-Cecilia Odok

You’ve been dating for a while now and all your friends say you guys look good together. You are so in love and everything seems to be going right. And guess what? He calls to invite you to dinner – no special occasion – and he’s being all secretive and evasive about it. Surely, it’s got to be that he wants to propose right?

You are all dressed up after dinner, which you obviously couldn’t wait to end, he takes your hand (and you think, “this is it”), looks deep into your eyes and tells you, “I don’t know how to say this, but this isn’t working out for me; I want to opt out of the relationship.”  Oops

How would you react to this? We hit the streets and here are the responses we got:

I’ll just wait a little longer to be sure that he isn’t joking. But if he walks away, I’ll let the tears flow and call a friend to take me home. You can’t force someone to love you.  Joy (Youth Corp member)

I will kill him. Okay seriously, I’ll be too shocked to do anything but I’ll walk away after trying to find out why he made such a decision. Myriad (Accountant)

That’s not a small heartbreak oh; of course I’ll cry a lot and I’ll hate that guy forever. Ese (Student)

I’ll say the same thing to him and we will laugh and finish dinner while I’m hurting inside, I’ll wish him well and hope he suffers. Dytiem (Marketing Executive)

I would probably ask him for how he has known it hasn’t been working out, based on his response I would thank him for letting me know and end the dinner. Ifeoma (Account Executive)

That it’s not working for him means it’s not working. He’s even nice to tell me in a romantic way because nothing stops him from leading me on for many more years. We’ll break up as friends, lick my sores and enjoy my life. Chinwe (Accountant)

If I really love this guy and he wants out, I would ask him why, if it is a strong reason I’ll let him be, it’s going to be very tough but it’s part of the challenge; but if the reason is not convincing enough, I’ll make him see reasons to stay. Lillian (Teacher)

I will laugh really hard because I laugh when I’m in shock, then wish him all the best I his life and walk out. Uleoma  (PR Consultant) 

I’ll carry myself in shame and go home now, what else? I can’t kill him. No be by force.  Onyeka (Entrepreneur)

I’ll ask him first, if he insists then that’s it, I can’t force anyone to stay where their hearts have left, I’ll move on painfully though. Margaret (Entrepreneur)

NEWTON & DAVID OPENS “VI” STORE WITH TRADITIONAL ITALIAN APERICENA

Newton & David, Nigeria’s leading Events and Décor Design company launched  its new store at the Elpina Plaza, 642C Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday 14^th June 2013.

With a traditional Italian Apricena theme, Newton & David welcomed guests to an amazing evening with stunning floral designs and décor from the entrance through to the walkway and the main store.

True to being an industry pioneer in exceptional events management, design and décor, Newton & David delivered a world-class party at the opening of its VI store which attracted top personalities from all parts of the country. The A-list guest list enjoyed non-stop cocktails, an Italian-themed menu and a live jazz band.

The VI store is now officially open to offer all Newton & David services including; Brand Orchestration, Events Management, Window Display, Floral Design and Décor; the store will deliver unforgettable and seamless events services, stunning designs, awesome décor, and remarkable floral displays for any occasion.

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

Ali baba, Seyi body lawson

Andhi-Koesoemo

Angela-Okonmah

Bella Adenuga

Bez

Bubu Ogisi

Funke Kuku

Gbubemi Fregene(Chef fregz), Bubu Ogisi

Gozie Coker and Kike Soyode

Newton & David Team

Lanre Da-Silva

Lanre ogunlesi, Rufina Ogunlesi, Ade Ogunlesi.

Liz Yemoja

Mowunmi Majekodunmi, Uche majekodunmi

Mrs Aliyu.

Obaro Ibru

Rufina Ogunlesi, Mrs Ogunlesi, Victor Okigbo, Funmi Victor Okigbo, Uche Majekodunmi, Marco Alabi, Biola Alabi, Ayoona

Tabia princewell (Editor, Guardian Life), Halima Babalola

Titi Reju

Tiwa savage, Rufina ogunlesi, Gozie coker, Andhi Koesoemo

Tokini Peterside

Victor Okigbo

Yewande Zaccheaus

For more information about Newton & David;

Visit the website – www.newtonanddavidevents.com

Follow on Twitter; @Newtonanddavid

Follow on Instagram; @Newtonanddavid

When I was a teenager, I had a way of befriending the lost, the weird, the needy. Your kids may have a friend or two that you have known for a long time, but not all of them may be to your approval.

You may think you’ll know how you will handle it, but it is rarely as simple as it seems. Most teens will find a way to hang out with the kids you forbid them from seeing plus there will be copious amounts of resentment involved which might eventually lead to a rebellion that you really don’t want to deal with if you don’t have to.

Letting them hang out with these undesirable kids could mean that they are exposed to stuff you don’t want them exposed to and a loss of reputation. Somehow you have to find a way to keep them safe that won’t cause a dramatic event. Good luck!

What you should do is  to open your house to her friends. When they are around, get to know them and don’t make a judgement based on the way that they looked or how you perceived them to be. Not only you get to know these kids, but you may also be able to make a difference in their lives.

When you take out the time to get to know them, you will learn which ones are diamonds in the rough and which need to be encouraged to move on. The main thing you must learn is not to make judgments based on what you thought you saw.

By miss S.A.O

- Power of I AM

It was indeed an inspiring evening at The Wheatbaker Hotel Lagos on Friday the 31st of May, 2013, as Genevieve magazine kicked off its 10th anniversary celebration with Morning Dew Readings themed THE POWER OF ‘I AM’. With  glamorously clad ladies in our floral and fragrant dress code the event was an outburst of motivation and sharing of life’s many experiences by strong women and role models. Beautiful TV presenter, Dolapo Oni hosted the show. Very Dewy exultations for everyone in the house. Below are the red carpet pictures.

See more pictures in our June 2012 Edition.

Yelz, the bigz gel has returned! Award winning actor Funke Akindele who left Nigerians’ ribs cracked from laughter with Jenifa 1&2 is back with Return of Jenifa with a premiere that stood Lagos still. The much anticipated movie was studded with stars like Eldee, dance queen Kaffy, Banky W, WizKid, Denrele, Naeto C, Omawunmi, Helen Paul, Sasha, DJ Zeez, Freeze and even the late comedian, CD John.The ever busy screen queen while on set for another movie made out time to have a chat with Nneka Obiano on her life, vision and motivation…

You must have been very playful as a child. What was growing up like?

Growing up for me was fun. My parents were strict but I was more like a tom-boy; so whenever my mum told me not to go out and play on the streets, I still would and run back into the house as soon as I heard the horn blare. My parents just had four kids; three girls and a boy.

You are a Law graduate. So how did you end up acting?

I am tired of answering that question! You people make my learned colleagues mad at me (laughs). I love acting. It has always been my first love. It’s a passion for me so here I am.

Tell us how your acting career began

Well it started in 1991. My first experience was with Opa Williams in his movie Naked Wire. Then there was I Need To know, a TV series which was a big break for me on television. Then after I Need To Know, I tried getting roles in some English movies;it was pretty difficult. I featured in some then moved into Yoruba movies. I featured in a couple before I started producing mine. My first movie was produced in 2004,Ojoketala (the thirteenth day) and I have been producing since I got the big break from Jenifa.

Why did you choose to stick to Yoruba movies?

Well, that was where I was accepted and given roles, so I had to go on with it. But I still feature in English movies as well.

What inspired Jenifa?

If you have a flashback, you would realise that this isn’t the first time such a story would be told. Thereareseveral movies with undergraduates with low self esteem issues, who become prostitutes just because they want to belong to a particular status, make money, wear trendy clothes and drive flashy cars like other girls do. I just wanted to give back to the society since I believe so much in the young people because they are vibrant and easily exposed to a lot of vices. Jenifa is my way of reaching out to them to correct the vices among young people. I just wanted to pass a message across to them which is that they should believe in themselves. They don’t have to try and speak the Queen’s English because someone else is doing the same but they should show their true identity so that people can appreciate them for who they are. It was also a hit at prostitution among undergraduates. Older men just go to them and invite them to parties,spend money on then and they end up exposed to a lot of hazards like sexually transmitted diseases even the dreaded HIV/AIDS. So Jenifa is me giving back to the society!

The Return of Jenifa was star-studded. How were you able to put together a lot of celebrities to feature in this movie?

I just had to call my colleagues and friends to support me. The First Lady of Lagos state, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, former governor of Ogun state, Olusegun Oshoba and his beautiful wife were very supportive. They believed in me and the message I was passing across through the movie. It is true we all want to laugh but that message is very important especially for the youth.

We noticed the Lagos State government was a big part of the project. How did you make that happen?

I’m from Lagos state; from Ikorodu to be precise. I really appreciate the governor of Lagos state, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola and Her Excellency; she is like my second mum. They supported the cause because they believed in the brand and the message reaching out to the people to be empowered. You don’t have to wait to get a job in an office. You discover your talent, develop it and it would take you places.

The Return of Jenifafirst premiered in the US before Lagos. What was that like?

It was premiered in Chicago and New York. It went very well. We are currently working on the premiere in the UK.

We seem to be used to you playing this role. Can you feature in other movies where you don’t playJenifathe village girl?

Of course, I can play other roles. I’m currently shooting a Tunde Kilani movie where I’m playing a frustrated mother. I can play any role; I can play the local, the posh, the good, the bad and the ugly. As an actress, you should be versatile. You should be flexible enough to be able to fit into various characters. I can play any role.

Tell us about the challenges you’ve had in the Jenifa project

The biggest challenge I’ve had was trying to get Jenifa back; that is The return ofJenifa. The shooting, production, planning the premiere, were all very stressful. We were working endlessly but I thank God it turned out fine.

We’ve seen Jenifa 1&2 and alsoThe return of Jenifa. Is Jenifa now a brand?

Well, just like Tyler Perry’s Madea is a brand, Jenifa is also a brand. Everybody loves seeing Madea; I am so crazy about Madea and I laugh my head off when watching it.But don’t forget that as you’re laughing, a strong message is being passed across especially about family acceptance. Some examples are ICan Do Bad All By Myself, Family Reunion, Dairy of a Mad Black Woman etc. So in the same way, Jenifa is a brand, but we are saying ‘bye’ for now because we are going into other stuff, then later, we would continue with Jenifa.

How did you feel when you won the African Movie Award for Best Actress?

That was in 2009; I was excited! I wasn’t around when that happened; I was in Ghana,but when I was told, I was so happy. It felt good knowing that at last, my work was recognised and appreciated. I mean, winning the best actress in Africa was a big one! I felt so honoured; I still feel honoured. I thank God and my fans.

Most Nigerian/African actors/actresses dream of a platform to collaborate with their Hollywood counterparts. Are you looking forward to this too?

Well, if any opportunity comes my way, I would grab it and make good use of it. I’m still taking it easy till such an opportunity presents itself. Maybe when it does, I would hug it! (Laughs)

You were robbed while shooting your movie Omo Ghetto last year…

Such things happen. Anybody else could have been robbed. I just thank God that I’m still alive and the movie was a success.

What is the most bizarre thing a fan has ever done to you?

A lot of crazy things!(laughs). Some would slap me at the back, hug me, kiss me; it’s so crazy.But without these beautiful fans, there’s no me, so I thank God. I just try to take it in good fate. Sometimes, I get angry and frown; sometimes I smile but it’s all good.

So, is there a He in your life? There was a publication that said you were searching after which many suitors started contacting you. Tell us about it.

Of course there’s a man in my life! About that publication, I think that magazine is crazy because they actually walked up to me and asked if I could grant them an interview which I did. Then the interviewer said, “Your fans are eager to know when you would get married; so when would that be?” And my response was, “Don’t worry, they would surely get to know when I’m getting married and it would certainly be to the best man.” And he went ahead to write that I was searching. I even told him that I was in a relationship and was not searching when he asked about my status. I was really surprised, but it’s all good because my fans definitely know that I’m not searching.

There was a rumour about you being involved with some actor a while back. What was that about?

I don’t think I want to give people unnecessary publicity. I am not in a relationship with any actor or anyone in the entertainment industry for that matter.

What else would you have been doing if you weren’t an actress?

I would probably be a musician; I love entertainment.

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment…

I am a very natural and down-to-earth person and hardly get embarrassed. If anything happens, I just pick up and move on. I mean stuffs happen.

When it comes to fashion, what is your ideal style?

I love my jeans, t-shirt and sandals!

Where do you see yourself in a few years from now?

Well I must have built my foundation, the Jenifa Foundation, which is all about empowering the young people, reaching out to them to make good use of their talents to build a better nation.

Trivia

How do you relax?

When I’m not working, I’m either sleeping, I love playing my PS3, writing, watching a movie or series like Desperate Housewives, Lost, Entourage, Grey’s Anatomy and others or I’m online.

What is your favourite meal?

I like plantain and fresh fish

Beauty routine?

I just make sure I wash my face before I go to bed.