails, need to be taken good care of, they need to be pampered.
Painted fingers are meant to suit and enhance looks. The essence of nail treatment and painting is to make the hand look sexy, cute and pleasant.
However, a good number of women nowadays abuse their nails in a bid to beautify. Apart from having nail polish of different colours, some use wrong colours.
Do not go for colour because others are into it, rather go for colour that suits your look and that blends with your wears. Too much nail polish of different colours will create a negative meaning.
If you wish to have these perfect, alluring and inviting nails look at the following steps:
•Moisten your hand with lotion
Moisturise the nail bed and the cuticle-While there is little in the way of medical data showing that moisturising the nail bed will help nails grow, it can make cuticles look better and help protect nails from breaking due to a lack of moisture. Putting oil around the cuticle helps moisturize the entire nail, which will reduce the incidence of chipping, cracking, and splitting.
•Avoid acetone-based polish removers.
The one product that all dermatologists agree you should avoid if you have brittle nails is acetone nail polish remover. It has been documented time and again that it strips the nails, causing them to become brittle.
• Don’t cut your cuticles
Do not tear/cut your cuticles, this will break the layer of the skin and cause injury; instead look for remover or cuticle clips. Whether you have your nails professionally groomed or do them yourself, the No. 1 recommendation is leave your cuticles alone. The cuticle is the natural barrier to fungus and bacteria
•Minimize the use of extensions {artificial}nails.
•Keep your nails trimmed, either artificial or not.
•After washing with harsh soap, moisten your hand with cream moisturizing lotion.
•Your nail polish should be determined by what you wear and the occasion.
ONE of the greatest comebacks in fashion, no doubt, are dresses with stripes. Though it has been ignored over a period of time because of the old fashion fad that stripped dresses makes you appear fat, now you can wear striped dresses without fear. Striped dresses allow you express your style with more than just solid colours and are suitable from desk to dinner and the “round-the-clock” chic. Stripes are very simple, classic and fit almost anyone. Stripes also are very tricky as the horizontal ones make you look slim while the vertical ones widen your body. This piece is very comfortable and versatile when they are coupled up with the right accessories.
THE lapel is the ultimate men’s accessory. It can energise, complete or augment any outfit. There are some rules to follow when it comes to wearing it.
It can take an outfit from satisfactory to spectacular with a flip of the wrist.
The quality of a man’s lapel shows how much he cares about his clothes and how he looks because a fashionable man always wears great looking lapel. The pin ones could be pinned wherever you want to draw attention or to spice up an otherwise plain outfit.
The right lapel makes a big style statement for your suit, so it’s worth the time making sure you know what you want. To help with making a decision:
-Never let your lapel fall below your chest line.
-The size of the knot depends on the shirt or jacket (the more pronounced, the better).
ALL may not be well between Tania Omotayo, the celebrity girlfriend of music sensation, Wizkid.
The wave-making music sensation may have parted ways with the half-caste lady fondly called Teller. Sources close to the two lovebirds squealed that Wizkid may have gone back to the waiting arms of his baby’s mother.
But both lovebirds enjoyed the relationship while it lasted. Tania, a graduate of a university in the U.S., hugged stardom when she officially stepped out with Wizkid. She was at the Chris Brown concert in Lagos during the last Christmas holiday. At that point, he referred to her as “My homie T”. Since then, “homie T” has transitioned to his “Fine Fine Lady”, his Valentine and “the Miss”.
Eniola Akinbo, popularly known as Niyola, discovered her affinity for music at the age of eight and has nurtured her musical skills over the years. Her unique story started in 2000 when she took part in the AMEN starlet competition and emerged first runner up. Since then, she has had record deals with West Side Records, Trybe Records before joining Banky W’s EME label. Fondly called the first lady of EME Records, she speaks with Adetutu Audu on her musical career and personality.
HOW would you say you fared last year?
2013 was a very significant year in my career. It was a reintroduction of sorts for me. People received my new singles warmly, and when the video for Toh Bad was released, it became even more exciting. So, in a nutshell, I’ll say it was a fair and eventful one.
This is a new year, what are your projections for the year?
I feel very strongly about this year because God willing I will show more of what I am about through my music and definitely give my fans more material through singles, collaborations and maybe an album. I believe every other financially-rewarding opportunity will definitely follow with all that visibility. So I just need to work hard at churning out great works.
Are you working on any new songs?
Yes, I am. I am always working on new songs. I am constantly recording new materials. I am happiest when I am making music. The difficulty with having a constant supply of new materials is deciding what to release and when to release it. My team and I always want to make sure we put our best foot forward.
What are the challenges of stardom for you?
I think sometimes a lot of people think celebrities are super heroes forged out of steel and maybe water. They forget that when all is said and done, we all are humans. Being constantly in front of the spotlight can take its toll. You find yourself constantly having to put on a smile even if you’re having a terrible day. There is always a price to pay for everything, but sometimes I wish stardom wasn’t so demanding.
Can you give us a rundown of how you met Banky W and eventually signed to EME?
Banky was my friend for years before we decided to work together. We met at the first Ovation Red Carol rehearsals which took place at the Coliseum. He heard me singing from the rest room and accosted me on my way out, telling me how he loved my voice. We became friends afterwards and five years later we decided to work on a song together. He offered me a record deal and the rest is history.
How does it feel to be the only female on the label?
I have always grown up amongst more guys than girls. And it feels good to know that I have more guys to call my family. There is of course an added responsibility when you are the only female in a record label, but it is pressure I can handle. I enjoy the sense of family and knowing that there are people looking out for me.
Many people didn’t know about you before you joined EME. What was the music industry like in the past and which record label were you signed on to?
The industry certainly wasn’t this commercial or glamorous. It was one that had people who believed in talent and did what they did out of sheer passion because at the time, you were not respected for being an artiste. It was considered an escape for the nonentities and school drop outs, most especially if you were a female. There were only a negligible number of female artistes then like Sasha, Azeezat, Kush, Weird MC and a few others. I thank God this has changed tremendously. I was signed to Westside Records alongside Faze Freestyle and Djinee
There has been a number of splits between artistes and their record labels in recent times. You witnessed one while you were with Trybe Records. Do you have any fears that you could ever be in that situation at EME?
People are bound by contracts to their labels, and in a situation where they split I am sure both parties will try to ensure that whatever option they choose is the right thing to do legally. My contract is still very valid and I have no plans to breach it.
How did you get into music; did you always know you would do music or is it something you just stumbled into?
Of all my talents I was blessed with or everything I can do or love to do, music makes me the happiest. I wake up every morning with a desire to make music. And if for any reason I could no longer make music the way I know how to, I know that I would be very unhappy. I knew I wanted to make music, but my professional debut happened unexpectedly and since that point on I have never looked back.
How would you describe your music?
I like to call it contemporary R &B/Pop because it’s a fusion of both genres and a little bit of me as a Yoruba girl from Nigeria. We are a product of our experiences and I grew up listening to R&B/Pop acts. So I make the sort of music I am most familiar with. I can also express myself completely using R&B/POP as a tool. This doesn’t mean I can’t do soul or reggae or something else and maybe in future I will, but right now I’m happy with the type of music I make.
When people see Niyola on their screens and in pictures, they see a sexy lady. What is the relationship between being sexy and succeeding as a female artiste?
I don’t think you have to be sexy to succeed. I am exactly how I would be even if I wasn’t singing. I just channel who I already am and that’s what I think success requires. You must be true to yourself. Many women who aren’t perceived as sexy make beautiful music and are successful. That said, this is show business.
Can you share your memorable moments with us?
Every day is as important as the next; every moment I spend with a loved one or making music or performing is memorable. Many people would give an arm and a leg to have one extra day, not even a memorable one at that. I look at every new day as a chance to make memories.
What would you say are your regrets?
I have none so far. I have always believed that my life is not by chance and that everything happens for a reason. In time, even the most painful experiences will bring smiles to our faces, if only to be grateful that we survived the rough patches.
Share the best and worst decision you have taken with us
The best decision I have taken is following my dreams. There was a point I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep making music, thankfully I decided to stick with it. I can’t really think of any bad decisions right now. If I made them, then I am certain that I had valid reasons.
Who is Niyola outside of music?
I am an everyday woman doing the things a typical woman does. But I don’t know if it is possible to imagine a Niyola outside music. Being a recording and performing artiste means living and breathing music 24/7.
Tell us about your unique personality and how it reflects in your music and in your message.
I am very reserved; I wouldn’t say I’m quiet. A lot of people can mistake that at times for cockiness but I’m really just a reserved person. I believe that everybody has something special and I think that my strength is in the talent that I have. With my music, I realise that one of my strong points is being able to reach out to people and make them feel better about themselves, let them know they can be better. I believe God has given me a platform where I can reach out to more than one person at a time. So, with my music, I’m passing across a message.
How would you describe your style?
I just like to keep it simple, yet classy. I don’t like extravagance.
How do you revitalise your voice?
I don’t do anything special to it. I just make sure I sing every day, practice makes perfect.
SOCIETY lady and CEO of Gavyz Couture, a fashion outfit with a chain of stores, Liz Garvey, has given birth to a baby boy in far away Texas. The very stylish and controversial lady, whose new store ‘Shoe Lounge’ has become a Mecca of sort for shoe collectors, shoe aficionados and the fashion savvy, jetted out of the country some months ago and was spotted by those who recognised her.