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Lara Rawa speaks on exciting twists at the Lagos Cocktail Week 2021

by glitzedge
written by glitzedge

It is an exciting time for Lagosians as one of Lagos’s most exciting events ‘The Lagos Cocktail Week’ returns after a one-year Covid 19 break. The event which kicked off from Thursday, October 7th, 2021 to run thru October 16th, 2021, with the grand finale at the Balmoral Marquee, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, promises to be nothing short of exciting.

Founder of the Lagos Cocktail Week and CEO of Eventi Cocktails Lara Rawa, an award-winning mixologist alongside her partners have brought on board some prestigious liquor; Fayrouz, Desperados, Absolut Vodka, Star Radler, Jameson, Olmeca Tequila, Beefeater Gin, Johnnie Walker, and many others for an exhilarating experience this year.

Lara Rawa

Lara Rawa

 

The event began, with a conference that spells out the values that the partners share; drinking responsibly and above all celebrating Nigerians in their diverse ways and taste. Subsequently, an intriguing cocktail village from October 15 to 16 will be erected that allows all guests to explore the nature of each brand and its essence.

Lara Rawa who holds a Law degree from the University of Lagos, and is currently a student at the Lagos Business School where she’s studying for her MBA, tells us what to expect at this year’s event amongst other issues.

What is the focus of the Lagos Cocktail week?

We are here for the Lagos Cocktail week 2021 and this is the 7th edition. The 7th edition should actually have been held last year but due to the pandemic, we couldn’t do the 7th edition. Also, there is a twist to the competition this year. What we usually do for the grand finale is to have one winner but because we want to boost the morale of the bartenders because they were deeply affected in the hospitality industry by the pandemic last year.
We planned to have different challenges for different brands and for the brands to also give them prizes. We also insisted that the prize should be cash prizes and they agreed with us. So, today the bartenders have picked the ballot to know what challenges they will be participating in and also hear from the brands regarding the competition and what the challenge prize will be.

How did the Lagos Cocktail Week begin?

I think Cocktail found me. I just like to drink cocktails and I think I started my own business about 12 years ago but I am also a mixologist. I am an entrepreneur as well. I have my own cocktail brand and it is called the Eventi cocktails and we are into lots of events. Whilst I was doing this, I felt that I wanted to do more in the industry and that was how I stumbled upon London Cocktail week and then I went to London Cocktail week as a volunteer to work with them.
Whilst I was in London with them, I was also thinking of how to do the same thing in Nigeria, that was how the whole idea came and I started the Lagos Cocktail week.

7 years down the line, how has it been so far?

Initially, it wasn’t easy but I knew where I was going and I needed to show people that vision. So, it wasn’t easy but I believed that with consistency and hard work the brands we are working with today, have seen the positivity of the Lagos Cocktail week and what we stand for. Our three pillars include education, information, and entertainment. And we have always done that. I am glad that the brands believed in the vision and they have always supported the vision. There are people as well who believe in the vision and who have always supported the vision as well.
So, I am grateful for their support and that is what has propelled the Lagos Cocktail week to this extent.

What are the challenges you face in putting this together?

Initially, it was funding but I always would work on hanging fruits. I started small and I would go to hotels and tell them to support me. They will give me the support and I would manage it, tailor it to soothe what I have. I always believe in humble beginnings because that is the way you can now tell the story. I am glad that I started the way I did because I never lose sight of my objective and I can see bartenders who are happy. That is the joy for me. When I go to bars and see them they are excited, which means you are impacting lives. Getting them to compete and winning monies that they can use to start something.

Apart from finance what are some of the other challenges?

It was for people to understand what you are doing because that is key. The platform has always been for bartenders. So, I look around today and see the Presidents of the Bartenders Guild as well the Events and beverages Association. These are the umbrellas, the platforms where you have the bartenders, and seeing them here means that we are doing the right thing. Now that they understand, the sky is not just the beginning for us.

The sector is congested with many who are not certified. Do you intend to regulate the sector?

That is the job for the Associations to do. The entry into the industry is quite low, easy entry-level and there are so many things that you would see. I believe that part of the objective of the Associations is to put in stringent conditions for entry. I believe that this is something they would look into and do eventually.

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EventsFashionNews

Elizabeth Isiorho Returns With Future Face Africa

by glitzedge
written by glitzedge

Elizabeth Isiorho, Founder of Beth Model Management Africa, with more than 50 models placed with top international agencies from around the world, is yet again; set to make aspiring models’ dreams come true, with the launch of her latest project ‘Future Face Africa’ model contest. Future Face Africa which would be Africa’s largest model search will focus on emerging female and male talents, attracting thousands of applicants from Africa to compete in the competition.

According to Isiorho, who is also the organizer of the Elite Model Look Nigeria contest, this new project is a celebration of Africa and African models.  “It is a contest for aspiring models from all African countries. We will scout for models from across the African continent, beginning from this weekend.”

Selected models will compete for a chance to win a 2-year international modeling contract with a Top International Modeling agency, as well as a $5,000 (five thousand dollars) cash reward, providing aspirants with not just a start in modeling but also a career on the global stage.

She tells us more.

Elizabeth Isiorho2

Elizabeth Isiorho

What is the difference between Elite Model Look and Future face Africa?

The difference with the elite model look was that we were working with one agency, but Future face Africa is working with about thirty agencies around the world.

Is it a winner takes it all competition?

No not for one person, I can have twenty models and an agency decides to take 15 they will be taken.

They will be signed to Beth and we are hoping that we will get them signed to international agencies.

Why do the names change?

I worked with Elite Model look for thirteen years and then last year, COVID happened and everyone had to rebrand, but I have always wanted to do this for years, so for me, it is a good opportunity and an opportunity to expand what I really wanted to do which is working and signing models with bigger and more agencies as well as scouting more around the world. Before now I was limited to Nigeria or West Africa, but now I can go all around Africa for models. The good thing, however, is I still work with Elite, they are still my partners.

What to expect with Future Face Africa?

This time an amazing show, amazing models from all over the world, it all about celebrating Africa and Africa models, putting them on the map. We believe this is a good opportunity especially now that Africa is recognized all over the world especially in fashion. . The show will be amazing, we are going to about 10 countries back to back to look for the boys and girls.

What do you look out for in aspiring models?

The height is very important, facial structure and also personality because we do not want a girl that is dull or can’t express herself properly, same for the boys as well.

So it doesn’t matter the part of Africa they are from?

No, it doesn’t

How would you describe the modeling industry in Nigeria now, even in the face of covid?

The industry now is changing, thanks to all the fashion shows, things are different now and I can say we are actually on the right track, though with COVID a lot of things are on hold, I am sure from next year things will pick up.

Vision for FFA?

My dream is to be the biggest in the world, not just in Africa, to be recognized everywhere. Our aim is to change lives and be bigger than where we were before. African models and African fashion have seen rapid growth in popularity and acceptance throughout the world over the last decade. However, there is still a lot of untapped potentials to be explored and Future Face Africa is set to provide the desired platform for the models to excel.

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EventsNews

ECA Commits to Building Capacity for Women & Youths to Support Africa’s Economic Transformation

by glitzedge
written by glitzedge

Delivering a very warm welcome to delegates and guests at Day two of the 3-day hybrid Regional Business Forum organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), on behalf of the ECA and Compass Global Consulting, Mrs. Dayo Benjamins-Laniyi ushered in the order of the day.

Discussing Nigerian Export Promotion Council’s efforts to ‘Building towards Regional Integration – Connecting the Dots through Trade’, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, CEO/Executive Director, (NEPC)/President, ECOWAS Trade Promotion Organizations Networkreinstated NEPC’s vision to make the world a market place for Nigerian non-oil. He further informed that “people should come with the ready-made market to the NEPC because they have facilities to push”.

Founder, Magic Carpet &Imaginarium Ltd, Ferdinand Adimefe in his presentation of creating blueprints for women and youth empowerment through entrepreneurship pinpointed that “there’s a major challenge in unlocking the creative industry due to the inability of entrepreneurs allowing their capital to scale during first few years of business”. The capital needs to be accessible in order to create jobs and in return, grow the economy, he said. He further emphasized youth capital accessibility for empowerment by advising that “every state and African country must have free and accessible hubs. The hubs are the universities of the future.

Vanessa Phalla, Director of the International Labor Office, Abuja during a Q&A session with the audience explained some ways to create and maintain the potential of Africa’s young labor force. She indicated that “while a young and growing labor force is a potential resource, decent job opportunities need to be created for new labor market entrants”.

“There is a need for a change of mindset of our political appointees”, Mrs. Modupe Oyekunle, National Coordinator, ANWBN, speaking on how the nations’ policies affect the functionality and productivity of entrepreneurs.

Mr. Tony Elumelu highlighted that “it is only the entrepreneurial spirit that will create the change and development that we desire to see in Africa”.He also encouraged the necessity of breaking barriers in order to enforce transformation in Africa.

The highly impactful day was wrapped up by words from the moderator on behalf of ECA and all coalition partners.

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EventsNews

ECA West Africa Calls for Support for Women and Youth’s Entrepreneurship in Africa

by glitzedge
written by glitzedge
The recently concluded 3-day hybrid Regional Business Forum organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Subregional Office for West Africa (SRO-WA), in collaboration with Compass Global Consulting, marked a significant turning point for the global agenda for Women and Youth’s empowerments in Africa. Themed “Empowering Women Youths to Spur Africa’s Transformation Agenda”, the event which kicked off on 21st September at the Lagos Continental Hotel Victoria Island Lagos, brought together sector champions in various industries, who partook in the Regional Business Forum structured around high-level meetings, consultations with Business Champions, the youth, and women in the West African business ecosystems. The Forum which is in partnership with more than 350 coalition partners witnessed an immense turnover of positive feedback from the opening ceremony. It started with opening remarks by Dr. Vera Songwe, Under-Secretary-General and ECA Executive Secretary who explained that the purpose of the conversation was how to bring the West African woman to leverage the knowledge, the innovation that exists, leverage the vibrancy they have, and ensure they can take their businesses one notch higher to the global sub-region and take advantage of markets that are further beyond in the east and the west. Dr. Vera Songwe said “In a crisis, the first thing we want to do is ensure we prevent good businesses from falling below and focus a lot on retention. Africa, in particular, the West African region, has the population dynamics working for it. The African population is estimated at 1.3 million in 2020 of which over 250 million are the youth and it is estimated that 10 million to 12 million are entering the workforce every year but only 3.1 million of them find jobs”. Songwe added that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) stands to grow Africa’s GDP by an additional one trillion dollars to deliver on what is needed: “first unlocking our borders, building value chains, and making sure the African women all work together to create the supply chain for textile, fashion, the agro-industry and essentially grow the value of the products, thereby earning more from that. They can become sub-regional and wider continental and international businesses and not limited to the geographies in which we exist today.” The Honorable Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed during her session, emphasized why it’s imperative for society to empower youth and women. “We are hopeful, that this will be an effective avenue for empowering youths and women entrepreneurs and address the unemployment challenges we have in Africa, as well as address the need to create jobs”, speaking on the AfCFTA leverage.” Highlighting the major gaps in the African educational systems and their effects on productivity, Mrs. Ngone Diop, Sub Regional Director, West Africa Office – UNECA, said “the region capacity of innovation remains weak mainly because of the deficiencies in the education systems”. The representative of ECOWAS said that his organization will always be mindful of the roles women and youths play in economic development”. This is to reinstate ECOWAS’ commitment to women and youth empowerment. The 3-day event was fully packed with high-level delegates and insightful sessions and speeches that are bound to create major mind shifts to aid women and youth inclusion and advancement in Africa and the world at large.
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Zaron 5
BeautyEventsNews

Zaron Cosmetics Takes on Skincare Culture with the Launch of ‘Skin by Zaron’

by glitzedge
written by glitzedge

In celebration of her 10th year anniversary Africa’s foremost cosmetics brand, Zaron cosmetics has launched her much awaited skin care range into the beauty market.

Zaron introduces her advanced range of skincare essentials, Skin by Zaron, following the recent unveiling too of her luxurious foundation and powder range – Brown Skin.

Zaron 4

Zaron 4

The brand officially launched its skincare range at a star-studded event which took place on the 29th June 2021 at the Radisson Blu, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Well attended by skin care experts, top celebrities, beauty influencers, high-end pharmacy houses, and lovers of Zaron Cosmetics, the event was opened by Zaron Cosmetics’ Ebony Nzimiro (Senior Management), who introduced the keynote speaker; Dr. Vivian Oputa (Derma Care). Dr. Vivian Oputa absolutely entertained the audience with tips and general knowledge on how to keep your skin healthier and younger.

An interactive Q&A session with skincare experts quickly followed with Ezinne Alfa (Beauty in Lagos), Psamuel Josephs (Clinic Aesthetics), Mary-Jane Ohobu ( GM, Zaron Cosmetics), Joyce Awosika( CEO Oriki Lagos), and Okikiola Asher (The Skin Priest) on the panel.

Zaron 3

Zaron 3

Skin by Zaron launched with eight beautifully packaged and protean SKUs (Face and Body)  that are suitable for every skin type and packed with hero ingredients like Niacinamide, Kojic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, Glycolic acid, Alpha-Arbutin, and Salicylic Acid. The range includes:

Skin Glow Therapy Body Lotion

Herbal + Oil-Infused Micellar Water

Ultimate Glow Brightening Toner

Sun Protection Day Cream with SPF 50+++

Night Glow Plus Face Cream

Acne Control Face Wash

Hydrating + Exfoliating Glow Face Wash

Skin Regenerating Hydrating Serum

Zaron 1

Zaron 1

All products are non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, dermatological, and ophthalmologically tested.

During a special live demo session by Dr. Vivian Oputa, Mary-Jane Ohobu, and Oke Maduewesi, the brand showed attendees each product and talked through their formulations, uses, and skin benefits.

Each product is specially formulated with active ingredients that target key areas and guaranteed to provide the skin with a natural and healthy glow.

The Skin by Zaron brand is intentional about meeting the Woman of Color’s beauty and skincare needs, and wholly committed to manufacturing and distributing luxury essential lifestyle products at affordable prices.

Zaron 2

Zaron 2

Speaking to the audience in her vote of thanks, Founder/Ceo Zaron Cosmetics – Oke Maduwesi, hinted that the brand is working on widening the range and has more exciting products coming up later in the year.

This is truly the next level for the Zaron Brand as she evolves with today’s woman and innovates in real-time. You can find Skin by Zaron products in all Zaron Cosmetics outlets and skincare retail stores in Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Canada, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, and countries with online sales available too.

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Dr. Helen Oritsejafor
News

Dr. Helen Oritsejafor Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree from European American University

by glitzedge
written by glitzedge

Dr. Helen Oritsejafor, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author of the book, “You Too Can Become a Success”, has been awarded the prestigious Honorary Doctorate Degree of Science (D.Sc.) Honoris Causa by the European American University, Commonwealth of Dominica, in Leadership and Corporate Governance.

The recognition was for her lifetime commitment to creating and ensuring a firm and impactful international influence of service throughout the globe.

The award ceremony which took place at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently, saw Dr. Oritsejafor being recognised for her indisputable years of industrious leadership.

Dr. Helen Oritsejafor

Dr. Helen Oritsejafor

The degree stands as well deserved as Dr. Oritsejafor is well known for her vast experience in business for many years as well as her philanthropic activities. She is currently the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of several conglomerates which includes Eagle Heights International Schools; Eagle Flight Microfinance Bank; Eagle Bureau de Change Limited; African Broadcasting Network TV Station; Eagle Wings Secured Insurance Brokerage Limited; Eagle Nest Guest House; amongst others.

Receiving the award, Dr. Oritsejafor said leadership cuts across all aspects of our lives, with each individual being the starting point. She pointed out that as a nation, we need to embrace leadership in totality, to enable the youths and the aged to experience true leadership, to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

She further dedicated the award especially to her husband, Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, and also to those who have lost hope, encouraging them to remain committed to their set goals, despite the prevailing socio-economic or political circumstances.

She advised that being focused with immense determination will lead to actualisation of dreams for a successful life, in any field of human endeavour.

While speaking on the involvement of women in governance, the renowned philanthropist posits that the aspect of womanhood is not prioritised. She said, if more women are in power, there would be a more decentralised system and organised structure that will encompass the different human elements for a progressive nation. This, she said, is because of the motherly nature of women.

She, therefore, urged women to stand out in their endeavour to bridge the gap in gender inequality.

On her goodwill to many Nigerians, the Ekiti-state-born philanthropist recently provided financial support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which were grossly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for them to grow their businesses, among other initiatives.

 

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MAX OUT
News

Borderless Trade Network Presents Project WINHER 2021

by glitzedge
written by glitzedge

It is no longer news that several MSMEs and early-stage ventures had to wade through strong currents when the pandemic hit. However, while its impact was felt globally, the effect was not the same for everyone.

It’s no exaggeration to say that  businesses owned by women, especially those of colour were severely devastated in the wake of the Covid-19 rife. A World Bank survey conducted in May 2020, assessing over 26,000 business owners and managers in over 50 countries with an active Facebook Business Page, revealed that about 43% of female-owned MSMEs were more severely affected than 34% of the male-owned business counterparts who were also affected.

With an imbalance that was too glaring to ignore, OBA Inc. in February 2021, held its first Borderless Trade Women in Business Salon Series which was targeted at realizing the global impact of raising women who are well-grounded in trade, business and investment, as well as utilizing the AfCFTA protocols to their favor. Sensitizing women on the possibilities of international trade and integrating actionable systems that can take their business beyond the borders of the current location or even continent.

Piggybacking off the success of our Saloon series, OBA Inc. presents project WINHER; A 4-stage investment education, financial inclusion and wealth creation project for women of colour.

Project WIN (Women in Investment) HER introduces its maiden edition which will focus on exposing women of colour in Nigeria and the UK, to digital money and wealth creation opportunities, increasing the number of women actively thriving in the global investment market.

OloriBoye-Ajayi, speaking on behalf of the other facilitators –InyaLawal, President, Ascend Studios Foundation; TomieBalogun, Financial Educator and Investor; SanmiAdegoke, CEO, Rehoboth Property International;Olayinka Anthony, CEO, CoWorthy Capital; and Tobi Arayomi, Financial Investor & CEO, Q plus  says, “We believe that the women who participate in this project will gain a high level of financial literacy that will demystify the subject of investment and enable them to recognize high ROI opportunities.”

The importance of inclusion will, through this project, be emphasized while also showing how trade & investment go hand in hand, with the Borderless Trade Network of OBA Inc. being the trade hub and Project WINHER, the investment hub.

Project WINHER is set to hold on Sunday, 8th August 2021 and Sunday 15th August 2021 by 6:30 pm WAT

This project is proudly supported by the Office of the Honorable Commissioner of Trade and Investment to Vanuatu to Nigeria and South Africa; sponsored by Cersei Partners and OBA Inc.

To register, click the link below.

https://bit.ly/WIN-HER

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WARIF
LifestyleNews

WARIF Completes 3rd cycle of the Gate Keepers Project

by glitzedge
written by glitzedge

In its commitment to address the issue of Gender Based Violence in Nigeria, ACT Foundation has partnered with the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) again this year, for the 3rd Cycle of the Gatekeepers Project, to train community gatekeepers who serve as first responders to cases of rape and sexual violence in their direct communities.

 WARIF has successfully trained another group of stakeholders to tackle the menace of rape and sexual violence under its Gatekeepers Project. The project, supported by Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation is in its 3rd cycle of addressing the prevalence of sexual violence among young girls and women in rural communities across Local Government Areas in Lagos. The participating community gatekeepers include Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), Law Enforcement Agents and Religious leaders. A total of 600 Gatekeepers were trained in this cycle of the project. 

WARIF
WARIF

 The addition of religious leaders as Tertiary Gatekeepers in the program recognizes their important role in their various communities, which will lead to an increased awareness and a reduction in the cases of GBV in these rural communities. 

Speaking on the inclusion of religious leaders in this cycle, WARIF’S Founder, Dr Kemi DaSilva-Ibru noted, “following two successful cycles of the Gatekeepers community based project, sponsored by ACT Foundation, the involvement of community leaders such as the Traditional Birth Attendants and Law Enforcement Officers, has led to an increase in the awareness and the prevention of gender based violence in rural communities and a documented increase in the number of cases reported to the WARIF Centre. We anticipate that the addition of Religious Leaders, a key stakeholder in many communities, to our gatekeepers project, will lead to a further increase in awareness, a change in the adverse prevailing mind set of many community members towards gender based violence and a reduction in the number of cases of violence against women and girls reported.”Also commenting on the initiative, CEO ACT Foundation, Ms. Osayi Alile said: ACT Foundation is proud of WARIF for the successful implementation of the Gatekeepers Project “In the past year, this crucial project has continually pushed societal barriers to the safety of women and girls, through the training of key community members including the Traditional Birth Attendants. In this project cycle, the inclusion of the Police and religious leaders further strengthened WARIF’s approach to enabling a higher level of community awareness and ensuring that all aspects of society (grassroots, rural or urban) are equipped with the capacity to appropriately and tactfully help women who are disposed to abuses.” 

Ms. Alile also noted that as incidences of rape and sexual violence continue to rise, ACT Foundation is committed to the support and protection of vulnerable women everywhere and therefore hopes to continue supporting projects that challenge the tragic menace of gender-based violence in our society. WARIF through its various initiatives in health, education and community service, remains committed to ensuring that all women and girls can live in a society free from rape and sexual violence.

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BeautyNews

Zaron Brown Skin Swatch Party

by glitzedge
written by glitzedge

Top cosmetics brand for the woman of colour; Zaron Cosmetics officially unveiled her new luxurious foundation and powder range BrownSkin at a Swatch Party held at their Ikoyi, Lagos head office that saw in attendance industry favorites.

The highlight of the day was the attendees getting to experience the ultra-lush new formula in shade tests of BrownSkin! Specially created for women of colour by women of colour, there is nothing quite like BrownSkin in the market. BrownSkin Foundation and Powder comes in way more diverse shades with its much-improved, lavish formula that is sweat, humidity resistant,transfer-proof, and non-oxidizing.

Zaron-brownskin
Zaron-brownskin

 We know the globe is bursting with diversity, however – and women of all races deserve to feel good about themselves. With a foundation so rich, lightweight, and available in your shade, BrownSkin by Zaron is guaranteed to give you the satisfaction you deserve from your makeup, allowing you to radiate confidence and take pride in the skin you’re in.

To find your perfect BrownSkin shade; Zaron’s free shade testing in their “Try-Me-Buy-Me” campaign which you can be a part of, send no-makes unfiltered images of yourself via the link in bio @zaroncosmetics on Instagram to get free samples!

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