- The Property MagnateBUKUNOLA GADZAMA

December 13, 2015

Christmas Gift Ideas

Go Hands FreeChoose Chain Bags

FASH ION

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FASHION

• Stanbic Ibtc Launches Signature Csi Initiative • Fiesta of Flavours Launches in Lagos

Go Hands-free; Chain Bags

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Editor’s Note

She sits atop a conglomerate. As CEO of Buildcon, Bukunola Gadzama calls the shots at the estate developing company she runs. A few years shy of forty, Bukky, as she is called by her friends, is wheeling and dealing in a male dominated industry - in high heels and fancy clothes.

She, indeed, proves that you can be glamorous and still play corporate at very high quarters. Like Sujimoto, who, at under forty, is building superlative high- end edifices in Ikoyi (Lagos) and environs, Bukky has chosen to build estates for medium income earners who want to live in beautiful homes without breaking the bank. Bukky is my guest in ‘The Editors Interview’. Turn to pp. 8-10.

It’s that time of year when we start gifting. Another Christmas is upon us and it’s time for Santa to whip out his bag of goodies. So, what are you thinking of giving and desiring to receive this Christmas? Truth be told, I have no clue but Yemisi Suleiman has some gift ideas she has shared on pp 4-5. You might get the nudge as I got when I looked through.

Another season’s favourites are the parties that go with the period. Now is the time to plan your wardrobe so you are not left hand-wringing. Yemisi Suleiman, again, compiles the must-carry clutch bags created for this season. Page – has the details.

As we make our plans for a fantastic celebration, let’s also take out time to plan for the less privileged. Give to those you know can’t give back. This is the test of our Christian faith; giving and sharing to those who need it the most but can’t get because society fails them again and again.

Compliments!Have a great week!

TEAM

e m a i l : a l l u r e f o r t h e w o r l d @ v a n g u a r d n g r . c o m

Remmy DiagbareR .

@ Vanguardallure1

Bukunola Gadzama

8COVER STORY

Quotes...“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

“You’re going to go through tough times - that’s life. But I say, ‘Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.’ See the positive in negative events”.

- Nelson Mandela

- Joel Osteen

EDITORREMMY DIAGBARE

DEPUTY EDITORJEMI EKUNKUNBOR

ASST. EDITORYEMISI SULEIMANSTYLE REPORTER

PAMELA ECHEMUNORCONTRIBUTORS

PRINCESS KATE EMIKOBAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA

JEROME CODJO-YAOVIONIPEDE

CONT. EDITORLATASHA NGWUBECOPY EDITORDODOIYI WILLIAM-WESTCORRESPONDENTSFATIMA GARBADAVINA AYODELELAYOUT / DESIGNGREGORY OBIOLAYIWOLA AJAGBEPHOTOOSCAR OCHIOGU(08034746487)

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JEMI EKUNKUNBOR YEMISI SULEIMAN

FATIMA GARBAPAMELA ECHEMUNOR

CHIBOK GIRLS: 500 days and counting.

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”.

- Maimonides

Christmas Gift Ideas

FASH ION

WEEKLY FAB LIST !By - Fatima Garba

ALLURE’S

Looking for the latest trends to transition into? Hopefully our weekly fab list will help you decide the major trends to keep you looking fab all day and all week.

December 13, 2015 / 3

Forget slip-ons, this season’s hottest shoe trend is all about lacing up.Fashionistas would have spotted models repping lace-up shoes in the Givenchy, Balmain and Marc Jacobs runway shows, and we are in total agreement with these major fashion houses that they are the perfect footwear this season.The style is both sultry and sophisticated while also being the perfect balance of smart and casual; meaning, the style can take you seamlessly from day to night.

LACE-UP SHOES

From complex geometrics to simple contrasts, this season’s monochrome finds power in its purity. It is most effective, the discipline of strict black and white is mirrored in clean lines and sharp silhouettes.

MONOCHROME TREND

We have not seen colour blocking executed this well since the trick of the trade was adopted by designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Fendi and Chloé many years ago. However, it seems this trend in particular never really goes out of style.

THE RETURN OF COLOUR BLOCKING

This season, designers are paying homage to the maxi with a new crop of statement skirts that give the 90s a run for its money. Chloe turned out 70s patchwork, Marc by Marc Jacobs offered up cargos and J.Crew gave us car wash pleats. What a variety to choose from.

MAXI SKIRTS

LEonA LEwiS in colour block trend

BCBG CoLour BLoCK DrESS

FEnDI CoLour BLoCK BAG

ForEVEr 21 MAxI SKIrT

JoHn LEWIS MAxI SKIrT

HouSE oF FrASEr MonoCHroME Top

BEBE MonoCHroME MAxI DrESS

AquAzurrA LACEup FLATS

AzzEDInE ALAIA LACE up HEELS

FASH ION

It is Christmas again, a time to show love to family, friends and the less privileged in the society. It is a time for gift giving and buying gifts for a loved one, is a great way to say ‘we love and appreciate you’. However, if you are confused about what gift to buy to portray your true feelings, don’t deter, we have a glossy selection of gift ideas for the Luxe lady in your life, as well as the ideal gifts for the discerning man in your life. So follow our selection of luxury gift items to guide you as you shop.

Christmas Gift Ideas

For The Luxe Lady...

By - Yemisi Suleiman

Gucci’s ‘Linea C’ shoulder bag is the perfect size for just her essentials - think cell phone, vanity mirror and card holder.

A metalic dress for that exceptional look for most wonderful moment of her life

A classic piece for the lady in your life.

Tiffany & Co. cuffs to complement a glamorous dress.

Designed to cinch her waist without feeling restrictive, La Perla’s embroidered red tulle suspender belt is a flattering choice. Match this style with the coordinating bra and thong.

Transform her look with this Dior Chromic Cat-Eye Sunglasses, which prevents the eyes from the harsh rays of the sun while still looking stylish.

This SteamLine Luggage Diplomat set in hunter green is the perfect Luggage piece for the stylish Jetsetter.

A selection of essential skincare, makeup and hair products.

/ December 13, 20154

Metallic Dress

Time piece

Cuffs

Shoulder Bag

Beauty KitLuggage Set

Underwear

Sunglasses

FASH ION

Montblanc’s fine writing instrument is a must for the discerning gent’s desktop.

The saying goes “a good lather is half the shave”, and this comprehensive kit from specialist grooming company Philips has his whole routine covered.

This compact electronic device, essentially plays the role of a complete music experience on it’s own.

Billfold wallet, give it to the gentleman who appreciates luxurious details.

A pair of laceless loafers is the quickest, most stylish way out the door this season; it is now leaner and dressier than ever.

Noir by Tom Ford. Something to class up the top of his dresser.

A Patek Philippe leather wristwatch is just perfect and stylish addition to his watch collection.

Cardholder is an enduring design that will effortlessly integrate into his everyday accessories.

Brushed matte gold-plated cufflinks and tie clip set by Lavin.

Christmas Gift IdeasFor The Gentleman...

Wrist watchLuxury Pen

Cologne

Card holder

Shaving kitCuff-links

ALLURE XMAS MART

Loafers

Wireless Apple AirPlay

Tri-tone Wallet

IQFASH ION

Go Hands Free ChooseCHAINBAGS

The clutch bag sure goes perfectly well with your outfit and holds all your necessities, but with the party season on us, designers say there are plenty of clutch alternatives that will do the same and allow you to go hands-free this holiday party season.

The idea is to opt for an evening bag with a strap instead. The chain strap bag is the go-to bag this season. It is classy and the long chain is essential when you want to go hands-free. Simply sling it over your shoulder or carry it cross-body style. Best of all, they go with everything from a tuxedo to the most gorgeous evening gown.

So for the holiday parties already filling your calendar in the coming weeks, try slipping one of these festive purses across your dress, it will save you the stress of babysitting a bag when you could be on the dance floor.

By Yemisi Suleiman

gucci

louboutin

Mark cross bag

dolce and gabana

jiMMy choo

anya hindMarch

/ december 13, 20156kate spade

IQWhy did you decide to set up a drama school for children?

I grew up going to a performing arts school for children at the age of 9 years, and I know the difference it made in my life because I was bullied when I was younger. So, going to this performing arts class on Saturday, was a huge outlet for me because it was a place where I was accepted. So when I moved to Lagos, I realised there was nothing like that here and I was really surprised. I decided to just start. I started with Christmas camp for a few kids. The response was incredible so I decided to make it a permanent thing so it became an every Saturday class. As time went by, some of the parents started referring us to schools. And some schools started calling us to hold classes with them some are after-school classes and others are part of their curriculum. They give us their topics and subjects and we would build lesson plans around those topics using drama.

How are the children responding to this new way of learning?

They love it. It’s a completely different way. Nobody is ever wrong. If you are taking history class for example and you are teaching about Africa, we can take the different sayings in Africa and use them to make songs and dance routines and its just an incredible way for them to learn without putting any pressure on them. It’ s also a way for them to express themselves.

How do you draw the introverts out or those who have been bullied?

I think the main thing that we’ve realized is that the teachers are so free, rolling on the floor with them. It shocks them because they are not used to

Although she hails from Ife, she was born and bred in London.

On graduation from the Royal Arts College of Music and Drama where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Acting in 2011, pretty, Temi Conde, moved to Nigeria two years ago for the first time and set up the Louise Marie Stage School: a performing arts school for children.The drama teacher and actress who has been on set with Jonny Depp, shares how she uses music and dance to teach difficult lessons.

IQthat kind of thing. They are used to teachers standing behind a desk and yelling at them. So when they see the teacher who is three times their age, rolling on the floor, it makes them feel free and safe to do same.

What has the whole experience been like for you?

It’s been incredible. Initially, like I told you, I trained as an actress but from doing this, I’ve now found that this is my real passion. The first time I saw the children perform, I bust into tears. Every plan I made is working and this has become my main focus.

While in England what were some of the major works that you did?

The first job I ever did was with ITv with the children’s TV show called, Tatis Hotel. It was about a magical hotel and I was a magical chef as you know. Then another job I did was with BBC called “life too short” and it was basically following a man who was a dwarf. Jonny Depp was in it and other notable actors.

How would you describe your style? Does working with children affect your style?

When you work with children like I do, you have to be very comfortable and wear a lot of exercise or sports gears because we roll on the floor. There is a lot of jumping so everything has to be secure and comfortable. Other than that, I love black and all about black.

Really?Yes. Black for me is very timeless, very classy, you

can never, ever go wrong with black. Black with gold accessory is my thing.What won’t you do in the name of fashion?

I would not overly expose myself in the name of

By - Jemi Ekunkunbor

fashion. I don’t think it is ever that deep especially as a woman, it’s always good to follow the trend but its also good to remain classy and stay true to yourself and bw good example to other women around you.

What are your favourite fashion items?I love maxi dresses. In Lagos especially, everyone

needs a good maxi dress. They are very forgiving and they can be dressed up or dressed down and you can wear with heals or sandals or add a nice belt. There is a designer who is like my big sister. She made loads of African print wrap dresses for me. To me,wrap dresses are like my saviour.

What other brands do you like?I am a very simple person. I love Zara, H&M.

And for beauty?I have very sensitive skin so I read a lot of things.

So I use a skin care line called Auburn. I also like Mac.

What beauty product can’t you do without?I can’t do without my eye liner and concealer.

Concealer under my eyes and eye liner to give me am illusion of cat eyes.

Is it paying your bills?Yes it is. We just opened another branch. So now

we have one in Ikeja and another in Victoria Island.

Plans for the future?We are planning a trip to London for some of the

children. Some of the children have been selected to go and perform there and hoping some agents and casting directors would come and watch them’.Hope fully, be seem by the right people.

TEMICONDE

December 13, 2015 / 7

/ December 13, 20158

REPORTAGE

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: NELLY MESIKPHOTOGRAPHY: AHAM IBELEMESTYLIST: YUMMIEMAKEUP: JOANNE SANNI FOR ZARON COSMETICSHAIR: TJ FOR HAIRCRAFTYELLOW OUTFIT BY LADY BIBA

December 13, 2015 / 9

Tell me a bit about yourself, viz. your education, your family and work experience before now.

I am a very private person. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and I have attended various short entrepreneurial and developmental courses in Nigeria and abroad. I have 15 years’ work experience that spans finance, banking and marketing.

You build estates now. How many have you built? Take us through how you conceptualize and finish an estate project.

I have been involved with various projects but with BuildCon Global Services, we have three estates currently on going. Our estates are called Pracht Gardens; we have two in Ikota (before VGC, Lagos) and one about three minutes from Lagos Business School.

Conceptualising an estate is easier when you know your clients well and have an idea of what your target market would want in their immediate environment; e.g., a reliable and registered crèche, a neighbourhood commercial building that will house a supermarket, pharmacy, estate clinic and office facilities will appeal to an upper-middle income young family.

Government policies also give guidelines on the type of buildings you can have in different locations.

You look rather young to own estates. How did you start? I mean, what made you decide you want to start building estates?

I am actually not as young as I look. I decided to start Buildcon Global Services from the display of trust that people showed me. I was an assistant general manager in one of the foremost real estate companies in Ikoyi (Lagos) and I was very passionate about my job even with the late hours and all the work pressure.

I had to resign when I realised that my children only see me during weekends and I was missing out on their developmental stages. So, I started a

party packs/souvenir business but I realised that almost every phone call I received was from someone who needed real estate advice or a property to purchase.

One day, after one of such calls, my husband said, “Babe, what does it take to set up a real estate firm?” That was the beginning.

What are some of the challenges you faced starting out and even now that you are established?

I had funding issues when I started; most banks don’t fund real estate projects, especially a start-up. Fact is, people have idle funds occasionally and banks’ deposit rates are low but real estate can give you fantastic returns on investment. So, I decided to encourage equity investors, both foreign and home based. Since then, we’ve had a smooth running with all stakeholders (including clients), achieving their desires.

After stabilising, my major challenge is accessing cheaper mortgages for our clients. The cumulative interest on mortgages are so high that we would rather give our clients a longer time to pay than let them pay such interests. Sourcing for very good artisans in Nigeria is also quite challenging.

You are operating in a male dominated industry. Do you face any kind of discrimination from men?

On the contrary! Ninety-eight percent of our clients are men and they buy because they believe a woman will give attention to detail and that a woman will be particular about aesthetics and will also run the estate properly. My two executive directors are men. My board of trustees are all men. I have met a couple of male colleagues in the industry who have been quite supportive.

How do people react to you when they find out

that you own your company? Do you, sometimes, find that when you wear high heels and look pretty, people tend to underestimate a woman’s ability?

Well, I’m now very familiar with the look on people’s faces when I walk into a meeting and I’m introduced. That has reduced considerably as women are doing a lot in the business world now.

How do you juggle looking glamorous with the kind of high finance and obviously tough job of building?

I won’t say I’m glamorous but I like to look good. I have a wonderful team in place; they make my job easier and we have a fantastic team spirit.

What are the factors you put into consideration before siting an estate and what are the unique features of your estates?

Before siting an estate, we conduct a market survey to help decide on the estate that best suits our prospective clients in terms of location, facilities and budget. The unique factors of Buildcon Global Services are:

- We make housing affordable by offering a very flexible payment plan. We work with our clients’ cash flow; some people have funds at certain times of the year - like upfront, bonuses etc.- Our clients are allowed to change the internal spaces of their houses before commencement of their project.- We work closely with our clients on the finishing of their homes. Experience has shown that a lot of people spend a tidy sum of money to make their newly acquired houses suitable for them; hence, we allow our clients to get involved. They choose their tiles, kitchen designs, internal colours and sanitary fittings.- All our clients have a page on our website where they can view the progress of their projects and also chat with our customer service desk, if need be.

Bukunola Gadzama- The Property Magnate

REPORTAGE

Mrs. Bukunola Gadzama is the Managing Director of BuildCon Global Services Ltd and has over 15 years work experience that cuts across the finance and marketing fields. She established BuildCon a few years ago and has successfully completed three

estates, which have since sold out.The Ogun State born tycoon is happily married to Ayuba Gadzama, from Borno State; they have children. In this interview with me, she talks about what it takes to conceptualize an estate, and gives sound advice on buying properties.

By - Remmy Diagbare

- All our clients are given a six months’ defect liability period after moving in.

Housing is very expensive, especially in Lagos. What is the cost of a unit of yours and what influences price?

Our prices vary, depending on the location of the estate. Prices in real estate are influenced by several factors like: Location, estate infrastructure, quality of materials (used) - especially the finishing, design and size of each unit and quality of workmanship. You are hosting an event today at Lekki. What is the event about? Is it an annual event?

The event is our annual end of year party but this is different because, at this event, we are unveiling our new brand identity.

Can anyone who is interested in knowing more about what you do at Buildcon attend or, is it strictly by invitation?

It is strictly by invitation. However, interested individuals can contact us directly so we can add them to the guest list. This is to ensure that we are putting like-minded individuals together.

What should we be looking for in a good property? Please advise on what not to do when it comes to buying property.

Properties can be bought in two ways, either off-plan or outright purchase. Outright sales are much easier because what you see is what you get. However, ensure that you get the seller to give you a six months’ liability period where he/she fixes anything that is not properly done and it is evident that you didn’t misuse it.

For off-plan purchase, you need to ensure both parties are clear on what the deliverables are. Ask questions, be VERY comfortable with the plan. Do not sign an offer letter that does not expressly list what you should expect at the end of your payment plan. Do not be swayed by low “too-good-to-be-true” prices; everybody is in business to earn a living.

Ask yourself why is this company/person selling me a fully-detached 5-bedroom duplex at N35 million in a neighbourhood where the value of the land alone is N25 million.

In both cases, documentation/title and government approval is VERY important. You need to do a search on the property to ensure that it is free of any encumbrances and also find out the title that will be passed to you. This is also very important for those buying land.

Buildcon Global Services focuses on off-plan sales because apart from making it affordable for prospective buyers, it also encourages their involvement and they are sure of the structural stability of their houses.

What other services do you offer in addition to building estates?

Apart from building estates, BuildCon Global Services also helps individuals to develop their properties. We engage in joint ventures with individuals who have parcels of land to develop - 2 houses or more.We also consult for people who have made bad real estate investments and are eager to get out of it.

We are into facilities management and interior decorations.

What motivates you about your work? What do you love most?

I am motivated by reports of clients’ satisfaction with their buildings.

What is your philosophy of life?Always see the positive side of every situation.

How do you relax?I meet with my friends and catch up, shop or

visit the spa. Are you a book or a film person? Or, are you both? What are you trending with right now?

I am both. Right now, I am trending on movies. I like ‘Empire’, ‘Tyrant’...

How will you describe your style? I like to be comfortable.

What’s your passion? What fashion or beauty item you absolutely can’t do without?High heels.

Finally, what is happiness to you?Happiness is being a working mum and still

see my children before 6p.m.

REPORTAGE

I had to resign when I realised that my children

only see me during weekends.

•Gadzama

Always see the positive side of every situation.

/ December 13, 201510

011HEALTHY LIVINGHEALTH

Probiotics are live bacteria in yogurt, other dairy products and pills. And while probiotics have been shown effective in managing certain gastrointestinal conditions, they do not have the same power that prebiotics do. First, they’re delicate — heat and stomach acid can kill them, rendering them ineffective before they’ve even been digested. Also, those who don’t eat dairy foods for taste or dietary reasons may find ingesting adequate amounts of probiotics difficult, if not impossible.

What is a prebiotic, then?In short, the Prebiotic is a specialized plant fiber that beneficially nourishes the good bacteria already in the large bowel or colon. The body itself does not digest these plant fibers; instead, the fibers act as a fertilizer to promote the growth of many of the good bacteria in the gut. These, in turn, provide many digestive and general health benefits.

The Prebiotin formula of prebiotic supplements contains both inulin and oligofructose. This full spectrum formulas treats the entire bowel wall for maximum effectiveness. And Prebiotin has been proven by numerous independent scientific studies to increase the number of healthy bacteria in the colon, the benefits of which are impressive and essential to overall health and well being.

Prebiotics and probiotics both accomplish important health tasks for the human gut. If you’re trying to decide between a probiotic and prebiotic supplement regimen, consider these prebiotics vs probiotics facts:

by - Teri Mendes

For comments and questions please email terimendes@gmail.com, @terimendes. I would love to hear from you, till next week. - it’s ta ta for now! XOXO

Prebiotic vs Probiotic?

TERI’s food for thoughtIf you think a strong bowel wall, improved mineral absorption and regulated hormone production

doesn’t sound important, consider the details and disadvantages: obesity, diabetes, bone density, cancer, heart health, anxiety, a large range of lower GI problems, and more can improve with copious amounts of beneficial bacteria in a healthy lower gut. Prebiotics research, especially over the past two years, has revealed that consuming a diet high in prebiotic fiber has a positive effect on each of these areas, with more discoveries coming every day.

Did youKNOW?Using coffee as a body scrub can beat cellulite

Hope you enjoyed this piece! Remember you read it here first!

December 13, 2015 / 11

Prebiotin prebiotic supplements provide a range of important benefits not just to lower gut health but to overall well being, too.

Consuming Prebiotic FiberLive probiotic bacteria are easy to find and consume if dairy products are to your taste and meet your dietary needs. Yogurt, for example, contains probiotics; but where can you find prebiotic fiber? It’s easy if you know where to look.

Prebiotic fiber is found in many fruits and vegetables, such as the skin of apples, bananas, onions and garlic. Sounds easy to get enough prebiotic fiber, right? Unfortunately, the minute amounts of fiber in each of these foods — such as 1 to 2 grams per serving — make ingesting enough fiber extremely difficult. Most people should consume at least 25 grams of fiber every day, and the foods highest in prebiotic fiber — chicory root is one such example — are nearly impossible to eat in large quantities every day. The good news is that adding a prebiotic fiber supplement to your diet is fast and simple. In supplement form, prebiotic fiber is also mild in texture and nearly tasteless, making it easy to add to water, cereal or any other food.

How Prebiotics HelpAccording to scientists, for years, hardly anyone in the medical profession paid any attention to the role the colon plays in overall health. Over the past 15 years, however, we have discovered that the colon — and specifically, the bacteria that call the colon home — is incredibly important to wellness. The healthy bacteria that live there strengthen the bowel wall, improve mineral absorption and aid in the regulation of hormone production, which has a range of essential benefits. Prebiotics fertilize these good bacteria as they stifle production of the bad, disease-causing bacteria, and Prebiotin prebiotic fiber is independently shown to cause the multiplication of beneficial bacteria.

Prebiotic Probiotic

PREBIOTICS are a special form of dietary fiber

PREBIOTIC powders are not affected by heat, cold, acid or time.

PREBIOTICS provide a wide range of health benefits to the otherwise healthy person. Most of these have been medically proven.

PREBIOTICS nourish the good bacteria that everyone already has in their gut.

PREBIOTICS may be helpful or preventative for irritable bowel (IBS), or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s Disease,Ulcerative Colitis), colon polyps and cancer and those people with a leaky gut.

PROBIOTICS are live bacteria in yogurt, dairy products and pills. There are hundreds of probiotic species available. Which of the hundreds of available probiotics is best is still unknown.

PROBIOTIC bacteria must be kept alive. They may be killed by heat, stomach acid or simply die with time.

PROBIOTICS are still not clearly known to provide health benefits to the otherwise healthy. Some are suspected but still not proven.

PROBIOTICS must compete with the over 1000 bacteria species already in the gut.

Certain PROBIOTIC species have been shown to be helpful for irritable bowel disease and for recurrence of certain bowel infections.

PerfectBodynot just slimming but fitnessKATHY EMIKO

PORTION CONTROL TIPSTo lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume, which inevitably means one thing: portion control. But you’re not necessarily doomed to a growling stomach until you reach your goal. “Portion control doesn’t mean you have to eat tiny portions. You don’t want to feel like you’re on a diet, but you have to eat fewer calories.

1: Start with a glass of H2O Drink 16 ounces (a big glass) of water before you eat, Filling your belly with water will naturally make you less likely to overeat, Plus, some symptoms of dehydration may actually be what’s causing your rumbling belly, so sipping some water before you eat may eliminate your “hunger” altogether.

2: Wear form-fitting clothes We’re not suggesting you squeeze into pants that are too tight. However, wearing an outfit with a waistband or perhaps a jacket with buttons can serve as a tool to prompt you to slow down and assess how you feel

during your meal, . As your clothing begins to feel a little snugger, it may keep you from going back for seconds. This works for me!

3: Add veggie fillersBulking up your meals with veggies is one easy way to cut calories while filling you up fast. Spinach, for example, can be used as a sandwich-topper or can add fiber and nutrients to pasta and stir-fries, says Other ideas to eat more veggies: make oatmeal more filling with diced apples, and use a whole-wheat pita in place of bread so you can stuff it with more veggie.

4: Make carbs the topper instead of the base Load up your plate with veggies and a serving of lean protein, then add a quarter cup of brown rice.5: Work for your food Here’s another way to slow down your eating: munch on foods that require shelling, peeling, or individual unwrapping, oranges and pistachios in their shells are healthy options. .

6: Don’t eat from the bag or box When you sit down with a bag of chips, do you really know how many you’re eating? Researchers from Cornell University sought to answer this question in a study and found that people ate 50% more chips when they were given no visual cues as to how large a portion should be. So if you buy a bag of chips or tin of nuts that contains 10 servings, divide the contents of the container into 10

smaller baggies ahead of time

7: Drink from a tall glass It’s okay to have a cocktail with your meal if that’s what you really want, but keep it to one glass and enjoy it slowly, suggests Young. To trick yourself into believing you’re having more, pour your drink into a tall, thin glass. Add extra ice to your drink to make it look like even more!

8: Limit mealtime distractionsTurn off the TV and put your smartphone away while you eat. A recent review of studies found that people who watched television during meals tended to consume more than those who ate without any distractions. And for you office dwellers? Consider taking your lunch break away from your desk.

9: Use smaller serve ware and dishes Turns out that even food experts aren’t so savvy about eyeballing portion sizes. In a Cornell University study, 85 nutrition experts gathered for an ice cream social to celebrate the success of a colleague. They were randomly given either a small or large bowl, or a small serving scoop or large serving scoop. Then, the nutritionists were asked to complete a brief survey while the study researchers secretly weighed their bowls. Those given the larger bowls served themselves 31% more without realizing it, while those who used the larger scoop unknowingly served themselves 14.5% more. Moral of the story? Dish up your own food with a small utensil onto a small bowl or plate, and chances are you’ll eat less.

10: End your meal with a new kind of sweet treat Many people have trained themselves to expect a sweet treat at the end of a meal, Swap in a new, healthier ritual after meals to signal that you’re done eating. Take oolong tea.

10

/ December 13, 201512

FEATURE

QUESTION:How do I manage my finance if I am earning up to N150,000 per month. My salary doesn’t cover my expenses?

POCKET CEFINANby - Omilola Oshikoya

LET’S TALK

I would also like to use this opportunity to thank you for writing to PocketFinance and for your patience.

I don’t have enough information about you i.e. your age, work experience, occupation, number of dependents etc, to make an informed judgment, however compared to majority of Nigerians; you are actually earning a reasonable salary. According to statistics the average Nigerian lives on less than $2 a day.

According to David Bach “the problem is not how much you earn but how much you spend”.

Typically the main issue is spending habits. In my opinion more money would not necessarily solve the problem. The key thing is to learn to manage what is available which in this case is the N150, 000. There are people who can squander N1,000,000 a day because they have bad spending habits. According to Luke 16:10 Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with a lot. A person who can manage as little as N50,000, would manage N50,000,000 effectively. On the other hand a person who can squander N10,000 would most likely squander N50,000,000.

Do you live on a budget? If your answer is no, then you need to begin to budget. Please check my blog www.pocketfinance101.blogspot.comfor my articles on budgeting.

The first step in budgeting is to track your expenses. For the one month, please write down everything you spend your salary on, no matter how little. Often times it is the small items that get us into trouble. You would then need to look through the list of expenses to determine which items you can do without and make some adjustments.

Once you create a budget, you would then need to begin to save some money, no matter how little the amount is.

Please feel free to contact me for any more information.Thank you once again for your patience.

Omilola is the co-founder of a financial advisory firm providing multi-disciplinary solutions to clients across industry and government. She is a seasoned Financial Analyst with 10 years work experience in Finance and Accounting covering areas such as Fund Management, Infrastructure/Project Finance, Corporate Finance, Financial Advisory, Project Management, Internal Control Analysis and Audit. She is a business and leadership coach and is UK certified life coach. For comments and questions please email pocketfinance101@gmail.com,@pocketfinance on twitter. www.pocketfinance101.blogspot.comwww.omioshikoya.blogspot.com

Fiesta oF Flavours launches in lagos

The Fiesta of Flavours food Festival, organised by Eventful Events, took place recently at Harbour Point Victoria Island, Lagos, sponsored by First Bank Plc. The three day event, aimed at promoting food and educating individuals and entrepreneurs in the food and drink business, brought to an assemblage, elite individuals and business owners within the Lagos Metropolis.

The Fiesta of Flavours featured stands with a vast variety of food from local to international cuisine. There were also pastry stands as well as wine and cocktail stands. The event also featured cooking competitions and stage performances by guests.

Expected to hold every year, Omorinsojo Akinnola a consultant and creative director of Fiesta of Flavours said, “The food festival isn’t just a market place for people to sell their wares, it’s a place where everyone can come and learn, there are chefs on hand to teach you different food recipes, for both individuals to people in the food and beverage business. The fair is about promoting everything that relates to food”.

By - Pamela Echemunor

/ December 13, 201514

Pics By - Oscar Ochiogu

stanbic ibtc launches signature csi initiative

It was a night of fine dining and entertainment as Stanbic IBTC Holdings, a member of Standard Bank Group, last Wednesday, hosted guests to the end of year dinner in appreciation of the company’s esteemed corporate and personal clientele. The well attended event, which held at the Eko Hotels and Suites Victoria Island, was also used to launch the company’s signature corporate social investment (CSI) initiative tagged, ‘Out for a Limb’. The official unveiling of the symbol was performed by Chairman of Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Atedo Peterside, assisted by Mrs. Sola David-Borha, the CE, and Mr. Alasdair Peach of Reckitt Benckiser. Stanbic IBTC used the platform to reiterate its commitment to championing the cause of providing prosthetic limbs to disadvantaged children who suffer limb loss. The financial institution also pledged to take care of the educational needs of beneficiaries of the CSI initiative who are underprivileged children.

According to Mr. Atedo Peterside, the initiative is in line with Stanbic IBTC’s commitment to value-driven CSI, designed for sustainability, positive impact and moving businesses, communities and individuals forward, in line with its brand promise. “Stanbic IBTC’s CSI is focused on three key areas of human life: health, education, and economic empowerment.” The night was spiced with a dance drama by a performing arts group, literally telling Nigeria’s story from independence to date through dance.

By - Yemisi Suleiman

:08039675880“ONE PARTY AT A TIME!”

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The FuTure AwArds AFricA 2015

Ade BAkAre presenTs summer collecTion

The 10th edition of Africa’s biggest youth event, The Future Awards Africa held last night at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event was highly anticipated and was a huge success.

Hosted by South Africa’s Bonang Matheba and Nigeria’s Darey Art-Alade, there were performances from D’banj, Omawumi, Chidinma and more.

The star-studded event was attended by Kaduna state governor, Nasir el-Rufai, Mo Abudu, Linda Ikeji, Omawumi, Kelechi Amadi–Obi, OC Ukeje, Niyola, Toni Tones, Ini Dima-Okojie, Vimbai Mutinhiri, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Lamide Akintobi, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Toke Makinwa, Maje Ayida, Ono Bello, Lanre DaSilva Ajayi and more.

By - Oscar Ochiogu

December 13, 2015 / 15

pEoPle“ONE PARTY AT A TIME!”:08039675880

UK based designer, Ade Bakare, last weekend in Lagos, formally presented his 2016 summer Maasai Collection to his Nigeria clientele. The event which took place at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, also saw the presentation of young creative designer show, a segment for up and coming designers.

The event was well attended by distinguished personalities amongst whom are, the immediate past First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola, who was the special guest of honour. Others who attended include, chief Dele Momodu, Opra Benson and a host of others.

By - Oscar Ochiogu

Faramade Segun

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