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Folorunsho20Alakija

Business Mogul, Philanthropist Unionist and Fashion Expert Mrs. Alakija was born on July 15th, 1951 at Ikorodu, Lagos, South-western Nigeria to Chief and Mrs. L. A Ogbara, a wealthy polygamous family of 8 wives and 52 children. Folorunsho was the second child, while her mother was first wife. She attended Dinorben School for Girls Wales, UK (Primary education); Muslim High School Sagamu, Nigeria (Secondary education); Pitman’s Central College London, UK (Secretariat studies); American College London, UK (Fashion design) and Central School of Fashion (Fashion design). She is a strong businesswoman in Nigeria known to have owned very successful Oil, fashion and printing companies; these placed her topmost in 2012 Forbes’ List of Wealthiest Black-woman in Nigeria, Africa and the world. Forunsho wedded in 1976 to Modupe Alakija (a legal practitioner), the marriage is blessed with four kids and grandchildren. She is a devote Christian. Interesting things about Folorunsho Alakija:

In 1974, Folorunsho Alakija was employed as an executive secretary at Sijuade Enterprises Lagos, Nigeria
She worked as a banker in the defunct First National Bank of Chicago (presently called FinBank) in the 1970s
By 1985, Folorunsho opened her fashion company called Supreme Stitches that later transformed to Sharon House of Fashion in Lagos, Nigeria. The fashion label provided clothing for high-network women such as Maryam Babangida (former Military President’s wife of Nigeria) etc.
Mrs. Alakija’s fame and notoriety came about early due to her fashion successes and later other business ventures such as Famfa Oil Ltd and Rose of Sharon Group. She won the National President and Lifelong Trustees of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) that brought Nigeria fashion lines to Africa and indeed to the world
Early 1993, Folorunsho ventured into Nigeria’s oil sector, when she sought for OPL 126 allocation in Agbami Field that was granted to her company, Famfa Ltd. Although, in late 1996 she transferred 40% of 100% share of Famfa Ltd to Star Deep Water Petroleum Ltd and obtained 40% share in a joint venture agreement with that subsidiary of Texaco.
Mrs. Alakija’s Star Deep 8% of OPL 216 is currently being owned by a Brazilian company, Petrobras, while she has about 60%
Folorunsho owns a foundation, Rose of Sharon Foundation (a philanthropic organization), which provides scholarships and business grants for many windows and orphans
In mid-2013, Mrs. Alakija was chosen as vice-chairman by Federal Government of Nigeria’s newly formed National Heritage Council and Endowment for Arts, in promoting and preserving the nation’s 100 heritage sites and assets
The Yoruba-born business icon is adjudged world’s richest black-woman by Ventures Africa (a pan-African magazine) in late 2013 with USD7.3 billion in assets/fortune.
Forbes magazine named her World’s richest black woman (2013) overtaking TV Show host, Opera Winfrey to second place.
In early 2012, Alakija won the petition at the supreme court of Nigeria against wrongful takeover and non-compensation for 50% share of her company in the year 2000

Indeed, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija may have conquered in many areas of human endeavours through hard work, fearlessness and determination, which has brought her National recognition locally and internationally. However, her next shot may be Nigeria’s political scene with very few women though owing to her unsullied character, enormous experience and wealth. BY: Abraham Alfa

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TheOscarsLogo

The Oscar statuette is not made of gold. It is a pewter like alloy called brittanium, which is 93 percent tin, 5 percent antimony and 2 percent copper. It is then plated with gold.
Academy Award statuettes are 13½ inches tall and weigh 8½ pounds.
Since 1950, Oscar winners must agree not to sell their statuettes without first offering them to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for $1.
At a 1999 auction, Michael Jackson paid $1.5 million for the best picture statuette for "Gone With the Wind" (1939).
During the metal shortages of World War II, the Oscar statuettes were made of plaster.
The first Academy Awards ceremony, in a banquet room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 1929, was also the shortest — 15 minutes. The winners had been notified beforehand.
In 1940, when Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American Oscar winner for her supporting role in "Gone With the Wind," she was required to sit in a segregated section of the room.
Three movies share the record for the most Oscar wins, with 11: "Ben-Hur" (1959), "Titanic" (1997) and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003).
The individual with the most Oscar wins is Walt Disney, with 26 (including 22 competitive awards and 4 honorary awards). He was nominated for a record 48 Academy Awards.
The most Oscar wins by a woman is eight, by costume designer Edith Head.
Katharine Hepburn won the best actress award a record four times.
Meryl Streep is the queen of best actress nominees, with 15, and total acting nominations, with 18.
The 34-minute French film "The Red Balloon" (1956) won best original screenplay with virtually no dialogue.
The youngest honorary Oscar recipient was Shirley Temple (age 6) in 1934.
The youngest best actor winner was Adrien Brody (age 29) for "The Pianist" (2002).
The youngest best actress winner was Matlin (age 21) for "Children of a Lesser God" (1986).
The oldest best director winner was Clint Eastwood (age 74) for "Million Dollar Baby" (2004).
The only silent film to win best picture was "Wings," in the inaugural ceremony (1927).
John Ford won a record four Academy Awards as best director.
Only one woman has won best director: Kathryn Bigelow, for "The Hurt Locker" (2008). Only four women have been nominated.
The first posthumous Oscar winner was screenwriter Sidney Howard for "Gone With the Wind" (1939).
The only Academy Award winner named Oscar was songwriter Oscar Hammerstein.
“Gone With The Wind” is the longest Best Picture winner, clocking in at 234 minutes.
Christopher Plummer became the oldest person to win an Oscar, when he won for Best Supporting Actor in 2012 for his performance in "Beginners" (2011), at age 82.
The first person to turn down an Academy Award was Dudley Nichols, who refused a Best Screenwriter award for “The Informers” (1935) due to a union dispute at the time.
Liza Minnelli, meanwhile, is the only Oscar winner whose parents (Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli) also both won Academy Awards.
According to legend, the name 'Oscar' was given to the statuettes by Margaret Herrick, the Academy's librarian. Reportedly, the statuette looked like her uncle Oscar.
Sidney Poitier became the first black actor to win an Oscar when he collected for “Lilies Of The Field” (1963).
The very first person to receive an Academy Award didn't even attend the ceremony. Emil Jannings, the winner for Best Actor in the 1927-28 Academy Awards, had decided to go back to his home in Germany before the ceremony. Before he left for his trip, Jannings was handed the very first Academy Award.
The only Academy Award winner who won but was never officially nominated was Hal Mohr for Best Cinematography for “A Midsummer Night's Dream” (1935). Mohr was the first and only person to win via a write-in vote.

BY: Olusola Agbaje

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Valentine-Day-Wallpaper

It's Valentine again and as usual, it's that time of the year where love is in the air. The feast of Saint Valentine is celebrated all over the world. While there are a lot of martyrdom stories about the early Christian saint, Valentinus, the most prominent is that which said he was imprisoned for perfoming weddings for soilders who were forbidden to marry. During Valentinus' imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius and before his execution, he wrote her a leter which he ended with "Your Valentine" as farewell. Today, all over the world, lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, confectionary, greeting cards, etc. Basically, a lover is expected to go the extra mile on this day. Symbols used include the heart-shaped outline, doves and the figure of the winged cupid. If you're not so careful, you can end up spending a year's fortune just to please your lover in the spirit of Valentine and so here are a few tips to have a not so expensive Valentine and still impress your lover.

Adventure - Do something different. Go somewhere you haven't been before, that recreational centre you hear about on the radio, now's a perfect time to make a reservation. You can also try out a picnic - just enjoy each other's company.

Suprise - You, as a guy probably doesn't cook on a normal basis. You can surprise her by cooking her favorite meal and doing something extra, maybe a bottle of wine (so you can both be drunk in love). Do well to get a recipe off the internet or better still a cookery book.

Dining out - You can have dinners if you wish and go the extra mile, to spend quality time in a hotel room. Let the dinner out be different - you can get old pictures and reminisce and laugh at how funky you used to be. Talk about how you guys met too and end it with a kiss.

Buy him/her a special gift - Boxes of chocolates are eaten and go out of the body via excretion but that shoe or dress stays as long as it fits the lover. He must have been talking about some item he wants before Valentine, get one for him maybe.

Spice up your sex life - *clears throat* Now this is not so cheesy, but you can get some red balloons, candies, candles and roses and treat your room to a make over for Valentine night. And then, the rest isn't really our business. Just make it special and beautiful.

Write a poem/send a beautiful text - Words melt the heart you know? You can write a poem or a love letter or a text message to your lover and tell him/her how much you love him/her and pour away all the mushiness in it. Let him know why you're with him amidst others, and why you're not letting him go.

Now remember, you can combine as much as you can. Happy Valentine's Day! Frank Ugo

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hith-valentine

A day to specially celeberate love in its purest form whether between lovers or caring for the less previledged, Saint Valentine's Day, also known as Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine is observed on February 14 each year and celebrated in many countries around the world. In most countries therefore, it is a normal day of work but people still find ways of meeting up with their loved ones to share gifts and celebrate love in numerous forms depending on individual sentimental attachment to the day. Though several martyrdom stories have emerged to explain the genesis and significance of the Day and added to later martyrologies, a popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embellishment to this story states that before his execution he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell. St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus but today, Saint Valentine's Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion, as well as in the Lutheran Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine's Day, albeit on July 6 and July 30, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni). In Brazil, the Dia de São Valentim is recognized on June 12. However, in the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint Valentine on February 14 was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: "Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14." The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by Traditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Second Vatican Council calendar. The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. There is no evidence of any link between St. Valentine's Day and the rites of the ancient Roman festival, despite many claims by many authors. The celebration of Saint Valentine did not have any romantic connotations until Chaucer's poetry about "Valentines" in the 14th century. Popular modern sources claim links to unspecified Greco-Roman February holidays alleged to be devoted to fertility and love to St. Valentine's Day, but prior to Chaucer in the 14th century, there were no links between the Saints named Valentinus and romantic love. Earlier links as described above were focused on sacrifice rather than romantic love. In the ancient Athenian calendar the period between mid-January and mid-February was the month of Gamelion, dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera. In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia, observed February 13–15, was an archaic rite connected to fertility. Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning "Juno the purifier "or "the chaste Juno", was celebrated on February 13–14. Pope Gelasius I (492–496) abolished Lupercalia. Some researchers have theorized that Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with the celebration of the Purification of Mary in February 14 and claim a connection to the 14th century's connotations of romantic love, but there is no historical indication that he ever intended such a thing. Also, the dates don't fit because at the time of Gelasius I the feast was only celebrated in Jerusalem, and it was on February 14 only because Jerusalem placed the Nativity on January 6. Although it was called "Purification of Mary", it dealt mainly with the presentation of Jesus at the temple. The Jerusalem's Purification of Mary on February 14 became the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple on February 2 as it was introduced to Rome and other places in the sixth century, after Gelasius I's time. Written by: Azeez Sanusi

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With amazing contributions to the popularity of African music across the globe, one of Africa's most celebrated daughters takes music to a whole new height especially with her graphic music videos that showcase African tradition and culture. Born in Cotonou, Benin in the western region of Africa, Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo, known simply as Angélique Kidjo is a Grammy Award–winning Beninoise singer, songwriter and activist. She is globally known for her diverse musical influences and creative videos. She grew up listening to Beninese traditional music, Miriam Makeba, James Brown, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, and Santana. Therefore, by the time she was six, Kidjo was performing with her mother's theatre troupe, giving her an early appreciation for traditional music and dance. Her father is from the Fon people of Ouidah and her mother from the Yoruba people hence her use of the language fondly in her songs. She is also influenced by Afropop, Caribbean zouk, Congolese rumba, jazz, gospel, and Latin styles. She has recorded George Gershwin's "Summertime", Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" and The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter", and has collaborated with Dave Matthews and the Dave Matthews Band, Kelly Price, Alicia Keys, Branford Marsalis, Robbie Nevil, Philip Glass, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Carlos Santana, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Josh Groban and Cassandra Wilson. Time Magazine has called her "Africa's premier diva". The BBC has included Kidjo in its list of the African continent's 50 most iconic figures. The Guardian has listed her as one of their Top 100 Most Inspiring Women in the World and Kidjo is the first woman to be listed among "The 40 Most Powerful Celebrities In Africa" by Forbes Magazine. The Daily Telegraph in London describes her as "The undisputed queen of African music" during the 2012 Olympic Games River of Music Festival. In March 2013 NPR, National Public Radio in America, called her "Africa's greatest living diva". She is also an occasional contributor to the New York Times. On June 6, 2013, Kidjo was elected vice-president of CISAC. Kidjo started singing in her school band, Les Sphinx, and found success as a teenager with her adaptation of Miriam Makeba's "Les Trois Z", which played on national radio. She recorded the album Pretty with the Cameroonian producer Ekambi Brilliant and her brother Oscar. It featured the songs "Ninive", "Gbe Agossi" and a tribute to the singer Bella Bellow, one of her role models. The success of the album allowed her to tour all over West Africa. Continuing political conflicts in Benin prevented her from being an independent artist in her own country and led her to relocate to Paris in 1983. Her hits include the songs "Agolo", "We We", "Adouma", "Wombo Lombo", "Afirika", "Batonga", and her version of "Malaika". She is fluent in Fon, French, Yorùbá and English, and sings in all four languages; she also has her own personal language, which includes words that serve as song titles such as "Batonga". "Malaika" is a song sung in the Swahili language. Kidjo often utilizes Benin's traditional Zilin vocal technique and jazz vocalese. Her albums include Logozo, Ayé, Fifa, Trilogy, Oremi, Black Ivory Soul, Oyaya!, Djin Djin, Õÿö, Spirit Rising and EVE. She has also received several awards including Octave RFI (France, 1992), Prix Afrique en Creation (France, 1992), Danish Music Awards: Best Female Singer (Denmark, 1995), Kora Music Awards: Best African Female artist (Africa, 1997), Mobo Awards for Best World Music Act (UK, 2002), Médaille De Vermeil De La Ville De Paris (France, 2004), Africa-Festival Award (Germany, 2006), SAFDA African Pride Award (South Africa, 2006), Antonio Carlos Jobim Award (Canada, 2007), N.A.A.C.P. Image Award for Outstanding World Music Album (USA, 2008), Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album (USA, 2008), Go Global World Music Award (Denmark, 2008), Medal of the Presidency of the Italian Republic (Italy, 2008), Commander of the National Order of Benin (Benin, 2008), Making a Difference for Women Award from the National Council for Research on Women (USA, 2009), Afropop Hall of Fame (USA,2009), Celebrating Women Award from the New York Women's Foundation (USA, 2009) and Premio Tenco Prize for her entire singing career (Italy, 2009). On May 8, 2010, Kidjo was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Music by Berklee College (USA), Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France, 2010), Grand Prix Des Musiques Du Monde De La Sacem for her entire songwriting career (France, 2010), Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary World Music Album (USA, 2011), Prix Special de la Francophonie (Washington DC, USA, 2011), Champions of the Earth Award [37] (United Nations, 2011), BET Awards nomination for Best International Act: Africa (USA, 2011), Miroir Awards for World Music of the Festival d'été de Quebec (Canada, 2012), Trophée Des Arts, FIAF French Institute, Alliance Française (New York, 2012), Keep A Child Alive's Award for Outstanding Humanitarian Work, shared with Oprah Winfrey, (New York, 2012), Lifetime Achievement Award from the African Diaspora Awards 2012, Songlines Music Awards in the Best Artist category (UK 2013) and Grammy nominations including the Best Music Video of 1995 and Best World Music Album in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2010 and 2007, for which she won. Angélique Kidjo is the 4th laureate of the Antonio Carlos Jobim Award (2007). Created in 2004 on the 25th anniversary of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, each year the award is given to an artist distinguished in the field of world music whose influence on the evolution of jazz and cultural crossover is widely recognized. She now resides in New York City, New York, United States. Written by: Azeez Sanusi

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Graphic novels or comics have always been a dark horse in literature, reserved for children and nerds! Movie adaptations brought some of these characters to life – such as Superman, Batman … – yet the (literary) world refused to fully accept them. But the art community embraced them, so did Hollywood as Comics & Graphic Novels have become a pot of gold for studios, and most importantly, the gaming industry, who has exponentially profited from their adaptation of these characters; thus the literary world, like it or not, have to accept these works. While the global literary society is still struggling to accept the dominance of comics; Nigerian comics are nearly invisible in the country’s literary scene. Are you a fan, perhaps inquisitive … here are five graphic novels/comics created by Nigerians that you should read 1. PAX NIGERIANA:

Alternatively referred to as Nigeria’s pioneer graphic novel. A graphic novel trilogy comprising - PAX NIGERIANA PAST which is set in an alternate 1967 and tries to show opportunities missed during the events of the Civil War; PAX NIGERIANA PRESENT – set some 20 years after showing the results of the good decisions made in the past; and PAX NIGERIANA FUTURE which tells a story set in the not too distant future based on how decisions that made today can better our future. By Steve Osai, Bolaji Owayemi, Ninja-X and Jide Olusanya. 2. JUNE 12 1993: ANNULMENT:

June 12, 1993 is quite a significant date in Nigerian history. The book covers the annulment days of June 21st -23rd 1993 to the Palace Coup days of November 15th – 18th1993. It is set in the following – Aso Rock, Aguda Guest House, MKO Abiola’s private jet and Ikeja mansion, Yar Adua’s compound, the National Assembly, Lagos State Governor’s Office, Dodan Barracks, Babangida’s mansion in Minna, and all other places where Nigeria was decided. The struggle for federal power, the complicity of the royal leaders, and a record of the cash and carry politics of the political and military leaders. All the saints are villains, and all the bad guys are doing their best for Nigeria. By Abraham Oshoko.

3. 3BUTE’s BOMBAY’S REPUBLIC:

3bute, as the name suggests, is a tribute and an online anthology to writers, whose works are transformed into 3 pages of mashable, narrative art (making sure their words remain intact). Here, the 3bute is for Rotimi Babatunde’s 2012 Caine Prize winning story – Bombay’s Republic about Nigerian soldiers who fought in the Burma campaign during World War II.

4. VERSUS: VOLUME ONE:

Nigeria’s first Sci-Fi adventure follows the tale of Telema, one that has resounded throughout the heavens. The man, whose will defied a universe and would give birth to what has now become known as the August Idyll, the holy scriptures of a brave new universe. Centuries later, Mamadan Butu – prophet and founder of the religious Order of Mamadans – through his extensive studies of the tenets of Telema, reveals a prophecy that would be the beginning of an age old struggle. Now, led by the Legendary Deathly Saint Iyan’gura, the followers of Mamadan seek to bring an end to the rapid technological advancement of all sentient life in the known universe and The Galactic Alliance are forced to send saints of their own, to do battle with Iyan’gura and his formidable disciples. Created/Written by Adeniyi Adeniji, with Pencils/Inks by Dayo Animashaun 5. THE MANGA BIBLE: FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION:

An Original English language manga adaptation of the Bible; a narrative summary of the Bible into a 200 page graphic novel including the Old Testament and the New Testament, which includes ironic scenes such as when Adam sees the tree of good and evil in the Garden of Eden and his response is “Cool!”; or when Noah loses count of the animals heading to the ark, after counting up to 11,344, so he has to start all over again. Created by Nigerian/British artist, Ajinbayo "Siku" Akinsiku, and script writer, Akin Akinsiku. BY: Olusola Agbaje

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Take counsel from established authors Every author has his/her style and each style is created through peculiar variables as the writer deems fit. Notwithstanding the distinction in approach however, writing has some fundamental rules that must be obeyed. The article below brings to light the advises given by different writers though they differ but with the common aim of creating a good piece in the end. Diana Athill

1 Read it aloud to yourself because that's the only way to be sure the rhythms of the sentences are OK (prose rhythms are too complex and subtle to be thought out – they can be got right only by ear). 2 Cut (perhaps that should be CUT): only by having no inessential words can every essential word be made to count. 3 You don't always have to go so far as to murder your darlings – those turns of phrase or images of which you felt extra proud when they appeared on the page – but go back and look at them with a very beady eye. Almost always it turns out that they'd be better dead. (Not every little twinge of satisfaction is suspect – it's the ones which amount to a sort of smug glee you must watch out for.) Margaret Atwood

1 Take a pencil to write with on aeroplanes. Pens leak. But if the pencil breaks, you can't sharpen it on the plane, because you can't take knives with you. Therefore: take two pencils. 2 If both pencils break, you can do a rough sharpening job with a nail file of the metal or glass type. 3 Take something to write on. Paper is good. In a pinch, pieces of wood or your arm will do. 4 If you're using a computer, always safeguard new text with a memory stick. 5 Do back exercises. Pain is distracting. 6 Hold the reader's attention. (This is likely to work better if you can hold your own.) But you don't know who the reader is, so it's like shooting fish with a slingshot in the dark. What fascinates A will bore the pants off B. 7 You most likely need a thesaurus, a rudimentary grammar book, and a grip on reality. This latter means: there's no free lunch. Writing is work. It's also gambling. You don't get a pension plan. Other people can help you a bit, but essentially you're on your own. Nobody is making you do this: you chose it, so don't whine. 8 You can never read your own book with the innocent anticipation that comes with that first delicious page of a new book, because you wrote the thing. You've been backstage. You've seen how the rabbits were smuggled into the hat. Therefore ask a reading friend or two to look at it before you give it to anyone in the publishing business. This friend should not be someone with whom you have a romantic relationship, unless you want to break up. 9 Don't sit down in the middle of the woods. If you're lost in the plot or blocked, retrace your steps to where you went wrong. Then take the other road. And/or change the person. Change the tense. Change the opening page. 10 Prayer might work. Or reading something else. Or a constant visualisation of the holy grail that is the finished, published version of your resplendent book. Roddy Doyle

1 Do not place a photograph of your favourite author on your desk, especially if the author is one of the famous ones who committed suicide. 2 Do be kind to yourself. Fill pages as quickly as possible; double space, or write on every second line. Regard every new page as a small triumph – 3 Until you get to Page 50. Then calm down, and start worrying about the quality. Do feel anxiety – it's the job. 4 Do give the work a name as quickly as possible. Own it, and see it. Dickens knew Bleak House was going to be called Bleak House before he started writing it. The rest must have been easy. 5 Do restrict your browsing to a few websites a day. Don't go near the online bookies – unless it's research. 6 Do keep a thesaurus, but in the shed at the back of the garden or behind the fridge, somewhere that demands travel or effort. Chances are the words that come into your head will do fine, eg "horse", "ran", "said". 7 Do, occasionally, give in to temptation. Wash the kitchen floor, hang out the washing. It's research. 8 Do change your mind. Good ideas are often murdered by better ones. I was working on a novel about a band called the Partitions. Then I decided to call them the Commitments. 9 Do not search amazon.co.uk for the book you haven't written yet. 10 Do spend a few minutes a day working on the cover biog – "He divides his time between Kabul and Tierra del Fuego." But then get back to work. To be Continued......... Written by: Azeez Sanusi

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International singer, Brandy was spotted partying with Darey Art Alade, Kelly Rowland and others at the second edition of Love Like A Movie which held at the Eko Hotel & Suites on Saturday, February 15, 2014.

The event, which featured amazing theatrics and out of this world’s stunts had the singer dancing and singing along to Kelly Rowland’s exciting and energetic performances.

Following last year’s tradition, Love Like A Movie 2 which is put together by king of R&B, Darey Art Alade featured some of the most unforgettable concert experiences ever witnessed in Nigeria.

With epic performances from Darey Art Alade, Kelly Rowland, Waje, Tiwa Savage, Timi Dakolo, Mo Eazy, Zaina, Eva, Muna among many other acts, the Love Like A Movie series will remain the biggest concert to ever hold in Nigeria. Guests included international singer, Brandy, Managing Director, UBA, Phillip Oduoza, MD, Nigeria Breweries, Nicholas Verveldi, Former Cross River State First Lady, CEO, Sahara Group, Tonye Cole, Mai Atafo, Dede Mabiaku, DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Spinall, Sound Sultan, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Sasha among many others.

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African literature has come of age with different countries on the continent contributing to the development of the art. Writers in Africa have become prominent world wide due to the rapid growth of literature, and among such people is a Portuguese born Angolan writer chronicled below. José Luandino Vieira, born José Vieira Mateus da Graça on May 4, 1935 is an Angolan writer of short fiction and novels. Vieira was born in Lagoa de Furadouro, Ourém, Portugal and was Portuguese by birth and ethnicity, but his parents immigrated to Angola in 1938 and he grew up immersed in the African quarters (musseques) of Luanda.

He wrote in the language unique to the musseque, a fusion of Kimbundu and Portuguese. He left school at the age of fifteen and worked as a mechanic. He was devoted to Angolan independence, resulting in his arrest in 1961 after an interview with the BBC in which he disclosed secret lists of deserters from the Portuguese army fighting in Africa. He would remain in jail for eleven years afterwards. Vieira's works often followed the structure of the African oral narrative and dealt with the harsh realities of Portuguese rule in Angola. His best-known work was his early short story collection, Luuanda (1963), which received a Portuguese writers' literary award in 1965, though it was banned by the Portuguese government until 1974 due to its examination of the oppressiveness of the colonial administration in Angola. His novella A vida verdadeira de Domingos Xavier (The Real Life of Domingos Xavier; 1974) portrayed both the cruelty of the Portuguese administration and the courage of ordinary Angolans during the colonial period. Other works include Velhas estórias ("Old Stories"; 1974), Nós os do Makulusu ("Our Gang from Makulusu"; 1974), Vidas novas ("New Lives"; 1975), and João Vêncio: os seus amores ("João Vêncio: Regarding His Loves"; 1979). His works ex-ray societal ills, in quintessence, the novel Nosso musseque (“Our Musseque”) was written 40 years ago, and was published for the first time in 2003 by Editorial Caminho, which is currently reissuing the author’s complete works. In this novel, we come across a number of familiar figures from previous stories. Looking back at childhood and youth, the author brings us the camaraderie and conflict of people living in a world marked by the daily struggle for survival, repression and racism. He portrays his characters in their complex contradictions, children and young people as friends and foes, adults resisting the ever-present secret police, hard-working craftsmen, opportunistic tradesmen, petty thieves and prostitutes, determined women fighting to feed their families. Luandino Vieira gives each their own voice.

He artfully blends elements from slang and Angola’s African languages, in particular Kimbundu, into a vivid language that has had a decisive influence on later authors, such as the Mozambican writer Mia Couto. His innovative use of language has often brought comparisons with modern Brazilian literature’s great writer, João Guimarães Rosa. Nosso musseque, like the author’s work as a whole, is an impressive portrait of a society on its way toward a self-determined future. Vieira turned down the 100,000 Euros Camões Literary Prize (the most prestigious international award for literature in the Portuguese language), awarded to him in May 2006, citing personal reasons. He also served as secretary-general of the Union of Angolan writers, and in that capacity helped get the works of other Angolan authors and poets published. José Luandino Vieira is a central figure in the establishment of a distinctively Angolan literary movement. Though born in Portugal, he grew up in Luanda, where his family lived in the poor suburbs, the musseques, in which so many of his short stories and novels are set. He is highly inclined politically, and this resulted in him spending most of the period from 1959 until the 1974 Portuguese revolution under various forms of imprisonment and house arrest during the anti-colonial struggle while he also wrote most of his books in prison. Following Angolan independence, he played a leading role in the left-wing MPLA ruling party. He was awarded the Grande Prémio da Novelística by the Portuguese Writers’ Society in 1963 (resulting in the temporary suspension of that society by the Salazar regime). He now lives in Portugal. Written by: Azeez Sanusi

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ghets

The second edition of Darey Art Alade’s Love Like A Movie 2 held on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the Eko Hotel & Suites Oceanview Grounds had guests commending premium beverage drink, Fayrouz for their innovative and exquisite cocktails that were served at the concert. The event, which started with a cocktail session at the Fayrouz VIP lounge, had guests trying out a variety of Fayrouz exotic cocktails as they mingled in anticipation for the show. Guests spotted enjoying Fayrouz original cocktails include Timi Dakolo and wife, Giedon Okeke, Toke Makinwa, Uti Nwachukwu, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Sound Sultan, Adaora Oleh, Mai Atafo among many other guests.

“Fayrouz has always been original with its projects. First it was the party for the original where guests were rewarded on their originality… now it’s these amazing virgin and alcoholic Fayrouz cocktails. I’m really impressed!” Mai Atafo said during the show. “These Fayrouz Cocktails are really innovative. Considering Fayrouz being a non-alcoholic drink, they have also made provision for consumers who like cocktails with a spike of alcohol in them. Kudos!” Toke Makinwa said on the red carpet before the concert.

LLAM2 featured epic performances from Darey Art Alade and international singer, Kelly Rowland as well Waje, Tiwa Savage, Timi Dakolo, Mo Eazy, Zaina, Eva, Muna among many other acts. Fayrouz has been a part of Love Like A Movie since last year’s maiden edition, which featured international reality star, Kim Kardashian.

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Da Peez

Kenny and Taiye aka Da Peez were born in the 80’s to an art inclined family and the passion for music has since been instilled in their genes so to say. Not only are they gifted in music but are also veterinarians.

Presenting the acoustic version of the song titled ‘love things’, the guitar-led musical backdrop (produced by Sean Keyzy, mixed by Sheyman) brings to glorious effect their smooth vocals laced in indigenous Yoruba, pidgin and English. Having already been touted as the next set of twins to hit the limelight after the likes of P Square, Mamuzee; ‘Love things’ has received great reviews from the A&Rs and music commentators whom the song was submitted to. With plans for a Clarence Peters cut, 2014 is already seeming heavy for the identical boys.

Listen : [audio mp3="http://www.aphroden.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Love-tinz.mp3"][/audio]

Download to mobile: http://bit.ly/Lovethings

MANAGEMENT & BOOKINGS:

Please direct all management and booking inquiries to:

kennyjolar@yahoo.com // bukunmihafiz@yahoo.com

CONNECT WITH JAYCEE

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DapeezOriginal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dapeez4u

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/DaPeez

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pulitzer-prize-medal

“… for the encouragement of public service, public morals, American literature and the advancement of education.”

The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature, and musical composition. It was established in 1917 by provisions in the will of American (Hungarian-born) publisher Joseph Pulitzer, and is administered by Columbia University in New York City (U.S.) Here are some interesting facts about the prize:

1. The pronunciation of Pulitzer is "pull it sir."

2. Currently, there are 21 categories and five fellowships – Journalism: Public Service, Local Reporting of Breaking News, Investigative Reporting, Explanatory Reporting, Local Reporting, National Affairs, International Affairs, Feature Writing, Commentary, Criticism, Editorial Writing, Cartoon or Portfolio of Cartoons, Breaking News Photography, Feature Photography. Letters: Fiction, History, Biography or Autobiography, Original Verse, Nonfiction. Drama: Theatrical play. Music: Musical Composition.

3. In 20 of the 21 categories, the winners receive a $10,000 cash award and a certificate. The Public Service category winner of the Journalism competition is the only one awarded a gold medal. This prize is always awarded to a newspaper, and not an individual.

4. Jeffrey A. Marx became the youngest winner in 1986, at age 23, when he and fellow reporter Michael M. York received the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting.

5. Online-only newspapers are still not allowed to enter the prize.

6. John F. Kennedy, who was awarded the 1957 Pulitzer Prize in Biography for his book "Profiles in Courage”, remains the only American president to be awarded the prize.

7. The gold medal for the Public Service Category was designed by sculptor, Daniel Chester French.

8. The Pulitzer Prizes are awarded at a luncheon in late May, about a month after the names of the winners have been announced. The luncheon takes place at Low Library on the Columbia University campus, New York.

9. Before 1948, the Fiction category was called ‘Novel’.

10. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for the Prizes in Letters, Drama and Music (with the exception of the History category in Letters where the book must be a history of the United States but the author may be of any nationality). For the Journalism competition, entrants may be of any nationality but work must have appeared in a U.S. newspaper published at least once a week, on a newspaper's Web site or on an online news organization's Web site.

11. The first African-American to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize was Gwendolyn Brooks in 1950; she received the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for "Annie Allen."

12. The Pulitzer Prize Board is composed of 20 members, 18 of whom are voting members. And members serve a maximum of three three-year terms.

13. The first women to win the Pulitzer Prizes were given to Laura E. Richards and Maude Howe Elliott with assistance from Florence Howe Hall in 1917 for their biography of Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910), an abolitionist and author of the famous Civil War anthem, Battle Hymn of the Republic.

14. Only four prizes were handed out in the first Pulitzer Prize ceremony, in 1917; one of which was given to a trio of women.

15. Sylvia Plath, became the first person to win the Pulitzer Prize posthumously in 1982, as a posthumous publication – The Collection of Poems by the late Sylvia Plath won the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. Plath died by suicide in 1963.

16. Nigerian, Dele Olojede became the first African-born winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 2005. He won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for his "fresh, haunting look at Rwanda a decade after rape and genocidal slaughter had ravaged the Tutsi tribe."

FACTS ABOUT JOSEPH PULITZER

1. Born April 10, 1847 – Pulitzer immigrated to the United States as a young man in 1864 and served in the 1st New York Cavalry during the Civil War.

2. On March 6, 1867, he renounced his allegiance to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and became an American citizen.

3. He made his way to St. Louis after the war and in 1868 began working for the German language newspaper the Westliche Post.

4. Pulitzer studied English and law and served in the Missouri legislature, and by 1872 he was the owner and publisher of the Post.

5. In 1878, he bought The Evening Dispatch and merged the two newspapers into the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Pulitzer moved to New York, where he acquired the New York World (1883), founded the New York Evening World (1887), becoming one of the most powerful newspaper publishers in the United States

6. In 1884, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from New York, and served from March 4, 1885, until April 10, 1886

7. Pulitzer had frail health and was almost completely blind in his later years.

8. In 1892, Pulitzer offered Columbia University's president, Seth Low, money to set up the world's first school of journalism. The university initially turned down the money.

9. On October 29, 1911, Pulitzer said his last words while his German secretary read to him about King Louis XI of France. As the secretary neared the end, Pulitzer said in German: "Leise, ganz leise" (English: "Softly, quite softly").

10. Pulitzer left the university $2,000,000 in his will. In 1912 the school founded the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

11. Pulitzer was the first to call for the training of journalists at the university level in a school of journalism.

Written By: Olusola Agbaje

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public-

Mastering the act of public speaking for many people may be a nightmare initially, especially when one does not know the basics for making notable speeches for any occasions/audience. Those who have mastered this act of speaking in public may say the contrary i.e. public speaking is simple and easy, which gets better as they experiment with several platforms too. A good speech can leave permanent impression and win overwhelming support for instance, US President Barrack Obama’s inauguration speech in 2008, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s I have a dream speech in 1963, UK PM David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Malcolm X’s speeches and many more. The common bible quote: ‘out of abundance of the heart the mouth speaks…’ goes to show the essence of good speeches cannot be over stated. However, experts have advanced 3 simple useful guidelines as follows:

president-barack-obama-speech-democratic-national-convention-04

Adequate preparation – The first step to actualizing good public speaking is preparations, which involves writing down a piece of the draft speech and review it as many times as possible. There is the need to get familiar with about 90% of the issues to be discussed and hitting the right notes in speech. The question should be what do people want to hear? That must be answered through wider consultations in one’s preparation for this moment of truth well in advance.

Expected audience – When one is about to speak to an audience that comprises different sections of people such as academia, political groups, market people, campaign crowd, students etc., there is need to consider their level of understanding. Presenting a speech may become difficult most times because, speakers may need to quickly adjust to prevailing atmosphere other than the format of the speech prepared to accommodate things not originally envisaged. Feedbacks from audience should be appreciated as it assist to ensure communications is achieved, for instance, cheers, shouts, singing may prove that language of speech is understood (i.e. who is listening?). Some audience may judge one from speaker’s wearable (i.e. how do you look?) Results and outcome – Like many endeavours, reactions generated by a good speech can be positive or negative depending on situations. One’s audience can produce mixed reactions to a speech almost instantaneously, if the speech is understood well enough. The success of any act of public speaking lies with its audience/listeners, which help them to form new opinions and strengthen the bond of loyalty/support or otherwise to a speech presentation. Recently, lots of investments have gone into speech making processes especially in area business advertisements, marketing politics and government administrations. Members of audience in a speech making event should be able to meticulously gauge real values and stakes of the speaker, which help them to answer the question – what message does the speaker wants to pass across? Improve your value, loyalty, support and brand today by adapting these simple guidelines of public speech presentations whether in politics, business, academia, governments, administration etc., and reinvent yourself and people’s perceptions about you. However, practice they say makes for perfection. Begin by practicing how to write a good speech and listen to good speakers too. Written By: Abraham Alfa

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michigan-web-design-company

Whenever a business name is mentioned, one may be tempted to find online details on websites and level of impact created by the business i.e. traffic to the website hosting the business readily comes to mind. That may be largely linked to perceived marginal returns produced for high amount of traffic generated for a business website. In recent times, performance index for many businesses are measured in terms online awareness of businesses products and services to potential customers.

The success of businesses since the era of Internet and social media platforms is traffic-based owing to the need to make information about businesses, location for services and goods, and accessibility of business products (i.e. visibility) to prospective customers. The term traffic simply means the number of visitors and readers of contents of the websites at a particular time. In past five years, most of the businesses have massively developed contents about their products and services online using website services to reach larger customers, advertise goods and services, improve profit margin, reduce time for breaking information and news about business innovations, and reduction in cost and limitations with traditional ways of doing businesses that it’s gradually phrasing out. As technology continues to grow and so is the quest for faster access to reliable business contents through Internet-enabled smartphones, laptops and desktop computers. Growing a business website’s traffic may include these tips below: Quality of Content – One of the most potent tools of generating traffic in terms number of visitor of business website is in the quality of content, originality of stories about products and services, and creativity/reliability of articles and its writers (for a news website) at every point in time. Interaction – Another way of growing a viable traffic to a businesses website is to allow the audience and customers to get involved by commenting and following through stories and articles published real-time. Feedbacks/customers’ interactions on stories published online using social bookmaking can work effectively in generating more traffic to business websites. The number people on social media websites continues to grow, which can be motivation for incorporating plug-in such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, E-mail, Google+ etc, for comments and opinions of customers. Visibility – The aim of a business adverts is to be read and seen as quickly as possible by targeted customers. Therefore, business websites should be easily searched on the Internet through popular search engines such as Yahoo, Google, Bing, Alexa-Internet etc. Prospective customers tend to believe, patronize or visit what is found easily, and even more when a business website is well recognized. Good Investment – Businesses website traffic can be traced to amount of investment in terms of money, staffers’ quality/remunerations and other variables. Prospective customers can be influenced to visit, patronize, read and comment on products and services of business websites due to visual and sound effects, and graphical impressions of contents. The bottom line is more money invested, more traffic generated for any business websites. Bear in mind that no matter the cost of products and services, there would be customers. Setting of goal – Business websites should clearly portray its products and services in very concise manner. Customers should be able to find specific kind of details about specific products and services, which can help customers to identify and decisions easily about products and services thereby triggering more traffic to the website. Written By: Abraham Alfa

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plaque

Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) is less than a month away and Nigeria's favourite malt drink, Amstel Malta, will once again sponsor this event.

Nominees of the prestigious and well-celebrated awards have since been announced to the delight of fans, who still have the opportunity to vote for their favourites. The 1st edition, held last year, had the likes of O.C Ukeje, Mercy Johnson, Tunde Kelani and other notable movie stars as winners of different award categories This year promises to be even more exciting with Amstel Malta’s relentless commitment to bringing out the Best in everyone. Fans have become elated about the AMVCA as its conversation spreads like wildfire with many eagerly casting their votes for their favourite acts. So who wins this year? It's a tight race and all bets are on! Below are some of the voting categories and everyone is encouraged to follow the trend #AmstelMaltaAMVCA2014 on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA Stephanie Wilson – Living Funeral (3A) Veronica Waceke – Higher Learning (3B) Nse Ikpe-Etim – Journey To Self (3C) Nkiru Sylvanus – Kiss And The Brides (3D) Ivie Okujaye – The Volunteers (3E) BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA Juma Rajab Rashid - Siri Ya Mtungi (2A) Majid Michel - Somewhere in Africa (2B) Hlomla Dandala – Contract (2C) Majid Michel – House of Gold (2D) Tope Tedela – A Mile from Home (2E) BEST MOVIE (DRAMA) Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja (6A) Edwin Maina Kariuki – Nairobi Half Life (6B) Udoka Oyeka & Orode Ryan – Living Funeral (6C) Frank Rajah Arase – The Price (6D) Frank Rajah Arase – Groom's Bride (6E) Chris Eneaji & Jumafor Ajogwu – Murder at Prime Suites (6F) BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY Hlomla Dandala – Contract (7A) John Okafor – Return of Sheri Koko (7B) Osita Iheme – The Hero (7C) Osita Iheme – The Fighter (7D) Chinedu Ikedieze – The Hero (7E) BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY Funke Akindele – The Fighter (8A) Funke Akindele – The Hero (8B) Funke Akindele – The Return Of Sheri Koko (8C) Mary Ogbonna – Clinic Matters (8D) Jackie Appiah – Cheaters (8E) Yvonne Okoro – Contract (8F) BEST MOVIE (COMEDY) Uche Jumbo – Lies Men Tell (9A)

Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Yvonne Okoro & Ken Attoh – Contract (9B) Elvis Chucks – A Wish (9C) Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Fighter (9D) Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Hero (9E) For more information on voting categories and how to vote, kindly follow the link: http://amvcaawards.dstv.com/. Also visit www.amstel-nigeria.com for more information on Amstel Malta and its involvement in the entertainment industry.

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mbn

Lagos, Nigeria; 20 February 2014: The final leg of the Nigerian Idol 4 auditions will hit Lagos State at the Dream Studios in Omole, on the 22nd and 23rd of February. Season 4 of the reality TV music show, sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria, has been on the search for Nigeria’s best voices since the New Year began and the audition train has moved through Benin, Calabar, Port Harcourt and Makurdi. In Makurdi, Benue State capital, the audition was characterised by a splash of excitement, as it began on Valentine’s Day. Among the thousands of young hopefuls gathered in the Food Basket of the Nation was one of the most entertaining Top 12 finalists from season 3, Joe Emmal, real name Joe Emmanuel Idoko.

Beaming with determination, Idoko, who hails from Otukpa in Benue, said he had been preparing for this second chance. ‘Last season to me was like a rehearsal. I have gone back to take my time to put things right. Last year, there were some lapses and I gave about 60, 70 per cent but this time around, I am giving my 100 per cent. I am not afraid to captivate the new judges in Season 4.’ He said. Speaking during the audition, Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Daniel, expressed satisfaction with the determination displayed by all the young people who had turned up for the auditions so far, for which he expects that this season would be more competitive.

‘We have seen so many raw talents and we are committed to improving them all through this season. This TV reality show is a platform for pushing these young individuals beyond their best, helping them to discover values that make them champions and also making them happy by bringing them on the world stage and into the spotlight. Certainly, to be the voice of tomorrow is the passion of this set of contestants and hopefully those who received tickets to go on to the next stage would not relax now because the competition has only just begun.’ Daniel said. Similarly, afrobeat singer and one of the judges, Dede Mabiaku who gave more ‘Maybes’ than ‘Yeses’ to the audition hopefuls, said he hoped that those who had shown impressive skills would continue the competition, ready to win and not just to perform, as this season would be watching out for only the best. This Season’s judges also include award-winning singer-songwriters, Darey Art Alade and Nneka Egbuna who together with Dede, will be on ground to screen and select lucky contestants at the Lagos auditions. There are still hours left for hopeful contestants to apply by texting their Location-Name-Surname to 5599.

Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Daniel_ Benue State On-Air Personality, Dorcas Atsea_ Darey Art Alade and Dede Mabiaku

The Nigerian Idol Season 4 begins broadcast on television stations home and abroad on 1^st March, 2014.

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black male model

“Looking good isn’t self-importance; it’s self-respect.” - Charles Hix

Legendary fashion designer, Yves Saint-Laurent once said “Fashions fade, but style is eternal.” Fashion is what is in vogue (trendy), that is, what is being featured in magazines, on TV and on the fashion runways. Style, on the other hand, is unique to everyone. This is the person’s own opinion, their own choice in clothes and accessories; which has been modified and customized on an individual level to suit personality and body. Thus, when it comes to picking out your clothes, being trendy should be at the bottom of your to-do-list; rather, strive for style because when you finally become a master, it pays off brilliantly.

Below are some steps to take if you’re ever going to be stylish, you can call them the basic rules of men’s fashion.

Always match your belt with your shoes. This is a good rule to follow and it keeps things simple. It's best to stay with traditional colors such a black, dark brown or a rich tan. When it comes to sneakers you can switch to a belt made of fabric or something equally as casual.
Never wear suspenders and a belt together, it’s either of both. Having difficulty understanding … Well consider what you’d look like if you wore a bow and neck tie together. Got it?
Thou shall not sag. Hip hop may make it look cool, but in the real world it isn’t and it’s not practical. Your pants/trousers should reside on your waist. Period!
Fit! Fit!! Fit!!! Everything you own should fit you … not necessarily slim fitted … but it should look your size. A suit that costs ₦7,000 with proper fit ALWAYS looks better than a ₦100,000 suit that’s ill fitted.
Look for a (good) tailor and develop a life-long relationship (no homo).
Big bulky watches are for boys, slim mature watches are for men irrespective of the price tag. So loose that sports watch, except you’re at the gym … then it’s okay.

Unbutton the bottom button of your jacket. It’s not intended to be buttoned, same goes for your Written By: Olusola Agbaje

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one61

“Midi” stands for any item of clothing (skirts/dresses) that end somewhere between the knee and the calf. And they are making a comeback in flared skirt style (also known as the poodle skirt) from the 50’s a la Audrey Hepburn. This particular length can be very tricky to wear and unflattering if not worn properly - Wear one that’s too short and you look squat. Wear one that’s too long and you look like a bag of garri. Fortunately, we have helped out with some tips to help you look your best when you wear flared midi skirts.

1. Tuck in Shirt/Top/Sweater – If baring a sliver of stomach isn’t quite your speed, whenever you wear a midi flared skirt, try to remember this midi mantra: volume on bottom needs to be balanced by a tight-fitting top (always tuck in!) with a waist-cinching belt. There are ways to wear an un-tucked top on a flared skirt but it’s tricky.

Let it make all the noise in the outfit – Its safer to wear an attention drawing piece of clothing one at a time… And since this skirt creates all the attention, it’s best you don’t wear that frilled floral shirt at bay. If you wear a bold color midi, temper it with a neutral blouse. As for pleated or fuller options, keep the top simple.

3 Consider your height. If you are short, stick to a skirt that hits just above or below the knee. For taller ladies, any length will do so long as it doesn’t go below your ankles. 4 Length is everything! You can ruin the midi look if your skirt is just 2 inches too long or too short. Ideally, you want a midi to hit mid shin, where your leg begins to thin out. If a skirt hits at the thicker part of your leg, it will make you look stalky. If it’s needed, get it trimmed to an appropriate length. Extra tips. - Edgy accessories like a studded metallic bag or a touch of neon and ring set try to up the faintly downtown feel of the look of the midi skirt. - Create a long leg line by wearing nude/flesh colored shoes. Whether they're sandals, pumps, wedges, or flats, this creates a longer line of your leg. So when wearing a midi skirt and you want the extra leg length illusion, go for a nude colored shoe. STYLING YOUR MIDI FLARED SKIRT. - “Crop it like it’s hot” – It’s casual and glamorous at the same time. But make sure you have a flat stomach because bulges don’t look good out of a crop top.

- Go girly with pumps – You look like you just stepped out of a fashion magazine pairing your midi with sky high pumps. Add a string of pearl necklace and red matte lipstick to finish off the look.

- Brogues/Loafers/Creepers – You’re not a fan of sky high heels? Not to worry, you can still pull off the masculine/androgynous look with the midi flare… Pair with a pair of brogues and a messenger/cross body bag for that tomboy chic look.

- Feminine floral - A floral midi flare dress needs a plain top/shoe/bag so as to avoid overkilling it. Just add a statement accessory and off you go.

- Monochrome – Pulling the flared midi off in a monochrome outfit always looks so chic. As in all other things, avoid overkill, keep it chic and fresh.

- Vintage chic – Pair with a vintage style long sleeved skirt and kitten heels. Dramatic red lips and pearls to finish off the look. Written By: Joy Adegboye

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Shire1

“I write best with free writes, where I refuse to edit what is leaving me, where I write within a specific time frame. I refuse to obsess over it, and if it doesn’t come out easily, then I leave it. I don’t write for an audience. I don’t write under pressure. I’m thankful to take my time.”

Warsan Shire is a Kenyan-born Somali poet, writer, editor and educator who is based in London, who became the winner of the of the 2013 Inaugural Brunel University $3,000 African Poetry Prize.

courtesy: wellandoftenpress Born in 1988 to a father, who is a writer, journalist, publisher, activist and poet; Warsan showed him her first poem at the age of 11, and as she recounts “I don’t think I’ve seen him smile at anything like that, since or before.” The poem was about Africa, and it rhymed. Her mother, rather, secretly wrote poems. Her works draw inspiration from both English and African cultures, as her poems have appeared in journals and magazines including Poetry Review, Wasafiri, Magma, Sable LitMag and in the anthology ‘The Salt Book of Younger Poets’ (Salt, 2011). Age 16, at her first event – The Poetry Slam (a competition where poets read or recite their original work); Warsan won, though she never really understood what the competition was about. She has read her works extensively all over Britain and internationally in South Africa (on her first visit to Africa), Italy, Germany, Canada, America and Kenya. Her poetry has been translated into Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. In 2012 she represented Somalia at the Poetry Parnassus, the festival of the world poets at the Southbank, London. She was named Warsan, which means “good news,” after her paternal grandmother and Shire (pronounced Shireh) means “to gather in one place.” Warsan’s debut book of poetry, “Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth” (flipped eye) published in 2011, is titled after a Somali proverb. In it, life parades through sisters and mothers and grandmothers, aunts and cousins and brothers and uncles. It’s about women, love, loneliness and war, in chronologic order. Poems that focus on adolescence and young adult hood, married life, divorce, motherhood, growing old and death; with strong references to Somali culture.

courtesy: warsanshire.bandcamp With a BA in Creative Writing, she is the current poetry editor at SPOOK magazine, and a Complete Works II poet (a British national development programme for advanced Black and Asian poets funded by Arts Council England.) Her degree has helped her to study her craft, to embrace critique, and to study the English language; making sure that she would not become frightened and decide to become a hair dresser (as she has always wanted to own a beauty salon, … or be an archaeologist.) It has allowed her to study creative writing, which she hopes to continue to a PHD level.

courtesy: Warsanshire bandcamp Warsan released “Warsan versus Melancholy (The Seven Stages of Being Lonely)” on 14^th February, 2012 on Bandcamp. It’s a seven track album, which comprises of seven poems. Her poetic style is fragmented and broken, with no concern for punctuation or rhyme. Warsan was named the first Young Poet Laureate of London on 3^rd October, 2013, before her 25^th birthday. Written By: Olusola Agbaje

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LAMILI art

The ‘BEND DOWN’ crooner LAMILI is at it again as she drops a sizzling hot single titled “WANNA LOVE YOU”. LAMILI had hinted that she was in works on a new material unlike what we have heard from her in the past, a wait which lasted long enough to awaken the yearnings of her fans home and aboard.

As if the production time was not long enough, the ICE WATER crooner did a 10day suspense countdown to the release of “WANNA LOVE YOU”. Makes one wonder right? Well, after listening to this Wonderful! Wonderful! piece from the sexy songstress, you will agree that the anticipation was well worth it… To top it all off, LAMILI’s management HORIZON POINT ENTERTAINMENT has put out a 150,000Naira prize to any fan who guesses right who the male voice in the song belongs to. Listen carefully, follow and send your answers via twitter to @prodigy2639 and @lamili_engel. Winner will be announced subsequently.

“WANNA LOVE YOU”, Produced by Muno at 2Flame Entertainment studio. Mixed and mastered by Da’Genius. Download, Enjoy and Win!!! LISTEN: [audio mp3="http://www.aphroden.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/WANNA-LOVE-YOU-MIX-mst-mp3.mp3"][/audio]

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