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4. EDITOR’S INTRO 26. MUSIC FIZZERS – 6. UNRAVELLING ARTICLE PHANTOM BEAT 9. HEALTH ARTICLE 28. CELEBRITY HUB – 10. OUR NEW CRUSH – GOOD OLORISUPERGAL GIRL LA 30. ART – VEN VICK 12. SPOTLIGHT ACT – SLEEK 32. SCREEN KINGS – ABAYOMI 14. PHIDELIA ARTICLE 34. ART - ANEDU 16. PIZZA REVIEW 36. BLESSING ARTICLE 20. COVER STORY – 37. SPORT

Editorial Team Editor-In-Chief: Anslem Jon Editorial Consultant: Joyce Imiegha Featured Writers: Ibironke Tobi, Alexander Ndace, Lola Daniyan, Phidelia Imiegha, Joey Akan, Mercy Imiegha, Anite Igbine Graphics/Illustration: John Etokhana Cover Photography: Eshiet Edidiong Eddie Production/Research: Tush Kingdom Media Proof Read: Elite Resources Media

is a publication of Tush Kingdom Media, a registered media outfit into magazine publishing, events organizing and coverage. Tush Kingdom Media possesses rights to every published interview, articles and pictures unless stated otherwise. For comments, critisms, suggestions and editorial submissions, kindly write to us via: [email protected] Connect with us on our social media platforms: Facebook: Tush Magazine, Twitter: @TushMagazineNig, IG: TushMagazineNig

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 2 EDITORS NOTE EDITORS

NOTELOVE, MONEY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. here is a saying that goes thus: “Love and money makes the world go round”. While this may be debatable, I tend to agree with this line of thought and working on this issue made me Trealize that love is truly deep. February is largely recognized as the lover’s month because it is the month where we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Our cover page personality for this issue defines love, in fact she tells love stories through her music and in so many languages which resonates deeply with her listeners. In one of her deepest revealing moments during production, she admitted that finding love is important.

This Issue being our first for the year speaks about LOVE. I admire people who are in love and have found love; I applaud them greatly.

This issue also features the ladies’ man – Abayomi Alvin, talented singer Good Girl LA, hit producer – Phantom, successful media entrepreneur – Tosin Ajibade popularly known as Olori Supergal, and lots of educating articles.

Oh, lest I forget, I want to say a special thank you to you all for last year, we crossed the 20th issue milestone and I know what relationships the feeling cannot be described. This year, we are committed to keeping are about, it is exciting and surpassing our achievements and we are certain of this with your spending time with a person continued support and love. who not only inspires you, I wish you a lovely and fulfilling year. but someone you can learn from. I hope to find this love Yours in Love, someday. Anslem Jon ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 3 TRAVEL Places in You Should Visit In 2019 Written by Oluwatobi Ibironke

appy new guys! It’s 2019 and it’s not too early to start making travel plans for the year. We know everyone 5has lofty dreams of visiting the Maldives, Seychelles or even Jordan. However, while making these plans and budgeting, why not add a Nigerian destination or two to your list? Wondering where in Nigeria would make the hassle worth it? Well I have come with a list that you can Hchoose from. Kano State This is the 2nd largest City in Nigeria and the commercial nerve center of the North. Best part is, it is steeped in a lot of history. Visit this ancient City with us and find out what makes it such an amazing place. From the Kano wall ruins to the tie and dye pits, the museum to the Emir’s Palace, you are sure to love it.

The Kofar Mata dye pits were created over 500 years ago and can be found in the City center. It is still in use today with the same techniques being passed down. Abraka Turf Upon visitation, if you are lucky you could get a live Located in Abraka, - this country demonstration. club is a divine oasis. It is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday Although the walls lay in ruins, the Kano walls when Nigerian life. While their accommodation is first created were built to protect the inhabitants of definitely a highlight due to the variety, there the ancient city. Other places to visit include Giddam are also things that you can do while there. Makama Museum, the Emir’s Palace, Kano Zoo, Kurmi Market and Goron Dutse Hills. Ever heard of River Ethiope? This blue green goodness is believed to be Africa’s deepest So visit, soak in some history, culture and the sights and inland waterway. The clarity of this river is sounds of Kano. incredible and the source is said to be a cotton tree. Even if you do not do anything when you go there, this River is a must visit and there is a trail at the turf that leads to it so you can jump in for a swim or have a boat ride. The turf also offers quad biking, horse riding etc.

Other things you can do while in Delta state is a visit McCarthy beach, Chief Nana’s palace (the only living historical museum in Nigeria), eat Starch and Banga soup and just enjoy the vibe. This way, your trip is a mixture of relaxation, history and local cuisine.

To get to Abraka, the quickest route would be to fly to Warri and make the 1 hour drive down there.

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 4 TRAVEL

Kwara State They don’t call this place the State of Harmony for no reason. Everyone is super friendly and helpful; there is literally always a smile on the face of anyone you speak to. What is there to see in Kwara you might ask? Well let’s help you out with that!

Owu falls: This is one of the highest and most spectacular waterfalls in Nigeria. It is often described as the ‘Wonder in the wilderness’ as there is a hike to get to the falls. With a fall of 330m the hike is well worth it.

Esie Museum: This was the first museum to be established in Nigeria. It is said to have the largest soapstone images in the world. Visiting is definitely creepy and hearing the stories is even worse but you cannot go to Kwara without heading there.

Dada Pottery: This is the largest traditional pottery workshop in Nigeria. There is an assortment of pottery products that range from water storage vessels to cooking utensils as well as decorative pottery items are produced. It is said to be as old as Ilorin itself and if you get there on time and you aren’t in a hurry, you can watch the women at work.

You can also throw in the University of Ilorin zoo and get on the canopy walk.

One thing is clear, Kwara might not be one of the famous tourist destinations in Nigeria, but don’t sleep on it either.

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 5 TRAVEL

Kogi State Lokoja (the capital) is a haven of history; from Mount Patti (which is the location where Flora Shaw got the name Nigeria) to the first Anglican Church in Northern Nigeria, it is a state you absolutely must visit.

Hike up Mount Patti (or drive if you’re feeling lazy) and enjoy the views. You will also see Lord Luggard’s first office and have a little peak into it. Something not everyone is aware of is that you can take a boat ride on the famous River Niger and Benue. I suggest you book this ride through the navy, that way your safety is ensured.

If you are not too creeped out, you should head to the cemetery which is the largest cemetery in Nigeria in terms of being the resting place for missionaries and soldiers.

To be honest there is definitely a lot to do in Kogi State but you can start with these.

Cross River State It shouldn’t surprise anyone that this is on the list. From Obudu to Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, the Slave Trade Museum to the Calabar Festival in December, there is a plethora of reasons to visit this State.

We are very sure Cross River is on everyone’s list even if it is only because of Obudu or Agbokim Falls, visiting isn’t a very hard sell.

Obudu has the beautiful mountain ranges and various waterfalls, the Calabar festival brings people from ALL over the world and Agbokim falls is such a hidden gem. Afi Mountain allows you roam freely amongst Drill monkeys and the Slave Trade Museum doesn’t need any introduction.

The only question left would be when you are heading there?

So now that we have given you a few suggestions, which will you be picking? In my opinion, choose all and make it a fun filled 2019!

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 6 MUSIC FIZZERS

Phantom ‘ye’ stamped my nameMUSIC FIZZERS amongst‘ye’ stamped the greats. my name amongst the greats.

Written by Oluwatobi Ibironke

The acceptance speech by “I didn’t plan for Ye, even Burna success of Aiye po, coming after four Burna Boy’s mom, Bose Ogulu, didn’t plan for Ye. Nobody planned years of working tirelessly without as she collected thndjde ‘Song for it”, Phantom said. “buzz”, occupies a special place in Phantom’s heart. of the Year’ award at the 2018 The story behind the birth of the SoundCity MVP Awards – the song which brought mammoth- The years before the first sign of part where she said, “thank you sized success to Burna Boy in success were spent trying to get Shina Peller for writing history 2018; made the world recognise a Town Planning degree without when all you thought was, you Phantom; and gives joy to millions necessarily attending lectures; chasing were providing a studio.” – adds of music lovers across borders, is a a career as a performing artist under weight to the existing belief fine example of how, sometimes, the name “Carlzino”; making amateur that success, a lot of times, is the big break comes when you beats and getting funny payments like the result of a chain of events – least expect it. Even Phantom a bottle of Pepsi. The idea of creating never knew Burna Boy would walk sometimes unplanned events. into his studio to record on a beat he had wishfully prepared for him; With that very they both probably never imagined the song would reach International song, myself heights, or that it would someday share title with Kanye’s album. A and Airboy fairy must have granted his wish for a Burna Boy collaboration – that is if were able to fairies actually exist. restructure our What is established, however, is that the recording of the song was lives. very “spiritual.” Phantom revealed that “there was this quietness in the studio after he (Burna) voiced Ye”. a brand of Afrobeat that would appeal This force behind the song caused to the world changed all of that. “I it to become the biggest material went back to the drawing board and in Phantom’s portfolio; and maybe started creating my sound, even from the biggest in Burna’s too. However, the tempo to the kind of instruments Phantom rates Airboy’s “Aiye Po” I used – I started to use more African as his best work yet. “With that instruments. I infused western sounds very song, myself and Airboy were to make it sound modern”. able to restructure our lives”. Like the excitement of the first sign of While Afro-fusion is very much a germination is to a new farmer, the sub-genre, which everyone looking

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 8 to retouch Afrobeat music to believes the song stamped create something new can claim, his name amongst the greats. Phantom is looking to imprint his “Everyone knew Phantom was signature sound as a new Afrobeat’ there. They know he is always special, perhaps he would record working but Ye stamped the brand. success – at least a measure of it It made people to take me serious”. Right now, - with his forthcoming EP. Already It took 4 years for Phantom to get the likes of Wurld, Airboy, , heard, it took another 5 for the Boj are working with him on that. “I producer to get recognised and the onus had a first-hand experience of how his talent acknowledged. Popular legends work” he said, about his producer, Sarz, his mentor recently is on me experience working with Wiz. called him to say, “I am proud of you”. Top artists like Davido and The duo – Wiz and Phantom – Tekno have met him for his skill. to spread share similarities in their meticulous creative approach. “I take my time Now that the world is listening, my reach for my kind of music. I don’t rush my the introverted producer is not “ music. I could spend three hours preparing to disappoint. “Right on only one kick or one snare”, he now, the onus is on me to spread in industry said. Since there’s no prize for the my reach in industry and take my first artist or producer to put out sound across borders, to U.K, music, Phantom’s style is the right U.S. That’s the plan this year”. Of and take my one – till the idea has been formed all the good happenings around the process of creating continues. Phantom’s life lately, what’s most sound across With the confidence of someone assuring is the convincing desire who has the knowledge he said: for improvement he displayed “classics take time to create”. during our chat. Where he could borders, to have called himself a genius or Ye is considered a classic – until the man of the moment, he simply U.K, U.S. proven otherwise. Phantom said, “I am a work in progress”.

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 9 OUR NEW CRUSH

Goodgirl LA

Picture provided by The Zone Agency OUR NEW CRUSH VOICE OF THE AVERAGE NIGERIAN GIRL

Written by Oluwatobi Ibironke

“Have you heard about this girl?”, Daniel, my friend asked, chilled ambience is required. as he reached for his phone to play a song by a new artist who had him impressed; he felt I would like the song too. The GoodGirlLA on “Bless Me” comes with newness; the The smooth-textured sound of “when would you bless tone of invocation in the song has a different feel; it is a me, Lord please let me know/ I go dey halla o one day side to her music that will appeal to dreamers, hustlers and girls go blow…” opened the song. At about 9 seconds the many soldiers of destiny scattered across the country, into it, I already had an impression; but I was searching my particularly ladies who can choose to make a mantra out thoughts for a moment in the past when I heard the line: of lines like “girls go blow”. GoodGirlLA admits that she “girls go blow.” preaches the gospel of hope and possibility for women. “I am all about girl power”, she said, naming Beyoncé as a Then it dawned on me, “GoodGirlLA!” I had interviewed role model. “My main energy and inspiration come from her some days earlier. “Bless Me” was unreleased at the Beyoncé. She is challenging the status quo and paving a time, but she had mentioned it during our chat along with way for black women around the world. I find that very her other plans for 2019, which includes putting out videos inspiring. I’d like to be that figure in Nigeria, to inspire and releasing her debut project - an Extended Playlist (EP) young girls to be who they want to be, to go for what that would not be limited in context. More than just the they want, and break down doors”. usual fun in the music, she intends to touch on educational and pressing life subjects. Although GoodGirlLA is not a Already, young girls with ambition that are different from the full-blown activist like Falz, she will address social issues in designs of their parents can find inspiration in GoodGirlLA’s her own way as well. story. The promising singer dropped out of school, where she was taking a course in the medical line, to pursue her “That is what music should be about”, she said, as we dreams of making music professionally, against tough discussed the relevance of conscious music. “I like the instruction from her father who, initially, pulled out of her process of music making to be very real and very pure”. life in disagreement with her career choice. Her mother too “If the police stops me today and I am really angry, I am had to accept her daughter’s heady decision, saying “just going to sing about that”. She then said, “in fact, it has make sure that when you do it (music), you succeed”, in happened”. She didn’t share the story though; perhaps the tone of an African mother when they aren’t too sure she would, maybe through music, hopefully on one of the about something. songs on her EP. “I really have songs like that… so watch out for the EP”. The promised fishes at the end of the sea are starting to in sight for GoodGirlLA, who is now rated amongst the best While Falz is the elite Nigerian music activist and Simi’s talents around, with impressive materials like collaborations persona is that of a sweet charming next-door neighbour, with Terry Tha Rapman and Peruzzi. “I wasn’t expecting GoodGirlLA looks to own the image of the average the kind of feedback I am getting; at least not this early. Nigerian girl. “If you come from America and you want But that’s how I know it (my dream) is working”. She to have an idea of what’s going through the mind of an hinted at more of such materials, but as usual, she wouldn’t average Nigerian girl, who would you listen to?”. Truly, say with who - she prefers that they are revealed in time. Rihanna seems to model the character of girls in the The evidence of joy and fulfilment was in her eyes, as she United States, there’s also Rita Ora doing that in the United spoke about her rebellious decision to be a musician; and Kingdom. Is there any such artist around? her reason is quite convincing: “I knew that in the end if I do not do what I love, I will hate myself. You only get one To the average young Nigerian girl, romance, fun and hope life so why not just live?”. are usually interest subjects; and these are ideas you hear in GoodGirlLA’s music. She wraps her creative thoughts Her goals are simple - typical of youths in the line of art. around these subjects. An example is ‘Faraway’ - her 2018 “I want to build a career out of my passion. I want to be radio hit which centred on a longing for an elusive love; able to get my mom a house in a couple of years. I want it is easy to guess that the thoughts stemmed from her to have left a legacy in the end. I want to have my name brooding over an experience she had with a boy. Similarly, stamped everywhere.” romance is at the centre of her next single ‘Fantasy’. Its groovy sound structure makes it the kind of music that fits the mood at Lagos house parties and at clubs where a

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 11 SPOTLIGHT ACT

Sl33k Picture provided by ER SPOTLIGHT ACT

HOW YOU LIKE YOUR STAR CONFIDENCE & STYLE Written by Oluwatobi Ibironke

aving to pronounce SL33K as “SLEEK” would over the years. (I have) met different people - the ones that most likely not sound right at first, but when you support and encourage my talent; and the ones that say look at it from an art perspective, it then appears unpleasant things. I learn from all and take what I need to as an interesting twist of a thoughtfully picked better myself”, he told me. Hmonicker. Like 6LACK is to BLACK, it adds style to the word, making it a fine name for an artist. But more than For almost all (including the super-rich ones like Davido), that, it is like a signature of the bearer – in the case of the ride to fame is never totally smooth. In fact, it is SL33K, Steven Iyere. He confirmed the intention behind oftentimes a rough Dakar Rally race with varying forms of the name in his statement: “It shows a deliberate attempt challenges. at making the name (SL33K) stand out, making it easily SL33K has had his own share of it. In 2014, when 800,000 searched for and to give it better visibility, unlike “SLEEK” Naira could comfortably cover a “big” wedding ceremony, that is overly used”. he lost that amount to an unsuccessful video shoot, caused by a director who would allow himself get drunk, The word “SLEEK” found its root in Steven’s story when the in the middle of a shoot. “I was so heartbroken”, SL33K Vice Chancellor of his alma mater (Covenant University), said, at the end of the story. Support came from his mum, approached him with words of compliment after a show. who would have preferred that he is a gospel artist, but He said to him, “that was sleek”. There, the scholar showed will back her son to chase his dreams, even if it differs from discernment of art, because the word perfectly describes her expectation. Steven’s music – a hybrid music genre which embodies smooth-sounding rhythms and catchy melodies hinged on Finding balance in his career steps meant finding investors Afrobeat. “Afro R&B Music” which is what it is generally that share his vision, a team that is “structured to get called; and SL33K is seen as the “new face of Afro R&B”, results at all times”, and a high sense of self-believe. at least by This Day Newspaper. SL33K might only be few songs in, no album to his name yet, no headline concert to claim, but his vision goes SL33K has made an impression of ambition in his chosen beyond these achievements; his sight is set on “making an niche; he looks to be attempting a reintroduction of R&B impact on the lives of millions (of people)” and “building to the popular audience in Nigeria, by infusing trendy a legacy” – the language of greats like Jay-Z. In the same music elements for a boost in appeal. “My Lady” makes tone, SL33K spoke of fame like an item he had ordered a good case. It is the type of music that you hear on the already, only waiting for it to be delivered to him. In radio at nights, when calm is finding its way back to nature. response to my question on his chances at success, he It is Afrobeat with rhythm and a measure of pop in it – the said: “I see it coming”. Tjan, Korede Bello kind. “Logba”, his recent song, which rests on the essentials of highlife, is a trendier record – one that has brought sizeable success.

While his rising profile delights him, SL33K revealed that his performance at Canaan Land, where he sang to an audience of about 50,000 people, When 800,000 Naira could is his most memorable musical experience. He described the comfortably cover a “big” wedding experience as ‘humbling’; he eagerly shared the story of his performance ceremony, he lost that amount to an at the Calabar Carnival, which led Sound Sultan to commend him and unsuccessful video shoot, caused by confess that he loved SL33K’s music. These events have boldened his a director who would allow himself belief in his music; the comments “get drunk, in the middle of a shoot. of naysayers too. “I have learnt a lot ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 13 So Much Ado About Reading: 8 Practical Tips to Help

You Read Reading isn’t a luxury, or a hobby. Reading is necessary. Commit to it, create a schedule, push yourself. Do SET DAILY READING More anything to make it happen. It doesn’t GOALS matter how busy you are, make time Be accountable to yourself by setting written by Phidelia Imiegha to read. a couple of times a day when you must t the beginning of every However, it’s important to first have a read. For example, make it a habit year, many of us set goals deep willingness to read and grow in to read during breakfast and lunch, for how many books we want the process. Approach reading as a during commutes, every time you use to read. Reading is way up fun, enjoyable and transformational the loo or right before bedtime. You Athere with some other famous new activity that ultimately impacts your can also commit to reading 20 pages year resolutions like “lose weight”, life. a day, for example, or two articles per “stop procrastinating”, “fall in love”. day. Some go for humble figures like 6 or Here a few tips to boost your reading 12, others set a goal as high as 100 habits: books. At the end of the year, some GET INTO E-BOOKS people reach those targets, but often, For some people, there’s barely any we don’t. COMMIT TO A READING time to pick up a hard copy book. I believe everybody should read That’s why e-books exist. They’re easy widely. Read African literature from GOAL to read on the go, in the bathroom, Set a goal. It could be anything, six Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon in bed and even in traffic. I find that I books in twelve months, twelve books and all over. Read books by American finish reading e-books faster than hard in twelve weeks etc. What is important writers, read books by Afghan writers, copy books, simply because my device is that you set a realistic goal. Set a read books by Chinese writers, is always with me. You can buy e-books goal that works with your schedule so read books by British writers. Read on your phone through platforms such you don’t feel like you are under too inspirational books, read self-help as iBooks, Kobobooks, Okadabooks much pressure. Then commit to the and tech books, business books and etc. You can also buy a kindle device goal. non-fiction books, read science fiction from Amazon. Audiobooks are very novels, horror novels, romance novels, convenient if you’re always on the Pick a different genre, or an author fantasy novels, all kinds of novels. move. from a new country every month to Read the classics, read the unknown spice things up. novelists, read everything. Broaden your scope. GET INTO ONLINE ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 14 CONTENT book or an article bores me, I stop and Reading buddies, groups or book Reading doesn’t necessarily refer pick up something more interesting. clubs can be very helpful in getting to books. On the internet, there is a Life is too short to read stuff you don’t you to meet these goals. Find a group world of short stories, articles and enjoy. Don’t try to read books that you of people who want to read as much journals that are just as amazing as think you should read because they’re as you do, and commit to discussing books. If you’re too busy to finish a classics or because you think they will your monthly reads. This way, you’ll book in good time, then subscribe to a make you look smart. Unless they’re have the discussion to look forward to. few online literary magazines. Tons of for your academics, then totally read short stories and articles are published them. every day on various platforms. You KEEP A RECORD will never run out of stories to read. I’ve found that keeping record of my They’re mostly bite size, and you can REDUCE TV AND reading progress yearly motivates me commit to reading as little as one INTERNET TIME to read more. Write down the names story a day. Some of these sites I read of the books you’re reading, and how often are The New Yorker, The New If we’re being honest, a lot of time spent watching TV or Netflix, or long it took you to finish each. Keep York Times, Catapult, Longreads, track of how your reading speed Narratively, Guernica, Brittle Paper scrolling through Instagram and Twitter can be spent reading a good increases. Keep a record of how many and Afreada. You can also use an app articles you read monthly, see how like Pocket to save articles offline, so book or article. If you want to read more, try cutting back on TV or many you read at the end of the year. you can read them even when you’re Fun facts: records can also serve as not connected to the internet. Internet consumption. This may be difficult for many people. Still, every bragging rights. minute you reduce of Internet/TV, you could use for reading. Once you begin to see reading as ABANDON BOOKS OR important as eating or working out or socializing, you will find that you’re ARTICLES YOU’RE NOT able to make time. Have a great ENJOYING reading year! One of my reading philosophies is to JOIN A READING GROUP never force myself to finish reading something I’m not enjoying. Doing OR A BOOK CLUB this ruins the experience for me and Your reading goals need to be backed puts me off picking up my book or up by accountability to help put a device to read. Once I realize that a check and encourage you during times you don’t feel motivated. ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 15 REVIEW Gourmet Pizza in Lagos REVIEW Pictures and Words by Mercy Imiegha

La Veranda La Veranda is located within the Blowfish hotel at 17 Oju Olobu St., Off Idejo St., VI Lagos. If you see a very pink building, you have certainly reached your destination.

La Veranda has a very wide range of Pizza choices which is great, but honestly got me confused on which one to try. Eventually, we decided to settle for the “La Veranda” Pizza for obvious reasons.

We requested for the Rucola to be left out because we didn’t want veges and instead, we ordered for extra chicken in the pizza. We also decided to choose two different base - one half with pesto and the N second half with tomato sauce. ow, this may be a controversial topic because people can be very particular The pizza was ready in 15mins and the dough was perfectly cooked about their pizza. Maybe you like your with a slightly charred base. I’m usually a sucker for thick crust but crust thin or soft, or you like extra this pizza had the perfect thin crust that won me over to the thin crust cheese, or maybe there’s a specific team. combination of toppings you must have. The Verdict: Although we agreed that the pizza was great, we wondered how much chicken would have been in the pizza originally, if we didn’t order extra chicken, as they could have been more generous with the Trying new pizza can be an exciting chicken portion, otherwise, we had no complaints at all. activity if you’re up for it. In the quest for Gourmet Pizza, I visited a few spots in Lagos that do not make Damage: mass production pizzas, making sure I La Veranda Pizza - N4,500 always visited with a date - for double Extra Chicken - N1,800 opinions, and here are my Top 5 in no Chapman - 2,000 particular order:

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 17 REVIEW La Taverna Located at No. 48, Balarabe Musa Cres., VI Lagos, La Taverna has a proper dining setting indoors and a casual sit out area. Not sure if it was hunger or just poor decision making, but we decided to order two different pizzas - Lagos Street Pizza and Pizza Taverna.

The Lagos street style pizza crust was thin, very crisp to bite into and had the right amount of cheese. The Taverna Pizza however, had a crust that was too thick, more than enough cheese in it and not much going on with the taste.

One poor experience we had here was the amount of time it took for the pizza to be ready - a whole hour! It took a lot for my date and I not to take the piss but Pizzie-riah the waiter apologized and we were rewarded with complementary dessert - two cups of ice cream. Pizze-riah, located at 13, Musa Yardua St., VI Lagos, seemed like a good place to grab a drink or an appetizer The Verdict: We felt it was thoughtful of the restaurant with friends. We quickly settled for Half Suya Pizza and to be nice enough to make up for the wait, of course. I Half Wakiki Pizza from a relatively sparse pizza menu. would probably visit this place again and try out other pizza options. The Suya Pizza had the right thin crust, was crispy and tasted great. The crust had slightly burnt, smoky flavor which we loved. It could have been spicier but my taste buds are very demanding of spice so I’m not the best Damage: Lagos Street Pizza - N4,500 judge. My date thought it was the perfect amount of Pizza Taverna - N4,500 spice anyways. Sangria - N3,000 Chapman - N1,000 The Wakiki Pizza on the other hand, with ham and pineapple as the main ingredients, was a little difficult to eat, thanks to the very fresh chunky pineapples that were cut and placed right on top of the pizza without being slightly baked at all.

The pineapples are supposed to be added at the last few minutes of baking the pizza, right? But in this case, we had very juicy, squishy pineapples on our pizza which tasted quite wrong. The Ham tasted good anyways, so we ended up picking out the pineapple chunks before eating the pizza, so maybe request for the pineapples to be baked with the pizza a little, if you have to try the Wakiki Pizza.

The Verdict: Overall, Pizze-riah‘s outdoor area had a nice ambiance and I would love to visit again and try out their other pizza options. Just remember to sit in the indoor area if you visit in the evening and don’t want to be feast for mosquitoes and also take note that they only accept cash payment.

Damage: Suya Pizza - N4,000 Wakiki Pizza - N3,800 Half of Each - N4,000 Chapman -N1,000 Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice - N1,500

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 18 REVIEW Milano Restaurant Milano Restaurant is an Italian Restaurant within Intercontinental Hotel located at No. 269, Kofo Abayomi Road, VI Lagos. If you don’t already know the hotel, the general ambiance is beautiful and peaceful.

My date and I scrolled through the menu, and realized that all the Pizzas are Nigerian Style - which is odd considering that it is an Italian Restaurant and guests should naturally expect Italian pizza. Moving forward, we requested for our pizza to be Half Chicken Suya Pizza and Half Nigerian Beef Pizza.

Milano Restaurant’s Pizza slices are quite massive; the Chicken Suya Pizza was delicious with thin, crispy crust. The sauce and toppings were fresh and it had the right amount of cheese. The Nigerian beef pizza tasted like the beef was leftover tasteless fried beef picked up from storage. We couldn’t get past the taste of the beef to even know how the dough tasted because it was plain terrible.

The Verdict: Milano Restaurant is a great place to eat pizza if you want to be adventurous and try their Nigerian Style Pizza as they had options like Asun Pizza and Gizzard Pizza. It would be great though, if the beef doesn’t taste stale next time.

Damage: Chicken Suya - 5,000 Nigerian Beef - N4,800 Half of Each - N5,000 La Pizza Coke - N1,000 La Pizza, located at No. 13, Taslim Elias Close, VI Lagos is designed Italian Style and is a very cozy space. La pizza has a wide range of pizza choices that are truly Italian style - they keep their recipe really simple.

I ordered for the Chicken Suya Pizza which contained tomato sauce, mozzarella and chicken and it was ready in 15mins. At first, the pizza was really soggy and so, a little frustrating to eat, but after letting it cool for a few minutes, it became less soggy.

The crust was thin but the dough wasn’t crispy. The sauce was quite a lot, making the combination with the cheese a little too much. The pizza tasted a little salty at first but soon became consistent, the sauce and the chicken tasted fresh so overall, it wasn’t bad.

The Verdict: Although the Pizzas are quite pricey, La Pizza is a nice place to go if you’re looking for real Italian style gourmet pizza.

Damage: Chicken Pizza - 4,500

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 19 COVER STORY

Photo: Eshiet Edidiong Eddie Waje Makeup: Beauty By Jorima Hair: Hair By Logo Words: Joey Akan COVER STORY

REDEFINITIONOF LOVE STORY TELLING

aje sits in front of the mirror, in a blue to know where you’re coming from for you to redefine. chequered shirt, as a stylist tries to roll her And sometimes it gets hazy - like there is no clear picture.” hair into a bun. It’s been 5 years since she She’s right. released ‘I wish’, the 2013 hit single that led Wthe drive for “W.A.J.E”, her debut album which cemented Of all the demands the Nigerian music industry places on her place in mainstream consciousness. The album and musicians at the highest level, the most daunting is the everything that came with it, was a huge personal success subconscious demand for a defined persona. Fans want that it became one of the best projects released by women a unique personality to back the art. They also demand in Nigeria. Now Aituaje Iruobe, 38, is facing a different constant growth of that personality, pushing fine musicians type of growth, a new chapter that has her split between to the edge. How do you ceaselessly edit yourself and offer hope and introspection. a newer version to people with roving attention spans, whose very decisions mean that you get to eat tomorrow? “I think the one thing I would really love them to know It’s an exercise that cuts deep and demands that you edit is my versatility, you understand?” she asks as we discuss the core of your artistry and life to stay relevant. No one the story. “I feel so many times including myself, I have truly knows how to achieve it. boxed myself based on what I feel people want to hear,” she says, her eyes looking into the distance. “And I also “There is no manual to it and sometimes people do by feel people have also seen me in a particular way maybe it a fluke,” Waje explains. “Sometimes you could just do because the first thing you think of when you talk about one song and it would enter, and you’d be like ‘Okay this Waje is her voice.” is the lane o’. So I don’t know man,” she resigns. “I don’t know about redefinition. I don’t know if I’ve been able to She isn’t wrong. Waje is regarded as one of the best vocal redefine myself. I know that I am on a journey where I’m powerhouses of her generation of Nigerian musicians. Her discovering more and I’m willing to do more.” vocal range covers three octaves and serves as the basis of all the good that has happened. She is a songstress with She continues: “When I started in the music industry right, a strong performance focus, delivering specially curated I was always about ‘Oh no, maybe we should do it like sets with every chance. I have seen her do this a lot in the this because this is the type of gig we want, or we should past 5 years. do it like that”. But I started discovering that, at some point, it became boring for me and I’m a creative. When Every time Waje takes on a crowd, at many points during it becomes boring for you, there’s no zest, there’s no zeal, her set, you could hear the crowd yell in a climaxing mix of it’s just like a chore, and you’re doing the same thing over delight and stupefaction. After a rousing performance at and over again. the 2014 Triple 9 concert organized by Beat FM in Lagos, a colleague had said, he had never heard a live voice “Redefinition for me is not just in music, but in style and sound so good. “There are certain types of songs and persona. I feel maybe it shouldn’t solely be the artist’s performances, and the truth is if you now look at the body job. We sometimes take just the creative side of things of my discography, you see that there are some things and especially for some that have done it for such a long that I have the ability to do,” she explains. “I might not time. If you check, they have the best teams because be able to do them two hundred percent but you can see they are the ones who have fresh young people who see that it’s there. So, I just feel like as I discover myself more, something that you don’t see and ask “why don’t you try it people should trust me enough and journey with me and like this?” and you’d find out that “wow, why didn’t I think not necessarily put me in that box.” of it like that.”

With each sentence, you can hear Waje grappling with Waje talks excitedly about her latest album “Red Velvet.” plans for the future in an industry that have embraced her It’s taken her 5 years since her debut LP to return with voice but not all of her music. When I mention the word another. Backed by guest efforts from love-merchants, ‘redefinition’ as a unifying theme for her next career steps, Johnny Drille and Adekunle Gold, she unfurls a winding she screams out in a Eureka-style admission. “oh! That is story about love, all of its various stages, emotions and the hardest thing. Because to be honest eh, you first have drama. It’s a warm, heart-tugging experience, crammed

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 21 WAJE I don’t know about redefinition. I don’t know if I’ve been able to redefine myself. I know that I am on a journey where I’m discovering more and I’m willing “to do more. COVER STORY with personal stories drawn from her and her loved ones experiences in romance. She blushes when I praise it and explains the unconventional nature of the record. She had spent years working on it but abandoned it for a more commercial EP which tentatively features , and Zoro. On completion, she compared both projects, and the weirdest thing happened; she was drawn in by the stories, rather than the vibe. After sampling it to trusted ears, she made the step to drop it due to the storytelling.

“At some point, the producers like Johnny Drille talk sey ‘mama, wetin happen, release this music’ Adekunle would say ‘Waje wey our song?’ I’d say “it’s there o” and the strange thing is that they didn’t even know that there was a possibility that those songs would never come out because I had started working on another project,” she shares.

“Red Velvet is a journey of a confused lover that went from. She has experienced love in different phases; Love between a friend, love between a lover, love between a child. So, love is not just one word for her or him. It has different faces and that’s why I called it “Red Velvet.” Because when you put all those faces together, it’s like the ingredients of a Red Velvet cake. Some sour, some sweet. But what comes out of it is a beautiful cake.”

Waje’s first taste of mainstream the lives of marginal people. In 2015, I’d be like: “oh, that’s true, I dey that attention was unconventional. Her Waje headlined the song ‘Strong girl’ time” vocals sweetened Psquare’s classic theme song for ONE Campaign’s smash hit single ‘Do me’. It was the ‘Poverty is Sexist.’ She also joined “And it scares me because as I grow start of an illustrious journey that U2 frontman, Bono in Lagos for the older I ask myself; ‘this jump-rope wey included sharing stages with Wyclef campaign. you don keep for yourself, you go fit?’ and Keri Hilson, lifting up a classic And it also makes me realize that there Nigerian love song - M.I Abaga’s ‘One This organic growth through the years are so many things about myself that Naira’ - and a string of social campaign has had her become a mentor to I have to really work on as an artist,” and advocacy programs to improve musicians, who regard her as both big she says. sister and idol. She says she doesn’t feel the weight of that growth, because Waje grew up in Benin City, Edo she is yet to achieve her targets for state, where she was raised by her We’ve just been this phase of her career. Although she parents. Her daughter, Emerald, is told this lie that we doesn’t share what that goal is but 19. In January, she went into business admits that “I don’t like when people with her best friend and colleague, are all competitors. call me legend. I don’t think I’m in that Omawumi. The duo announced a new Competition is great space. I know that yes, I have inspired company - Hernanes Media - which some people. But I don’t think I’m in would provide services including film/ but it can be healthy. that space. So, I feel like that mindset TV production, TV adverts, content Competition is makes me hungry because I am still creation, brand event activation, and yearning for something that I haven’t creative digital marketing. She giggles important but it can gotten. For me, when I’m reminded when I highlight her relationship with be healthy. of 2012 and 2010 and 2009 and 2008, Omawumi. “Yes it’s a great friendship,

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 24 COVER STORY

It would be nice to be in a stable “relationship. It would be nice to know what that feels like.

but we fight,” she admits, still laughing. “You lie that we are all competitors. Competition know, iron sharpeneth iron,” she says with is great but it can be healthy. Competition is glee. “And you want to be around people important but it can be healthy.” that want you to grow and you genuinely want them to grow, because then you guys There is an air of renewed resolution about have the same ideologies about how to get Waje. She’s excited about everything. She there.” cracks one-liner jokes all through the photo shoot. She’s also controlling the music in the True friendships in the Nigerian music room, scanning through her iPhone to switch industry are rare. It’s a system designed to be tracks. At some point, she cues in 6LACK’s a facade; a deceptive veil, where everyone ‘Pretty Little Fears’, and everyone sings has to play nice on TV. When you scratch along. “You people have to pay for this song the underbelly of the industry, and pull oh,” she mocks. back the curtains, you often find an entirely different scenario, almost the opposite of “Away from all these professional desires the glitter and camaraderie that’s projected and new opportunities, what would be the on TV and social media. Artists working one thing that would make you happy as a hard at undermining each other because of person?” I ask. She’s spent all day being Waje perceived competition. It’s hard to imagine the musician, Waje the businesswoman, and that a real friendship can be had, let alone Waje the industry leader. She stops, her smile thrive in a place that’s designed to choke vanishes as she looks to the floor as if she’s it. “It’s not supposed to be a big deal,” she deciding which of her many desires would be agrees. the one that gets shared today. She chooses, smiles again and shares it, but not before “Sometimes, and I hang. There mildly complaining that the question was too are times where Tiwa and I would have “deep.” conversations. There are times when and I would reach out to each other. Her response was deep too: “Let me be Yemi Alade is my girl.” For women, these honest with you, it would be nice to be in relationships are rarer, with comparisons and a stable relationship. It would be nice to fan objectification fueling inexplicable beef. know what that feels like. Sometimes maybe “It’s just like you’re working in a bank,” she because of my job, it’s not like I don’t go on explains. “You can be friends with people dates, but sometimes I get busy. And at a in the same industry as you and genuinely time where I don’t get busy I now want my desire that they do well because it doesn’t space. So it would be nice to balance that stop your shine. We’ve just been told this side of my life. I think that would be nice.”

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 25 CELEBRITY HUB

Olorisupergal CELEBRITY HUB THE BLESSING CALLED ASUU STRIKE Written by Oluwatobi Ibironke he impasse in the negotiations between the “I found out that like minds were connecting with my Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and posts”, she told me – although, at the time, she posted the Nigerian government, has forced millions of for fun. She told me, “then, Facebook was my escape from Nigerian University students out of school – add reality”. Tthis to the 13.2million young Nigerians denied access to education and you would understand why everyone not in These words of Louis L’ Amour partly explains the creation government is decrying the state of education in Nigeria. of “Olori SuperGal”: “A great book begins with an idea; a All of these paints an unpromising image for the future of great life, with determination”. the Nigerian society. Tosin’s interest in media reached a point of maturity – The implications of ASUU strike that are often heard are: social media, for her, became a thing to explore. This led female student gets pregnant while staying idle at home; to further explorations – she thought to herself: “I need an male student becomes a yahoo boy, buys Mercedes Benz. image I can own.” The idea of “RAYS” – a word coined from Stories like that of Tosin Ajibade, who started her journey the letters of her names – appeared first; she later settled to becoming a successful media entrepreneur are not for “Olori SuperGal” – a merger of the native translation commonly told – if they are, they are not told enough. The of royalty (an interpretation of her favourite colour – 31-year old founded one of the leading media outlets in purple) and the feminine reconstruction of Superman – her the country – the OloriSupergal brand. favourite Superhero.

The idea of the influential brand was conceived as an If you think the now popular brand name was mined in afterthought of a decision “not to stay idle” and an the ores of schmaltz, you are right. Interestingly, the name ambition “not to be anyone’s burden.” It was birthed during has been justified – after all, she created it for the purpose the 4months-long ASUU strike of 2009. of distinction. This element of distinction The first shot she got at getting employed, is imbued in the workings of the brand – earned her a spot as a “Marketing Person” It was the strike the premium placed on credibility, the at Gbenga Adeyinka’s Laff Mattaz – even focus on subjects relating to the rights when she hadn’t completed her degree that made me go of women, and the prioritisation of value course; even when she couldn’t prepare outside to look for creation. Olori SuperGal – the brand – a Curriculum Vitae (CV) without help. “It now has offshoots, like The New Media was the strike that made me go outside to something to do. Conference – an event setup to assemble look for something to do”, she said to me, different practitioners in the Nigerian new during our chat at her office. media industry, to allow the flow of ideas that could be transformed into individual and collective When the strike got called-off, she had to return to school progress. Four editions in, and it has reached continental to complete her course – to become a graduate and status, with last edition holding in Kenya. that meant leaving Laff Mattaz. It also meant chasing school administrators, parading offices, to get her results To think that the story of one of the 2015 Most Influential released. “School was taking my time – results delayed, Women in Nigeria started with what many would call an papers delayed. A lot of things were just delayed for unfortunate strike, is to realise that some bad situations whatever reason”. Tosin confessed that she wasn’t a top- have some positives in them. Olori SuperGal didn’t exactly point student. “I was average in school”. She didn’t take plan her success – at least not this way; and not in the professional courses (ICAN) like her colleagues were doing very beginning. “Everything grew with time. I didn’t plan at the time. Eventually when she did, she didn’t make it, to become a blogger”, she said at a point during the and so she dropped the whole idea of Accounting for her interview. Another time she said, “It wasn’t something I new interest: Media. saw that would become this big”. Remember, idleness was what she tried to avoid when she found interest in media. “With my experience at Gbenga’s – BlackHouse had That interest is now the brand that caters to the needs of some vacancies – I applied. I went for the job interview, millions, employs tens and inspires many others. spoke with the HR at length, then I was employed”, she narrated the story of how she became tasked with handling For those holding their breath for ASUU to reach an web content at Black House Media, and subsequently, agreement with the government, it is time to find that The NetNg – two media brands with the same owner. This interest which would grow into a story worth telling. engagement exposed her to the evolving social media market, with Facebook being her first contact.

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 27 ART

Artist Drawing Inspiration From Badagry Written by Oluwatobi Ibironke

“The place that inspires me most is history and culture never get old”. Badagry”, Victoria Ndubisi Chinonye said, during our interview-turned- For Victoria, who adopted Ven Vick as chat at Lumena Café. She made a lot her art-name, the abundance of life of references to the coastal city, as and the flurry of art pieces available in we discussed, for about an hour, on Badagry, sparks her creative fire; while her works as an artist with multiple the challenge in recreating new model skills – drawing, painting, acting, materials oil it. Her younger brother dancing. The place of Badagry in her might have introduced her to special creative expedition is foundational. effects, her friend (Peter Promise) might For instance, her first lesson in special have gotten her rooted in the art of effects was received in the border painting realism, but what has kept town, from her youngest sibling, back her craft alive are the tasking, more at her parent’s house. recent projects like when she had to do body art for a naked model at Mr Femi Badagry’s wealth in African history Williams’ birthday and the 1.5 square and the coastal setting of the town feet portrait of her best friend – a piece makes it a natural site of inspiration for she described as her “best ever.” imaginative thoughts. The shorelines; the movement of the waters; the The significance of the portrait is tied to posture of the trees; the cultural relics the fact that its creation eclipsed a slow available in Badagry, continues to creative period for Miss Vick – a time inspire people of all kinds, hundreds of when she had no interest in painting. years on – not just artists. Geographer It was an encounter of “artistic void.” and Environmentalist, Funmi Although she never experienced this Oyatogun once said, “I find new with dance – an art form that warms inspiration every time I visit Badagry her heart. She loves to dance, even and the stories of slavery, freedom, in unlikely situations. Her love for

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 28 ART Nigeria”, to accept her choice of career.

It has become a much easier conversation now that she gets to work with big name clients like Access Bank. Yet, Vick is hoping to get a chance to “study prosthetic casting at a film school in the US”. With that, she can meet her higher goal of correcting the foreign perception of African art. “I want people to see what I can offer. I want people to see the best of different sides of art. For instance, people from outside do not see enough of our art. They see us as African contemporary artists who paint tribes men and black expression through dance could even make her sound like a freak. I mean, people in traditional attires. I want she almost gave school away, just for some minutes of passionate dancing. to paint things that will beat the “I was supposed to go for full-time but I missed my exams”, Victoria told me, understanding people of what is explaining her position as a part-time student of the Fine Arts Department at African art”. Yaba University of Technology. Her reason: “Dance”.

While drawing, she dances; in the middle painting, she takes dance steps. Dance has brought added flair to her skill with the brush. It has become an art form that she now takes to stages to wow viewers. Interestingly, her dance is professional; she had her training in contemporary dance at Corporate Dance World – Dance Deal Foundation between 2015 and 2016; she’s good with a lot of its forms but not Balley. For the first time during our conversation, she admitted to a limitation. “I am not good with Balley even though I tried”.

Other than “Ven Vick”, another name she earned at a time was “Youngest Herbalist”; and this was because she “was the best at the role.” Asides her skills in visual art, acting is another talent of hers that is flourishing. She combines I was supposed skills in both visual and performing art beautifully, switching between her gifts seamlessly. “I have the spirit of art. It depends on my mood”, was her to go for full- response to my question on how she manages her diverse talents. I watched as she combined dancing with upside down painting in one of the videos on time but I missed her Android device. She showed me some other videos – skits – which she “ my exams. recorded for VidSkits, a brand which she serves as an ambassador for. In one, she was CardiB with the attitude; in another her promiscuous husband was denying her and their child to woo a potential mistress. When I reached my threshold, I told her, “you are a piece of art yourself”.

To think that her parents imagined that they had a Lawyer in her makes me wonder. With all the obvious artistic gifts that she’s blessed with, you would think she would have no problem convincing them about her path – she didn’t anyway, she rebelled. “If I listened to my parents, I would have still been in Badagry”, she said. It was her own way of getting her mom particularly, who often asked her, “How many artworks do you see in people’s house? This is

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 29 SCREEN KINGS

Abayomi Alvin Towase SCREEN KINGS

Written by Oluwatobi Ibironke

“Alvin, session is about to resume”, “Alvin, we need you here”, “One minute please Alvin.” The crew members at the Kasanova set, on Saturday, January 26, 2019 kept coming to grab Abayomi Alvin’s attention – causing intermissions in our chat. I would have preferred an interview without cut-ins and without breaks, but it turned out to be an experience of note. Seeing how many different things he had to attend to, exposed me to what it is like being an actor on set – it was my first and still my only experience yet.

or Abayomi, expectedly, it was the usual. He was performance” and it applies to Alvin. His success at well aware of the rush in activities at the location. personating Akin has confirmed his as a good actor, He had the costume for the movie on – body-hug particularly in the eyes of filmmakers. “I was on set the and unzipped hoodie, denim trouser, with boots on other day and one of the directors told me, ‘nice one in Fhis feet; the whole look was blue and college-boy-like – Knock Out Blessing’”. It is a similar scene in his Instagram as we discussed. It is most certainly another ladies’ man, DM and with fans who approach him, a lot of times, at student role like Austin in the hugely popular Jenifa’s cinemas. “People like it, even though they hate the Diaries – a role he played so convincingly that people character. They like the fact that I could pull it off”. often forget he played a second, different, role in the same series. Yet, “characters that do bad things for good reasons” are his personal favourite. “Preferably a protagonist.” The sweetness of the Austin character has been fused Like Blessing in KOB who had to rob people using her into the Alvin’s acting image, which has seen him star knockout skill, so as to reach her target, and her father’s as a cheerful, bubbly person in Isoken; the nerdy and dream of her participating in a major boxing tournament. naïve boy in Girl Next Door; Mentally’s good-natured It is no surprise that he is open to even tasking and uneasy Kpoi-kpoi. Surprisingly, it is the hard-fighting Hollywood roles, “as long as the role moves the script forward”. characters played by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rambo, Sylvester Stallone, Van Damme, Jackie Chan that Not too long from the time of interview, he received a call sparked the fire of acting in him. “Watching people like to be part of the famous MNet Series: Tinsel. For Alvin, those growing up made me want to be on TV”. Isn’t it it is a sign that he has grown as an actor; and it means ironic? fulfilment for the young man whose first step in acting was auditioning to be part of Tinsel. “I was called to come and In all of his acts, his role in the well-rated action thriller, play one of the roles early this month”, he said to me. “My Knock Out Blessing (KOB), makes the best case for first audition (Tinsel) was not too bad but it was bad”. He his versatility; playing the act of a minor antagonist in didn’t get in but he left there with the inspiration that has the movie – a privileged village bully – is perhaps his fuelled his rise to the spot of recognition in Nollywood. closest to being an Arnold or a Rambo, although I can’t remember Van Damme ever getting whooped by a lady. Admittedly, he did not wow the judges at his first Tinsel Alvin admitted that the role was challenging – in an audition; in fact, his performance was far from great but exciting way: “I don’t think I have ever played something he managed to impress one of the pickers who said, like that before. It is quite different from the roles I have “under the right tutelage you will make a great actor.” The played before. It is always good for an actor to take up invitation to be on Tinsel, the recognition by City People new, untried roles. When I heard about the role, I liked it Movie Awards, Nigerian Teen Choice Awards, African almost immediately”. Entertainment Legends Awards, Nigerian Achievers Awards and others, tell that Abayomi Alvin Towase has Jim Dale once said, “good acting is consistency of been making career leaps.

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 31 ART GIVING THE ART A NAME & MEANING Written by Oluwatobi Ibironke ANEDU EDOZIE he page, like an art gallery, is decorated with paintings that are sure to catch the eyes of a first time visitor, just as they are likely to arouse curios interest. “Much Ado about Nothing”, a two-part Tseries on the page, shows people-like forms positioned in a not so regular pattern, signalling confusion amongst the subjects.

The pieces, separately, and even when put together, are undeniably beautiful; but without Anedu’s descriptive caption, the thought behind the art might not click. “… you can see (this) is a group of Yoruba men arguing”, he wrote in the caption; and added that it took him five long months to figure out the piece, confirming that a level of intelligence is required for full appreciation of his works. “I know the kind of audience my works are created for, not the shallow minded or superficial audience but viewers who have had a connection with their inner self”.

The graphical illustration of the message in “Not My Business” – Professor Niyi Osundare’s famous poem – is another hard-to-ignore material in Anedu’s impressive showcase. The poem captures the line of disconnect between stakeholders of the society, exploited by military men, through their oppressive habits, before the arrival of democracy. This transaction is visible between the characters in Anedu’s piece: the oppressed, the oppressor, the soon-to-be oppressed, the unconcerned.

Anedu’s artistic nature of mirroring the realities of his immediate environment with his works is further pronounced with his publication of December 22, 2018: “Religion, Politics and what not…” The 2-in-1 post carrying acrylic and oil on canvas paintings, shows the links and associations between what looks like representative “Something just keeps telling political and religious figures; a usually rife topic at the me to place the next stroke, time of elections. Anedu explained that: “my works mostly explore pop cultural themes and how the world around to pick up a brighter hue and me is gradually changing especially due to the influence then fast forward some six to of western culture”. eight hours later you can find Even with the weight of societal influence on Anedu’s me just staring at the piece”, art, his imaginative mind remains the core element. “I’ll Anedu Edozie shared with me, call it (my style of painting) African neo expressionism. Expressionism is an art style that in which the artist seeks the creative process behind the to express emotional experience rather than impressions appealing works of art on his of the external world. It is being able to communicate Instagram page: @anedu.edozie unique, individual feelings and emotions of the artist

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 32 ART to their audience. As a modern artist, I direct my works towards expressing an inner world, not just about the reality of it”, he broke it down to bits for me.

People have likened Anedu’s ability to make interpretations of societal happenings, and communicating these interpretations through paintings, with famous American artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Anedu admits to the influence of the famous artist on his art. “Yeah that’s true, I was highly influenced by his works”. The 21-year old artist also mentioned Picasso, Andy Warhol, George Brake; and contemporaries like Ben Enwonwu, George Condo, Flore, Habeed Andy, as his influences.

Music has always been known to play a role in our lives generally, but even more in the life of creatives. Anedu acknowledged the influence of music on his art. He said, “Music does it for me most times, I love alternative sounds and I have tried to compare painting with music and painting without music, one feels more alive than the other (you already know which). The rhythm helps me not to over think and they give me a sense of freedom as well”.

You would think that, as a student, Anedu Edozie is one of the leading ones in an Arts’ Department in the University of Benin, but instead, he is studying Chemical Engineering in the institution. “I always get the question ‘why didn’t you study art in college’ well I’ll say I didn’t want it to get boring studying it in school for four years and because I am very unconventional about my own kind of art”. Anedu spoke more about education from sources outside school. No wonder, he wrote it boldly in his Instagram bio that he is a “self-taught artist.”

After all, the principle that guides his art was picked up from his studies of works of Andy Warhol, who said: “Always ensure you’re happy about making your art and don’t let all these hyper-realism artists make you feel your art is no good. Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding make even more art”.

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 33 HEALTH THE BEST WAYS TO LOSE HOLIDAYS WEIGHT! Written by Alex Ndace

osing weight can be a hideous task but losing weight without adverse and long-term effects is the best you can ever accomplish.

LThe holidays are over and there are regrettable emotions spread all over your face and more, it has inured with your New Year resolutions - even when you are prepared to with an obligation to eat more fresh and edible food, it can be imbued with self-rejection.

Those fries in layers, minced your favorite meat and yoghurt. But the good thing is that anyone who is completely interested in improving their diet has super resources to help them. A U.S group of experts in diet, obesity, diabetes, heart diseases has examined and ranked 40 diets (according to The Guardian). These listings are curated annually, it also shows pictorial demonstrations of diets that are best for short and long-term weight loss, easiest to follow, and are most likely to be adhered to - and which are dangerous because they don’t provide enough nutrients to the body.

RESOLUTION The overall and best diet is definitely the Ketogenic diet, which raises fat intake and reduces carbohydrates This is famously and reportedly followed by Kim Kardashian and Mick Jagger Experts are always concerned about the health risks of these high levels of fat, especially for people living with liver and kidney problems.

The arguable slot is shared between two underestimated diets – the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet. Fitness and catering junkies are familiar with the Mediterranean diet, the former is less popular but has been always climbed the experts’ annual best diets ladder for more than eight years. Some of the other diets are supported with evidences of their effectiveness - people who follow them strictly lose weight and reduce the risk of high blood pressure, and most importantly.

The DASH diet contains grains, four to five of vegetables or fruits, six of skinned meat (chicken or fish), nuts and two to three servings of fats. These are always served in small quantities.

The Mediterranean diet is full of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, grains, fish, nuts, poultry, eggs, and cheese and yogurt in moderation, similar to DASH, but without the specific serving restrictions.

Conclusively, most studies in fitness and nutrition show weight reduction while others are inexact, but a Mediterranean diet is also a good medium to tackle diabetes and, coronary artery disease and other heart diseases. It is also easy and even cheery to follow. All-inclusive, the most-ranked diets are not too restrictive. As opposed to the other diets, the Flexitarian diet – occasional addition of meat – springs highly than a vegan diet. The diet is ranked with the raw food diet as the worst and least healthy. They are too restrictive to be the “number one ” diet for fitness and nutrient savvies.

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 34 FICTION blessings

Written by Anita Igbine

y first panic attack. I was standing, holding my mom when suddenly this weird feeling came over me. I felt cold to my bones, my breathing was labored and quick but I wasn’t getting any air—I was hyperventilating. Me? the calmest person in my family was having a panic attack. MIt was Friday 25th January 2019 around 6pm and I had prepared food waiting for my mom to return from work. The car had some fault so she hadn’t gone out with it. My mum called my sister; she had just been in an accident. Immediately we got to her, we rushed her to the hospital in our estate. A waste – a private hospital that managed to take some money from us; it was here I had my panic attack. I had to be rushed out of the room where my mom was and taken outside. One of the nurses made a comment about it being a drama. I wanted to say something but I was too weak to talk.

The Doctor wrote a referral and with the help of some parish members, we were able to take her to the Primary Health Centre closest to our house. However, since it was an accident and they feared internal injuries, we were referred to the National Hospital Trauma Center—which is where she received treatment. Sitting, I made the acquaintance of a woman there, her husband had also been admitted, and we talked

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 35 One man died and then one was discharged at about 11pm. Then “a young lady was brought in and another young man. I lost count after that.

a little and then simultaneously let out about the medical system but it a sigh, “Hmmm, God”. I would have needs mentioning. We were not laughed if situations were different. able to run an X-ray scan for my mom for almost 24 hours because Well we ended up spending two the one at the National Hospital nights in the hospital, my sister and wasn’t working and at the end, we I stayed with my mom throughout had to go to a private hospital for and only left the hospital when she the scan and this was an emergency was discharged. That first night we situation. We didn’t know if her were seven sharing the seats and spine was affected or if she had sleeping in sitting positions. On one any fractures. Thankfully none was of my strolls to stretch my legs I went the case. Thanks of course to the to the other floors (my mom was at doctors and nurses who actually did the lodox/resuscitation room on the their job and allayed our fears. ground floor) on almost all the floors Now that we are at home, we there were people waiting—obviously have been swarmed with visitors. for their loved ones who were on My goodness! From 8am-10pm admission. It occurred to me that the (no jokes) we were receiving hospital never lacked “customers”. I Church members, colleagues and remember wondering why there were neighbors. Every person or group still so many cars packed at the car always ends their visit with prayers. park at about eight in the evening. She’s still in a lot of pains though it fades. In comparison to the fact that That night there were seven people she could have died or have her in the resuscitation room, my mom spine affected. included. One man died (He was at the bed just beside my mom and my sister What am I even saying? and I had even greeted him... Life) Appreciate the little things in and then one was discharged at about life. Even the simplest things as 11pm. Then a young lady was brought breathing (I should know, she had in and another young man. I lost count to be hooked up to oxygen), going after that. People came and left like out and coming back, been able to water—bloodied and battered. move; able to live, love and laugh. Honestly though, there’s work to These are real blessings and we be done on our medical system receive them EVERY. SINGLE. DAY really—the services they render and the equipment used. I’m not writing

ISSUE 22 www.tushmagazine.com.ng 36 SPORTS MOST UNDERRATED FOOTBALLERS IN EUROPE Written by Alex Ndace

ith a touching end to the Christmas to the team as top stars like Vardy break and the UEFA Champions’ and Maddison have connected wonderfully League group stage, many players in the attacking unit of the former Premier have had an impressive season so far, League Champions team. Wwhilst with fewer recognition than the expectations. Few months ago, Ndidi’s stats showed him as Clubs like Juventus, PSG, Manchester city and among the top five (5) stoppers of attack and Tottenham Hotspur have been in excellent form tacklers in the . This in the league while the other team’s success has revelation will be important to been quite shaky and inconsistent. Clubs like Leicester and Nigeria as his home country Arsenal, AC Milan and Chelsea are competing in aim to build on a disastrous outing at the last World the Europa League, and many more poor clubs Cup in Russia. will be set to join them after the first round of the Champion’s League. MARCO VERRATTI (PSG) The presence of stars like Mbappe and Neymar in While it was encouraging to see the rise of teams the team has made it blind for fans to see the ability like Ajax and Inter in the Champions’ League, a of the Italian in the PSG team. What else do you lot has been investigated about the situation of expect from a team that rampages in the transfer below-average performances of Monaco and PSV market and swims in spending spree every now and Eindhoven. then?

These are five players who are not getting much For a player like Verratti that builds attack from the recognition for their talent and their display on the back coupled by his passing ability, it is sad that his pitch. These players deserve more credits for their goal to match ratio will never match that of Neymar achievement so far this season: and Mbappe. Of course, that is understandable and undermining to the credits of the diminutive central SERGIO BUSQUET (Barcelona) and defensive midfielder whose work rate and At the start of his career at the Camp Nou, Sergio attitude on and off the pitch is commendable. was not really a fan-favourite and the situation of his Barcelona contract was surrounded by politics AXEL WITSEL (Borussia Dortmund) in that the low-key and shadowed midfielder was Voted as one of the vital signings in Bundesliga, the the relative of one of the Barcelona legends. The inclusion of the Belgian to the highly attacking style decision to sign him was cloudy but after decades, of Borussia Dortmund has created more freedom for the man has become the subject of debates Gotze, Pulisic and Reus to play high up the pitch with among pundits and lovers of La Liga. much protection at the back.

Sergio’s record in the middle of the park is With all these qualities, Axel is the complete package impressive and envious as Barca’s tiki-taka style of and deserves praise for his role in Borrusia Dortmund play brings in someone that can hold the play from team. the first-quarter of the pitch. GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (AC Milan) WILFRED NDIDI (Leicester City) The gigantic shot stopper doesn’t gain much The Nigerian International’s growth in the attention majorly for two reasons, with the foremost competitive atmosphere of the Premier League is being Milan’s inconsistent form and frequent team overwhelming. Ndidi boasts of top-notch passes, shuffle. Milan’s unprofessional backline has been a important interceptions and ability to stop counter- concern also. attacks as Leicester City enters the post-Ranieri era and the former Chairman’s calamitous helicopter The good news is that the goalkeeper is among death. the rebuilding the Azzuri. The man is excellent on one-on-one situations and possesses swift reflexes. Wilfred Ndidi, after few years in the League has Gianluigi also has a wide aerial reach and is calm and cemented the first team and is looking irreplaceable composed under intense moments.

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Neil Ruddock He was named ‘Razor’ after the famous boxer for the way he cuts opponents on the pitch. Neil played for four different teams including Liverpool F.C. He was really a ruthless defender robust The in his position. Neil will always be seen in the heat of brawls and will swing an arm whenever toughest he got provoked. Let’s put it this players way: Neil was simply a gangster. ever Roy Keane in the Captains are built for the responsibility and Roy wasn’t English less. Roy was one of the most committed and hardest players in the league who gathered a Premier total of nineteen (19) trophies in his career at Manchester United. Roy Keane was also known to be League rough and aggressive in his style of play – a character that should be in place when representing History Manchester United, one of the he game of football has biggest clubs in the world. had several calibers of players both mentally and physically. Figuratively, Tthere are players who are able Patrick Vieira to carry the whole team along in The Frenchman was very tall terms of battles and brawls. These and a maestro in the middle same players are hard in the way park at Arsenal. The former they tackle and commit fouls on captain comes on the least as he oppositions. Consequently, the cumulated ten (10) Red cards in lovers of the game are aware of his Arsenal F.C. career with many the rules but these players are yellow cards. The man will always stubborn to their studs and will do be remembered for his outburst anything to obstruct play and even at Roy Keane during a match graze the blades of grasses on the day fixture against Manchester pitch. The good old days remind United. me of hard men in the world’s most watched league since its inception in 1992/1993. Here is a list of those ‘gladiators’ that will ‘take one for the team’ when called upon:

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Alan Shearer Thomas Gravesen It’s normal for strikers to unleash Probably one of the controversial their dry spells on defenders players ever in the ranks of and this legend is one of those Everton F.C, The Danish player strikes. With his record goals in was popular as member of a the Premier League still intact Danish gang and was always and yet to be dethroned, Alan quick to confront his teammates Shearer will never be forgotten whenever he felt it was needed. as an aggressive and dirty centre Thomas was very dirty to his forward who was always forgiven opponents on and off the pitch. by referees.

Nemanja Vidic Julian Dicks The Serbian International is Julian was a tough tackler at West arguably one of the best centre Ham United. He was the type that backs in the premier league never shied away from going in history, forming a solid partnership on opponents even if it meant with at the defense getting sent off. Not long after, line of Manchester United. A he was named ‘The Terminator’. United legend at that, he racked Julian always got into the books up quite a number of trophies at of referees and that eventually the club during their glory days. cost him the captain armband. He was able to endure pain on the He was really a dirty ball player. pitch, strong in the air and a hard He was named player of the year tackler on his opponents. at West Ham four different times before finally retiring due to the injuries sustained from his style of play.

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