I hate to keep going on about the weather, but what is going on? Torrential rain one day followed by horrendous heat the next. This has got to be the result of climate change, because all this feels so alien to me. I am just putting it out there that we all may want to investigate how our households and habits could be a little bit more environmentally friendly. Let’s all do our bit to help our planet.
I have already implemented “No Meat Mondays”, and my business is all about upcycling materials and not using single-use plastic bags.

This is Oddbod and the City – My Lagos Adventur

Smile – Aviva

There is nothing I love more than seeing my friends growing their businesses and going from strength to strength, or better yet, when they are things I like to do, eat, or a service I need to try!

Aviva has been around for a few years and I love their business model because, it’s all about empowering others to own their own businesses. It is easiest to call them a franchise business because they support by sourcing quality stock items, and the peripheral materials you need to hit the ground running with minimal investment.
They started with jewellery, branched out into makeup and beauty products and now, I could not be more excited to try out the newest member of their beauty arsenal—the Aviva teeth whitening kit
It comes with a whitening pen, cheek retractor with a vitamin E swab, and promises you teeth that are 5 – 7 shades whiter in less than 10 days. Sounds like magic to me. I have watched the helpful instruction video, and shall be giving it a go tonight. I can’t wait to see the results and as usual, I will keep you posted.

New store alert – Zinkata

Zinkata founded by Ezinne Chinkata, opened last week in Lekki and I was so sad to miss the launch party because—unprecedented on a Sunday afternoon—this girl was doing some work. The hustle is real.

Nkwo

Nothing beats the blues like a little bit of retail therapy, and Zinkata is stocking some of my favourite in home-grown and established designer brands such as NKWO, Meena, DNA by Iconic Invanity and LDA.

LDA

I really wanted to go and support my good friend, designer Ian Audifferen who will be stocking his TZAR collection there. Originally a menswear brand, the androgyny of his designs created a female following that he now caters for—my wardrobe is packed with an obscene amount of his clever slogan t-shirts.

Tzar

I am really looking forward to updating my work wardrobe seeing as I have managed to, ahem, grow out of everything I own. I was checking out some fabulous pieces online from some designers I am looking forward to trying like Peridot, FIA and The Ladymaker.
They have done a really great job with the curation, and I am in full support of all thing’s women in business. Add to that, a business that supports the growth of other people’s business… well now you’re cooking with gas.

A worthy cause – #NoMore
When the #MeToo Movement kicked off in 2017, social media and a catchy hashtag brought it to our doorstep. I remember being sad. A movement against sexual harassment and assault in theory was fantastic; but, this being Nigeria, I knew there would be talk and no action.

As Nigerians, we don’t have the constitution for revolution. Instead, we persevere in the face of gross injustice and in our patriarchal society where sexual misconduct is practically institutionalised.
I was recently introduced to Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, radio host and social activist. When asked by western media why the MeToo movement had not taken off in Nigeria, she simply responded: “ours is not so much a case of pool MeToo but a collective roar of NoMore.”

Thus, the NGO NoMore234ng was born, a call to action for Nigerians to support zero-tolerance to sexual abuse. The fight will have to go all the way to the law makers, how rape cases are reported, and how they are prosecuted. But first, we must create a safe space for the victims to come forward.

The #NoMore app is being created as a system to report and record incidences safely. It will also provide access to counselling, therapy and support groups for survivors.
It is a worthy cause, and one I hope will take root in our society and bring about change.

For further information about my adventures check out my Instagram, @le_Oddbod.