The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • I use scrubs twice a week

    I use scrubs twice a week

    After acting in Nollywood for some years, Dominic Nnenna Mary decided to go into her other passion which is producing skin care products and since 2017 when she began producing Marymic Organic Skin Care, she hasn’t looked back. She shares her beauty regimen with Sam Anokam.

    What is the secret of looking good you ask and Nnena replied: “My own secret of looking good is simple; don’t ever go to bed with make-up. Use your body scrub at least twice weekly and invest in yourself. Most women don’t see this as important. They would be wondering why others look better than them but they have refused to invest in themselves.”

    She continued: “They have refused to buy quality products to look good. Also try as much as possible to drink a lot of water. Many of us still do not know the importance of water in our system.  Above all, use your skin care routine judiciously”.

    Making use of the Spa she added has come with many benefits. “I visit the Spa regularly. I own one so I know its importance. The advantages of having spa treatment are many. Aside warding off toxins and opening up the skin’s pores, it helps to burn calories. It breaks down fatty deposits and many more”.

    Nnena also opens up on her glowing skin and how she pampers her skin.” I also do that regularly. Any time I feel like pampering my body, I just get my workers to pamper my skin enjoying the many benefits of different skilled professionals doing what they know how to do best”.

    Eating right comes with a number of advantages. “I try as much as possible to avoid swallow and meat. We are a product of what we eat! So to maintain a good figure and skin, I go for lots of fruits and water”.

    Fashion means different things to many people. Nnena takes you into her world and the things that makes her tick. “What is good for one may not fit the other and it is a case of different strokes for different folks. However, I can never go naked in the name of fashion”.

    Read Also: My Beauty REGIMEN: Keeping clean is the best way to pamper your skin

    Her favourite skin care products and make-up artiste? “My favorite skin care product is definitely Marymic Organic Cream because the products are made with high quality, effective and safe materials and all the materials used are all organic. I go for organic products”.

    You want to know if she has a special exercise routine to keep fit and she answered:” I’m usually very busy. I’m usually very active during the day in the factory. I think the process of producing my skin care products is enough exercise for me. But I do abdominals once in a while”.

    She also talked about the secrets of her beautiful hair and what women do to make their hair beautiful all the time.” Personally, I love a good Brazilian hair (wig) especially the ones I can style as ponytail”.

    She explained that: “Wigs have really reduced the workload for women when it comes to hairdo. Just make a clean all back weaving and cover it with wig and you are good to go”.

    Looking good, Nnena stressed is good business. “I don’t joke with how I look because I’m the first influencer of my brand. Once you start marketing your products, your clients first look at your skin, if it looks bad then, I will surely have a bad market”.

    She is therefore passionate about looking glam and different.” My skin is spotless. All you need as a woman is a good skin and good body. So, I don’t really do anything different to look good. Infect I don’t really like makeup. I believe women wear makeup to cover up their flaws and I don’t think I have one”.

  • Rev  Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi joins Methodist Church priesthood

    Rev  Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi joins Methodist Church priesthood

    It was a convivial atmosphere at the Harbour Point, venue of the “Symphony of Praise and Thanksgiving,” when thousands of well wishers gathered for the reception of Reverend Ada Ugo-Ngadi, who was ordained Priest of the Methodist Church Nigeria.

    Popular gospel artistes like Mercy Chinwo, Chioma Jesus and Sammy Okposo, among others, thrilled the audience with good music.

    The Rev. Ugo-Ngadi, an astute business woman and quintessential player in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, was on August 22, 2021 ordained into the priesthood of the Methodist Church Nigeria in a ceremony officiated by the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr.Samuel Kanu Uche, at the Hoares Memorial Cathedral Herbert Macaulay Way Yaba Lagos.

    The celebrant is known by many as an experienced business leader and silent philanthropist.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct three worshippers in Ogun church

    Guests at the reception indicated that Rev. Ada has for years catered for widows and helped drug addicts recover with many  indigent persons on her monthly payroll as a way of giving back to the society and service to God.

    She was also said to be investing in medical facilities, rehabilitation centres and feeding programmes in different locations.

    On why her philanthropic activities are rarely heard or reported in the media,a close associate responded that she does not want to be known or seen as doing these things.

    Speaker after speaker extolled the virtues of the newly ordained  priest of the Methodist Church, saying her ordination was long overdue and deserving.

    One of them narrated how Reverend Adaoha helped sponsor church building projects and several evangelistic outreaches, irrespective of denomination.

    “She deserves this ordination because she loves God and always supports the work of God,” she said.

     

  • RCCG, Danny Brook launch free-to-air streaming platform

    The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), in partnership with Danny Brooks Technologies, has launched Open Heaven (OH) Prime TV, a faith-based free-to-view streaming platform.

    The online TV bouquet, which was launched recently  in Lagos, is available free of charge on all Smart TVs, set-up boxes, mobile devices, game consoles, over-the-top (OTT) media services.

    Speaking at the event, the Representative of RCCG and Managing Director of Dove Media, Dele Oke, said the platform has over 100 premium channels available to viewers.

    He also disclosed that OH Prime is the brainchild of the media arm of RCCG to take “the gospel of Christ to every nook and cranny of the world.

    “OH Prime is an initiative of the media arm of RCCG under the leadership of Pastor E.A. Adeboye, general overseer. Our passion is to take the gospel of Christ to every nook and cranny of the world, which is the mandate given to us by Jesus Christ. This is the sole aim of the birthing of OH Prime.”

    Oke added that the platform would be offering “destiny-shaping media content” to reach audiences of all ages.

    “After years of stagnation in the African TV market — characterised by modern-day slavery of media consumers to cable TV — our organisation quest to change the narrative and our finicky appetite for excellence sought out Danny Brooks Technologies as a worthy partner for collaboration. This is to facilitate the liberation of African consumers by birthing this non-stop entertainment hub,” he said.

    “We are excited to announce to the world the launch of OH Prime, offering over 100 premium channels to our global youth audience free of charge. Nigerian youth have wasted enough time watching pornographic and soul-corrupting reality shows on TV. We are intentionally bringing destiny-shaping media content alien to this market for all.”

    In his words, Managing Director of Danny Brooks Technologies, Daniel Akintola said that while OH Prime is Christian faith-based, it also offers programmes that everyone, regardless of religious leaning, can enjoy.

    He also disclosed that the platform targets the youths — majorly offering several entertainments and “idea incubation” channels.

    “We are catering for 57 platforms. For example, the millennials have the game console -X-box, PlayStation — that’s already taken care of. We do not just want the youth to waste their productive time, so we are bringing in idea incubation at the comfort of their home and wherever they are,” he said.

    “We have taken the issue of data penetration in Nigeria into consideration. Hence our forte for this platform is that we have already optimised all the 4K images of videos on this platform to adapt to whatever internet signal that each user of the platform has.”

    He added that the OH Prime app is available for download on Google Playstore, Apple app store, Amazon, and other equivalents.

     

     

  • CAC warns against impersonation, indiscipline

    CAC warns against impersonation, indiscipline

    The Trustees of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Nigeria have warned that the church will no longer condone any person or group of persons parading themselves as factions of the church.

    This was contained in a statement entitled: ‘Christ Apostolic Church: Strict Warning Against Impersonation And Indiscipline,” signed by its General Secretary, Pastor Emmanuel Ezekiel Mapur.

    The statement read in part: “No person or group of persons has any right to hold himself or themselves out as a faction of Christ Apostolic Church. There is only one registered constitution for the Christ Apostolic Church under the Companies and Allied Matters Act. And this Constitution was duly registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission. This was further validated by the judgment of the Federal High Court. Therefore, the Church will not tolerate any person acting or holding himself out contrary to the provision of that constitution and the judgement of the Federal High Court.

    “Henceforth, the Church will take serious exception for any person to ignore and act contrary to this warning and will not hesitate to invoke the wrath of the law against such a person or group of persons.

    “Henceforth, no unauthorised person or persons should exchange correspondence, or grant any interview with any persons, group or authority for or on behalf of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas.”

    Mapur stated that the decisions were taken at a recent meeting of the trustees held on October 12, this year at the national headquarters at Anlugbua, Basorun Ibadan, where they deliberated on the ongoing events in the church.

    He said when the crisis began in 1990, “The protagonists in the matter that led to the crisis never thought it could develop to a stage of complete division. It was just about the discipline of some errant ministers, whom the authorities believed were spirit filled enough to show remorse and get reabsorbed by the Church authorities in no time.”

  • Christian, Muslims unite against climate injustice

    Christian, Muslims unite against climate injustice

    As part of the global outcry against climate injustice in Nigeria, Christians Association of Nigeria and Islamic Society of Nigeria have called on government and other institutions to act immediately in addressing the climate emergency in Nigeria.

    This was stated at a walk and a forum put together under the banner of Faith for Climate Justice by Green Faith. The event which was a follow up to prayers and meditation vigils was peaceful as the group noisily made their demands known outside the office of the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Participants sounded the alarm by beating drums, waving hand signs and holding prayers.

    The participants displayed placards with different inscriptions including: ‘God created the earth, do not let your greed destroy it’, ‘Pollution is the enemy to a healthy life, embrace recycling for a better society’, ‘Faith for Climate justice.’

    Speaking at the event, the founder LUFASI Park, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi lamented that Nigeria as a nation blindly follow other developed nations, by using energy that came from burning fossil fuel, and as a result, contributed to galvanising the atmosphere which has made climate change a looming disaster.

    He said: “For the love of God, our neighbor, all vulnerable communities around us, we call on the government to solidarity with the global demands for climate finance from wealthy countries to countries from Africa. Exert pressure on the federal government of Nigeria to intensify the cleanup of Ogoniland and stop the gas flaring as stated in the NDC.”

    On his part, The Pastor in Charge of River of Life Parish, Redeemed Christian Church of Church, Pastor Iyiola Olayori, said that no religion or tradition says we should destroy the planet. “Yes, this is exactly what governments, financial institutions and major corporations are either doing or allowing. It’s morally inexcusable.”

    Also, the Convener of Green Faith, Muhammed Almoroof said that grassroots religion will no longer accept vague rhetoric by politicians, financial leaders, industry or even our faith leaders. We will not stop until our politicians support calls to protect our people and planet. The time for action is now.

    The action in Lagos was part of a global series of events organized by Green Faith International Network, a global multi-faith alliance of grassroots religious organisations in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Over 480 actions took place in 43 countries.

  • Why pastors homes are in turmoil, by Mayaki

    Why pastors homes are in turmoil, by Mayaki

    Prophetess Margaret Mayaki is the General Overseer, Sanctuary for the Broken Hearted International Ministries, United Kingdom with branches in Nigeria. Her ministry is focused on women, broken marriages and endowing women with finance. In this interview with Adeola Ogunlade,  she speaks on her call, and her mission, among others.

    In what ways has your background influenced your ministry?

    Well, to the glory of God, I was born in Okene in Kogi State. My late father was a policeman, and we were based in Lokoja. I had my early education in Nigeria before travelling to the United Kingdom in 1979 as a teenager.

    Why did you travel to the UK?

    I got married at the age of 19 and relocated from Nigeria to live with my husband who was already working in London. We met in Lokoja of all places. He came to work in Nigeria as an expatriate. He was already a medical doctor. He worked for a company that used to build houses in those days. We met when a friend introduced both of us. My late husband was an Ibo man from Abia State.

    What’s your advice for Christian women in difficult marriages?

    Well, it is Jesus Christ that instituted marriage. I am not an expert on this, but I will say that in any relationship that you are in and there is violence, you must get out to hide and preserve yourself. But if there is no physical hitting, no emotional blackmail, then the partners in the marriage need counselling or they need to heal because there must be something that caused the crack in the marriage, maybe infidelity, one of them was unfaithful to the other. Or there is no more money coming in because money can also be a major problem in a relationship. Or when one of the partners is not taking up his or her responsibilities in the marriage. Christ is the head of the church, just as the man is the head of the home. The man is the head but we are the neck. You know unless the neck turns, the head cannot turn, so it takes two people to be committed to a relationship for it to work.

    Some top pastors are having a crisis in their marriages. What could have been responsible for this?

    Let me tell you something, the Lord told me a few years ago, that Satan is taking the fight to the homes of the pastors. The Bible says. ‘Strike the shepherd and the fold will scatter’. So, when the devil attacks the man of God, it is not the man and his home only that the devil is after, it is the flock. It is that man’s ministry, it is the call of that man, or the call of God upon that man, that the devil is after. Remember that if there is no spirit of God in the church, the church cannot move forward. So, the devil can move into the home through the man or the woman if both of them are not discerning the spirit. We wrestle against principalities. Again, when some of us ministers of God got married, we were not in ministries, we had not received the call. If we were, we would have prayed through before marriage. Most of us did not pray through marriage. That’s the truth of the matter. Now, some of us have joined ourselves in marriage with partners that we are not compatible with spiritually. So, if such a couple is ready to work on their marriages, then there will be restoration. But if they have the attitude of ‘I can’t be bothered, then that is it.

    What are the challenges that you face as a female minister in London and Nigeria?

    One of the challenges that I face, though not just me, female ministers all over the world, is the fact that some churches do not believe that women should be in leadership in the five-fold ministries because of the statement Apostle Paul made in Corinthians that women should keep quiet. People took that statement out of context because if you read it very well, it has a different interpretation. You know in those days, women used to sit on the same side with their husbands and maybe they were not listening because of side chats with their husbands and the Apostle Paul then said that the women should keep quiet and that when they got home, they should ask their husbands what they did not understand. So that did not mean that women were not called into ministry because when you look at the Acts of Apostles, the Bible says that He has poured His Spirit on all flesh – both males and females. The problem we are also having is that women have not yet found their form. It is only very few and that’s in America where we have people like Doris Myers, Paula Whyte, those in the U.S. are finding their form. Even here in England, women are not as prominent as men. I am a Prophetess, but I know that in Nigeria, our voices are not loud enough. Maybe we can attribute that to culture. In Africa, it is said that women are seen and not heard. Women are mostly meant to be housewives. So, when you see a woman come out and on fire, speaking up boldly, meeting presidents, with God using them to bless nations, I think we need to accept it and I pray that God will continue to open that door for us.

    You are a female Minister of God, it is natural that men will be attracted to you. How do you handle such?

    Hmmm, you know everything in life is for a purpose. If you know what God has purposed for you, there is the likelihood that you will face it. Yes, I am a female, men are attracted to me. But I have an assignment and I am focused on what God has called me to do. I am not interested in any of such attractions because the reason for my call is my assignment here on earth.

    What’s your position on single ministers of God?

    If you do not have the grace to be single in ministry, please marry. And that is the same thing that Apostle Paul advised. So, it is good to be married when you know that you cannot hold yourself. It is not about being holy when you are with people and when you are alone, you indulge in sin. Remember that God is all-knowing and all-seeing. And you know what, one of the reasons anointing is draining in the lives of most pastors is because of them having sex outside marriage. God detests it because they are sinning against their body. So, it is good to be married when the opportunity comes. What can also kill the anointing in a ministry is when the pastor marries the wrong man or woman. You must take time to pray through, God will make a way for the right person.

  • Ivory League, Rotary VGC, donate wheelchairs to physically challenged

    Ivory League, Rotary VGC, donate wheelchairs to physically challenged

    AS part of its CSR activities, Ivory League of Progress, supported by Rotary Club of Victoria Garden City (VGC), recently donated 20 units of wheel chairs to Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, Disabled Welfare Association of Nigeria and Regina Mundi Catholic Church.

    The event, which was part of associations’ Independence Day Celebration, was an opportunity to reach out to the less privileged in the society.

    In his opening remarks, President of Ivory League of Progress, Ivorian Tunde Thani, said the club, established in 1987, has always carried out CSR activities. He said the club’s establishment was borne out of its cardinal vision to identify indigent people in the society and strive to cater for their needs.

    In his words, “We strive to cater for the needs of the people through provision of materials, advocacy and intervention over the years. We have supported associations like Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home, Pacelli School of the Blind, Old People’s Homes and Initiative for Children and Women with Disabilities.”

    Thani added that the club has come to identify with groups that are very important in the society but who are often overlooked due to their disabilities. He recognised that people with disabilities have a problem of mobility, which inevitably affects their socio-economic life, hence the donation of the wheel chairs to alleviate their daily challenges.

    In his words, “We believe that as we donate these wheelchairs to your Associations, it will improve your lives, total well-being and assist in your social and economic life.”

    He enjoined the association to make proper use of the wheelchairs by ensuring that it is distributed to the physically challenged among them who are desperately in need of it.

    Thani also assured the beneficiaries that the donation will not be the last.

    In his remarks, the immediate past president of Rotary Club of VGC, Mr. Yemi Fakayejo, stated that Ivory League of Progress and Rotary Club of VGC share the same vision, purpose and vision of touching the lives of the less privileged in the society. In his words, “When we see opportunities like this to touch lives, we strive to key into it. This is why Rotary Club of VGC is happy to partner with Ivory League of Progress to bring smiles to the faces of the less privileged in the society.”

    Fakayejo also bemoaned the plight of physically challenged people in the society and enjoined the government and members of the public to come to their aid regularly. He appealed to government at both State and Federal levels, to always consider the physically challenged when planning for the environment.

    He said government should also make a pathway for the physically challenged as done in developed countries of the world.

    In his response to the donation, the National Chairman of Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, Mr. Obioha Ononogbu, thanked Ivory League of Progress and Rotary Club of VGC for the kind gesture. He said he wished that more corporate organisations can come to their aid occasionally. He also pleaded with government at all levels to consider the plight of less privileged people in the society, by including them in their annual and quarterly allocations.

    This, he said, will go a long way to alleviate their plight.

  • ‘Why I educate and empower girls’

    ‘Why I educate and empower girls’

    To commemorate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, the Association for the Education of Young Girls last week held an all-girls conference, where teenage girls were enlightened on the significance of the day and why they should believe in themselves and go after their dreams, irrespective of the obstacles. Gboyega Alaka reports

    ”I feel more emboldened to go after my dreams. I feel like I can achieve anything I set out to achieve, with God on my side.”

    “I learnt that I can be great, that I should go after my dream and never give up. I am a stronger girl psychologically.”

    I learnt that as a girl, we should not allow anybody to tell us that we cannot do what other genders can do”

    The above are some of the takeaways espoused by secondary school pupils at the Young & Pure conference held in Amuwo Odofin Local Government to commemorate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.

    The event, which was organised by the Association for the Education of Young Girls, an initiative of Mrs Juliet Keshinro, and educator and influencer, in collaboration with Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh Foundation and Amuwo Odofin Local Government, had the theme: ‘Changing lives. One Girl at a Time’; and had about 200 secondary school pupils from about seven schools participating.

    According Mrs. Keshinro, the organisation was founded to cater to the need of girls and is committed to empowering, educating and advocating for the girl child.

    “We believe in the girl child and that every girl has a voice and should be given a chance. We know that there is a lot of subjugation in the society; we know that girls sometimes are limited because of their gender and that they are not given enough opportunity to excel. So what we do is to ensure that they get educated; that they have the capacity to do whatever they believe in. We teach them that their belief system is important; that they should believe in themselves that they have the capacity to be whatever they want to be. There is no job that is gender-based – whether engineering, architecture or plumbing; so what we say to them is that you can be the best in whatever you want to be.”

    A self-confessed pro-girl activist, Keshinro said she is inspired to do what she does by just being a girl. “I’ve always been a pro-girl. There is this saying that girls don’t fight for girls; I am not in that group. I believe that when every girl is given a chance, they can achieve anything. I was given a chance. Somebody discovered me; told me that my voice was powerful enough to speak and fight for the cause of the girl child.”

    The Association for the Education of Young Girls is ten years old; in those ten years, Keshinro said it has impacted thousands of young girls. “We actually started with community outreach, and we had projects done. What we do is go into the communities; we actually started in Ajegunle in 2011. There, we found that there was the need to educate them; so we did a lot of community outreaches. We gathered the schools and taught different things, from skills acquisition, to conferencing…. We were training them in catering, hairdressing; anything that could empower them financially. We are very particular about their passion; so what we do is to put energies into their passion, build it, and harness it, so that they can be financially empowered.”

    Said Keshinro: “The more a girl is exposed to information, the better she becomes. That’s why we don’t stop informing them; that’s why we don’t stop talking; that’s why we don’t stop gathering. I particularly like this gathering, the International Day of the Girl Child; because it gives us the opportunity to educate and inform them of who they are, what they are and what they can become, irrespective of who gave birth to them, where they find themselves or their experiences in life. No room for excuses.”

    Next to this programme, she said is to raise a Young and Pure Club. The club has a platform, where they communicate, send information, have timeout to talk and generally share experiences and look for ways of empowering members. One of the success stories of the organisation, Keshinro pointed out would be Miracle, a young lady discovered from Ajegunle and empowered with catering skills who now runs a catering establishment, Mires Confectionery in FESTAC Town.

    “That’s not all, in January she’ll be graduating from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) with a degree in Business management.” Keshinro beamed.

    Other highlights of the day were speeches from Mrs Piboere Okukulabe, a lawyer; Mrs Opeyemi Buraimoh, wife of the Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, who graced the event with her husband, Engineer Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimo; Oluseyi Ramon, a former student of Keshinro and Mrs Damilola Banire, a presenter on Silverbird Television

    Okukulabe’s message revolved around the three keywords of ‘Empower, Educate and Advocate’. She told the attentive teenage girls: “Do not let anybody tell you, you cannot do it. Be self-discipline, be focused, believe in yourself and never give up.”

    Appreciating the initiator for a well-conceived and well-timed programme, Engr Buraimoh, who spoke on the sideline at the event, said, “God created the girl child specially. Without them, the world is not complete. Every government that wants to do well must make sure that our mothers, our sisters; our young girls are given roles as they grow in life.”

    To the young girls, he said, “There is no limit to what a girl child can become in life. Discover yourself at a younger age and have the will power to actualise your dream or who you want to be in life. Nobody can stop you; even your gender cannot stop your aspiration in life.”

  • I avoid oily foods and red meat

    I avoid oily foods and red meat

    Ashley Mariam Yusuf is a former beauty queen, entrepreneur and philanthropist who has a large heart for the poor. In this encounter with Sheriff Atanda, she talked about her beauty secrets and the things that make her glow.

    THE secret of my good looks is that I rest when I need to do so. I shower morning and night. I always use the right treatments for my body. In addition, I don’t smoke and I consume alcoholic beverages occasionally.

    Going to the Spa to pamper her body has been worthwhile. “I visit the Spa at least twice a month”. She added: “I take particular notice of my facial treatments, as I said earlier. I shower twice a day and I do visit the salon for my first pedicure and manicure regularly “.

    Eating right is also very critical for Mariam and there are a few things she avoids in her meals.” This includes oily foods, red meat and inorganic sugars”.

    Indecent dressing and the behaviour that accompanies it are things the actress won’t do in the name of fashion. “I am not heavily dependent on makeup. I only apply makeup occasionally! I have two favorite makeup artists. They are @beautyby_jammie and @glam_drop! They are both in Lagos”.

    Exercise routine works for her and she skips a lot to keep fit.

    Her hair gets the necessary attention to create that first impression always. “I love to braid my hair. I braid a lot! Women should learn to carry their natural hair from time to time, there is this beauty you get when you are on your natural hair as a woman as against the synthetic hairs we buy and fix.”

    One other asset that makes looking good easy is her beautiful figure. “As for my shape I was born like that o, I didn’t touch my body, no surgery or whatsoever.

    I love women who know what fits them, you see a lot of women wearing clothes because that is the new trend, not minding the fact that they don’t look good in that outfit. Always  put on outfits  that fits you as a woman, it boost’s your confidence”.

    Mariam continued: “It is borne out of the need to solve the identity crisis African women are faced with. We ought to learn to be proud of what we have. If you observe today, the trend is all about female’s with ample backsides which, permit me to say is an African feature. And you can even find Caucasian and Oriental females trying to possess this through surgery. This should let you know that what we have should be cherished and not looked down on.

    We must appreciate it and love it and know that our features are unique to us and gives us our own beauty. The aforementioned races all have nice hair’s and light skin complexion and they pride themselves in that. We should appreciate what they have but hold ours in higher esteem because not only is it unique to us, it’s also a thing that they envy”.

  • Music is my first love – Omatu

    Music is my first love – Omatu

    Omatu is a Nigerian/Austrian designer who has styled some International celebrities. She is also a songwriter, singer and entrepreneur. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she opens up on her passion for fashion, initial challenges and working with International celebrities and more.

    TELL us how you got into fashion?

    It was meant to be! I have always been creative since childhood and I always wanted to be in the industry! Fashion fascinated me since day one.

    What was the experience like at the beginning?

    It was tough!!!!! I thought I knew it all and fell several times! I had no mentor so I jumped into the cold water. I lost a lot of money and time because I had no clue about the business side of fashion, but that was the best teacher for me, it definitely made me stronger and wiser.

    What are some of the memorable moments in the sector?

    I jumped into cold water and took off to Los Angeles.

    Back then when I was making baby steps, I had nothing much to offer but my talent and actually was able to meet, greet and style international celebrities as a completely unknown designer.

    It’s been an awesome journey with memories and recognitions that I treasure.

    In spite of the challenges posed by COVID I won the business award in the category fashion despite the pandemic in 2020.

    I designed for Michelle Williams, destiny’s child – for the VH1 15th Annual ‘Diva simply Singing Benefit’ Concert. Others include,

    Lil Mama, rapper and actress for the movie premiere ‘when love kills’ Miami.

    I also worked with Nazanin Mandi – fashion editorial and image video for Nude Magazine Los Angeles.

    In Nigeria, Seyi Shay is a good friend of mine and she represents my fashion pieces  at public appearances. Also super model Agbani Darego wore one of my dresses and the late Kim Porter  at the  annual lifeball event in Vienna.Other clients that I treasure   include Waris Dirie – fashion Magazine editorial Vienna,  Adelaide Kane, actress  and  fashion magazine editorial Los Angeles, Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City  when she attended an award  in Vienna. I have a lot  of B list celebs as well but I think we  are good.

    What inspires your designs?

    Traveling and music inspires me a lot. Exploring different places and cultures are very inspiring for me, as I get to see a variety of new things. I take what I what I have observed and experienced back home and it becomes not only a beautiful memory but also an inspiration.

    When listening to music I often create my own music video in my head and imagine the items the performers would wear in it.

    That’s why I prefer to listen to a new song first, before watching the actual music video.

    What are the challenges you encountered?

    The pandemic was one them. It changed my ways, my thinking, the way I act. I had to reinvent Imaatu. I had to let go of all the things I was used to and think of a new strategy.

    What are some of the changes that you would like to see in the sector?

    Nobody from the outside can be critical about the fashion industry in Nigeria. They are doing very good and the designers are simply divine!

    Tell us about your experience in music?

    I love music; it’s actually my first love!

    I used to sing and write, infect, I still do but time is not allowing it as my hands are full with Imaatu.

    Making music is a therapy for me it calms me and I can express myself differently. You can check me out on soundcloud.com/omatufulani.

    What are the new areas that you are looking at?

    Everything is still new for me as I am still recovering from the several lockdowns we had this year.

    The future is bright and I am happy that I was able to keep up despite the pandemic.

    Tell us about the people you admire?

    There are a lot of people i admire, especially my dear friends and loved ones.

    We went through good and bad times and  I learnt a lot from them. Some I’ve lost along the way and some will stay with me till the end and I can continue to admire them.

    Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?

    My mother.

    What is your definition of style?

    First of all you can’t buy style! Style is a feeling expressed through different outfits and accessories put together. It can be individually expressed because taste has no limits.

    For me personally style is breaking the rules of my comfort zone without compromising my comfort zone!

    Do you have people you are Mentoring. What has been the experience?

    Yes, and its a lovely experience for me and to see her grow makes me so happy.

    I wish I had a mentor when I started my label, it would have prevented me from some of the mistakes I made.

    What message do you have for young people who want to go into the sector?

    Never say never! Unless when it comes to giving up – never give up!

    Consistency is one of the keys to success. Do not listen to people who are not in your field, they can’t tell you how to run your business in the fashion industry, when they are in a complete different sector.

    Don’t be ashamed to have a 9-5 job while building your empire. As a matter of fact keep it as long as you can as it pays your bills (rent, groceries and others )so that you can concentrate on your fashion.

    Start working in a fashion store, study the customers – how often do they come back, what the best is selling item, and you will learn a lot.

    There is nothing wrong to work out of your apartment before you spend on a fancy boutique with high rent, unless you know your sales figures forecast and that it will pay off, stay humble and let your work speak for you.

    Know your brands worth, do not go down with your prices. You get what you pay for, customers who want quality will pay for it.

    You also need to watch out with producing too many items in advance, make sure to have an order or a cash-deposit before you do so. Trust me if they want it they’ll wait for it especially if it’s good quality.

    Stay true to yourself and follow your gut feeling. You will make mistakes, you will lose money, you will share tears and you will think of giving up. But I promise you all this makes you stronger and wiser and even more ready to build your brand and shine!